132 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Bell Buckle, Tennessee span a range of developed facilities and rustic environments, with several state parks and private campgrounds within 30 miles of town. Henry Horton State Park Campground and Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park provide established camping areas with amenities suitable for tents, RVs, and some cabin accommodations. The surrounding region includes mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate various camping styles, with several facilities like Rvino - The Broken Banjo offering glamping options including yurts alongside traditional tent and RV sites.
Road conditions throughout the area are generally good, though some campgrounds have terrain features that may challenge certain vehicles or camping setups. Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, with a few exceptions like Barton Springs Campground which runs from March to November. "Most campgrounds in Tennessee are buried in the woods," notes one camper, highlighting the typically forested nature of camping areas. Temperatures in middle Tennessee can reach uncomfortable highs during summer months, making spring and fall popular camping seasons. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during weekends and holidays, with some sites filling quickly during peak periods. Cell coverage varies by location, with some more remote areas having limited service.
Water features represent a significant draw for campers in the region, with several campgrounds offering proximity to rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Cedar Point Campground and other sites near water bodies tend to receive higher ratings from visitors. Facilities range from basic to fully-equipped, with many campgrounds providing electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilets. A visitor to a nearby state park mentioned that "the waterfalls in the area are an absolute must" for exploring during camping trips. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude and site availability compared to busy weekend periods. Mosquitoes can be problematic in lakeside camping areas during warmer months, with several reviews mentioning the need for proper insect protection, especially at waterfront sites.
"Recycling bins were also located near the well lit bathrooms."
"The campground itself borders the duck river and is absolutely stunning. The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike."
"Chapel Hill, just to the north, offers all you might need with a hardware store, Dollar General, walk in clinic and restaurants."
"Yes, I received several dirty looks for driving on the road toward the tent area.) I parked in the restroom area as the road was completely blocked with children, inner tubes and adults."
"Beach area is clean and away from the main lake. Our campsite was right on the water. Even tough it was full, it was quiet! Staff was super helpful and friendly! We will definitely come back!"
"Close to the lake was flooded after heavy rain. I also had no cell service in b loop. Enough for phone, but not really any other connectivity."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided."
"Quiet and peaceful with beautiful views of Normandy Lake. Fishing, swimming and canoe/kayak rentals available. Friendly staff."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"The staff will come around and collect your trash for you (which isn’t necessary but a nice plus!)"
"This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful."
from $32 - $102 / night
Check Availability"I will preface this with the fact that we are very partial to Tennessee. The climate, scenery, the people, all of it. The Park: Long gravel sites, most are pull through."
"The best part about having family that lives in Tennessee is being able to go and visit. We do a big family reunion every other year, and we always have our shindig at a campground."
"I love camping and hiking in the Tennessee area. This campground definitely didn't disappoint. Here are a few things I loved about this campground:
- Big campsite spaces! This is always a perk."
"Just stopped for a quick overnight on way to Florida and didn’t want to tackle the delightful downhill plummet of 24 that occurs a bit past this location in the dark."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Some really nice sites on lake and shaded. Inner sites are nice as well and have sewer. Good space between sites. 30 and 50 amp. The old section that was for yearly rental is gone."
"Gravel drives & pads with water & electric at sites. Our site #28 had an exceptional view out the kitchen window & from the pinic table of the lake. Newer shower house centrally located."
"The campground at Cedars of Lebanon State Park deserves 5 stars for their proximity to Nashville, the large paved pads for campers, the peaceful woods, and their overall cleanliness."
"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."
ScoutLet me start off by saying that this Campground is not very ADA friendly and the dog park is atrocious. In fact the dog park is entirely off limits if you have mobility issues as there are no sidewalks and the dog park is unlevel and kind of a nightmare. Good place to stay overall. We did not utilize any of the amenities other than the full hookups at our site. We would stay again.
TravelerSort of a narrow road in. Not well marked, you really just dead end into the campground. We arrived early but were told by attendant that check in was 3 pm and we needed to wait some where else. The other person said go on in. It has to do with cleaning the sites between campers. That I understand. Anyway backing in on 55 was easy and only took one pad to level. Hookups are convenient. Great views of the lake. Verizon worked pretty well. The
TravelerSmooth Rapids is hands down one of our faves. We like to rent 19 & 20 together. It gives elbow room and lets us pull power and water from Lot 19 over to where we park our little teardrop on Lot 20 (which has no power or water itself). The staff team is just terrific. We like to kayak. They rent yaks or if you BYO you can also pay to shuttle. We do both depending whether we want to haul our kayaks. They have a really good bath house and a restaurant. Kids have a playground on one end but we are past those days now. You get a mix of fellow campers. This time of year is busy but even then it is usually a nice time. Folks there tend to be friendly. The Barren Fork River runs right along the entire stretch of campground and behind the restaurant. We typically do the medium length run that takes 2.5-4 hours depending on how aggressively you row. You feel like you are away in the wilderness but you’re really just tooling through McMinnville. We highly recommend it.
ScoutSasquatch Farms is a great place to camp or RV. There’s good space between campers. Full hookups, friendly staff. Camp store has a good selection and propane. There is a small lake that’s fun to swim or float. Occasionally live music and seasonal events.
LegendWe stayed one night at Cedar Creek Campground while traveling north and appreciated its location, which allowed us to bypass Nashville traffic by using I-840 and TN-45. We followed the route using RV Trip Wizard and Waze, although Waze wanted to route us through I-40. Coming in from the south, we did not see any brown campground signs until we reached the marina entrance. The final approach travels through a narrow, hilly rural-suburban area before arriving at the campground. Check-in was quick, and we headed to back-in Site 22 with 50/30/20-amp electric and water. Immediately after leaving the check-in station, there is a fairly tight right-hand turn. The attendant specifically warned us to take it wide, explaining they occasionally see larger rigs scrape there. The site length was accurately represented on Recreation.gov and accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel, although we needed to unhitch to park our F-450 alongside the trailer. Utilities were conveniently located near the middle of the site, water pressure was excellent, and the site included a newer picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post. We received three bars on Verizon and two bars on T-Mobile. Our T-Mobile Home Internet averaged 193 Mbps download and 1.3 Mbps upload. With the heavy tree canopy, Starlink availability will vary considerably by site, and we doubt Site 22 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground has two bathhouses, with the newer facility offering individual shower rooms. The older bathhouse had two coin-operated machines, although the dryer was out of service during our stay. The lakeside sites are more generously spaced, while the interior loops connect to one another, making the back sides of the loops feel very close together, with some sites almost sitting on top of each other. Sites 54 and 56B appeared to be among the better choices for larger rigs. Although we didn't use the dump station, it looked manageable for a 40-foot rig despite reviews suggesting otherwise. The biggest consideration is maneuverability. The roads are narrow, several turns are sharp, and there are trees and drainage ditches throughout the campground. We exited without incident, but even on a Thursday with light occupancy, it required careful driving. Had the campground been full with vehicles parked along the roads, navigating a large RV would have been considerably more challenging. Overall, we enjoyed the peaceful Corps of Engineers setting and the opportunity to avoid Nashville traffic, but for our 40-foot fifth wheel, we're not convinced the extra maneuvering required is worth the tradeoff for future overnight stays.
GuideAbsolutely amazing, there were beautiful trails/hikes right down the road and it was very clean and the set up itself was just so impressive.
ScoutGreat spot. Lots of dog areas and cool hangout area around the pool.
TravelerCampsites are door to door. Theyve packed alot of campers in a little area. On the plus side there is sewer hookups at each campsite
GuideWe have now been here 7 times in the past 3 months. We love it. The campground is so beautiful and peaceful and the camp hosts are the best.
Camping near Bell Buckle, Tennessee offers access to the Duck River watershed area, with elevations ranging from 800-1100 feet throughout the region. The camping season extends longer than many might expect, with several campgrounds in the area operating through mid-November before winter closures. Late spring through early fall brings typical nighttime temperatures in the 60s-70s F.
Waterfall exploration: Several waterfall hikes provide accessible outdoor adventures within a short drive of Bell Buckle. At Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, visitors can access multiple waterfalls via well-maintained trails. "One of the many things that brought us to the park is the waterfalls, I am a huge waterfall fan and love to take lots of pics and this place is perfect," notes Robin M. The hiking trails lead to three waterfalls and are considered mild difficulty.
Kayaking and water sports: Water activities remain popular at several nearby lakes and rivers. Visitors to Tims Ford State Park Main Campground regularly mention water activities. "Kayaking weekend. Sites were nice. Not many great trails. Bathrooms were below par. Site had all of the amenities. Nice place to kayak. Will go back," shares Marty B. The park provides lake access suitable for pontoon boats, fishing boats, and personal watercraft.
Historical sites: The region contains several archaeological and historical areas of interest. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park preserves Native American ceremonial grounds along with its natural features. "This is a pretty cool place if you like history and waterfalls. It isn't very big and the hike around the stone fort isn't very long but it is interesting and the waterfall is very pretty," explains Alicia B.
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature swimming access, with dedicated beach areas at some locations. Barton Springs Campground receives positive feedback for its water features. "Nice sand beach. Ample parking. Grassy tent camping areas and RV paved area pull through. Lots of wildlife. Quiet area. Good fishing, kayaking, canoeing area. Boat dock nearby," reports Sara.
Proximity to attractions: The central location between Nashville and Chattanooga provides easy access to larger attractions while maintaining a rural camping experience. Manchester KOA capitalizes on this location. "Great camping spots, lots to do, bonnoroo happens close by," notes Nicholas L. The park sits just off I-24, making it convenient for travelers.
Shaded sites: Tree coverage represents a significant advantage during summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 90°F. Reviewers consistently mention shade as a positive feature. "We love this place! It's close enough to a small town if you need to grab a few things. The sites are level and there are plenty of shade trees to go around. Very quiet at night also," shares Scott G. about Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds in the area operate seasonally rather than year-round. Cedar Point Campground runs from April through October, while Barton Springs Campground operates March 15 to November 15. Some visitors find advantages in off-season camping: "I vistited in the off season (Nov 24)- the bathrooms were clean, the sites were quiet and it was beautiful," reports Ashley F. about Henry Horton State Park Campground.
Highway noise: Campgrounds closest to major highways may experience traffic noise. Manchester KOA sits near Interstate 24, and multiple reviews mention this factor. "This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic," explains Scotty W. Request sites farther from highways when making reservations.
Space between sites: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. While some offer generous spacing, others place campsites close together. "The sites are very close together, but our neighbors were really quiet. They are permanent (long term) residents," notes JZ W. about Whispering Oaks Campground. Research site maps when possible before booking.
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas for children. Whispering Oaks Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "A pretty stay in TN. We stayed here for a week. Their wifi is very slow and hardly any cell service. They do have a nice pool and a cute barn. They have a nice place for the kids to play in the field with a play ground," explains Katie D.
Swimming options: Pools and beach areas provide supervised water activities for families with children. Cedar Point Campground includes a swimming beach with sand. "Awesome sites right on the water, we brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite. Nice firepits with grill grates attached. Site had pretty good shade. There is a decent swimming beach with sand," Michael T. reports.
Bike-friendly roads: Several campgrounds feature paved or packed gravel roads suitable for children's bicycles. Henry Horton State Park receives positive feedback for its cycling options. "Perfect for families! We loved our stay at HHSP. Check-in was a breeze, setup was simple with a level site, and everyone there, from the park rangers to the camp store staff to the campground hosts, was friendly and helpful. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes," writes Laur H.
Site levelness: RVers emphasize the importance of level sites, which vary across campgrounds. Cedar Point Campground receives positive reviews for site quality. "Cedar point campground it's a little interesting getting to it but it is beautiful once you get there. There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided," explains Timothy T.
Hookup locations: The placement of utility connections can require planning and extra equipment. "If tent camping, the electric pole is a bit far, so be sure to bring extra long extension cords," advises Michael T. about Cedar Point Campground. Some RVers mention bringing extension cords for water and electric connections.
Bridge and access considerations: Some campgrounds have specific access challenges worth noting. Keith M. describes Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park: "This was a really small campground. It has nice paved pad. The picnic table was located behind the camper. There is a cool bridge that is a single lane that you cross on to go over to the campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bell Buckle, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bell Buckle, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Bell Buckle, TN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bell Buckle, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bell Buckle, TN is Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bell Buckle, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Bell Buckle, TN.
What parks are near Bell Buckle, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Bell Buckle, TN that allow camping, notably J Percy Priest Lake and Center Hill Lake.
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