I haven't camped since I was a teenager. I ordered a Kelty tent from Amazon and want to start camping. Other than State Parks, where are secluded places you can camp with a fire and maybe fish from the bank?
I live in Blount County and have one place on Inland Lake to camp but wanted some other locations.

Thanks, Bart.

Sipsey Wilderness.

What augh six said. The last time I went tent camping was in the sipsey wilderness area and it was beautiful. We parked and just hiked and backpacked in until we liked what we saw. Spent two nights out there and it was awesome.

Twin forks camp ground has some new camping spots that are primitive. I mean some one walked up set their beer down and drove up a sign marking the spot.

The closer i get to 50 y/o the more tent camping sucks.
Still do it sometimes though.

Talladega national forest. There are all kinds of trail heads you can pack in and camp.

The COE campgrounds are great for car camping like you described.

Thanks guys.
I'm 55 and decided to relax and enjoy nature a little bit. I've slowed down some on my deer hunting but still enjoy hiking. Camping might get old fast but I want to go a few times. I won't be roughing it. I can always pack up and come home.
Hahaha!

I'd head to the Smoky Mountains. Mix in some trout fishing.

Me and a buddy packed up and did a water based camp trip in the Sipsey Wilderness. It was awesome and I'd highly recommend you consider camping there even if you hike in instead. Really cool place.

Good idea. A few years ago, we loaded up the family and headed to Cades Cove to tent camp for an extra long weekend. We spent Five days there.

Other than the usual hanging around camp things, there is plenty to do and see without ever getting back in a vehicle. Bicycling, game watching, fishing, hiking, waterfalls to see, swimming, horseback(well kinda) etc. And a bunch within an hour or two drive.

You had better call ahead and check on reservations. Certain times of year, this isn't required, but I'm pretty sure that right now you would be better off to check first.

Pretty soon it may be too hot but I've camped at several locations around the coast when doing a little saltwater fishing. Dauphin Island campground is mostly RVs but they do allow tent camping. Presnell's Marina is right on St. Joe Bay and they allow tent camping although they are mostly RV oriented. As already mentioned, all the National Forests allow camping in some form or another. Lastly, if you want to venture away from home, check out the National Scenic River Waterway along the Current River in Missouri. This is federal land much like a national forest, but it's strictly to preserve land along the river. There are campgrounds and or canoe/kayak access every few miles along that stretch of river.

National Forest just above Helen, GA. They have some really nice primitive campgrounds there. We did a 3 day camping/trout fishing trip there several years ago and it was a lot of fun.

You aren't allowed to have a fire out there though.

This^^^

TVA has a bunch of places along the TN river that you can camp.

Bucks Pocket outside of Guntersville. They have a primitive and a small campground with power and water. Some good kayak/canoe or bank fishing.

Bart you could go to Tannehill and take your grand children camp by the creek in the primitive camp grounds and also have access to restrooms and other facilities if needed....

since when?

actually I know you are wrong. here is the regs on it

Permits are not needed for primitive camping, except during gun deer hunting season. Campers are responsible for your fire and any wildfire that results from a spreading campfire. Remember to leave your campfire "dead out".