The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near New Johnsonville, Tennessee
Camper submitted image from Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOAView 5 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA

7 ReviewsAdd Review

Highway noise from I-40 defines the atmosphere at this KOA, with several reviewers noting the constant traffic sounds that carry across the property. The campground sits directly off Exit 143, making it easily accessible for RVs up to 65 feet, though some longer rigs may find the corner sites challenging to navigate.

Sites feature full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections, plus cable and WiFi access. The terrain includes hills typical of Tennessee, which can make leveling difficult for some RVs. Douglas T. found the property "well maintained" with "lots of trees and flowers and quiet," though noted leveling issues on sloped sites. The campground includes a dog park and maintains year-round operations.

Tent sites back directly onto the interstate, creating a particularly loud environment for canvas camping. Clay soil leads to standing water during rain, though tent pads include drainage. Sites are closely spaced, typical for KOA properties, and the campground often fills up even on weeknights. For those exploring the broader region, campgrounds around New Johnsonville provide additional options in the area.

This location works best for travelers needing a convenient overnight stop with full amenities rather than those seeking a quiet camping retreat.

Fee Info

Adults 18+, Kids 12-17, Free 0-11

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

TransAmerica Trail Road Trip

TransAmerica Trail Road Trip

TransAmerica Trail Road Trip Segment: Alexander to Berea

Alexander to Berea: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsBuffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA is located in Tennessee near New Johnsonville

Detail location of campground
Private Campground

Directions

From jct I-40 (exit 143) & Hwy 13: Go 200 yards N on Hwy 13, then 1/4 mi E. Follow signs.

Address

473 Barren Hollow Rd
Hurricane Mills, TN 37078

Coordinates

35.88080903 N
87.79153936 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 5/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 5/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 7 users

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 5/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 5/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 7 users

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Tennessee Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

15%
29%
29%
15%
15%

3.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Easy highway access and functional hookups make this a practical overnight stop. However, most visitors reported significant I-40 traffic noise and mixed site conditions. Staff experiences vary considerably.

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2024

easy in and out, and noisy

I spent 8 nights here. Almost everyday some huge rig would pull up in front of what little view I had and block me out completely. I was lucky if I had a few daylight hours of a view of the sky and trees.Most people left early in the morning. Even for the thanksgiving week that was a lot of activity. And I would think that since I booked 8 nights up front they would put be some place quiet and secluded. I got just the opposite. Fuel stations and restaurants nearby.  My experience with KOAs is turning into just a stream of places you should only sleep at and get F out.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2023

Tent Camp Sites

The tent sites back onto I40 and are very loud. The ground is clay so, there are standing puddles in the rain around the camp. The tent pad does have drainage.

Sitet15
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2023

Convenient

Lightning Bugs, Farmer's Markets, good food...oh my!

Month of VisitJune
  • lightning bugs
    Play button icon
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2022

Hurricane Mills, TN…Not for us

Pro: It’s a well maintained resort. Had a decent dog park. Sites were nicely spaced. Check in was a breeze and we were shown to our site by a very nice lady. Lots of trees and flowers and quiet. Easy in and out. Cons: We had a corner site and we were really too long for the site, we’re 42’ long. The electric and water were all in one spot which was at the very end of the camper. We’ve been on this journey for 10 months so not our first rodeo. As the lady left a man rolls up in his cart and informs us that we need to pull up farther because it would be a tight squeeze for anyone to navigate around us. Which he wasn’t wrong but perhaps a more appropriate site could have been given us since we had a reservation for weeks. We told him if we pulled up farther we couldn’t reach the hose connection. He arrogantly told us that we should have a 50’ hose as most people do just for these circumstances. He also said we could buy one in their store. I asked if they possibly had another site that might fit the rig better. He said he thought they were full for the night but I could ask! That pretty much set the tone for the stay and for this review. Not sure if he was the owner or a grounds keeper. The sites were on hills- which it is Tennessee…but we had a difficult time getting our camper level as it went down hill due to the fact we had to pull up so far it set the camper downhill. It has auto leveling and could never get it level where we sat, kept giving us an error code. This system won’t allow you to level manually. We have 4 slides and it was difficult to get them out not being level. The bedroom slide came out enough for us to open the bed out. The fact that the camper was at such a slant it was not good for the slides obviously because it was so un-level that the jacks wouldn’t go down. It was pretty bouncy and you picked up speed walking from one end to the other. We were glad it was just one night.

Site?
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA by Douglas T., June 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA by Douglas T., June 12, 2022
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2020

Not the place for a peaceful getaway

Overall a decent spot if you’re just looking for a safe place to sleep right near I-40. But not recommended if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to enjoy a vacation.

Pros:

  • extremely easy to get to and right off I-40 so minimal added time to trip
  • full hookups and they were well situated on the pad
  • pretty level spot
  • KOA so you know what to expect, and the check in process is really easy - especially after hours
  • cable hookups - though we didn’t try it so not sure how good it is
  • WiFi - but pretty weak at least from site 14

Cons:

  • Extremely loud traffic noise - you really couldn’t get closer to the highway unless you were park on an on-ramp (see video if you don’t believe me 😉)
  • spots are very close together (but pretty typical for a KOA)
  • it was pretty full for a week night so it may be hard to book day of on the weekend
  • Review photo of Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA by Sara R., November 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA by Sara R., November 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Buffalo I-40-Exit 143 KOA by Sara R., November 11, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2019

I mean, if you like KOA...

And the sound of the interstate then this is for you. The best part about this place is it’s close to the log cabin restaurant. Try the pie!

Showing results 1-7 of 7 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA Journey campground from the interstate?

Finding Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA Journey is extremely easy as it's located directly off Interstate 40 at Exit 143 in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The campground is designed for convenient highway access, making it an ideal stopover location for travelers. Simply take Exit 143 from I-40 and the campground will be immediately visible. The proximity to the interstate makes it a minimal detour for those traveling along the I-40 corridor.

Are there photos available of Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA in Hurricane Mills?

Yes, photos of Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA are available. These images showcase the campground's tree-lined sites, flowering plants, and overall layout. Visual features include the full hookup RV sites, the dog park, and the general grounds maintenance. To see the most current photos, visit the KOA website, their social media pages, or camping platforms like The Dyrt. The campground office may also have an image gallery on their official website to help potential visitors get a better sense of the facilities before booking.

What do reviews say about Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA Journey?

Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA Journey receives mixed feedback. While praised for being well-maintained with nicely spaced sites, convenient check-in, and beautiful trees and flowers, its proximity to Interstate 40 creates significant noise, especially at the tent sites. Most visitors appreciate it as a convenient overnight stopover rather than a vacation destination. The campground features clay soil which can result in standing water after rain, though tent pads have drainage. The Log Cabin Restaurant nearby is noted as a popular dining option, particularly for their pie.

What amenities are available at the Buffalo KOA in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee?

Buffalo KOA offers full hookup sites with well-situated utility connections, a dog park for pet owners, and nicely spaced campsites for privacy. The grounds are well-maintained with trees and flowers throughout. The campground features a mix of sites suitable for various camping setups, though some corner sites may be tight for longer RVs (42'+). Additional conveniences include easy check-in service with site escorts. Note that tent sites are available but located near the interstate.

Keep Exploring