Public Land Where You Can Camp and Hunt at the Same Time?

[MountainMan300]

I'm located in East Tennessee, and I love backcountry camping- but I'm relatively new to hunting. I've hunted off and on since 2017, but 2023 was the first year I went regularly, and as such, I am still familiarizing myself with some regulations and practices.

I would love to spend a few weekends every year camping in the backcountry and hunting while I'm out there. I know that most WMA's don't permit camping, but from what I can tell, it's allowed at Big South Fork and North Cumberland WMA (please correct me if I' wrong about that).

Am I correct that I would be able to camp and hunt at those two locations, and are there any other places in Tennessee where it's allowed?

 

[Biggun4214]

Cherokee National Forest has camping areas.

 

[Carlos]

What county in east Tn?

 

[4Low]

LBL? But it's not in E TN.

 

[M T Pockets 000]

You can camp/hunt at Catoosa if you get drawn.

 

[hoghunter65]

Prentice Cooper, North and South Cherokee.

 

[MickThompson]

North Cumberland

 

[wayne]

AEDC has camping areas

 

[Joe2Kool]

I frequently hunt and camp on the North Cumberland. Regulations book says it's open to camping.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

You can camp/hunt at Catoosa if you get drawn.

are they allowing camping inside of the area now? the campgrounds used to be on the perimeter of the area, and no entry until an hour before dawn or something like that.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

Cherokee National Forest has camping areas.

used to pack in above Citico and remote camp. saw more dang bears and copperheads than deer...

 

[M T Pockets 000]

are they allowing camping inside of the area now? the campgrounds used to be on the perimeter of the area, and no entry until an hour before dawn or something like that.

Sorry to have misled you or anyone You are right. It is on the perimeter.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

Sorry to have misled you or anyone You are right. It is on the perimeter.

thanks for clarification. i have not been down there since it became an ATV rodeo ...too many dang ticks, too!

 

[Tenntrapper]

I'm located in East Tennessee, and I love backcountry camping- but I'm relatively new to hunting. I've hunted off and on since 2017, but 2023 was the first year I went regularly, and as such, I am still familiarizing myself with some regulations and practices.

I would love to spend a few weekends every year camping in the backcountry and hunting while I'm out there. I know that most WMA's don't permit camping, but from what I can tell, it's allowed at Big South Fork and North Cumberland WMA (please correct me if I' wrong about that).

Am I correct that I would be able to camp and hunt at those two locations, and are there any other places in Tennessee where it's allowed?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this.
On undeveloped TVA public access land, you can camp and hunt. Just please clean up after yourself. I hunt some property where some Kentucky guys camp every year. It's a mess....a nasty mess!!!

https://www.tva.com/environment/recreation/recreation-on-undeveloped-tva-public-lands

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

are they allowing camping inside of the area now? the campgrounds used to be on the perimeter of the area, and no entry until an hour before dawn or something like that.

Ive hunted and camped on Catoosa many times and never had any problems. But its been years ago.

Tennessee Watchable Wildlife | Catoosa WMA

Tennessee Watchable Wildlife - Catoosa WMA

www.tnwatchablewildlife.org

Be sure to check out the Devils Breakfast Table area. The Cliffs above you can hunt from if you know how and where to access them and spot from above and retrive from below. One of my favorite places to hunt . But its rugged below and be prepared to pack out if you kill something down there.

Devil's Breakfast Table area - follow Peavine Rd entrance directions. Devil's Breakfast Table parking area is on the right just across the bridge. There is a trailhead about 40 yards down the road.
Devil's Breakfast Table, Lat-Long: 36.058796,-84.792257
SW access road Lat-Long 36.03199, -84.927887
Genesis Rd Checking Station access - Lat-Long 36.07356, -84.96071
Potters Ford Rd - Lat-Long: 36.08204, -84.94926
Bicolor Rd Checking Station access - Lat-Long: 35.9938, -84.6776

 

[OldFussNFeathers]

I'm located in East Tennessee, and I love backcountry camping- but I'm relatively new to hunting. I've hunted off and on since 2017, but 2023 was the first year I went regularly, and as such, I am still familiarizing myself with some regulations and practices.

I would love to spend a few weekends every year camping in the backcountry and hunting while I'm out there. I know that most WMA's don't permit camping, but from what I can tell, it's allowed at Big South Fork and North Cumberland WMA (please correct me if I' wrong about that).

Am I correct that I would be able to camp and hunt at those two locations, and are there any other places in Tennessee where it's allowed?

Just get a back country camping permit for BSF and you're good to go. Used to be $5.

 

[Seabee]

Pickett state forest, it's rough but you can camp and hunt. Watch out for bears.