Buchanan is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Tennessee camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Buchanan and user-submitted reviews.
Piney Campground is now open year round and offers 384 well-defined lake front and wooded sites with 283 electrical hookups, 44 sites with electric, water, and sewer, and 57 primitive sites. Most sites are capable of handling large motor homes and campers. Campers have access to modern facilities, including a swimming beach area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, a campfire theater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, and a fishing pier. Piney also has 9 primitive cabins available for nightly rental. In addition, the summer season offers daily recreation programs for all ages. Since 1973 in mid-September Piney holds its popular Camper’s Fair with a variety of activities including a campers’ flea market and dealer showcase of new RVs, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. It is open to the public during the weekend.
Hillman Ferry Campground offers 374 well-defined lake front and wooded sites capable of handling a variety of camping units from tents to large motor homes. Basic, electric, water, and sewer sites are available. Campers have access to modern facilities, including a large swimming area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, campfire amphitheater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, fishing dock, picnic tables, and fire rings. During the summer season we offer recreation programs for all ages.
$5 - $12 / night
Kenlake State Resort Park is a beautiful lakefront resort located on Kentucky Lake. Nature abounds in our park. Visitors may see deer, turkey and many small game animals as you enjoy a stroll in the woods or along the shoreline of Kentucky Lake. You may also catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle or hear the glory of the many song birds. Breathe in the refreshing smell of fresh water and enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Relaxation is nestled in nature!
$25 / night
$10 / night
A permit is required to camp here.
A Basic Camping Area is an open field area without defined campsites. Amenities might include a vault toilet, trash removal, mowed areas, and a boat ramp. However, they may or may not have picnic tables and fire rings and/or grills. You may camp anywhere within the camping area with a Basic Camping Permit. Basic Camping Areas include:
Demumbers Bay
Pisgah Point
Ginger Bay
Neville BayYou may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes (LBL). A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Facilities. A Dispersed Camping Permit is required when camping in non-designated areas of the recreation area. Both permits currently cost $50 for annual permit and $10 for a three-day permit and can be purchased https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/reservations/ or any LBL facility. Please note that these permits do not apply when camping at Self-Service Campgrounds.
Piney Campground is now open year round and offers 384 well-defined lake front and wooded sites with 283 electrical hookups, 44 sites with electric, water, and sewer, and 57 primitive sites. Most sites are capable of handling large motor homes and campers. Campers have access to modern facilities, including a swimming beach area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, a campfire theater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, and a fishing pier. Piney also has 9 primitive cabins available for nightly rental. In addition, the summer season offers daily recreation programs for all ages. Since 1973 in mid-September Piney holds its popular Camper’s Fair with a variety of activities including a campers’ flea market and dealer showcase of new RVs, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. It is open to the public during the weekend.
Hillman Ferry Campground offers 374 well-defined lake front and wooded sites capable of handling a variety of camping units from tents to large motor homes. Basic, electric, water, and sewer sites are available. Campers have access to modern facilities, including a large swimming area, archery range, ball field, bike trails, campfire amphitheater, hiking trails, two boat ramps, fishing dock, picnic tables, and fire rings. During the summer season we offer recreation programs for all ages.
$5 - $12 / night
Legend
We found this campground using Google Maps looking for different campground (CG) options. As this was the first week of November on a Tuesday, we did not have any trouble getting reservations to include getting site 25 that we’d seen recommended in reviews. When making our reservation, we were told by the owner, Angie, to follow our GPS to the end of the road where you will find the CG. Angie met us and we were escorted to pull through site 25 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). This pull through is a large half moon. It was difficult to get straight on the rig but we made it work for an overnighter. We would not recommended trying to anything longer than a 38’ rig into the site due to the turn to get out. We needed levelers on the door side. Once we were set up, we were delighted with this site’s lake view. The water pressure was good at about 50 psi and no issues with the 50 AMP service. We got three bars on Verizon. We could have put out satellite, but did not for this overnight stay. They have a restroom/bath house, but we didn’t use it. This CG is mostly full of seasonals. We noticed that golf carts are the thing here. As we were here during the week, there was very little CG activity. However, we can guess this place is quite festive during the summer months and associated weekends. From what gather from their website and saw, they keep about 10 sites available for short term stays(max 28). Of the 76 sites total, the only pull through was site 25. We had to maneuver to get out of the site with our running over the railroad tie border. We wouldn’t go in there with anything over 38’. The sites here vary a lot on how close they are to each other. The website states the sites are 50 feet long, which is probably correct. We enjoyed the lake view from our site plus we saw deer and eagles in the CG during our overnight stay. The owner Angie, was very nice and accommodating.
Legend
We found this highly rated campground (CG) while looking for a different route back to our home base and wanted to check it out. We followed our RV GPS north on TN-22 to the CG, which is about a mile and a half past I-40. We checked in and was then escorted to pull through site 12 with FHUs. It is a narrow road and a 90 degree turn into the site. Because of the slight incline on the side of the site, you can't really go wide. We had to maneuver several times so we could get straight on the site and get our sewer lined up. We also had to make sure our steps could come out on the small deck. We would have positioned again so we didn’t have to get out 25’ of sewer hose to dump our back tank, but there’s a ditch in front of the site that would prevent an easy back in to hitch back up. We soon found out the site is not level and had to put leveling blocks under our door side wheels as they were off the ground after auto level. Disclaimer here as not all sites in this CG are the same and some are quite nice with room between them. We were here for two days and placed in the row where they place shorter rigs for overnighters. The sites are cut into a hill and are very close together. These sites have a small deck with most having a patio table and two chairs. Site 12 has a picnic table, which in our opinion was to too large for the space. There is also a several foot drop off that if you are not very careful could cause harm(not safe). The site was not long enough for our 40’ 5th wheel plus F450 and we were instructed to park across the road. There’s a fire pit in these very narrow sites. The truck parked in the site next to us was too close to safely enjoy a fire in the tiny sliver of lawn with the fire pit. During our briefing after being escorted to our site, we were told to use a reducer as their water pressure is high. They claim to have good internet and the speed test and usage confirms the internet here is good. We were able to get a clear shot north for Starlink. The CG does have mature trees in and around some of the sites. They have cable but we didn’t use it. We got 4 bars on Verizon. As we and others were setting up, the staff rides around in golf carts and stops by to check on you. While a nice touch, commenting“you look perplexed” and nothing more as I was finishing putting out 25’ of sewer hose was not helpful nor necessary. There are nice amenities here to include the big pond area. There are four washers($2.75) and four dryers($.25 for 10 minutes and$1.00 got our load dry). There is one additional dryer for dog bedding only. As we were here for a couple of days, we wish we had a better site versus site 12 that other reviewers had mentioned had issues. When we asked how we could get into one of the sites in the 29- 35 area, which had plenty of open sites during our stay, we were told those were for big rigs 40' and over. We reminded them we were a 40' rig. Had we been placed in the 30s area, our review may have been better.
Scout
Pet friendly great place to stay 50 and 30 amp full hookups free WiFi
ScoutThe owners are super helpful
Guide
Beautiful view. Vault toilet.well kept
Guide
Close to the marina it's a hard walk uphill both ways to the bathroom but they are very nice and well kept. Big open areas for children to play overall very good state park campground
Guide
Beautiful view of the river and water access but the bad smells coming from the factory across the river is almost unbearable at times the EPA needs to. come do an air quality test when they release whatever it is
Guide
Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must’ve flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second. Other than that, good stop for dispersed campers. Bathrooms were vault.
Guide
A few sites at a boat launch area.
One large site before the main turnaround point and a couple by the water.
Not a ton of space.
4x4 or awd may come in handy leaving the sites (going back up the gravel hill)
Scout
Only stay for several hours,haven't spent the night yet,that will be planned next
Scout
This will be the next campground to go
Scout
This park was very quiet, easy to access and owners were very friendly. The grounds we very well kept. Showers and bathrooms immaculate. We will definitely stop again in the future.
ScoutGreat spot.
Guide
This is lakefront with a vault toilet and no running water. On a Wednesday night everything was quiet and peaceful. It is a self serve campground.
Guide
Piney Campground is part of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It is wildly popular among locals and travelers alike. Lots to do for kids - bike paths, basketball court, multiple playgrounds, etc. Beautiful views of Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River, nice campground store.
Traveler
We stayed here in our tent. The lady who checked us in was exceptionally nice and the campsites were clean quiet and shady. The restrooms were spick and span. We would certainly stay here again.
Guide
If you want a small affordable campground this is your place. The shower house could use for some regular cleaning. I’m not sure it was cleaned at all the time we were there. Not much to do in the area but fish unless you really want to explore outside of the campground.
I learned after our time there our site is the worst with bugs. I thought the bugs were just extra because it had rained a lot but a friend told me to never book that site bc the bugs are always backs there. Our site also gets all the rain drained from the upper site. When we checked in the host did prepare us our site would flood for a few areas since rain was expected.
The sunsets were fabulous!
Guide
This campground has become our favorite. The campground is amazing, the bathrooms are cleaned everyday on weekends and every other day during the week. Completely cleaned!
The site has 77 sites full hook-up with sewage. Every site has grill, fire pit, table and lantern hook. We were #38 it was easy to back into and pretty level. The campground also have small cabins with bunk beds to rent. There is no indoor water just beds, electric and air for a great price. There is a small swimming area too at Pin Oak.
There are a few lakes in the area. Pin Oak is the only motor lake. Cub lake has a larger swim area with paddle boat, Jon boat and kayak rentals. The rentals are only weekends. Browns Creek Lake also has honest system rentals of Jon boat but for fishing purposes only and you have to pay for a lake permit.
The park is great! Lexington is close for quick runs for anything you need. We loved this park so much we may be changing our family BBQ to this park next year.
Ranger
Had a premium FHU site right on the late near the dock. Beautiful views of the lake. Bath house was immaculate and laundry on site. Lots of availability during the week.
Guide
Stayed here for a week and it was great. Plenty to do to keep you busy. Nice pool with retractable roof. Playset for kids. Full service marina with boat rentals. Golf cart rentals as well.
Traveler
Stayed 2 nights. Nearly empty, but we’ll kept camp. Best sunsets!!! Lake is beautiful. Many many lakeside spots. Lots of room.
GuideThis is a no frills campground just off of I-69/I-24. Check in was completed online and our site was marked with our name. All sites are full hook up with concrete pads. The county has a trail system that begin just a few hundred feet down the road that is a nice stretch of the legs. The skeleton on the motorcycle welcoming you was interesting, maybe we were really early or really late for Halloween. The campground is in need of some TLC of the grounds. There also seems to be a lot of long term residents.
Scout
Primitive campground with electric and water, who knew. Nice sites well kept. Showers were disgusting, drain had accumulated crud. Sinks also gross.
Legend
We camped here with our pups to see the eclipse in Paducah. The area is not really pretty or scenic. You can walk to the dam from the campground but it's nothing super special to see. There is dead fish laying around everywhere and it also smells like it. The campsites are very confusing. There is no map anywhere, except online. Sometimes you can't even read the numbers on the piles. The bathhouse was pretty ok. It was cleaned daily and always stocked. The water pressure was very low. Our camp host was super awesome and nice. There are also no hiking trails close by. The town of Paducah was worth a visit, otherwise we would not camp there again.
Traveler
Very nice campground, better than what I expected. We stayed at site 20 with a 36' travel trailer we had to actually drive all the way to the end of the campground to turn around so we could back into the site. Cravens Bay is secluded and about a 2 mile drive off the main road running through LBL.
There is a attendant at the site that you have to check in with first who will let you know what sites are available and pay after you have chosen your site and settled in. The attendant station did have some snacks for sale as well ice, also in the event that you may need assistance with any problems at you camp site or even with your camper the attendant more than likely has the tools to help you.
The road leading into the campsite is paved but narrow, the roads at the campsite are well hard packed gravel and very narrow. Cravens Bay basically breaks down into two areas, the low ground (first sites upon entering) and the high ground (sites further in at the top of the hill), there are some sites scattered in-between these two areas but for the most part the largest campsites areas are the high and low ground sites. The sites in-between the two high and low ground areas are very private and two are definitely secluded.
We stay three days and during that time other than the occasional fisherman or the attendant driving by it was definitely very private and quite. There were some seasonal campers there who were very helpful and friendly (even cut up some timber for us to burn).
If you don't mind not having any hook ups and dry/boon docking with your camper Cravens Bay has a lot to offer in terms of privacy, peace, boating, fishing, and swimming. Defiantly for the nature lovers out there, nothing like seeing a Bald Eagle hunting fish while drinking coffee first thing in the morning.
Ranger
We called from the road to get an overnight stop - the staff were super nice both on the phone and in person. When we arrived, the lady who checked us in gave me a coupon for the drive-in movie theater that was literally down the road. Normally, when we camp we arrive so late it’s impossible to take advantage of area attractions so we decided to go and can I tell you, it was awesome!!! The theater accommodated our camper and the food (cheese fries especially) at the snack stand was great. As far as the campground, our site was a bit hilly but we had a nice view of the lake and close proximity to the playground. My kids also enjoyed the pool. Solid place to overnight!
Traveler
This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time. Occasionally heard some obnoxious people across the lake where I believe a campground is located. Also heard a sound during the night, possibly coyotes. Otherwise, I felt safe and had a great time here!! The ground was flat and there was a lot of room. We were just passing through and needed somewhere quiet to sleep after two days of driving. There is a lot to do in this area! I hope I got the location right… it wouldn’t let me add the exact coordinates I saved when I was there.
Camping near Buchanan, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Buchanan, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buchanan, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buchanan, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Buchanan, TN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Buchanan, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Buchanan, TN is Piney Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Buchanan, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Buchanan, TN.
What parks are near Buchanan, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Buchanan, TN that allow camping, notably Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Barkley Lake.
