Can you reserve a site at Ragland Bottom?

Yes, Ragland Bottom is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Ragland Bottom have?

57 sites in total, of which 55 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Ragland Bottom?

125 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Ragland Bottom?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ragland Bottom.

Are campfires allowed at Ragland Bottom?

Campfires are allowed at Ragland Bottom. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Ragland Bottom, Tennessee — 55 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Ragland Bottom Campground is located on the shores of the scenic Center Hill Lake on central Tennessee's Highland Rim.

The lake stretches 64 miles up the Caney Fork River, where visitors come to enjoy boating, fishing and water sports. The 415 miles of forested shoreline provide excellent hiking, hunting and camping opportunities.

2025 Events: The annual Halloween event will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Recreation

Boating, waterskiing, canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the water.

Anglers will find bream, walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. Below the dam, the Caney Fork River is one of the most productive trout fisheries in the state.

Nine miles of hiking trails meander around the lake. The Red Post Trail is a short, but steep, two-mile trail that loops above the campground. Hikers who brave the moderately difficult climb are rewarded with beautiful overlooks of the lake and nearby Sligo Bridge and Marina.

Facilities

This waterfront campground offers 40 sites with water and electric hookups, as well as 16 primitive tent sites. A large group day-use picnic area is available as well, with water and 15-amp electric hookups. Amenities like flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided, creating a comfortable camping experience for guests. A boat ramp, volleyball court, basketball goal, playground and hiking trail are all conveniently located within the campground. The adjacent day-use area has a group picnic shelter, boat ramp, and swimming beach.

Natural Features

Center Hill Lake is surrounded by lush mixed hardwood forests in the hilly Highland Rim region. Beautiful dogwoods bloom in the campground in springtime. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrels and rabbits roam the wooded hills around the lake.

Nearby Attractions

Burgess Falls State Park is a 25-minute drive from the campground. Here, the Falling Water River drops approximately 250 feet, creating numerous breathtaking waterfalls. Hiking trails and overlooks help visitors enjoy the scenery. The large Native Butterfly Garden is a popular attraction within the park.

The facts

55 bookable sites
57 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 125 ft
Up to 125 people per site
Loops: DAY USE, HILL, LAKE, MIDDLE

Site types

20 Standard Electric
16 Tent Only Nonelectric
10 Tent Only Electric
8 RV Electric
2 Management
1 Group Picnic Area

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Sewer hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Book on Recreation.gov

57 campsites at Ragland Bottom

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
P-1	DAY USE	Group Picnic Area	Back In	Paved	—	—	125	♿
42	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
43	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
44	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
45	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
46	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
47	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
48	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
49	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
50	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
51	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
52	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
53	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
54	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
55	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
56	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
57	HILL	Tent Only Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
01	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	61 ft	8	🐾
02	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	60 ft	8	🐾
03	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	64 ft	8	🐾
04	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	69 ft	8	🐾
05	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	80 ft	8	🐾
06	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	77 ft	8	🐾
07	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	72 ft	8	🐾
08	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	75 ft	8	🐾
09	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	63 ft	8	🐾
10	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	57 ft	8	🐾
11	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	54 ft	4	🐾
12	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	66 ft	8	🐾
13	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	69 ft	8	🐾
14	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	75 ft	8	🐾
15	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Lakefront	66 ft	8	🐾
16	LAKE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	125 ft	8	🐾
17	LAKE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	83 ft	8	🐾
18	LAKE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	92 ft	8	🐾
19	LAKE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	89 ft	8	🐾
20	LAKE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	93 ft	8	🐾
21	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
22	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
23	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
24	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	—	—	8	🐾
25	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
26	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	—	—	8	🐾
27	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
28	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	—	—	8	🐾
29	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	Lakefront	—	8	🐾
30	LAKE	Tent Only Electric	—	Gravel	—	—	8	🐾
31	MIDDLE	Management	Pull Through	Paved	—	70 ft	8	🐾
32	MIDDLE	Management	Back In	Paved	—	66 ft	8	🐾
33	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	—	70 ft	8	🐾
34	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	70 ft	8	🐾
35	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	—	58 ft	8	🐾
36	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	—	60 ft	8	🐾
37	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Pull Through	Paved	—	81 ft	8	🐾
38	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Pull Through	Paved	—	67 ft	8	🐾
39	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	—	51 ft	8	🐾
40	MIDDLE	Rv Electric	Back In	Paved	—	51 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Smithville, Tennessee, take US-70 east for 8 miles. Turn left on Ragland Bottom Road and follow signs to the campground, located one mile from Sligo Bridge.

35.97740, -85.72087 · 35°58'38.6"N 85°43'15.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 47°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	47	52	60	70	78	85	88	87	82	72	60	51
Low °F	26	28	35	42	53	61	66	64	56	43	33	28
Precip in	4.9	5.1	5.7	5.0	4.9	5.1	5.2	3.9	4.0	3.3	4.2	5.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Ragland Bottom

Can you reserve a site at Ragland Bottom?: Yes, Ragland Bottom is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Ragland Bottom have?: 57 sites in total, of which 55 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Ragland Bottom?: 125 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Ragland Bottom?: Yes, pets are allowed at Ragland Bottom.
Does Ragland Bottom have hookups?: Electric, Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Ragland Bottom?: Campfires are allowed at Ragland Bottom. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Ragland Bottom

Hurricane Bridge 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Floating Mill Park 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Long Branch (Center Hill Lake) 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas 10.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater Rec Area 24.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Salt Lick Creek 24.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Defeated Creek Park 24.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wartrace CK Rec Area 26.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roaring River Park 28.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dale Hollow Damsite 41.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Visitor Center 40.5 mi · Facility
Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery 41.5 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 931-761-3616
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Ragland Bottom