Jefferson from Monteagle,TN on 8/8/2021 10:17:08 AM:
I camped for free on two separate nights at the Volunteer Park on my out-and-back, it's to the right of the privately owned caboose visible from the trailhead and close to the trailhead restrooms. The American Legion Park is also available but a bit further away from the trail. You can just make it out to the south from the trailhead.
The Volunteer Park was great, nice grassy area with shade trees and picnic tables. There are signs designating the camping area. The pavilion has 'some' working electrical outlets around the outside for recharging.
Nice and quiet, no bright street lights. The owner of the caboose stopped by to chat and to offer some tomatoes out of his garden.
I couldn't tell if the Hitching Post was open (it didn't seem to be) but Dottie's is under new ownership and is reopening as "The Burg." It was not open early August but appeared to be close.
A comfortable place to camp!