Tennessee / Morgan County / Obed Wild and Scenic River

Rock Creek Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations required through Recreation.gov. No alcohol permitted. Campers must bring their own drinking water as no running water is available on-site.

About

Rock Creek Campground is a primitive walk-in tent campground situated near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau. The campground offers 11 sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grill, bear-proof food storage locker, lantern hook, and paved parking area. The campground features vault toilets but no running water, so visitors must bring their own drinking water. The surrounding Obed Wild and Scenic River provides diverse recreational opportunities. Whitewater paddling is available seasonally as the river winds through the Cumberland Plateau. The area is renowned for rock climbing and bouldering on sandstone cliffs. Anglers can fish for smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and other species in the river. Hikers have access to unique trails including the Point Trail and a portion of the Cumberland Trail. Birdwatching is popular, particularly during migratory seasons, with over 100 bird species found in the park. Nearby attractions include Frozen Head State Park with over 24,000 acres of mountainous forest, Catoosa Wildlife Management Area spanning 82,000 acres, and Lone Mountain State Forest with 15 miles of trails. Due to the steep grade of the access road, RVs and trailers are not permitted at this campground. The site is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, making it excellent for stargazing.

Directions

From Wartburg, TN, follow Kingston Street to North Maiden Street. Continue on North Maiden Street crossing Main Street/Old Highway 27 until reaching Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street, which becomes Catoosa Road at a sharp left curve. Continue on Catoosa Road for approximately 5.5 miles to the campground entrance.

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