How to Camp in the Tennessee Backcountry
Camping in the Tennessee Backcountry: A Practical Guide
Tennessee's backcountry doesn't ask much of you, but it demands respect. If you're heading out into those ridges and hollows with nothing but a bedroll and a clear conscience, you need to know what you're doing. This isn't some resort experience. It's raw land, weather that changes on a dime, and the kind of solitude that either settles your soul or drives you crazy.
The mountains and valleys stretching across East Tennessee offer some of the best backcountry camping east of the Mississippi. You don't need to drive far from Nashville to find yourself in genuine wilderness. The Great Smoky Mountains, the Cumberland Plateau, and the valleys in between hold country that'll test you and reward you in equal measure. This is the kind of territory that built character in the people who settled here, and it'll do the same for you if you're willing to listen.
Tennessee's backcountry doesn't ask much of you, but it demands respect.
Choose Your Ground Wisely
Before you load up your truck and head out, scout your location. Use topographic maps or talk to folks who know the land. The old-timers around Nashville and the surrounding ranch country know these trails better than any guidebook. Ask around at local ranches or outdoor shops. A rancher who's worked the same property for thirty years can tell you more in five minutes than you'll learn from a week of research.
Look for high ground with natural water sources nearby, but camp at least two hundred feet from any creek or spring. You need protection from wind but good drainage. Avoid dead trees and widow makers. Camp in a clearing where you can see what's coming, whether that's weather or something else. The cowboys who worked these hills knew to always have an exit strategy.
