Camping NearFentress County
From full-hookup RV sites inside a national recreation area to primitive backcountry under a certified dark sky — here’s every campground worth knowing about.
🐴 Horse Camps
⭐ Pickett State Park
🦅 Blue Heron
🏕️ Charit Creek Lodge
🚐 Private Campgrounds
🎒 Backcountry
📊 Quick Compare
Everything You Need to KnowBefore You Set Up Camp
Fentress County sits on the edge of some of the best camping terrain in the eastern United States. Big South Fork National Recreation Area alone has five developed campgrounds — ranging from full-hookup RV sites with swimming pools to primitive sites accessible only by horseback. Add Pickett State Park, private ATV campgrounds, and wild backcountry, and you have more camping options than most people realize. This guide covers every option, with honest details about hookups, reservations, RV access, and what each campground is actually good for.
Main Campgrounds
RV Friendly
Reservable
🐻 Bear Country
The flagship campground for Big South Fork — the best-equipped, largest, and most popular base camp in the region. Bandy Creek combines the ruggedness of true wilderness camping with genuinely nice amenities: hot showers, flush toilets, a swimming pool, playground, and direct trail access from your site. It’s consistently rated 4.6 stars for cleanliness and friendliness of staff. If you’re bringing the family or a big rig and want a solid home base, this is where you start.
💡 Insider Tips
- Loop A from site A13 upward is tent-only — no generators allowed. Quietest section of the campground. Sites A37–A43 are the best.
- Only 10 sites have 50-amp service — book early if you need 50-amp.
- Reservations open 6 months in advance (April 1–Oct 31). Book early for weekends and fall foliage season.
- RV Warning: Hwy 297 from Oneida has a 13% downhill grade — challenging for large rigs. Use Hwy 154 as alternate route.
- Firewood must come from Scott, Morgan, Pickett, or Fentress County (TN) or McCreary County (KY) only. On-site firewood available.
- Bears are present — all food, coolers, soap, and cosmetics must be stored in bear boxes or vehicles at all times.
- The campground is on Eastern Time even though Jamestown is Central — don’t miss your checkout.
🐴 Equestrian
Reservable
The premier horse camp in Big South Fork — 24 sites with immediate access to hundreds of miles of equestrian trails. Designed specifically for riders but open to all campers. Each site includes water, electric, tie-outs for four horses, a picnic table, and grill. Hot showers and dump station on site.
🐴 Equestrian
Similar to Station Camp — 23 equestrian sites with water, electric, and horse tie-outs. A bit quieter and smaller than Station Camp, with the same quality facilities and direct BSF trail access. Non-equestrians are welcome. Great option when Station Camp is fully booked.
Kentucky Side
Smaller & Quieter
The Kentucky-side alternative to Bandy Creek — 45 sites, much smaller and quieter. Located near the Blue Heron Mining Community (Mine 18), a fascinating outdoor museum of an abandoned coal mining town. Great option if Bandy Creek is full or you want a less crowded experience. Modern bathhouse with hot showers.
Primitive
No Hookups
Six primitive sites at Alum Ford on the Kentucky side — vault toilets, no running water, no hookups. Basic river access camping at its simplest. Bring all your own water. Ideal for kayakers, paddlers, or anyone wanting complete solitude without backcountry permit requirements.
Hike-In Only
Meals Provided
The most unique overnight experience in the entire region — a remote backcountry lodge accessible only by foot or horseback through Big South Fork. No electricity, no road, no noise. Rustic dormitory-style beds in historic log cabins, hearty meals provided, and surrounded by canyon wilderness. An unforgettable experience that’s completely unlike standard camping.
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
Campground Closed for Renovations: Pickett State Park campground is closed from May 26, 2025 through mid-2026 for bathhouse and campground renovations. Cabins remain available. Check tnstateparks.com for reopening updates.
Cabins Available
Dark Sky Certified
Pickett is the closest state park to Jamestown — 12 miles out on Hwy 154, adjacent to Big South Fork. Its campground is currently closed through mid-2026 for renovations, but the CCC-built cabins are available and the park itself is fully open for day use. When it reopens, it offers 26–31 sites (water hookups on all, electric on 16+), a dark-sky certified astronomy field, hot showers, dump station, and some of the best trail access in Tennessee.
💡 Pickett Tips
- The CCC-built stone cabins are historic and beautiful — book them early, they go fast.
- Best stargazing in the entire region — no light pollution, certified International Dark Sky Park.
- WiFi is only available at the Visitor Center, not at campsites. Very limited cell service.
- Beaty’s Wildwood Grocery is 7 miles down Hwy 154 — gas station, diner, basic supplies.
- Bring bug spray — can get buggy especially around dusk.
Private Campgrounds
Full Hookups Available
Movie Screen
A solid private option near Big South Fork — 34 level sites, all with electric and water hookups, and 9 with full sewer hookups. Two stocked fishing ponds, a large covered deck and commons area, movie screen and projector, picnic tables, and large community grill. Good choice if you need a sewer hookup (not available at NPS campgrounds) or want a more social atmosphere.
🏍️ ATV Focus
Trail Access
For ATV and off-road riders, these two campgrounds adjacent to Brimstone Recreation provide direct access to Trail #1 and Brimstone’s 300+ miles of trails. Trails End has 30amp/water hookups at $30/night ($35 for pull-through). Brimstone Campground sits riverfront with dump station and ATV wash station. If you’re coming with ATVs, this is your base camp.
Lake Fishing
⭐ 4.6 Google
A 185-acre man-made lake in Monterey with RV camping, sandy beach swimming, state-stocked fishing (bass, bream, catfish, crappie, red ear), kayak rentals, and a camp store with a deli and hand-dipped ice cream. A local favorite — rated 4.6 stars with 238 reviews. Opens March 1 for RV camping. No primitive tent camping except for groups.
Backcountry CampingBig South Fork
If you want complete solitude with zero crowds, Big South Fork’s backcountry permit system lets you camp almost anywhere in the 125,000-acre park. A permit costs around $5 and can be obtained at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center or online through the NPS.
- → Camp almost anywhere along trails or near rivers
- → No other campers for miles in most areas
- → Canyon overlooks, arches, and river access
- → True dark sky experience — Milky Way visible
- → Firewood collection allowed (dead and down only)
- → Backcountry permit required (~$5)
- → Cannot camp in parking areas or trailheads
- → Bear-safe food storage required
- → Groups 25+ require a special use permit
- → TN or KY fishing license needed to fish rivers
Get your backcountry permit at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center (151 Stable Rd, Oneida TN) or online at nps.gov/biso. Staff can recommend specific campsites and give you current conditions for the area you want to explore.
Compare AllCampgrounds
Use this table to find the right campground for your setup at a glance.
| Campground | Sites | Electric | Water | Sewer | Showers | Pool | Reservations | Approx. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandy Creek (BSF) | 149 | ✓ 30&50amp | ✓ | ✗ Dump only | ✓ Hot | ✓ Seasonal | Recreation.gov | $20–$140 |
| Station Camp Horse | 24 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ Dump only | ✓ Hot | ✗ | (423) 569-3321 | Varies |
| Bear Creek Horse | 23 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ Dump only | ✓ Hot | ✗ | (423) 569-3321 | Varies |
| Blue Heron (BSF-KY) | 45 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ Hot | ✗ | Recreation.gov | $20–$30 |
| Alum Ford (BSF) | 6 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | First-come | Free–Low |
| Pickett SP Campground | 26–31 | 16 of 26 | ✓ All sites | ✗ Dump only | ✓ Hot | ✗ | tnstateparks.com | ⚠️ Closed to mid-2026 |
| Pickett SP Cabins | Cabins | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | tnstateparks.com | $167–$301/night |
| True West | 34 | ✓ 30amp | ✓ | ✓ 9 sites | ✓ | ✗ | truewestcampground.com | Varies |
| Holpps Pine Ridge | RV sites | ✓ | ✓ | Dump station | ✓ | ✗ | holppspineridgelake.com | Varies |
| BSF Backcountry | Unlimited | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Permit ~$5 | ~$5 permit |
Camp Here. Then Stay Forever.
A lot of people camp in Fentress County once and start asking what land costs. Tim & Lori Denehy are local real estate agents who know every hollow, ridge, and creek — and they’re happy to talk, no pressure.