Long Branch — Center Hill Lake

Description

Overview

Long Branch Campground is located below Center Hill Dam on the scenic Caney Fork River in central Tennessee's Highland Rim. Above the dam, the lake stretches 64 miles up the river, where visitors come to enjoy boating, fishing and water sports. The 415 miles of forested shoreline provide excellent hiking, hunting and camping opportunities. 2025 Events: The annual Halloween event will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Recreation

Fishermen come to Long Branch to experience trophy trout fishing on the river, which is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Fly fishers and spin fishers alike enjoy this beautiful river and its abundant fish. Canoeing and kayaking on the Caney Fork River has become a favorite pastime for campers and sightseers alike. The Buffalo Valley Nature Trail is located just across the river from the campground. It provides access to the Caney Fork and is a very popular area for trout fishermen. The area has great wildlife viewing opportunities. Boating, water skiing and canoeing are popular activities above the dam on Center Hill Lake.

Facilities

The campground offers 60 campsites with water and 50-amp electric hookups. A large, day-use group picnic shelter is also available, with water and electric hookup. Amenities like flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided, creating a comfortable camping experience for guests. A boat ramp, fish cleaning station and playground are all conveniently located within the campground.

Natural Features

Long Branch is surrounded by the lush mixed hardwood forests of the hilly Highland Rim region. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrels and rabbits roam the wooded hills in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The Center Hill Lake Resource Managers Office is located across the river next to the Buffalo Valley Recreation Area. Edgar Evins State Park sits on the lake shore about 5 minutes from Long Branch. An observation tower at the Visitor Center offers a spectacular view of Center Hill Lake and the surrounding hillsides.

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Location

Public Campground

Long Branch — Center Hill Lake is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From I-40, take exit 268 and merge onto US-96 west. Continue for 5 miles to the end of Center Hill Dam, then turn right on SR-141. Follow signs into campground.

Address

478 Lancaster Rd.
Lancaster, TN 38569

Coordinates

36.099252 N
85.831802 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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9 Reviews

Reviewed May. 17, 2025

Beautiful campground

Only stopped for an overnight, so didn’t explore very much, but this is a very nice campground with large sites, hookups, a playground and friendly staff that’s still at work (6:30 pm as i write this).

Site48
Month of VisitMay
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Reviewed Jul. 13, 2024

Don’t stay here

The people that run this campground are rude and considerate jerks and talk to my kids and I like we where not worth there time.

Site49
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2023

Don’t stay here go somewhere els

 I have camped here for 18 to 20 years yearly multiple times a year I will not come back until the old people that work there no longer work there they’re unfriendly rude. Said I was feeding them a bull shot sandwich. It was 237. I was back in my truck up to my camper truck fully loaded camper broken down. All I do is hook up and pull out. He came up and goes. It’s 237. You know you need to fucking be gone by 2:30. I’m pulling out but check in is 330. They’re here early he said check-in is when I let them in that time doesn’t mean anything. Two months ago when I was here with my wife and kids. I had to wait two hours he said I don’t care what happened two months ago I said you know damn well I didn’t make a fuss about wanting I understood things happen but you coming over@2:37 talking to me like that there’s no excuse for that. He said I run this place the way I see fit. I said well you’re running all the young folks off and the old people can stay on their campsites till 530 and that’s OK but if I’m seven minutes late you come tell me to fucking move Kick rocks old man I won’t be coming back until he and his wife no longer work there and he is costing, the big rock at least$600 annually for my family not coming up there

Site56
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Sweet little campground on the river

We loved our three nights at Long Branch. Nestled in downriver from the dam, this campground provides a great opportunity to kayak down the river. Sites 2-20 along the river are the best spots. We stayed at 15 and enjoyed the proximity to the river while feeling like we were close enough to its beauty.

Site15
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

Large Site

We had a large campsite along the river, but our view was blocked by overgrowth. I was super disappointed as this was our last stop on a long road trip. We came here to trout fish and watch the river float by. We didn’t get to do either because the water was too high (not the fault of the campground). The camp host at check in wasn’t the friendliest person when we had a few questions. The bathhouse was clean. I did think that the dump station was located in a strange spot as it was right on the main road in The campground and in front of someone’s campsite. You had to walk across a large field to take your garbage to the dumpster. We left a day early. This was a one and done place for us.

Site5
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Long Branch — Center Hill Lake by Shana D., July 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Long Branch — Center Hill Lake by Shana D., July 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Long Branch — Center Hill Lake by Shana D., July 18, 2022
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

Peace of mind.

We recently moved from Idaho to Tennessee, we booked two spots at Long Branch to stay for two weeks. The views are beautiful, we visited in October, nice and warm during the day cool at night perfect for fires in the morning and at night. Nice size campground clean and well kept. Bathrooms are fabulous.

No laundry at this campgrounds, internet is hit or miss if you don't have internet in your trailer. But we're on Verizon and we seem to get it very well in the morning and during the day.

All in all the site is clean, quiet, and beautiful, right at the base of a dam, and the river flowing next to us is gorgeous. Wish they stayed open all year long but they don't. We will be back early for camping on the weekends.

There is a little noise from the road but not very often only when cars pass.

Site37/38
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Mixed bag of Campsites

We ususally try to find the Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds as they're so nice!  This particular one has two areas - the main one and a few separated campsites over a bridge.  We were over the bridge and I would not recommend it - dogs could not cross bridge and sites are very small.

Facilities clean and well lit.

Site51
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2019

Spacious and clean

Enjoyable camp ground.  Sites are nice and large, easy to back into.  There are steps down to the river.  Many sites have plenty of shade especially the ones in the small loop. I will be coming back here for sure.

Site17
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Long Branch — Center Hill Lake by Gabe W., June 13, 2019
Reviewed May. 19, 2018

Riverside

Nice and quiet with a beautiful view of Caney Fork River . World class trout fishing.

Site11
Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Long Branch — Center Hill Lake?

Camping at Long Branch — Center Hill Lake can cost between $30.00 and $50.00 depending on the site.

Does Long Branch — Center Hill Lake have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Long Branch — Center Hill Lake has water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Long Branch — Center Hill Lake?

Long Branch — Center Hill Lake allows vehicles up to 156 feet.

Are fires allowed at Long Branch — Center Hill Lake?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Long Branch — Center Hill Lake, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.