RV camping near Rickman, Tennessee offers access to the Cumberland Plateau with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. This transition zone between the Highland Rim and the Appalachian Mountains creates distinctive camping conditions with significant temperature variations between seasons. Fall nights often drop below 40°F while summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with moderate humidity levels compared to lower elevations.
What to do
Hiking at Big South Fork: Located within 30 miles of Rickman, the Big South Fork area provides extensive trail systems. Maple Hill RV Park serves as a convenient base camp for exploring these trails. As one visitor noted, "Jamestown, TN is right outside Pickett SP, Big South Fork and Daniel Boone NF so this would be a good base camp in town near amenities."
Kayaking nearby waterways: Several rv sites near Rickman provide easy access to local lakes and rivers. At Owl Hollow Retreat RV Park, one camper mentioned, "Several places to put our kayaks in the water near here." This location offers convenient water access without requiring lengthy drives.
Visit historic Rugby: Less than 45 minutes from Rickman, the historic town of Rugby provides a glimpse into 19th century life. A Brooks Corner Campground visitor shared, "It is right behind the Brooks store and less than a mile from Rugby. Both the store and town are a step back in history."
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many Rickman area campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Paradise on the Mountain RV Park, a camper reported, "The bathhouse is amazing!! I've stayed at many campgrounds and I think this is the cleanest bathhouse I've ever seen."
Stargazing opportunities: The limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing at campgrounds near Rickman. One Brooks Corner camper observed, "Star view on a clear night is awesome due to the lack of nearby city lights."
Pet-friendly environments: Most RV campgrounds near Rickman welcome pets with varying amenities. A visitor at Owl Hollow Retreat noted, "Our dog is able to run for the first time in months here," highlighting the freedom some properties allow for pets compared to more restrictive settings.
What you should know
Campsite leveling needs: Many RV sites in the area require leveling equipment. At Deer Run RV Resort, one camper reported, "Our site was very un-level and could not get the camper to auto level."
Water quality varies: Water systems at some campgrounds may have issues. A Maple Hill visitor cautioned, "We didn't notice this the first day, but I started seeing brownish water in our toilet. As we used the water more, it became evident that whatever water is being pumped into their system isn't good."
Limited services in immediate area: The rural nature of Rickman means limited nearby services. One camper at Brooks Corner advised, "This is very rural" and provided detailed information about distances to services: "Propane is available for 20lbs swap-outs at the local Dollar Trees (Jamestown or near Eglin/Robbins both are ~20m away)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. Paradise on the Mountain features "an adorable playground for the kids. Rumor says there is possibly a splash pad coming soon."
Lake activities: Several RV parks near Rickman include lake access for swimming and fishing. A Spring Lake RV Resort visitor described how "The sites are built around a small lake. I suspect most of the leases are long-term. We walked around the lake and found they had sitting areas and gazebos where you could relax during the day or at night."
Common gathering spaces: Look for campgrounds with shared facilities. Paradise on the Mountain provides "a nice outside pavilion for common use" and "a hand built fireplace under a large overhang near the office. Great space for grilling or hanging out."
Tips from RVers
After-hours arrival planning: Some campgrounds accommodate late check-ins. A Spring Lake visitor appreciated this flexibility: "We were arriving an hour after the office closed and they made arrangements to help us get settled."
Power stability issues: Electrical systems can be problematic at certain sites. At Deer Run, one RVer experienced difficulties: "We put our surge protector on and the power at the site kept shorting out. We managed to get slides out then it shorted out. Turned breakers back on to turn on a/c and it blew again."
Site selection for privacy: Many RV parks offer varying degrees of privacy between sites. At McDermit RV Park, a visitor noted, "The sites are large and the one I had offered privacy," suggesting requesting specific sites when making reservations.
