Best Glamping near Baxter, TN

We stayed at a campsite by the lake. What I didn’t realize until we got there is that the site is on a wooden platform because the shoreline is a little steep. We had brought a canoe and so it was A bit awkward trying to get down to the lake toting a canoe directly from our campsite. Although, we made it work, and had a great time.

We fit our truck, 2 tents for 2, and a mini kitchen set up with table and benches comfortably. The running water was fantastic!

That evening a storm came and I was so thankful for the platform because the rainwater ran off between the wooden slats, no mud!!

Bathrooms were ok, and had hot water showers.

Booked two rv sites for this past Labor Day weekend for my wife and I and her sister’s family. Very easy to get to, paved roads. Saw some class C motorhomes in there. I did not check out the entire campground so not sure how big an rv can fit so best to just call.

This campground is a little over a year old. We stayed in Area C (sites 41 & 42) which is considered the Main Campus, has the camp office and bath house there. Our rv sites were gravel, required some leveling, had FHUs. 50/30/20 amp service, water and sewer of course. All worked great, no issues. Site included a trash can, fire pit with affixed grill and a picnic table. My camper is 23 ft long and tow vehicle is an F150. I unhooked and had just enough room to park off to the side in front of my camper. The spots are very spaced so if you don’t have room like that you may be able to park beside the site like my in laws did.

While we didn’t use them, they have an activity room, saw a projector screen in there and a table, they had an area behind the activity room, kind of like an outdoor hangout, lights, fire pit , chairs. Bathhouse is code locked and was clean. They have a fenced in dog park area centrally located in area c, seemed of good size with lots of trees. They have a little sand pit area for kids to play in.

The staff are very friendly. They have a small camp store just down the road from the entrance to the campground. Just past the camp store is the trailhead to the water falls.

Unfortunately my back wasn’t feeling great and my wife recently had surgery on her foot. We did hike back there some. There are 4 waterfalls according to their map. Unfortunately it was pretty dry so there wasn’t much waterfall action. The upper falls was pretty cool. We couldn’t make it to all of the falls.

They do have free wifi available but I can’t speak much on it. The signal for it at my campsite wasn’t very good so I didn’t use it. I have Verizon and had 3 bars and LTE and the data signal was strong for me. Was able to stream, FaceTime, pretty much whatever I wanted. Of course, I’m not sure if it’s like the everywhere in the campground, but where I was it worked great.

Overall, very pleased with our stay and definitely want to come back when we’re doing better to check out all the falls and do some swimming.

Cedars Of Lebanon State Park ,split tree fences and ancient farm equipment, black and white photos in the visitors center, old style cabins and rock boundary fences. History is very present in Cedars.

A 2 mile running trail that meanders through old farm land and indigenous trees. CCC original looking covered benches which overlook a dry stream bed that ends in an exploitable old cave. A wood bridge further down the small valley crosses the stream bed and can be followed to the nature centers very cool garden.Check in before exploring the cave and wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy, low ceiling and headlamp/flashlight needed.

The picnic area which is adjacent the lodge has small and large pavilions for use and fire pits. The lodge looks like it’s the original that you can see in the black and white photos.

The campground has three areas. One has side by side sites, no privacy and not much space but easy in, easy out. The other two loops have more area between sites which are tucked back into the trees. Area 3 is for pop ups , tents and vans with 20 amp electric, Area 2 is for the larger campers, 30 amp and area 1, the side by side is 30 to 50 amp. There is disc golf, a swimming pool and riding stables plus two playgrounds and a nice gazebo that you can rent for special events. Definitely a campground to spend a chill weekend and unwind.

This park is amazing. There is a lot to do, from golfing to some hiking. Looks like it’s great for kids and families, but I’m a single traveler. For me, the campgrounds were crowded and tight, though everyone around me respected the quiet hours. I’m a tent camper, so I appreciate running water and clean facilities if I’m going to come in from the woods and camp in a civilized space. These facilities were not very clean, two of three toilets were missing seats and I really didn’t want to touch anything (with or without COVID being a consideration). I camped on a Monday, so I understand that it was a busy weekend and the facilities likely weren’t yet cleaned, but in addition to camper use, the facilities were buggy, cobwebby and in need of a deep clean and significant refreshing. So ... four stars because of the beautiful setting. From a camping perspective it left me wanting and I’ve enjoyed better overall experiences and facilities for 1/3 the price.

As soon as we pulled into Cedars Of Lebanon State Park I got the old time vibe from the split tree fences and ancient farm equipment to the black and white photos in the visitors center, this park seems very in touch with its beginnings.

We hiked some of the 2 mile running trail and then veered off to explore the CCC original looking covered bench which overlooks a currently dry stream bed. There is a similar covered bench on the far-side of the dry creek with very cool stone “steps” leading from one to the other and a wood bridge further down the small valley to cross the stream bed when it has water in it. The stream runs into a cave that you can visit while at the park, guided tours are suggested but not required. Check in before exploring the cave and wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy, low ceiling and headlamp/flashlight needed.

As you follow path up away from the creek bed you wander into a very unique garden area which is part of the Nature Center. I would love to have the creativity and skill to build some of the structures in my yard. Definitely worth a visit. 

The picnic area which is adjacent the lodge has small and large pavilions for use and fire pits. The lodge looks like it’s the original that you can see in the black and white photos.

The campground had the smell of bacon cooking when we pulled in which just sets the atmosphere perfectly;) there are three loops. One has side by side sites, no privacy and not much space but easy in, easy out. The other two loops have more area between sites which are tucked back into the trees. Area 3 is for pop ups , tents and vans with 20 amp electric, Area 2 is for the larger campers, 30 amp and area 1, the side by side is 30 to 50 amp. Aside from the occasional overly excited children it is a very nice quiet campground. There is disc golf, a swimming pool and riding stables plus two playgrounds and a nice gazebo that you can rent for special events. Definitely a campground to spend a chill weekend and unwind.

Edgar Evins State Park off I40 exit 268, 4.8 miles to the park entrance.

As soon as you enter the park you start driving up. The campground starts at the top of the hill and the sites are decks! Pro- you are tree top level and pretty good on privacy with trees in between sites. Con- your fire pit is obviously not on the wood deck so it’s a walk back and forth if you don’t have alternative cooking methods.

Next something to consider if you are not proficient in backing your camper this may not be the first campsite you wanna practice at. Some of these sites you are backing uphill, up a ramp onto the deck, little tense.

Another pro- unless it’s Predator they can only come at you from one direction.....( zombies and such. Lol) Con - your either walking downhill or uphill to get to the shower house , that being said there are stairs and trails to take to the shower house.

I did not stay in the primitive site area but did check out the area. #5 looked like it could support a Tentsile Tree Tent. There was a water point in that area and the sites were spaced out pretty good.

The main attraction at Edgar is the water, the rather large Marina is directly across from the lowest site level. Take your fishing pole and water craft with you ;) There are trails that are hiker and biker friendly with some nice scenery. Near the front gate is the Caney Fork Outdoors and Big Rock Market.

The park offers several campgrounds than can accommodate RV's, tent camping and primitive campsites. There are water and electrical hookups at all sites except the primitive. There are bathhouses and even cabin rentals for those who prefer that. You can purchase ice, firewood and food at the camp store on property and there is also a place to do your laundry for a small fee. Each site offers a table and grill. All are drive up except the primitive sites. This park has the highest free falling waterfall (256 feet) East of the Mississippi River! There are plenty of activities and hiking to explore just visit the parks website for more information!

We only checked out the primitive sites while passing through the area. The sites had picnic tables and fire rings, but they were pretty overgrown. It doesn’t look like this section of the campground is getting much use yet. They have a couple of portable toilets on site with garbage cans next to the toilets. There is a water spigot at the exit that can be used for filling tanks/containers. Also, there is a community fire pit area near the exit and a small camp store building near the entrance. Closed when we drove thru. To be honest, other than sites being marked with a site number, I couldn’t tell where the sites were actually at or where tents were supposed to be set up at.

We did not drive they the yurts or RV sites, so I cannot speak for those, but the pictures on the website look nice.

Rating this a 3 based on location to Greeter Falls Waterfall and also because it is new and still an ongoing work in progress, I didn’t want to rate too low.