CampgroundsDB

First-come camping in Tennessee (no reservation needed)

Tennessee has 13 public campgrounds you can camp at without a reservation, 5 free and 6 charging a fee. All are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

13
Total
0
Reservable
13
First-come

noindex Fewer than 3 campgrounds here clear the indexable bar yet, so this page stays noindex.

First-come campgrounds vs. dispersed camping

Every campground below is a named, developed site that takes no reservations: show up, find an open site, pay if there's a fee. Dispersed camping (boondocking) is different: camping on open public land away from any campground. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Most first-come campgrounds by town: 5 near Polk , 4 near Dover , 1 near Benton , and 1 near Monroe .

Open this area in Google Maps
Boswell Landing Campground Dover · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Brandon Spring Group Camp Dover · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Overnight Use:
 Conasauga River Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Gatlin Point Campground Dover · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Lost Creek Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Low Gap Camp Sullivan · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Mcnabb Group Camp Tellico Plains · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Overnight Use:
 Parksville Campground Benton · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $12 per night
 Piney Campground Dover · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $16 per night
 Quinn Springs Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Sourwood Campground Monroe · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Sylco Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Tumbling Creek Campground Polk · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free

Common questions

Is there free camping in Tennessee?

Yes. 5 public campgrounds here are free and first-come: Conasauga River Campground, Low Gap Camp, Sourwood Campground, Sylco Campground, and 1 more.

Can you camp on BLM land in Tennessee?

Yes, in most places. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Campgrounds you can book ahead: camping in Tennessee.