By Robert Windham

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find total solitude camping on a secluded island or bouldering until nightfall only a few steps away from your tent? At the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, we don’t just want to protect the wild landscape around us – we want you to experience it. Whether you’re a paddler looking for a rest stop, a climber searching for quality bouldering, or someone seeking an escape from the daily grind, we have a campsite for you.

Williams Island Blueway Campground

Furthest upstream along the Tennesse River Blueway network sits the Williams Island Campground. Williams Island is arguably one of the most unique public access sites in the gorge. Accessible via watercraft only, it feels remarkably disconnected from the urban sprawl of Chattanooga, despite being just minutes away from downtown. Although our campsites are surrounded by young forests, the island’s landscape as a whole has been shaped by generations of farming history and Native American use dating back thousands of years. Whether you’re stargazing in the open fields by our group campsite or listening to a chorus of frogs in the surrounding wetlands, it’s a place that demands you slow down.

Campground and Access Details

  • Amenities

    • 8 backcountry campsites (5 at the group campsite and 3 campsites near trailhead) ranging from 100 yards to 0.5 miles from the trailhead.

    • Each campsite offers an elevated camping platform, fire ring, and picnic table.

    • 2 composting privies.

    • 2 kayak/canoe racks located at the top of the staircase connected to dock.

  • Access (Watercraft only)

    • Closest river put ins at Suck Creek Boat ramp - 2 miles downstream or at Coolidge Park ramp - 9 miles upstream.

    • Stay tuned for a new river access site 0.6 miles away!

    • The Williams Island Dock is located on the eastern side of the island just across from Baylor school at river mile 455.2.

Pot Point Blueway Campsite

Traveling downriver from Williams Island, paddlers would eventually bypass our Pot Point Blueway Campsite at river mile 447.7. This campsite is accessible by either boat or foot and is tucked into a beautiful spot along the bank of the Tennessee river. Located right on the the river’s edge with stunning views of Elder Mountain, this campsite is the perfect place to view a variety of riparian wildlife or simply relax and take in a front-row seat to the river’s rhythms. Here you’ll have a direct view of the Gorge’s seasonal transformations – especially when the slopes of Elder Mountain explode into a brilliant tapestry of fall colors.

Campsite and Access Details

  • Amenities

  • Access (Watercraft or Backpacking)

    • By boat at river mile 447.7 on the river right bank with a downstream orientation.

    • By foot 1-mile from the Pot Point Nature Trailhead. Parking is available in the gravel lot at the trailhead. From the trailhead, travel towards the meadow and riverside of the trail and follow an easy 1-mile stretch until reaching the campsite. Due to a previous landslide, there will be a short section where hikers need to travel along River Canyon Road to get back onto the trail just before reaching the campsite.

Lower Pot Point Boulder Field Campground

Connected to the Pot Point Nature Trail is our Lower Pot Point Boulder Field Campground. Perfect for backpackers and climbers of all ages, this campground offers 3 campsites sitting smack dab in the middle of 30 massive sandstone boulders sitting on a mountainside terrace. For climbers, this means you can get up, grab your gear, and be at a boulder long before the sun makes its way over Elder Mountain. Even for those who aren’t there to climb, it’s just as great for anyone looking for a quiet, immersive forest escape surrounded by some truly ancient geology.

Campground and Access Details

  • Amenities

    • 3 backcountry campsites 1.3 miles from the Pot Point Nature Trailhead.

    • Each campsite offers an elevated camping platform, picnic table, and fire ring.

    • McNabb spring is located just down the logging road from the campground by campsite 2. This spring offers access to non-potable water, and please note that this water must be filtered or boiled before consumption.

  • Access (Backpacking only)

    • The campground is a moderate 1.3-mile hike from the Pot Point Nature Trailhead. Parking is available in the gravel lot at the trailhead. Travel straight past the trailhead kiosk into the forest and make your way up the side of the mountain.

How to Reserve Your Spot - For Free!

While there is no fee to camp, we do ask that you register your stay with us online ahead of time through our website’s camping page. This helps ensure you receive important information regarding your visit and allows us to effectively manage these sites. Since our registration system limits total capacity, you are guaranteed a spot, but please keep in mind that at campgrounds with multiple sites, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis upon your arrival. To help you plan your visit, included below is a quick tutorial detailing how to register online, and for more detailed information, visit www.trgt.org/camping.

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