Tennessee has some of the most beautiful scenery in our country—and there’s no better way to enjoy that scenery than to get out and camp in it. From the rugged and raw mountains to the east, the famed Cumberland Plateau in the mid-state and the river-hugging landscape of the west, Tennessee sure knows how to make a mark on the United States. Although the summertime is when we’d most recommend you snag a campground, there are also plenty of options for folks who are looking to indulge in a bit of spring and autumn camping, as well.
You can even do it today, if you’d like, and these campgrounds in Tennessee are perfect for just that since they don’t require any reservations. Check them out below and head out to one today!
- Cosby Campground
Timothy Wildey - Flickr Located in Cosby, about an hour East of Knoxville, The Cosby Campground features 74 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re open seasonally from mid-April to the end of October. Known as one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains, each site is also provided with a grill for those late summertime hangouts. Camping in Tennessee has never been so beautiful. Address: 127 Cosby Entrance Road, Cosby, TN 37722
- Edgar Evins State Park
Michael Hicks - Flickr Edgar Evins State Park is one of three on the banks of beautiful Center Hill Lake, a little over an hour east of Nashville. The campground has 60 tent and trailer sites, and rates range from $10 to $32. We’d highly recommend that campsites are reserved online, especially if you’re looking for a spot equipped for trailers or motorhomes. Although this is not a free campground, it’s still well worth the investment. Address: 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road, Silver Point, TN 38582
- Cades Cove Campground
turcottes78 - Flickr Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, receiving more than 2 million visitors annually. The campground is a great way to experience the cove’s natural beauty and features more than 150 campsites. Folks rave about the fully equipped campgrounds and the great weather. Cades Cove is tucked away in the mountains, so you won’t have to struggle through the deep humidity that plagues the mid-state during the warmer months. If you’re looking for a fabulous family camping experience, this is it. Address: 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
- Salt Lick Creek Campground
shelley w - TripAdvisor Salt Lick Creek Campground is located on a beautiful peninsula of Cordell Hull Lake, just outside of Gainesboro. This place is perfect for fishermen, as the lake is known for its fishing. Visitors rave about the clean, quiet space, as well as the easy access to clean water. The restrooms have also been noted for their cleanliness in this well-established local Tennessee campground. Address: 520 Salt Lick Park Lane, Gainesboro, TN 38562
- Paris Landing State Park Campground
Jim Denham - Flickr Paris Landing has 45 sites on the shores of the beautiful Kentucky Lake, just less than two hours northwest of Nashville. Right next to Land Between The Lakes, this campground is a great place to set up home base as you explore some of the best scenery Tennessee has to offer. Paris Landing itself is an 841-acre park that offers lakeside cabin rentals and golfing alongside the scenic edge of the water. It’s a prime Tennessee camping spot, popular for families, singles and couples alike. Address: 16055 US-79, Buchanan, TN 38222
- Defeated Creek Campground
Ernest Smith - GoogleMaps Just a few miles down lake from Salt Lick Creek Campground, Defeated Creek Campground features more than 150 sites and has a great swimming beach. This is a perfect place to get off the grid for a bit! It’s been noted as a great camping spot especially for families, and the firepits make for some fabulous nights filled with s’mores. This Tennessee campground is known for its incredible beauty, as well as being off the beaten path. Address: 140 Marina Lane, Defeated, TN 37030
- Loyston Point Campground
Loyston Point Campground For less than $23 a night, you can stay at Loyston Point Campground, which sits right on the banks of Norris Lake, north of Knoxville. Be sure to check out all of the trails in the area while you’re there! The lake provides all sorts of opportunities for recreational fun, and the bathroom and shower facilities are top-notch. Address: 730 Loyston Point Road, Andersonville, TN 37705
- Montgomery Bell State Park
Lorne Sykora - Flickr Just 45 minutes outside of Nashville, Montgomery Bell has 47 sites that are available year-round. This is a great place for Nashvillians to escape the city for a quick weekend. Located on a handful of the 3,782 acres found at Montgomery Bell State Park, it’s one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the state. State park camping is great all across Tennessee, but city folk can reach Montgomery Bell in under an hour, making it a great choice. Address: 1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN 37029
- Henry Horton State Park
Michael Hicks - Flickr Henry Horton State Park is located in Middle Tennessee on the Duck River, which attracts a lot of people looking to kayak, canoe, or float the river. This is a great place to unplug, but they do offer free wi-fi, just in case. It’s a fabulous spot for family camping, and the barbecue area is wonderful for fresh meals cooked in the great outdoors. Address: 4209 Nashville Highway, Chapel Hill, TN 37034
We’ve officially found them, the best campgrounds in Tennessee. How many have you visited?
Timothy Wildey - Flickr
Located in Cosby, about an hour East of Knoxville, The Cosby Campground features 74 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re open seasonally from mid-April to the end of October. Known as one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains, each site is also provided with a grill for those late summertime hangouts. Camping in Tennessee has never been so beautiful. Address: 127 Cosby Entrance Road, Cosby, TN 37722
Michael Hicks - Flickr
Edgar Evins State Park is one of three on the banks of beautiful Center Hill Lake, a little over an hour east of Nashville. The campground has 60 tent and trailer sites, and rates range from $10 to $32. We’d highly recommend that campsites are reserved online, especially if you’re looking for a spot equipped for trailers or motorhomes. Although this is not a free campground, it’s still well worth the investment. Address: 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road, Silver Point, TN 38582
turcottes78 - Flickr
Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, receiving more than 2 million visitors annually. The campground is a great way to experience the cove’s natural beauty and features more than 150 campsites. Folks rave about the fully equipped campgrounds and the great weather. Cades Cove is tucked away in the mountains, so you won’t have to struggle through the deep humidity that plagues the mid-state during the warmer months. If you’re looking for a fabulous family camping experience, this is it. Address: 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
shelley w - TripAdvisor
Salt Lick Creek Campground is located on a beautiful peninsula of Cordell Hull Lake, just outside of Gainesboro. This place is perfect for fishermen, as the lake is known for its fishing. Visitors rave about the clean, quiet space, as well as the easy access to clean water. The restrooms have also been noted for their cleanliness in this well-established local Tennessee campground. Address: 520 Salt Lick Park Lane, Gainesboro, TN 38562
Jim Denham - Flickr
Paris Landing has 45 sites on the shores of the beautiful Kentucky Lake, just less than two hours northwest of Nashville. Right next to Land Between The Lakes, this campground is a great place to set up home base as you explore some of the best scenery Tennessee has to offer. Paris Landing itself is an 841-acre park that offers lakeside cabin rentals and golfing alongside the scenic edge of the water. It’s a prime Tennessee camping spot, popular for families, singles and couples alike. Address: 16055 US-79, Buchanan, TN 38222
Ernest Smith - GoogleMaps
Just a few miles down lake from Salt Lick Creek Campground, Defeated Creek Campground features more than 150 sites and has a great swimming beach. This is a perfect place to get off the grid for a bit! It’s been noted as a great camping spot especially for families, and the firepits make for some fabulous nights filled with s’mores. This Tennessee campground is known for its incredible beauty, as well as being off the beaten path. Address: 140 Marina Lane, Defeated, TN 37030
Loyston Point Campground
For less than $23 a night, you can stay at Loyston Point Campground, which sits right on the banks of Norris Lake, north of Knoxville. Be sure to check out all of the trails in the area while you’re there! The lake provides all sorts of opportunities for recreational fun, and the bathroom and shower facilities are top-notch. Address: 730 Loyston Point Road, Andersonville, TN 37705
Lorne Sykora - Flickr
Just 45 minutes outside of Nashville, Montgomery Bell has 47 sites that are available year-round. This is a great place for Nashvillians to escape the city for a quick weekend. Located on a handful of the 3,782 acres found at Montgomery Bell State Park, it’s one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the state. State park camping is great all across Tennessee, but city folk can reach Montgomery Bell in under an hour, making it a great choice. Address: 1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN 37029
Henry Horton State Park is located in Middle Tennessee on the Duck River, which attracts a lot of people looking to kayak, canoe, or float the river. This is a great place to unplug, but they do offer free wi-fi, just in case. It’s a fabulous spot for family camping, and the barbecue area is wonderful for fresh meals cooked in the great outdoors. Address: 4209 Nashville Highway, Chapel Hill, TN 37034
Psst…You’ll Absolutely Love The Bird’s Eye View At This Incredible Tennessee Restaurant. It’s amazing.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Campgrounds in Tennessee August 03, 2019 Meghan Kraft What are some of the best campgrounds in Tennessee? It’s difficult to choose the best campgrounds in Tennessee, since a majority of them are high quality and located in gorgeous places throughout the state. If you’re looking for the best camping spots for families and small groups, however, reserving a state park campground is most likely the best option. Highly regulated regarding amenities and safety, state park camping is an affordable and easy way to experience the beauty of the great state. Are you allowed to camp in state parks? Yes, you are allowed to camp in certain state parks in Tennessee. Make sure to check out which ones allow for Tennessee camping reservations, here. What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip? It will depend on what time of year you’re planning on camping in Tennessee, but we’d recommend coming prepared with a tent and sleeping bags, sleeping pillows, camp chairs, a lantern and extra batteries, as well as bug spray for those heated summer nights. Make sure you plan ahead for meals and provide any toiletries required for your stay in the great Tennessee outdoors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Campgrounds in Tennessee
August 03, 2019
Meghan Kraft
What are some of the best campgrounds in Tennessee? It’s difficult to choose the best campgrounds in Tennessee, since a majority of them are high quality and located in gorgeous places throughout the state. If you’re looking for the best camping spots for families and small groups, however, reserving a state park campground is most likely the best option. Highly regulated regarding amenities and safety, state park camping is an affordable and easy way to experience the beauty of the great state. Are you allowed to camp in state parks? Yes, you are allowed to camp in certain state parks in Tennessee. Make sure to check out which ones allow for Tennessee camping reservations, here. What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip? It will depend on what time of year you’re planning on camping in Tennessee, but we’d recommend coming prepared with a tent and sleeping bags, sleeping pillows, camp chairs, a lantern and extra batteries, as well as bug spray for those heated summer nights. Make sure you plan ahead for meals and provide any toiletries required for your stay in the great Tennessee outdoors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
It’s difficult to choose the best campgrounds in Tennessee, since a majority of them are high quality and located in gorgeous places throughout the state. If you’re looking for the best camping spots for families and small groups, however, reserving a state park campground is most likely the best option. Highly regulated regarding amenities and safety, state park camping is an affordable and easy way to experience the beauty of the great state.
Are you allowed to camp in state parks?
Yes, you are allowed to camp in certain state parks in Tennessee. Make sure to check out which ones allow for Tennessee camping reservations, here.
What are some of the things I need to take on a camping trip?
It will depend on what time of year you’re planning on camping in Tennessee, but we’d recommend coming prepared with a tent and sleeping bags, sleeping pillows, camp chairs, a lantern and extra batteries, as well as bug spray for those heated summer nights. Make sure you plan ahead for meals and provide any toiletries required for your stay in the great Tennessee outdoors.
