Tennessee Camping Laws

Overnight parking, car camping, alcohol, pets, quiet hours, stay limits and bear food storage rules for camping in Tennessee, with the rule or page each comes from.

Photo: NPS staff (Public domain), Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee camping rules by place

Where	Rule	Source
Rest areas and welcome centers	No overnight parking is allowed. There is a two-hour parking limit. No grilling or open flames allowed at any location.	Source
Highway shoulders and under bridges	Camping on the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway, or under a bridge or overpass or within an underpass of a state or interstate highway, is unlawful. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a $50 fine and 20 to 40 hours of community service (or litter removal); a first offense receives a warning citation.	Source
Camping on public property	Before 2022 the Act made it a Class E felony to camp on state-owned property knowing that the area is not designated for camping. The 2022 amendment extended the offense from state-owned land to all public property and extended impoundment of camping equipment to local governments. An area may be designated for camping by the department, agency or official responsible for the property by signage, advertisement, or other notice. Camping in a designated campground or other area designated by the managing agency is not covered by the offense.	Source
Walmart, truck stops and store lots	No official Tennessee state source was found that addresses overnight parking at retail stores or truck stops. No statewide rule was located; the property owner's policy and any local ordinance decide.
State parks: where you can camp	Camping and the use of trailers or other camper units is permitted only at designated locations; the Park Manager may issue written permits for backcountry camping.	Source
State parks: sleeping in a vehicle	No rule specifically addresses sleeping in a vehicle. Rule 0400-02-02-.05(1) limits camping and use of trailers or other camper units to designated locations, and park hours for most parks are one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset.	Source
State parks: alcohol	0400-02-02-.14: open containers and consumption are prohibited in any state park area except in designated campsites, cabins, inn rooms, group camps and other designated overnight accommodations; in designated group day-use facilities with a reservation and prior Park Manager authorization; and in facilities licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.	Source
State parks: pets	All state park campgrounds allow cats and dogs. Pets must be on a leash and must not be left unattended. Proof of rabies shots and a physical description of the animals may be required upon request.	Source
State parks: quiet hours	10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.	Source
State parks: people per site	Maximum occupancy for each campsite is six people.	Source
State parks: trailer length	Trailers more than 35 feet long are prohibited without a permit from the Park Manager (Rule 0400-02-05).	Source
TWRA WMAs	Overnight camping may be permitted in designated areas by permission from the area manager, park ranger, lake manager, park superintendent, or national forest supervisor. Such camping is subject to the limitations prescribed in the permit if required. Camping shall not exceed three (3) weeks in length from the beginning to the end of the camping stay.	Source
TWRA WMAs: alcohol	The use of any alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency-controlled lands except in designated camping areas or on public waters, so long as that person is not engaged in hunting. Possession or use while hunting is prohibited.	Source
State forests	Camping and the use of trailers or other camper units are allowed only at designated locations. The district forester will issue written permits to persons to camp in backcountry or other isolated sections of a forest area, and can designate portions where permits are not required by posting signs or marking on a map available in the District Office. The district forester can restrict camping, including locations and times, and shall impose emergency restrictions when conditions endanger resources or the public. Quiet hours 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m..	Source
TVA land	Stays on undeveloped TVA public lands are limited to a maximum of 14 consecutive days within any 30-day period. After 14 days, users must move outside of a 10-mile radius before re-establishing a site. Pets are allowed on all reservoirs except Boone Dam Reservation.	Source
Corps of Engineers lakes	Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day period is prohibited without written permission of the District Commander. Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., or those hours designated by the District Commander.. Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages may be prohibited when designated and posted by the District Commander.	Source
Great Smoky Mountains: stays and alcohol	No person or their equipment shall occupy a campground for more than fourteen consecutive days, or more than sixty total days in a calendar year in all campgrounds. Alcohol is permitted in campgrounds and picnic areas, provided the person in possession is at least 21 years old.	Source
Great Smoky Mountains: pets	Pets are allowed in the campground but must be confined or on a leash (6 feet maximum). Pets are not allowed on trails (except Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail per the camping page).	Source
Great Smoky Mountains: food storage	All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be kept sealed in a vehicle (preferably the trunk) or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material at all times when not in use. All scented items and all water containers must also be stored. Food storage lockers are available at Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont.	Source
Cherokee National Forest: stays	Camping in any location is limited to 14 consecutive days. On the 14th consecutive day, the camper and party must leave that area/campground for a minimum of seven days before returning. For dispersed camping, the party must move at least ten miles in any direction for a minimum of 7 days before returning.	Source
Cherokee National Forest: bear food storage	Order No. 08-04-17-421, Food and Refuse Storage Requirements (executed December 2017) Ocoee, Tellico, Unaka, and Watauga Ranger Districts, approximately 656,000 acres in 10 east Tennessee counties (the whole Cherokee NF). Possessing or leaving food, bear attractant, or refuse is prohibited unless it is possessed properly (person within 100 feet, in plain sight, able to store it immediately) or stored properly (bear-resistant container; closed hard-top vehicle or travel trailer with windows closed; suspended at least 12 feet off the ground and 6 feet from limbs; hard-sided building under permit	Source

Stay limits at Tennessee campgrounds by agency

Agency	Days	Rule	Source
TN State Parks		Set by the Assistant Commissioner/Area Manager and posted at campgrounds	Source
TN State Forests		Not stated in rules	Source
TWRA WMAs	21	Three weeks	Source
TVA undeveloped land	14	14 consecutive days in any 30-day period, then move 10 miles	Source
TVA campgrounds	21	21 days high season (May 1 to Sept 30); 30 days off-season	Source
USACE	14	14 days in any 30-consecutive-day period at one project	Source
GSMNP	14	14 consecutive days; 60 total days per calendar year	Source
Cherokee NF	14	14 consecutive days, then 7 days away (dispersed: move 10 miles)	Source

Questions about Tennessee camping laws

Can I sleep at a Tennessee rest area?

No overnight parking is allowed. There is a two-hour parking limit.

Is it legal to sleep in my car in Tennessee?

No state law addresses sleeping in a car in a store lot; the store and local ordinances decide. In state parks, camping is only allowed at designated sites.

Can I drink alcohol at a Tennessee State Park campsite?

0400-02-02-.14: open containers and consumption are prohibited in any state park area except in designated campsites, cabins, inn rooms, group camps and other designated overnight accommodations; in designated group day-use facilities with a reservation and prior Park Manager authorization; and in f

Are dogs allowed in Tennessee campgrounds?

All state park campgrounds allow cats and dogs. Pets must be on a leash and must not be left unattended. Proof of rabies shots and a physical description of the animals may be required upon request.

What are quiet hours?

10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in state parks, state forests, Corps of Engineers campgrounds and the Smokies.

Do I have to store food from bears?

Yes in the Smokies and in all of Cherokee National Forest, where a food storage order applies forest-wide.

Is camping under bridges illegal in Tennessee?

Camping on the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway, or under a bridge or overpass or within an underpass of a state or interstate highway, is unlawful. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a $50 fine and 20 to 40 hours of community service (or litter r

How long can I stay at one campground?

Usually 14 days. See the stay limits table above for each agency.

More rules

Firewood movement rules and where free camping is allowed.

Firewood rules Free camping