Best State Parks To Camp In Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains, of course, are right around the corner from the campground. There are tons of extra attractions near the park as well though, including the Titanic Museum Attraction and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.

This campground is one of the hidden gems of the Volunteer State and might just become your favorite camping destination. There are 10 available campgrounds within Great Smoky National Park, such as Cades Cove Campground. You’ll also have access to restrooms with flush toilets and cold water. These primitive campsites were designed with horse riders in mind, so hitching posts abound! There is a small boat launch here, and the designated camping areas are within the parking area leading to the launch.

Why Youll Love Foothills Rv Park & Cabins

Visitors to Cordell Hull Lake enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, under license to the Corps, administers an intensive wildlife management program at the lake. Visitors to Cheatham Lake come to enjoy its many recreational opportunities. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency manages wildlife management areas on the lake. Riverfront park, operated by Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, is one of the many facilities available to the public.

Make sure to stop by the Lenoir Museum to learn about life in Southern Appalachia when you’re here. The park has two campgrounds, offering 60 campsites that accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Fall in love with Big Ridge State Park, a forested park that comes close to 4,000 acres along Tennessee’s Appalachian Ridge. A natural refuge that boasts a lake, cabins, and a primitive campground, it’s a prime spot for all sorts of outdoor activities, such as hiking and boating. David Crockett Birthplace commemorates the birthplace of famous pioneer, soldier, and politician, David Crockett.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Sit back and watch the sunset, then grab a hearty meal in the dining room before settling in to your cozy cabin for the night. Also, there is a variety of beautiful hiking trails as well as great camping spots. Tennessee continues to attract Presley fans (Graceland, anyone?), music lovers (camping near Nashville, TN!), and nature enthusiasts. With so many choices of campgrounds, you’re sure to find the right fit for your camping trip to this beautiful state. Each campsite comes complete with its own picnic table and fire ring, and although the campground does not offer showers, there are flush toilets available and a few sites have water. Rhea Springs was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority, when the Piney River was dammed to provide electricity.

Roan Mountain State Park sits right on the Tennessee-North Carolina State Line, and it boasts more than 2,000 beautiful acres cut through by the gorgeous Doe River. With 12 miles of hiking trails perfect for afternoon tromping and campgrounds and cabins available for reservation, it’s a true dream. Fall Creek Falls is home to one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The 250-foot plunge draws visitors from all over the country every year.

Most of the trails in the park are around 9-10 miles, making this a great place for beginner backpackers, but there are also more challenging trails for serious hikers. Make sure you see Greeter Falls, Big Creek, and the Stone Door, a 10-foot wide and 100-foot deep crack through the rock. There are nine backcountry campsites throughout the Savage Gulf region to choose from.

Massachusetts: Wompatuck State Park

The Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area maintains forests, wetlands, and open areas between the Kentucky and Barley Lakes in Western Kentucky and Tennessee. Piney Campground is one of the best places to camp on the Tennessee side of this recreation area. A favorite of campers, both local and out-of-state, Greenbrier Campground is on an island surrounded by the Little Pigeon River right on the edge of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Watts Bar Reservoir provides the setting for yet another free camping area. Jackson Island is a bit more rustic than Rhea Springs, with no bathhouse. But campers will find great sites with beaches, and vault restrooms are available.

This quiet lodge on the slopes of Mt. LeConte is yet another attractive camping ground. The Edgar Evins State Park boasts of proximity to the Center Hill Lake, which is the primary attraction to this camping ground. Other attractions near the campsite include the Big Creek, Greeter Falls, and the Stone Door. Of these, the Stone Door, which is a 100 feet deep, 10 feet wide crack through a rock, is the most intriguing. Whether you wish to explore the area or just hang out at the campground, Pigeon Forge KOA is a great spot to both relax and wander around.

Tishomingo State Park

The park is beautifully landscaped to fit into the mountain scenery and offers a quiet refuge to campers looking for a family getaway. Plus, it’s less than 20 miles from both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so there’s no shortage of dining, shopping, or entertainment. Fall Creek Falls State Park is the place to go for a camping trip that will let you experience the wild beauty of Tennessee. As the largest state park, Fall Creek Falls encompasses over 26,000 acres across the Cumberland Plateau.

The campground is made of five areas, three of which offer sites with full hookups. Piney Campground is family-friendly, with a playground, swimming area, and more. Land between the LakesIf you’re looking for a cabin close to family-friendly activities and the beauty of Kentucky Lake, the Piney Lake Campground is for you.

Backbone Rock Recreation Area

Alwayscheck the current weather conditions before embarking on any outdoor activity. Located along the Pacific Northwest Trail between Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island is Deception Pass State Park, a beautiful gem in Washington with coves, cliffs, and a towering bridge. Grayson Highlands State Park is fairly big , but its placement within the Jefferson National Forest and proximity to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area makes it feel even larger. This piece of open space boasts some of the best ocean views in Rhode Island. From here, you can kickback and watch sailboats cruise by or hop on the East Bay Bike Path and pedal your way around the area.

After an activity-packed day, return to your camp for an evening of star-gazing and pure relaxation. Each of these islands has a camping ground that has a lot to offer to every type of camper. Park your RV at a pull-thru site with a patio, pitch a tent by the waterfront or try one of their lodging cabins. The options at Pigeon Forge KOA are endless to fit the needs of even the most demanding campers. Hike, bike, fish, engage in white water rafting, or horseback riding. The famous Dollywood theme park is also just a stone’s throw away.

Located in west Tennessee about halfway between Memphis and Nashville, Natchez Trace State Park is one of the few places you can camp with your horses. With 250 miles of trails to ride, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy during the day before returning to the 65-site developed campground. In addition to the trails, anglers will love the park’s four lakes, and with on-site museums, historic markers, boating and picnic spots, there’s something for everyone in the family. This Maine state park is huge, at 200,000 acres — so it’s no surprise that the recreation opportunities are endless.

Center Hill Lake

Relax on the rocking chairs on the front porch, or snuggle up inside by the fireplace with your sweetie for a romantic getaway. Wishing you could paddle to a remote campsite instead of lugging your gear in by foot? You’ll find more than 30 islands for camping, miles of trails for hiking around, and 40-foot cliffs to jump off of. Try the popular Luau Island, a small sandy island with space for just five tents, or paddle around to the Hole-in-the-Wall Island and explore the protected cove. Whichever island you end up on, nab a spot and enjoy the ridiculous sunsets and a slice of heaven just a short paddle from town.

It’s one of the largest camping sites in the state, with 222 standard sites, three backcountry sites, and 16 primitive sites. Its immense popularity goes to show just how amazing a camping destination it is. The amazing David Crockett Campground is open for business and has plenty of activities to have an unforgettable time. The campsite has a museum, an olympic sized pool and a lake to go around on a boat trip. From basic back-in sites, signature sites with a fireplace and incredible lake views, to buddy sites that can accommodate up to 8 people. Yes, most Tennessee park facilities have been open during COVID-19.

Rock Island State Park is an amazing one for those who love waterfalls because it’s home to some of our state’s most breathtakingly beautiful ones. Just 30 minutes from Nashville is Radner Lake State Park, which is easily one of the most scenic parks in the state, and then you’ll find even more waterfalls at Burgess Falls State Park. This state is home to 56 amazing state parks – so go out and explore!