Approaching the park, this is the first view one gets of the campground.

Arriving in late March we had no problem getting a nice site, #20, on the water. It would have been a different story next week, as the first week in April is school vacation week in this area and we're told the park is completely full. This is a strictly first-come, first-served park - no reservations.

Date of visit: Mar 2012

Back in 2009 we got here at about the same time in March and had plenty of sites to choose from; it wasn't an easy choice - almost any site is pretty darn nice. We ended up on site 31, with the water right behind us. Looking out over the lake, we could see the passing barges, such as this one, on the Tennessee River.

We arrived just in time $-wise, as rates went up dramatically on the first of April. Daily rates were $18.57 or $113.62 for a week. We decided to take advantage of the weekly rate. On April first the weekly rate was eliminated and the daily rates went up significantly (See comments below for details).

Sunrise from our site, complete with coots swimming by and mist over the lake.

Sites 30-26. Sites1-82 are in the Smokemont Area.

Sites 35-32.

Sites 21-14.

Further out on what was once an island is much larger camping area.

Sites 193-194.

Sites 183-180 are pull-offs with steps down to patios overlooking the lake.

Sites 164-163.

Sites 173-171.

Sites 155, 146 and 147.

Sites 115-119 and 121.

Sites 195-224 are grass sites up on a hill in the center of the island.

There are several modern bathhouses throughout the campground. They are very clean and provide individual shower rooms with free hot showers. There are also laundry facilities.

While on a walk I spotted this Great Blue Heron as he caught and then devoured whole a large fish.

There is a large paly area beside site 161. Just to the right behind the fir trees is a set of swings.

There is a large enclosed pavilion which can be used for special events.

Sunrise out our window our last morning.

Amenities

Rates:

Waterfront (non-county resident) - $25.00, Resident $20.00 Non-Waterfront (non-resident) $23.50, Resident $18.50

Reservations are NOT accepted. 14-day limit on waterfront sites, 28-day limit on others

You can pay for your site, but do not have to occupy it immediately, so folks tend to come out mid-week and claim their site.

196 RV sites with W/E(30/50A) hookups

114 tent sites with no hookups

Dump station, showers, laundry

Verizon Broadband Access (EVDO) service (Improved with antenna & amplifier)

Activities/Nearby Attractions

Fishing/boating

Chattanooga

Tennessee RiverPark

Chickamauga Dam, powerhouse and lock