A half-dozen campgrounds exist in the immediate Hartford area, with additional campgrounds available in the Hot Springs, Newport and Waynesville areas. Campgrounds allowing tent campers are split between national parks and private campgrounds. Camping in Hartford provides you with immediate access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Park Campgrounds
Three public campgrounds in the Hartford area offer tent camping: Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Cosby, Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Cataloochee and Pisgah National Forest's Rocky Bluff Campground. The parks are open by the end of May, with one opening in March. All three remain open until mid- to late-October. National parks offer river fishing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing. Most camps offer grills, fire rings and picnic tables.
Private Campgrounds
Private campgrounds offer a wider array of activities and a longer season, including a couple campgrounds that remain open year-round. Several private campgrounds offer fishing, basketball, volleyball and playgrounds on-site. Since many tent-camping facilities also accommodate RVs, campgrounds may offer amenities geared at longer-term visitors such as laundry facilities, grocery stores and WiFi. In addition, many private campgrounds allow pets, although you should confirm what types of pets are accepted at tent sites.
Activities
In addition to hiking, biking, canoeing and fishing, the Tennessee area offers world-class golf, as well as boating, horseback riding and nature walks. Rock climbing provides adventurous visitors with the chance to explore one-of-a-kind views that can't be reached any other way. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can explore the state's many caves and or hunt in certain areas in season. For more relaxing pursuits, take walking tours of historic sites and cities, visit main streets full of antique shops and sample the area's wineries.
Weather
Weather in the Hartford, Tennessee, area allows for camping year-round, although winter campers may find the weather chilly overnight. Daily lows range from 27 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 64 degrees in the summer. High temperatures range from 48 degrees in the winter to an average of 86 in the summer. The warmest month is July and the highest temperature on record is 100 degrees. Precipitation averages 3 to 5 inches per month with slightly lower levels in October.
Protecting Nature
If you are traveling to Tennessee from outside the area, you may be prohibited from bringing firewood into area camps and parks. Such prohibitions depend on the state of origin and help protect forests from the transfer of dangerous pests, such as the non-native Asian Long-Horned Beetle. When boating or fishing in the area, you may be asked to take simple steps, such as removing visible mud and plants from the outsides of your boat, before transporting them to help protect waters from invasive zebra mussels.
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