Middle Tennessee provides a bonanza of outdoor camping opportunities for practically every style of outside lover. Whether you’re a skilled camper or just starting your experience, this area has all of it. You can camp out under the stars or near the cooling mist of a waterfall. Take advantage of location lakes with primitive campgrounds or luxury recreational vehicle parks to delight in all sorts of water sports varying from boating, fishing, and snowboarding to just hanging out on a raft in a remote cove. No matter which experience you select, you’re sure to take home some great memories of time in the Outdoors of Tennessee.Distance from Nashville:
87 miles, one hour and forty minutes Bumpus Mills State Camping Site is
an exceptional area to get out into the wild with family or friends. The camping site has 15 sites, all of which have picnic tables and grills. Some websites likewise have electrical and water connections, and there is also a dump station and a bathhouse on site. The camping area lies on Lake Barkley, which offers lots of chances for fishing, swimming, and boating. There are likewise numerous treking trails in the location that provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The campground is open from April to October and bookings are required. The expense per night is $20 for a basic website and $25 for a website with electric and water connections.
Paris Landing State Park Distance from Nashville: 95 miles, one hour and forty minutes Paris Landing State Park provides a picturesque and peaceful setting for camping lovers. Nestled along the shores of the Kentucky Lake, this park supplies a host of outdoor camping chances for nature enthusiasts. With 125 campsites, both recreational vehicle and tent campers can discover their perfect area in the middle of the park’s lavish greenery. The camping area features consist of electrical and water connections, picnic tables, and grills. Hiking tracks wind through the park, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding forests and catch glimpses of regional wildlife. Additionally, the park provides contemporary bathhouses, a marina, a golf course, and a restaurant for included benefit and leisure.
Natchez Trace|Flickr/Late Boomer Range
from Nashville: 78 miles, one hour and twenty minutes Meriwether Lewis Camping area is a concealed gem for camping lovers in the heart of Middle Tennessee. Positioned near Hohenwald, this camping area provides a tranquil and beautiful setting for nature lovers. With 125 properly maintained camping areas, both recreational vehicle and camping tent campers can discover their ideal area amidst the stunning surroundings. The campground supplies vital features such as electrical and water connections, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy activities like hiking, bird enjoying, and wildlife finding, as the campground is nestled within the attractive Natchez Trace Parkway. The nearby Meriwether Lewis Monolith and Interpretive Center use a glimpse into the historical significance of the location and the individual history of the well-known explorer of “Lewis and Clark” honor.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park Distance from Nashville: 33 miles, 41 minutes Cedar Glades State Park is a 900-acre park near Nashville that takes its name from its unique rock gardens. These gardens are home to cedar trees that grow relatively out of limestone beds, producing a desert-like look. The glades likewise support a variety of other unusual plant species. The park is home to more than 100 camping areas, all of which have picnic tables and grills. Some camping sites likewise have electric and water connections. The park is also known for its extensive equestrian tracks, so keep an eye out for ponies while you’re hiking.
< img src =" https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/1792699/381x254/crop;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg "alt="montgomery bell state park "width="381"height="254"/ > Flickr/Derek Bruff Range from Nashville: 34 miles, 44 minutes Whether you’re searching for an area to park a 60-foot RV or you’ve got a hankering to stay in cabins built in the 1930’s as part of a Civilian Conservation Corps project, Montgomery Bell State Park has alternatives. Readily available outside activities likewise run the gamut from treking and biking to golfing and fishing. Or, you understand, simply settle back in a folding chair, crack open a beer, and tell yourself no less than 20 times that you might get utilized to this.
Range from Nashville: 83 miles, one hour and 27 minutes
You may know this park’s name as “Davy,” but he was a lot more than simply a coonskin cap-wearing frontiersman. This park lies on his former homestead where he ran a powdermill, a grist mill, and a distillery before a flood cleaned all his services away in 1821. A museum shows artifacts and describes the history of the former congressman and martyr of the Fight of the Alamo. 2 camping areas in the park deal recreational vehicle connections and primitive camping websites with centralized bathhouses offering hot showers and toilet centers.
Henry Horton State Park Range from Nashville: 51 miles, 52 minutes Named after a former governor of Tennessee– on whose land the park was developed in the 1960’s– Henry Horton State Park offers access to the Duck River, which bristles with fish masochistically waiting to be your food later on. Camping choices range from an inn or cabins to camping tent, primitive, and backcountry campgrounds. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, there’s likewise a trap and skeet variety where you can shoot for a different sort of birdies: clay pigeons.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park Range from Nashville: 63 miles, one hour and two minutes European inhabitants, most of which never ever took AP history, often miscalled old structures”forts. “They were wrong. And archaeologists have actually dated the mystical stone formation that provides the park its name at between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. The primary hiking trail skirts the walls of this stunning building, now believed to be a ceremonial gathering spot for ancient Native American tribes. Although the camping areas are relatively glamorous with water and electrical hookups, grills, picnic tables, and paved pads, they are tucked deep into the woods to provide plenty of personal privacy. You’ll seem like you’re miles far from civilization, and when that undoubtedly scares you, you can take a brief walking to the bath home or a 10 minute drive to get some junk food.
< img src=" https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/1792779/381x254/crop;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg "alt= "Edgar Evins State Park"width="381"height =" 254 "/ > Edgar Evins State Park Range from Nashville: 65 miles, one hour and 3 minutes Center Hill Lake may be among the most lovely bodies of water in Tennessee, with steep bluffs and cliffs running directly into the deep lake– the result of deliberate TVA flooding decades ago to produce a reservoir for power production and flood control. The outcome is a mix of forests, verdant hillsides, and a postcard-worthy lake with outstanding chances for fishing and waterskiing. The campground at Edgar Evins includes 60 camping tent and trailer camping areas, complete with electrical and water access. Each was constructed on wooden platforms enhanced with concrete and steel, and it’s like camping on a private deck over Center Hill.
Flickr/Arthur T. LaBar Distance from Nashville: 85 miles, one hour and 39 minutes Have you ever dreamed of camping underground? Well, now you can! This historic cavern complex uses what they call” caveman campouts “for groups of 10 or more. When you schedule an expedition, you’ll get an easy walking tour of the cavern, plus the more difficult “Rocky Topper” spelunking experience. After a night sleeping in the enormous 10-Acre Space, you’ll delight in a catered breakfast in the magnificent Volcano Space. And while you’re consuming, you can admire the colorful cavern formations surrounding you. Bring your sleeping bag and a pillow, comfy shoes and a pillow, and a sense of adventure.
Rock Island State Park Distance from Nashville: 85 miles, one hour and 40 minutes Johnny Cash sang that “The Rock Island Line she’s a mighty excellent road,”but she’s also a wonderful state park that covers nearly 900 acres of the Caney Fork River Gorge where the Caney, Collins, and Rocky rivers come together at the head of Center Hill Lake. The surrounding gorge functions sweeping picturesque overlooks, waterfalls with swimming holes below, treking routes, fishing, and even the opportunity for whitewater kayaking. Two campgrounds contain 60 campsites with a 3rd of them offered year round. For campers who simply can’t bear to totally disconnect, there’s even free Wi-Fi schedule at the primary campground. However c’mon. Don’t be that guy. 
< img src=" https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/1792939/381x254/crop;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg "alt="South Cumberland State Park "width="381" height="254 "/ > South Cumberland State Park Range from Nashville: 92 miles, one hour and 30 minute South Cumberland State Park is a massive wilderness area that includes nine recreational areas covering four counties in Tennessee. With over 30,000 acres of land to check out, there’s something for everybody in this outdoor playground. Whether you’re a fan of hiking, outdoor camping, fishing, rock climbing, or birdwatching, you’ll find plenty to keep you hectic in South Cumberland. The park is home to sensational waterfalls, towering cliffs, and rich forests. There are likewise miles of hiking trails to check out, varying from simple strolls to challenging treks. If you’re aiming to camp in the backcountry, South Cumberland uses primitive campsites scattered throughout the park. Bookings are needed, so make certain to schedule your area ahead of time.
Big Laurel Falls at Virgin Falls State Natural Location|Flickr/Brent Moore Distance from Nashville: 113 miles, one hour and 58 minutes Virgin Falls is a strenuous nine-mile roundtrip trek that requires a level of fitness and planning that draws severe backwoods specialists into the woods, however the rewards are worth it. Along the method, you’ll come across a number of caverns, cross a cable bridge over Big Laurel Creek, and see some breathtaking surroundings, highlighted by the 110-foot tall Virgin Falls that flow out of a cavern, over a cliff, and into another cavern. There are five devoted campgrounds along the route to the falls, but you’ll require to register in the book at the trailhead kiosk to make sure there will be room to lay your weary head. So if you’re looking for an experience, Virgin Falls is the location for you. Just be prepared for a challenge.
Big South Fork National River & Entertainment Location Distance from Nashville: 151 miles, 2 hours and 39 minutes Incorporating more than 125,000 acres in both Tennessee and Kentucky, Big South Fork contains 5 established camping sites with facilities like RV parks, some campsites dedicated to campers traveling with horse trailers to benefit from the numerous equestrian trails, and a couple of primitive campgrounds for those seeking to rough it. A bonus is that much of the recreation location lies simply throughout the dividing line between the Central and Eastern time zones, so if you’re on the east side of the park, it can stay light enough to check out up until nearly 10 at night throughout the summertime.
< img src="https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/2975568/381x254/crop;webp=auto;jpeg_quality=60.jpg" alt =" Tims Ford State Park” width=”381″ height=”254″/ > Image thanks to Tims Ford State Park Distance from Nashville: 89 miles, one hour and 30 minutes
Tims Ford State Park is an excellent place to escape all of it. The park is named after the shallow location where early inhabitants forded the Elk River near Winchester, and in 1970, the river was dammed to develop a lovely lake that provides all sorts of fishing, boating, and camping chances. The primary campground is well-equipped with pads for campers or tents, plus a stocked camp store to pick up whatever products you forgot to pack. Much more interesting are seven paddle-in camping sites on islands around the lake. You’ll need to bring everything you need with you across the water and perform all your garbage, but the possibility to camp in the remote wilds is worth the additional effort. The campgrounds are first-come, first-served, so it’s finest to get here early.Chris Chamberlain is a food, drink and travel writer based out of Nashville. While he’s still a fan of the outdoors, he doesn’t sleep on the ground any longer. As he ages, he prefers to have something underneath him when he sleeps … like three floors of a Marriott. You can camp out with him @CeeElCee.
From glamping to roughing it, Nashville’s camping scene offers it all. Here are the most gorgeous areas.