Camping spots near Andersonville, Tennessee center around Norris Lake, which spans 33,840 acres with 809 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 1,020 feet elevation and experiences average summer temperatures around 85°F. During peak camping season, Norris Lake maintains water temperatures between 75-85°F, creating ideal conditions for water activities through September.
What to do
Water recreation on Norris Lake: Loyston Point Campground offers direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. One visitor noted, "Great place for kids to hang out, play in the water, and pull the boat right up to our camp site" at Loyston Point Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Big Ridge State Park features several trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A camper mentioned, "I've also finished the trip by hiking the loop back out by continuing on Dark Hollow to Big Valley Trail, to Ghost House Trail and back to Lake Trail (5.3 miles total). These sections of the trails are easy to moderate" at Big Ridge State Park Campground.
Museum visits: The Museum of Appalachia sits adjacent to camping options. "This is our second time here. I really like this campground. It is right next to the Museum of Appalachia. It's full of peacocks and mini horses and fat little pigs," reported a visitor at Appalachia Ridge.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Many campers value direct water access at multiple sites around Norris Lake. At TVA Public Land- Fork Bend, one camper explained, "The sites are all close to the water with beautiful sunsets on the west side and gorgeous sunrises on the east sites. This spot is my ultimate favorite spot I've visited so far."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain clean amenities. A visitor at Loyston Point noted, "The bathrooms were always very clean and had nice hot water showers. But above anything else, the customer service was amazing."
Privacy options: For those seeking seclusion, dispersed camping provides more isolation. At TVA Public Land-Fork Bend, a camper shared, "I was separated from the neighbors by a grove of trees and could sort of see them but it wasn't intrusive. Since I was by myself, I would not have gone down the TVA road (Dogwood Trail) without 4wd."
What you should know
Access challenges: Some camping areas require appropriate vehicles. At Fork Bend, a camper advised, "The road back is a gravel/dirt road a few miles into the woods. Although bumpy 4x4 isn't necessary as we were able to get our 85 GMC van back here."
Site levelness varies: Terrain can create challenges for RV setup. At Loyston Point Campground, a visitor warned, "The only downside is the horrifically unleveled sites. The bathrooms were clean, the view from our site was spectacular and the staff was very helpful."
Site selection impacts experience: At Big Ridge State Park, site location matters: "There are two levels and three sections. There are two new, clean showerhouses and one old showerhouse. At the front of the campground are ADA sites, the second section is closest to the lake, good for fishing."
Free camping options: For budget-conscious campers, TVA lands offer no-cost alternatives. A visitor reported, "Completely free primitive camping. Me and my boyfriend had a difficult time finding the place at first. The coordinates took us to a Bible school."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Children enjoy multiple recreational options at established campgrounds. At Cove Lake State Park Campground, a camper shared, "We absolutely love this place! It is our children's favorite campground!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. Another Cove Lake visitor noted, "The sites were pretty big too which a fantastic amount of room to throw ball and play! Bath houses were clean but typical state park bath houses. We were right across from one that the playground was near which wasn't nice."
Swimming options: When lake swimming isn't available, look for pools. "There is a massive pool but we had to pay to get into it and had to drive to it," reported a visitor to Cove Lake State Park.
Site selection for families: At West Campground — Norris Dam State Park, a camper advised, "We stayed at site #2 which was nice but had soft ground from prior rain. There were a lot of headlights on us from traffic entering the campground, even up til MIDNIGHT on Saturday. I would stay here again but would choose a site more towards the backside of the loop for less traffic."
Tips from RVers
Size constraints: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. A camper at West Campground noted, "Keep in mind, a trailer much longer that 16' will have trouble getting in."
Hookup availability: RV sites typically offer electric and water connections. At Volunteer Park, a visitor explained, "We had water, electric, sewer, and cable. Since we had sewer hook up I did not use their bathrooms. They had 2 bath houses."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact site conditions. A visitor cautioned, "Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in."
