Ragland Bottom
Center Hill Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: SPARTA, TN, TN
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$50 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (387 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ragland-bottom to be notified when sites open up.
Ragland Bottom offers scenic lakeside camping on Center Hill Lake with excellent boating, fishing, and water sports opportunities. Campers praise the beautiful location, clean facilities, and quality water recreation.
Wildlife alert: Eastern Bluebird, American Kestrel, Eastern Box Turtle, Black Kingsnake, and Smooth Earthsnake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Ragland Bottom: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Request lakeside sites; reviewers specifically praise them. Electric bikes recommended; terrain is hilly and challenging for maneuvering. Plan water activities; boat ramps reported with occasional debris buildup.
Skip Ragland Bottom if: You need full hookups — only select sites have electric; no water or sewer hookups available.. You prefer year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only.. You have a large RV — reviewers noted difficulty maneuvering trucks due to hilly terrain..
Best time to visit Ragland Bottom: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during this window. October includes the annual Halloween event on Saturday, October 25, 2025.. Summer months — Peak season for water sports, boating, wakeboarding, and swimming activities..
Nearby campgrounds: Hurricane Bridge (SMITHVILLE, TN), Floating Mill Park (SILVER POINT, TN), Long Branch (LANCASTER, TN), Tailwater Rec Area (CARTHAGE, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ragland Bottom
Cell signal at Ragland Bottom (SPARTA, TN): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Request lakeside sites; reviewers specifically praise them.
Electric bikes recommended; terrain is hilly and challenging for maneuvering.
Plan water activities; boat ramps reported with occasional debris buildup.
Campground operates seasonally during this window. October includes the annual Halloween event on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Peak season for water sports, boating, wakeboarding, and swimming activities.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Center Hill Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Center Hill Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Ragland Bottom cost per night?+
What season is Ragland Bottom open?+
Does Ragland Bottom have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Ragland Bottom?+
How do I make reservations at Ragland Bottom?+
What is the cell service like at Ragland Bottom?+
What season is Ragland Bottom open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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