CONASAUGA RIVER CAMPGROUND

About

The Conasauga River dispersed camping area sits along Forest Service Road 221 in a remote section of Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, Tennessee. This primitive camping option provides access to the Conasauga River, which harbors more fish species than the entire Columbia River system and offers some of the finest snorkeling in the Southeast. Camping occurs at informal dispersed sites along the forest road near the river. Facilities are minimal; campers must be prepared to rough it with no potable water, no developed campsites, and a pack-it-out trash policy. A vault toilet is available at the nearby Conasauga River Blue Hole trailhead. Cell service is unavailable once you leave Highway 411. The area provides access to the Conasauga Trail #61, which parallels the river, and is close to both the Big Frog Wilderness in Tennessee and the Cohutta Wilderness across the Georgia state line. Peak snorkeling season runs late April through June when spawning fish display their brightest colors and water temperatures reach the comfortable 60s°F.

Directions

From Cleveland, TN: Travel east on US Highway 64 to US Highway 411. Turn south onto 411 and drive approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto TN Road 313 (Ball Play/Willis Springs Road) at the brown wildlife viewing sign. Travel 4 miles, then bear right onto gravel Forest Service Road 221 (Peavine/Sheeds Creek Road). Continue 4.7 miles to reach the Conasauga River trailhead and dispersed camping areas.