Running Water Creek

83%

218 reviews

· Guild, Marion, Tennessee

120 acres hosted by Thomas M.

2 lodging sites · 20 RV/tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at some sites.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

Running Water Creek is a unique, fully off grid campground just 20 minutes to downtown Chattanooga. We have 80+ campsites spread out over 120 acres. Most of the roads are accessible in any small car, but some roads require 4x4 (they're marked with a sign). We have a bath house with toilets, showers, and sinks and even offer hot water! Our well and cabins are all solar powered as we are not on the electric grid. Some info about the property: -we DO NOT have water or power hookups -we have gravel roads with a 5 MPH speed limit on the property (if you drive too fast the roads will seem rough) -we are right next to a highway and train tracks so there will be some noise (some days are better than others and we have no way of predicting how many trains will/will not go by) -none of our campsites have picnic tables (please plan accordingly) -most campsites have fire rings built, but if you choose a site without one you need to build your own

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Mountainous

Field

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Lodging 2 sites

Instant book

Creekside Tiny A-frame Glamp Site

100% (16)

Cabin · Sleeps 2

This cozy A-frame cabin overlooks the creek and has a wall that opens up to the deck to enjoy nature and the sounds of the creek. This cabin has a memory foam mattress, basic cooking supplies, and an outlet for charging electronics. The property features a seasonal creek, multiple hiking trails to enjoy nature, and a bathhouse with showers, toilets, and sinks (water is not potable).

Instant book

Mountainside Tiny A-Frame

95% (10)

Cabin · Sleeps 2

This tiny A-frame cabin has a wall that opens up to the large deck! The A-frame features a memory foam queen-size mattress, basic cooking utensils and a camp stove, and an outlet for charging electronics. Sheets, blankets, and pillows are provided, but towels are not provided. Guests have access to the shared bath house on the property with showers (with hot water!), toilets, and sinks as well as a dishwashing station.

RV/tent sites 1 site

High demandInstant book

Running Water Creek Campgroud

82% (275)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 28 ft

Pitch your tent on any one of the numerous sites throughout the property and enjoy a campfire in nature! Running Water Creek is a honey bee sanctuary and completely off-grid! Most sites can be reached with a small car, but some camp sites are 4X4 access only. There is a bath house on the property with showers, toilets, and sinks, but the water is not potable. Please be respectful of our property! Please clean up after yourself at your campsite and in the bathhouse. This property is gated and access is restricted to this property and not the entire mountain, there are game cameras at the entrances and various public places throughout the property. This is nature....so there are various wild animals on the property (snakes, foxes, bobcats, etc.) so please be aware at all times. There are also train tracks nearby where trains go by at various times during the day and night. Campground quiet hours are from 10 pm to 7 am each day. Things to know: -Campsites: There are well over 40 sites on the property that are all first come, first serve. If Hipcamp allows you to book, then there are spots available! There is no way to reserve a specific site. - Trash: We do not have trash cans, so you are responsible for removing your trash from the property. This does not mean leaving it in the bathhouse, hiding it somewhere on the property, or burning it....this means you take your trash with you when you leave the property. -Fires: Most sites have a fire ring built, but if you choose a site without a fire ring you will need to build your own. You are responsible for your fire and fires must be extinguished before leaving the property! -Pets: Pets are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved prior to booking. You are responsible for your pets and cleaning up after them. Pets must remain on a leash and with their owner at all times. Pets must be quiet and must also be friendly with dogs and humans. -Neighborhood dogs: The property is in a rural area so the neighbor's dogs often run through the property. They are extremely friendly with dogs and humans! -Bathhouse: We have sinks, toilets, and showers (water is not potable) available to everyone staying on the property. It is not your private bathroom so please do not leave your things in the bathroom in between uses. This property is also completely off-grid so please limit the amount of water you use. -Public/private areas: We have a few long-term campers/cabins on the property. Please be respectful of their space and belongings. We encourage everyone to walk around and explore the property, but please don't go into other people's campsites to look around or steal things, that includes firewood. Everyone is welcome to use the pavilion and stage during the day, but camping overnight is not allowed (bathhouse included). -Children: Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times, including at the bathhouse. Please don't allow children to use any of our buildings/structures as jungle gyms. You are responsible for your children.

3,000 ft

Reviews

83% Recommend301 ratings · 218 reviews

Running Water Creek campground offers a mixed bag of experiences. While some campers appreciate the serene sound of the creek and the presence of friendly dogs, the noise from nearby trains and the interstate can be quite disturbing. The campsite's facilities, like the hot showers and clean restrooms, are well-maintained and appreciated by visitors. However, the site's upkeep and the abundance of ticks have been notable concerns for some campers.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Jedediah D.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2025

Tent ·

Running Water Creek Campgroud

I absolutely adore this spot. The sound of the creek helps create a serene calming environment. The two large dogs are absolutely wonderful companions who'll visit and gladly liberate your unattended food.

Jacara K.

7 months on Hipcamp

Not recommend

· April 2025

Would not recommend

Tent · Group trip ·

Running Water Creek Campgroud

I genuinely would not recommend camping here. They inform you of a train being near the property. It is right beside it and can see through the trees and it goes off so much. During the day it felt like a train passed every 30-45 minutes. ALSO the camp is right beside a very busy and very loud interstate. That sound is non stop. There was beeping and you could hear cars wheels grinding on those little bumps that help you know when you are out of the lane. We went to sleep around 10:30 and heard the train 5+ times through the night and also constant traffic. The camp ground was also really expensive considering how it was not taken well care of. I don’t think anyone had stayed at our site for a while and the grass had tall weeds. This is the same for almost all of the other sites. We saw SO MANY TICKS and the ones with white on their backs. Luckily we had duct tape and could wrap the bottom of our pants closed. We saw ticks crawling on our tent, socks, legs, on our other items. It really sucked and was very stressful constantly checking and all the times we found one crawling on us or one of our items. Hopefully we will still be tick free once we check again when we make it home. They luckily had a restroom that had showers with hot water. There were also some really cute dogs a chihuahua and 2 large hound dogs. They were very well behaved and cute. It is really unfortunate that this camp is in such a terrible area and seems to be no longer taken care of.

Jessie P.

1 month on Hipcamp

Not recommend

· April 2025

Last Minute Running Water Booking

Tent ·

Running Water Creek Campgroud

Bring ear plugs! The train was very disruptive. I booked this site because my previous plans fell through so Running Water came in very clutch. The camp site was not very scenic but it was very well maintained. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle you may be able to get to some better campsites on the property. The bathrooms were clean. I took a shower and it was hot for the full few minutes I had the water on between lathering. (From what I understand their water is all solar heated?) There were a couple dogs wandering around, which I don’t mind, but if you are afraid of dogs, had a bad experience with them, or are bringing your own dog it is something to be aware of. As for my own experience: I was woken up by a bloodhound investigating my camp site, and after a pat on the head he went on his way.

Melissa W.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Creekside Tiny A-frame Glamp Site

Absolutely beautiful, peaceful and quiet ✨️ Would LOVE to do a return trip❣️

James F.

2 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Tent · With kids ·

Running Water Creek Campgroud