RAGLAND BOTTOM
Part of Center Hill Lake
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.
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.
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.
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.
Important Notices
Pets and alcohol are prohibited in the day-use area, including the picnic shelter. Additionally pets are not allowed at the campground beach or in restrooms.
Only two tents allowed per site. Tents must be placed on campsite pads. Only one wheeled camping unit allowed to each site. one wheeled camping unit and one tent is allowed.
Only licensed vehicles are permitted. Each campsite is provided for two pre-paid vehicle entry. Additional vehicles, or visitors to campers are charged $3 fee per vehicle.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying certified heat-treated firewood and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Any organization wishing to use the Day Use Area for a fishing tournament must receive a Special Use Permit from the Resource Managers Office. Please call 931-858-3125 for more information.
We need your help to maintain our campsites. Please dispose of all trash and litter along with extinguishing any fire and dispose of ashes in the fire ring upon departure. If sites are left trashed, you may be cited by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation 327.9 Sanitation part (d). “Campers, picknickers, and all other persons using a water resources development project shall keep their sites free of trash and litter during the period of occupancy and shall remove all personal equipment and clean their sites upon departure”.
Paymeny only accepted by debit or credit card. No cash.
Available Activities
- Swimming - Swimming
- Water Skiing - Water Skiing
- Fishing - Fishing
- Camping - Camping
- Boating - Boating
- Hiking - Hiking
- Water Access - Water Access
Directions
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.
Contact Information
Phone: 931-761-3616
1410 RAGLAND BOTTOM RD
SPARTA,
TN
38583