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Best Tent Camping near Bloomington Springs, TN

745 Reviews

Waterways and forested areas surrounding Bloomington Springs, Tennessee provide several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Holleman's Bend Camping Area in nearby Granville offers free tent camping along the Cumberland River with drive-in access and fire rings. Horseshoe Bend Marina in Walling, approximately 25 miles south, provides tent sites with water access and basic amenities. Tailwater Recreation Area in Carthage and Roaring River Park in Gainesboro also accommodate tent campers within a 30-minute drive of Bloomington Springs, though with fewer primitive options.

Most tent campsites in the region feature natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. Holleman's Bend provides the most primitive experience with no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, making it essential for campers to bring all supplies and practice proper waste disposal. A 14-day stay limit applies at this free campground, with occasional ranger checks to verify compliance. Cell service becomes limited approximately 20 minutes from most sites, so downloading maps beforehand is recommended. Fire rings are available at several locations, but firewood must typically be brought in or gathered on-site where permitted.

Tent campers visiting Holleman's Bend frequently note the peaceful riverside setting. According to one visitor, "It was quiet and peaceful. I woke up early enough to see the sunrise and the fog coming off the river." Another camper recommended exploring beyond the main parking area, stating "Go past the main sites for more private sites." Wildlife observation opportunities abound throughout the region's campgrounds, with deer, turkey, and various bird species commonly sighted. The area's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions for backcountry tent camping, particularly during clear nights. For tent campers seeking water activities, Horseshoe Bend Marina provides kayak rentals and access to Rock Island State Park via water, approximately 1.5 miles away.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bloomington Springs, Tennessee (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bloomington Springs, TN

19 Photos of 23 Bloomington Springs Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Bloomington Springs, TN

745 Reviews of 23 Bloomington Springs Campgrounds

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    Ranger Review: The Dyrt Reservations at Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally compensated for staying at and reviewing campgrounds. I was given the opportunity to stay at Mountain Glen RV Park and Campground in order to test the new reservation system through The Dyrt. The reservation system works extremely well--it is fast and efficient, and save the trouble of using a third party reservation system after finding a campground you like on The Dyrt. I look forward to more campgrounds joining TD's network!

    Mountain Glen is a new campground, located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, and it is absolutely beautiful. There are a total of 8 tent sites and 41 RV sites, set next to a lake and a gorgeous view of a farm. Amenities include picnic tables, a playground, fishing, horseshoes, corn hole, a game room, a camp store, and laundry facilities, showers, and flush toilets with electricity (and heat!). It is also a short drive to Fall Creek Falls State Park, for anyone looking to enjoy the hiking near the falls without the overnight crowds the state park brings in. 

    The RV sites occupy most of the campground, and accommodate trailers ranging from 60' to 90'. All sites have electric and water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and most have small grassy areas for dogs, kids, or even grown ups to stretch out and rest. RVs are also available to rent.

    Tent sites 1-3 are listed as “primitive” sites and have no electricity or water, however it is a short walk to the office where water is available. The road is visible from these sites, however there is a grassy meadow both between the sites and the road, and the sites and the lake, with woods bordering site 3. 

    Sites 4 and 5 are located closest to the picnic shelter, with a clear view of the lake. Sites 6-8 are next to the office/bathrooms. Site 6 is the smallest and 8 is the largest. All tent sites are fairly hilly, and accommodate small tents better than large based on limited flat space—though hammocks would work well!

    There is a trail that winds around the lake, and passes a beautiful spillway on the end opposite the office which is great for getting some shade, and a chance for kids to splash in some water. This end also has a picnic table for day use. I would love to see this area eventually become a walk-in campsite as it is definitely the most beautiful area of the entire campground!

    The owners here are extremely nice. We were greeted warmly on our arrival, and spent some time talking with them our second day. It is obvious they care about the campground and want campers to enjoy themselves and feel comfortable. We are tent campers and I was wary of staying somewhere more geared towards RVs, but what tent camping here lacks in privacy and wilderness, it more than makes up for in beauty, peace, and a feeling of home-away-from-home.

  • Christy E.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful area with many activities

    I stayed in the tent-only loop - a small group of 10 sites. It was quiet and had many trees for hammocks. Thus site offers level tent pads, a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Clean bathrooms and hot showers available. The nearby swimming beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available. Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Great for RVs, Ok for Tents

    This campground is located within the Cumberland Mountain State Park. The sites are set up for RVs and it is very popular.

    Pros: There is no camp store, but there are vending machines available. There are restrooms available. Staff is in the office during business hours. There are 2 short hiking trails (less than 1 mile in length each). There are playgrounds, a lake for fishing, and a golf course. Each site has parking for 1 vehicle, a large gravel pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table, and lantern hook.

    Cons: site are very close together. Tents and RVs do not have separate loops. No camp store. No showers.

    Overall, this campground is set up to cater more toward those with RVs than people camping in tents.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    Sorta like a treehouse

    Edgar Evins SP is unique in that the campground sites are decks, which is actually pretty cool. Now the one down side is that certain sites can be a challenge to back into. If you are a talented backer upper shouldn’t be an issue. However if your backing up could use some practice, and/or causes fights with your spouse you may want to call and ask the easier sites to set up in...just saying, less stress. The bottom sites are along the lake and you are across from the marina. Another thing is your cooking area is off the side of your deck with your picnic table. The primitive sites are walk in and have some pretty sweet views of the lake. Downside your walking up and down a slope with your gear. Speaking of slopes, the whole campground is on a slope so your pretty much either going up or down. Cool stairways to use and strategically placed facilities. The store and trash are located wheee you park for the primitive sites at the entrance. There’s a trail in the campground that gives you a quick route to the beach area.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2025

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Waterfalls!

    General: Three distinctly different areas: tent only section, cabin area, and the main campground. I didn’t see the inside of the cabins, but they looked very luxurious from the outside, so I am sure they are very nice. The tent area also looks nice. This review focuses on the main campground. 

    Site Quality: Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side. Not all are completely level. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and grill. All sites have electricity and water, and eight of the 50 sites are FHU. There are many trees to provide separation and privacy, and sites are spaced a decent amount of space apart. Some sites can accommodate tents, and these are indicated on the post. 

    Bath/Shower: Very clean. There was a sign saying the bathrooms are cleaned twice per day. Soap, paper towels, and utility hooks are all appreciated as was instant hot water from the taps. 

    Activities/Amenities: Many outdoor activities including tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and a playground. There are two hiking trails accessible from the campground. I hiked a short distance on the Bluff Trail until it became narrow and overgrown. There are other hikes that require a drive from the campground. The best hike is in the Twin Falls area but that is a 10-15 minute drive from the campground. There is also a swimming beach with a rentable pavilion and picnic tables. It is possible to walk there but easier to drive. We also saw people kayaking on the lake and fishing is permitted. Each bathhouse also has one washer/dryer for a reasonable price. Free WiFi with a good, strong signal. 

    We enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground and for us, it was a five-star stay but I gave it four stars due to some sites not being completely level and the necessity to drive to the best hike.

  • T
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Rock Island State Park

    Beautiful state park! Unbelievable waterfalls with many of hiking trails! There is a lot of history in the park! Tent campground was nice and level! Each tent site had a tent pad, lantern pole, fire ring and sturdy table! The bathhouses was clean and warm water! Wood is sold in the near by town or at the park visitor center!

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2019

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Great Day Use or Long-Term Stay For RVs

    Cumberland Mountain has a total of 145 campsites, spread across 5 loops, plus a backcountry site on an 8 mile backpacking trail.

    We have not stayed overnight here as we are tent-campers only, and while tent camping is permitted, after visiting we felt that this campground was much better suited for RV campers. However we have come here for the day to hike and enjoy the playground by the picnic area, and it is a beautiful park, with a large lake, a restaurant, and a bridge that is iconic to the Cumberland region of Tennessee.

    Of the five camping loops, loop 4 offers the most shade (particularly sites 102-109, which are shaded by evergreens and some of the prettiest campsites I have seen in a state park!), although is not ADA accessible. Loop 2 offers the least amount of shade. Loops 1, 3, and 5 have mostly hardwood trees, thus offering more shade in the warmer months and mostly sun in the winter. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and most can accommodate trailers up to 60 feet, with a few going higher (site 145 can fit over 100'!). Tent camping is permitted, although in most sites the only space to put a tent is very close to the fire pits or on a gravel/concrete surface, and in loops 2, 3, and 5 the park prohibits tents on the grass within each site.

    Amenities at this park include hiking, fishing, paddling/boat rental, biking, a swimming pool, golf, and birding. Cabins are also available to rent, many with a view of the lake. Day use includes picnic tables, picnic pavilions, and multiple playground areas for kids. This park is also further away from urban areas and is a good place for wildlife viewing--we have seen black snakes, and what looked like a raccoon!

    This is a much less crowded park than Fall Creek Falls to the south, particularly if you can make it early in the season, and is convenient to I-40, premium golfing, and historical sites on the Cumberland Plateau. While there are better options in this region for someone looking to pitch a tent, if you have an RV, Cumberland Mountain is very peaceful, offering a lot of ways to spend your day and a quiet and relaxing spot to watch the stars and enjoy the sounds of nature at night.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Easy or Hard

    Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

    A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

    Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.

    Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.

    The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.

    The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.

    The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.

Guide to Bloomington Springs

Tent camping near Bloomington Springs, Tennessee centers around Cumberland River access points and surrounding state-managed recreation areas. Campsites range from free dispersed areas with no facilities to developed campgrounds with basic amenities within a 30-mile radius. Several locations lose cellular connectivity approximately 20 minutes outside town, with seasonal availability affected by river water levels and road access conditions during winter months.

What to do

Paddle to waterfalls: From Horseshoe Bend Marina, rent kayaks to explore nearby waterfalls. "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy," notes camper Lori H.

Wildlife viewing: Early morning provides optimal wildlife viewing opportunities at several camping areas. At Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, camper Mandy C. describes the experience: "Clear nights with a bright moon were magical here. It is probably a beautiful spot when there is no foliage, as well."

Fishing: Cumberland River camping areas offer fishing access with several designated points. "Horseshoe Bend Marina is truly a hidden gem! The campground is under new management, and they are the most gracious and friendly people ever," reports Lori H., who appreciates the on-site fishing supplies available at the marina store.

What campers like

Solitude at riverside sites: Many campers value the isolation available at Holleman's Bend Camping Area. Luka W. notes: "Cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you'll hear fish splashing all night."

Accessibility to town: While most sites offer seclusion, several campgrounds maintain proximity to small towns with basic services. "Cute little town nearby, decent service when we were expecting none," mentions Luka W. about camping near Holleman's Bend.

Off-grid experience: The digital disconnect appeals to many visitors. Simon B. from Holleman's Bend shares candidly: "No Service (showed me how addicted i am). Other than that as described."

What you should know

Variable site conditions: Tent camping areas near Bloomington Springs often feature unprepared surfaces. At Tailwater Rec Area, camper Isai L. notes: "It's a nice place to come and stay, a little far from the town but overall good. Great staff and clean facilities for the most part."

Service limitations: Cell reception varies significantly throughout the region. Joe B. confirms this at Horseshoe Bend: "Wi-Fi worked great for streaming. NO CELL SERVICE for ATT. It's about 20 mins from Rock Island State Park."

Water access challenges: Despite riverside locations, drinking water access requires planning. At Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, Mandy C. advises: "Despite this campsite being surrounded by the Green River on 3 sides, water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet. The river is at least 1/2 mile away, through extremely dense brush."

Tips for camping with families

Pack entertainment: Limited amenities mean bringing your own recreation. At Horseshoe Bend Marina, Nate H. found: "There is even a stage for live music and a large canvas tent/community area with ping pong, movie screen, giant jenga, corn hole and a number of other games."

Plan for temperature variations: The region experiences significant day-to-night temperature swings, particularly in spring and fall. "Could't ask for a better spot!" shares Joe B. about Horseshoe Bend, though he mentions they "even had entertainment on Saturday night" which suggests weekend timing matters for family activities.

Consider drive time: Many campgrounds require navigating winding rural roads. "Arrived at night & got lost due to hardly any visible signs," cautions the R. about their Horseshoe Bend experience, adding it's "10-15 minutes from falls & parks."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: RV sites often require leveling equipment. "We are on site 9 and it's not the most leveled spot. We have a 25ft class C," notes the R. about their experience at Liberty Oak Oasis.

Limited hookup availability: Most sites near Bloomington Springs offer electric-only or no hookups. At Horseshoe Bend, Joe B. confirms: "Super clean BathHouse hook ups and water worked well."

Alternative parking options: When designated camping areas seem unsuitable, adaptable options exist. Tommy S. shares about Holleman's Bend: "It didn't seem like a great place to set up a tent, so we slept in our van. Two smaller cars ended up pulling up after dark, parked maybe 20-30 ft from us, and neither of them set up tents either, everyone staying in their cars."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bloomington Springs, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bloomington Springs, TN is Holleman's Bend Camping Area with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bloomington Springs, TN?

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