Camping can be had at the Bowater Newby Branch primitive campground on top of Spring City mountain near Duskin Creek. The campground is the same location for the Duskin Creek put-in area, and is close to the Stinging Fork hiking trail. It's easy to find, instead of going straight heading to the Duskin Creek put-in. When you turned left off of Shut-in gap road ,past the Stinging Fork trail head, Outside Spring City,  about a 1/4 mile you will come to a "Y" in the road, take a right and it will take you to the campground.

The campground has some concrete picnic tables, and a porta-potty that is cleaned on a regular basis. Between the months of Mar-Nov. which is same window of paddling for the local creeks. I have witnessed no heavy use at the campground during these months. The campground is also the trail head for the Newby/Duskin hiking trail. The campsite would make an excellent base camp for paddling and hiking the surrounding area which is loaded with creeks. If the creeks are too low, go hiking the area trails are superb and calling your name.

    Here is the sign to look for off of Shut-in-Gap Road, you need to be on the look-    out the rednecks got it and it is missing for the moment.

Excuse the low quality the pictures they were taken with a cheap cell phone, also the Walden Mountain Road sign was taken from leaving the camping area, not going towards it.

                                      Then turn right when you see this sign.                         

The state is going through some growing pains and is getting on its feet to manage this new state resource. . The Cumberland Trail will be long hike once completed, and hopefully this where the hikers will base camp and set their shuttles. It would be nice for the two sports to mingle :)

Here is what we can do to help!

From an email from the state park ranger who is friendly and more than helpful and knowledgeable....also thanks to his help we can camp here.

"The sign  basically indicates that you can register to camp here online at www.cumberlandtrail.org/piney.html , or you can register by phone at 423-566-2229. During regular business hours, our clerk will register you and distribute your info to the ranger staff. After business hours, you will need to leave a voice mail with all your pertinent information, including number of people, vehicle plates and descriptions, dates camping, name and contact info, emergency contact, etc. All of this is outlined on the outgoing message on the voice mail system. Also, there is a 14 day stay limit, but I doubt kayakers would be setting up for that long anyway. Of course, all other state park rules are in effect, which include no alcohol, drugs, or firearms; pets must always be on a leash, no hunting, and of course the big all encompassing "all features protected."

So with that said, please register, it helps us out by letting them know that is a resource we need and use...pretty simple huh :) One other note please take trash bags and haul in what you bring, and even take an extra one to haul out something someone might have left by accident.
 

 Here is a picture of the sign...stating the generic park rules...please abide by them.

    Now the sad part...we will all be glad when the state starts to maintain the campground, there use to be standing picnic tables, a hand pump well and open pit toilets and maintained roads...it had the feel of National Park setting in the early 80's

   This is a shot of the one the last remaining soldiers from the war of the rednecks

                                     Here is a soldier that didn't make it

***Warning label***

Whitewater paddling is VERY Dangerous, and you should get instruction before ever attempting even to paddle flatwater. One of contributors to this web site has personally helped bury 3 kayaking friends, this isn't a joke. Whitewater paddling can ruin your life through accidents and can effect your family and friends throughout a lifetime.

The information on this page is incomplete, inaccurate, and very unreliable.   Use with caution.  Whitewater paddling is a dangerous sport and the information here is not a substitute for actual knowledge and skill.  The authors are not liable for your actions. Go ahead and kill yourself if you want to, but don't blame others for you actions and decisions that you will make on and off the river.

***Warning label***