North Chickamauga State Park Campground

Open — Open year-round for backcountry camping. Gate at Montlake Road Trailhead locks at 7:00 PM daily; all campers must enter before this time. Creek access areas may close with little notice due to weather or rising water.

About

North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park, Tennessee's 59th state park designated in September 2024, protects a spectacular 10-mile gorge cut deep into the sandstone of Walden's Ridge. Spanning nearly 6,000 acres across Hamilton and Sequatchie Counties, the park features steep slopes, towering sandstone bluffs, pockets of old-growth forest, and the waters of a Tennessee State Scenic River. Backcountry camping is available at three primitive sites along the Cumberland Trail: Cooper Creek, North Chickamauga, and Stevenson Branch. Each site accommodates 2-3 tents and includes a fire ring. Campers must hike in from trailheads at Montlake Road or Barker Camp Road. The Stevenson Branch site is particularly scenic, situated among waterfalls, rapids, and unique rock formations. Water is accessible from nearby creeks at each campsite but must be filtered or treated before use. The park is home to diverse wildlife, state and federally-listed plants, and offers access to rugged hiking along the Cumberland Trail. All campers must enter through the Montlake Road gate before it locks at 7:00 PM daily and should plan to reach campsites before dark. Creek access areas may close due to inclement weather or rising water levels with little notice. Reservations are available through the Tennessee State Parks system.

Directions

Access via three trailheads: Montlake Road in Soddy Daisy (354 Montlake Road), Hixson Springs Road in Signal Mountain (8290 Hixson Springs Road), or Barker Camp Road in Dunlap (3767-3771 Barker Camp Road). Campsites require hiking in from trailheads.

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