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Hiwassee–Ocoee Scenic River State Park Campground

Beauty: Privacy: Spaciousness: Quiet: Security: Cleanliness:

KEY INFORMATION

CONTACT: 423-263-0050, tnstateparks.com

OPEN: Year-round

SITES: 47

EACH SITE HAS: Picnic table, grill, fire pit, lantern post

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: 2 sites

ASSIGNMENT: By reservation and daily walk-up

REGISTRATION: With park staff member on-site

AMENITIES: Drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers

PARKING: At campsites

FEES: $13.75/night

ELEVATION: 728'

RESTRICTIONS:

PETS: On leash only

QUIET HOURS: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.

FIRES: In fire rings only

ALCOHOL: Prohibited

VEHICLES: None

OTHER: 14-day stay limit

It will take the Hiwassee River and the Gee Creek Wilderness to tear you away from this campground.

Paddlers prepare to launch into the Hiwassee River.

Known informally as Gee Creek Campground, the overnighting area of Hiwassee–Ocoee Scenic River State Park lies in a large, wooded flat at the base of Starr Mountain, adjacent to the cold, clear waters of the Hiwassee River. You can camp out in this high-quality destination and enjoy the Hiwassee River and the trails of the Cherokee National Forest, which abuts the state park. A tall pine forest once shaded the campground, but pine beetles decimated them. However, planted hardwoods are growing and providing shade.

The sites are widely spaced along two loops that meander amid the trees. The clean campsites are placed well apart from each other. Even without a lot of ground cover, the sheer number of trees and the distance between sites allow for adequate privacy. You never have to walk too far for water, as spigots are spread out along both loops. The campground is well maintained by state employees. A Tennessee State Park ranger lives opposite the campground.

The campground is open all year, yet it is heavily used only on summer weekends. The bathhouse is located near the center of the campground and is open from mid-March to the end of November. In winter, there are portable toilets, but showers are unavailable; drinking water is provided year-round.