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Ragland Bottom
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — SPARTA · Tennessee · Center Hill Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Center Hill Lake |
| Location | SPARTA · Tennessee · Center Hill Lake · 35.97740, -85.72087 · Map |
| Sites | 55 public sites counted from the federal listing — 20 standard electric; 16 tent only nonelectric; 10 tent only electric; 8 rv electric; 1 group picnic area |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 41 of 55 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 40 of 55 sites Sewer hookups at 10 of 55 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 10 of 55 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 125 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 30 sites · 30 ft: 30 sites · 35 ft: 30 sites · 40 ft: 30 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 3:30 PM · Out 2:30 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 56 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Boat ramp |
| Phone | 931-761-3616 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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.
Nearest federal campgrounds
4 mi straight-line · SMITHVILLE TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFloating Mill Park
5 mi straight-line · SILVER POINT TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersLong Branch (Center Hill Lake)
10 mi straight-line · LANCASTER TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCenter Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas
11 mi straight-line · Lancaster TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersTailwater Rec Area
24 mi straight-line · CARTHAGE Tennessee
Trip Card — Ragland Bottom
SPARTA · Tennessee · Center Hill Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | SPARTA · Tennessee · Center Hill Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 41 · full hookups at 10 |
| Max RV | Up to 125 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 55 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232684 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.