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Foster falls camping

Original Post
Daniel Cartwright · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2012 · Points: 11

Hello,

I just wanted to remind everyone that the foster falls camp ground is closed! I just got off the phone with a TVA representative and apparently someone opened the gate without permission. The result has been a huge buildup of trash in the area. The TVA is currently working on cleaning up and hiring someone to oversee the campground.

Please do not camp in the area near the lot until it has officially opened again in April.

Climber access still shouldn't be a problem.

Curtles · · Alabama · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 0

What about the bathhouse in the parking lot? We were there last week and they were closed. Only one Porta-potty.Sounds bad.

Thierry · · Pocatello, ID · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 10

According to the TVA website:
tva.com/river/recreation/ca…
The campground and bath house are no longer in operation.
Opening date is normally 3/14 but it was closed today.
The restrooms in the parking lot are closed. Two porta-potty are in front of the building.
Today was beautiful, parking lot was overflowing and so were the portables.

Daniel Cartwright · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2012 · Points: 11

the rep I talked to was TVA Land manager and she said the campground should be open in April. The date might have been pushed back from the original March date since they have not hired someone to oversee the campground yet.
I do not recall her saying specifically that the bathrooms will be open again. However the sign on the door says "closed for the season". Since the camping season has not begun yet this must be referring to the present non-camping season and the intention to open again at its conclusion. If it was closed forever it might say "indefinitely" or "until further notice".

Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

haven't been in a while (and wont' be soon) but does that mean that the hike-in camping is closed to?

kyle howe · · Knoxville, TN · Joined May 2013 · Points: 394

Thanks for the information Daniel. Hopefully the campground at Foster will be re-opened soon.

Daniel Cartwright · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2012 · Points: 11

The sites along the Fiery Gizzard Trail are open year round according to the Dixie Cragger Atlas. The trails and climbing areas are owned by the state parks service not the TVA. These should be maintained and are open for use as far as I know.

Thierry · · Pocatello, ID · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 10

Thanks Daniel.

The sign on the closed gate of the 'car camping' area states that the Father Adamz campsites (about 1/3 miles in) are open. So are the Small Wilds campsite (about 2 miles in). They were in use this weekend.

FYI: bring your own water -- I couldn't find a faucet with water around the parking lot.

Hoping that "no longer in operation" is just temporary.

Stonyman Killough · · Alabama · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 5,785

So what happened to the lady that did run it? I havent been there in 3 years

ecessg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 0

i would also like to know about the caretaker lady. the trailer she lived in burnt.

Daniel Cartwright · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2012 · Points: 11

All I know is that they are trying to hire someone new to replace her. Anyone else have info?

SOFIA ZAPPI · · Lander, WY · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 15

Hi guys, does anyone know if Foster Falls is open now? I tried calling the number I had from last year but go nothing. Also can't find any website to make a reservation for it. Thanks in advance!!!!

anonymous Simpson · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 1

I would like to know if the lady is okay too. If anyone fond out please post here. Thanks

sharyl Crossley · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Hey All,
I was just out there last month for Ragnorok comp. I spoke with TVA workers that were emptying trash cans.
The lady that used to work out there is ok. she has decided to retire, and had been considering it before the fire.

The bathrooms, bath house etc. will remain closed until they hire someone to keep them stocked/cleaned.

There were 2 port-a-potties in decent shape when I was there.

The TVA workers and a park ranger told us it was ok to tent camp in the car camping area, but you can not drive in there.

Father Adamz (hike in camping) is open as usual.

Again this was beta I was given first hand around mid April

Brian Hudson 1 · · Lenoir, North Carolina · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 0

Any recent updates to this information? I'm heading that way next week. While I'm searching, can anyone suggest another good campground nearby?

sharyl Crossley · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

The car camping area gate is still closed but they are allowing campers to walk in to these sites and camp. The restrooms and water are open and on in the main parking area. The bathhouse and water in the car camp area are off and closed until Labor Day (I think).

A new camp manager just arrived, his name is Buzz. Very nice.

I spoke with one of the rangers last weekend and she mentioned something about registering for camp sites. She said it's not a big deal now, but will be after Labor Day. tnstateparks.com/parks/abou…
Brief mention of it here, but shouldn't effect your trip.

All is normal with father adamz camping

Matt Robinson · · Saint Petersburg, FL · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 15

My wife and i just used the new online booking system to book a site for the weekend after labor day. Two nights came out to just under $10 ($3/night, $3 online reservation fee, and less than $1 in taxes). It looks like we will still have to walk to the bathrooms at the main parking lot since the campground bathhouse isnt slated to open until January. We also still have to walk from the parking lot to the campsite since they arent opening the gate until the bathhouse is open.

Brian Hudson 1 · · Lenoir, North Carolina · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 0

Thanks for the info. So we ended up staying down the road at Shellmound Campground on the lake since they had a shower house. 25 minute drive, not too bad. The manager there told me about developing issues with the Fiery Gizzard Trail that we need to talk about if we aren't already. Haven't checked the coalition sites yet.

There was a local newspaper story on the 25th that goes like this: part of the Fiery Gizzard trail, and the part that includes the Father Adamz campsite, is on private land. The landowner has passed away and ownership has been passed on to the heirs, who want to cease the use agreement with the public. Attempts at purchasing the land have been made, but the asking price was inflated to four times the appraised value. Negotiations are in progress but if the upper trail is closed off, a new trail will have to be cut.

Manager was a supporter of Foster Falls and the South Cumberland area and asked if we'd spread the word about this.

Anyone have any more info on this? I'm out and about on my phone but will do some research when I get home.

Beau Trivers · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 21

Thanks for posting and link. I had a conversation with last year's camp host - he said the TVA was looking to get out of Foster Falls - seems they have.

Here is a link directly to the new reservation system:

tnstateparks.itinio.com/sou…

The sort of governing rationale that closes camp to vehicles because the bathhouse is under renovation is a wee perplexing. I camped there last Fall and my van defecated on nothing nor asked for a wash.

TN State Parks have 'Alcohol Strictly Prohibited' as rule #2 - be considerate.

Does look like the campground will be open year round which is nice.

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Foster Falls Campground - Walk-in Camping Only

The Foster Falls campground bathhouse is currently under renovation. During this time, the campgound is closed to vehicle camping. Campsites can be accessed by walk-in through the campsite registration, and by reservation when the new system goes into effect. We expect the bathhouse project to be complete and the campsites open for vehicle camping by January 2016. Guests will be able to park their cars and/or pop-ups next to their campsite. The campsite will be open year-round.

The Foster Falls campground has 26 rustic campsites ideal for tents or small trailers. All sites have a fire ring and a picnic table. Most sights are level, but a few are on a slight incline. Most sites are wooded, offering some shade and have a level, gravel surface. There are no water or electric hook-ups but a restroom and heated showers are available. A playground is nearby.
Tennessee State Parks recently aquired ownership and management of the Foster Falls Campground. Ownership was transferred from the Tennessee Valley Authority to South Cumberland State Park in July, 2015.

Kyle Taylor · · Broomfield CO · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

Is camping here good to go? Planning on a trip this weekend, thanks!

Andrew J · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 27

It was open two weeks ago when I was there.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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