During our recent trip to Chattanooga we tried HipCamp for the first time, staying at a campsite named Elkhead Overlook. This was our first adventure with HipCamp and it will definitely not be our last! If you are in the Chattanooga area and are interested in a private campsite with amazing views then read on to find out everything you know about this great destination.
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Location of Elkhead Overlook
Elkhead Overlook is located in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, approximately 1 hour northwest of Chattanooga. Technically speaking, the campsite is located just off Highway 50 between the towns of Pelham and Altamont, TN and as another frame of reference, this location is approximately one hour and 20 minutes south east of Nashville, TN.
About Elkhead Overlook
Elkhead Overlook is a private campsite that is available for rent through the HipCamp website or app. The site itself is a gravel lot that we would estimate to be approximately 80 feet long and 50 feet wide. On either end of the lot the owner (Brandon S.) has installed electric hook-ups that offer 50 amp, 3o amp, & 20 amp outlets and we loved this feature.
While we can camp self-contained using our onboard water supplies and portable generator, it is nice and convenient to be able to plug-in and enjoy air conditioning in July without any worries. We also noticed that there were newly installed water faucets near both electric boxes, however the water was not functional when we were there. But, it appears as if Brandon may plan to add that in the near future which would make this campsite even more ideal. The gravel RV lot also features a fire pit and very nice picnic table to help complete the experience.
In addition to the gravel RV lot, the campsite also has a level tent site area located down a short trail in the surrounding forest. The tent area also features a second fire pit and out-house (conveniently located nearby).
We paid $30 for our 1 night of camping, which we found to be a fair market price for the site, given the views, lack of amenities and limited hookups.
Amenities at Elkhead Outlook
While Elkhead Outlook does not offer a huge list of amenities, what it does offer is breathtaking scenic vistas of the surrounding forest, mountains and valleys. Amenities available include:
- Electric Hookups (50A, 30A, and 20A)
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit (x2)
- Outhouse
- Possibility Of Water Hookups In The Future
Insider Tips
- Elkhead Overlook can be booked through HipCamp via their website or mobile app. This was our first experience with HipCamp and we were impressed. HipCamp reminds me of Airbnb but for campers. They offer a variety of campsites and cabins that belong to private individuals who are willing to rent those spaces out on a nightly basis to interested campers. We felt secure and well-informed thanks to the abundance of informative emails and text messages we received leading up to the day of our stay.
- Parking at Elkhead Overlook can be tricky for those in a larger rig. I did not notice (until the night before our arrival) that the owner suggests a maximum vehicle length (trailer plus truck) of 40 feet. Our travel trailer is 36 feet in length and we have it hitched up to a Ford F-250 crew cab truck. Obviously we were well over the 40 foot recommendation, but we’re still able to park the trailer exactly where we wanted. It did take approximately 15 minutes to get the camper situated the way we liked, and I actually had to unhitch the truck in order to move it and re-hitch at a different angle. But, the minor inconvenience in parking was well worth the breath taking views as we enjoyed.
- The campsite is directly off of Highway 50, which we found to be surprisingly busy. The road noise was not troublesome for us at all, but I imagine it could be for those that are sensitive to it.
- Since the campsite offers electric hook-ups only, be sure to arrive with an empty black & gray tanks, and a full fresh water tank.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stunning mountain vistas | Parking can be tricky for larger RV’s |
| Reasonably priced | Electric hookups only |
| Some road noise is present |