150 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Buchanan, Tennessee serves as a gateway to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with multiple campgrounds offering access to Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River. Paris Landing State Park Campground provides developed sites with electric and water hookups, while Eagles Nest RV Park and Little Eagle RV Park cater primarily to recreational vehicles. The area features a mix of accommodation types including tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping options, with many campgrounds situated along the shoreline for direct water access.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with several campgrounds like Paris Landing-Kentucky Lake KOA operating from March through October. Summer months bring higher temperatures and increased visitor traffic, particularly at waterfront locations. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season and holiday weekends. Primitive camping areas like Ginger Bay offer more secluded options but have limited amenities and sometimes challenging access. As noted in one review, "Watch those ruts... If you are not in a 4 wheel drive you might want to investigate the road before using it, there were several deep ruts."
Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Buchanan area, with Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. Piney Campground receives consistently high ratings for its lake access and family-friendly amenities. "Beautiful views of Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River, nice campground store," wrote one camper about Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. Campgrounds vary significantly in their amenity offerings, from basic sites with just fire rings and picnic tables to fully developed facilities with showers, camp stores, and recreation areas. Many campers appreciate the region's relative quiet compared to more heavily trafficked recreation areas, though some note that holiday weekends can bring increased activity, especially at the more developed campgrounds near the water.
"Great easy drive from middle Tennessee with tons of great amenities and staff."
"One great thing about here is the beautiful lake nearby! My family and I spent our entire day here and had an absolute blast. The lake front views are incredible."
"Close to marina. You can rent boats there. Has separate access to swimming area, you don't have to try to cross the boa busy highway. Nice restaurants just up road."
"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"
"Boswell Landing is a quiet spot of the park with gorgeous views of Kentucky Lake where you can pull up a chair (or tent!) and relax."
"Well maintained road to get here and pretty close to a modern campground with a small store. We'll be coming back here again!"
from $5 - $12 / night
Check Availability"Piney Campground is part of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It is wildly popular among locals and travelers alike."
"While quiet hours were observed, there was a lot of music, celebrating a Tennessee win with a golf cart parade and victorious choral singing of Rocky Top right up until 11pm."
"Close to fishing."
"A spectacular secluded location with great pull thru sites. Shaded. Lots of activities and possibilities for the whole family. Great patio sites as well."
from $50 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Eagle’s Nest RV Park is a hidden gem right next to Kentucky Lake and Paris Landing. It has all concrete pads with full service utility kiosks."
"Eagle’s Nest RV Park is a little slice of heaven located just 1500 feet from Kentucky Lake and 10 minutes from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area."
from $12 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Ranger Review: Matador Droplet at Ginger Bay Land Between the Lakes, Ky. Campground Review:We visited Ginger Bay boat ramp and dispersed camping area while at Land Between the Lakes(LBL) , Ky."
"I don’t recommend a pull behind trailer as the road is so rough you wont get a camper up it. The sites are just a clearing in the trees so there is no place to park a rig."
"Buchanan Resort is a well maintained resort with access to many amenities like a restaurant, pool, playground, pavilion, and store. The docks are easily accessible being close to the lots."
"Mansard has many positives but the big drawback is the scenery. At the time of visiting the area, the grounds were not well maintained."
GuideNice campground with wooded area. Had a full hook up and pull through site since we were only here for one night. Facilities and showers very clean as is the entire place. Camp office and store are lovely and staff are exceptional. Easy to reserve by calling at last minute. Site was a bit tight on the side of a hill for trailer and truck but we did ok.
ScoutStarted at Gatlin Point. Moved because wanted something closer to the water.
Spacious spots give plenty of privacy. Was very quiet (12th). Facilities clean.
T-Mobile sometimes spotty but had coverage most of the time.
TravelerWe chose this spot to camp because it seemed out of the way and was hopefully quiet. We're not sure whether it was the beauty of the spot or the time of the year (Thursday before Columbus Day/fall break), but this spot was so busy!! We arrived early afternoon and there was someone driving in (most left again) every 10 minutes for the entire day!! Not the peaceful spot we were hoping for. We intended to stay a second night, but it was just too busy for us. Not a repeat site for us unfortunately.
We set up camp on the east side near the woods. It was a little challenging to find a flat area. The vault toilet was central to the area. We saw several large birds catching fish in the lake, so there must be decent fishing. There was a picnic table or two on the west side of the area and several fire pits (only one on the east side where we were). The 2 mile gravel road leading to Pisgah Point was pretty rough and washed out at points.
ScoutTo the other guy who reviewed who got here on the Harley you sir have some big balls because my Kia Niro handled it but the road was pretty rough for low clearance and definitely don't bring a camper here IMO. Stayed in September right after a massive heat wave and enjoyed some of the first great fall weather in this cozy spot. Got here pretty late had to ditch my other spot because of gnats but this one was relatively bug free but also right on the water. Also very secluded by trees was very nice
GuideBeautiful camp area. The tent camp loop was closed so I stayed in the full hook up area. Did not need electricity or water but the great washroom had flush toilets and showers. Very clean. Camp host was wonderful. It says it’s just off I40 but the camping area was more like 7 or 8 miles in. Perfect for no road noise. The lake is wonderful. Great walking around the area.
LegendDo yourself a favor and pay for the golf cart! This campground is huuuge! We stayed here for an event and were amazed at how many sites there were. We had a nice campsite on the lake side, however the lake was pretty dry. Facilities were clean and we had a nice level site. All in all a fun time was had by all.
GuideThis is the third time we’ve stayed here just using it as an overnight on the way to and from home on our way out west. Great campground with full hook up service in some sites and a view of the lake.
GuideGPS was wrong and we had to loop back to exit 137. Then it dies at the stop sign so take a left up to the big sign and make a right. Then you are at the right spot. Verizon phone signal is 1-2 bars max. Does have a place to ride bikes, grill, picnic tables and coded bathrooms. Small compared to some of the others but it’s quiet and off the highway which is what we wanted
GuideYou’re tucked away by this pond connected to the lake system. The campsite is up in the woods a little bit and is on a slight slope, but nothing major. 0 Service for Verizon and T-mobile, but at&t had a little service. Apple maps said there would be a hike to the campsite, but that’s not true, it is a road that just hasn’t been recognized yet.
Camping near Buchanan, Tennessee centers around Kentucky Lake with over 2,300 miles of shoreline and depths reaching 70 feet in the main channel. The area receives approximately 53 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush surroundings for campers throughout the spring and summer months. Winter camping offers fewer crowds but temperatures can drop below freezing between December and February.
Boating and fishing access: At Boswell Landing Campground, visitors can launch directly from the campground. "This site is amazing! We were able to spread out our tents for a group site and we had the perfect set up! We were 100ft. From the lake and had so many trees to use for our hammocks," notes Brooklyn L.
Historical sites exploration: Fort Donelson National Historic Site sits 15 miles from Buchanan camping areas. "Boswell Landing is a quiet spot of the park with gorgeous views of Kentucky Lake where you can pull up a chair (or tent!) and relax... within walking distance of the campground, down the paved road are a few notable things: Buchanan Cemetery, which is a civil war cemetery, and the site of Fort Henry," explains Jessica L.
Basketball and recreation: Piney Campground offers multiple sport facilities. "A pavilion and basketball court plus several playgrounds throughout. Well maintained, friendly staff," says Shelly S. The campground provides organized activities during peak season weekends.
Secluded waterfront sites: Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area offers primitive camping directly on the water. "Incredible back country campsite, for use with dispersed camping permit. Right on the water, no other people for 2 days!" reports Juli G. The area requires a dispersed camping permit available at LBL offices.
Shaded campsites: Mature hardwoods provide coverage at most established campgrounds. "All spots have lots of shade which is always a plus for summer camping! They have a very nice pool and pool area, huge laundromat, a fun gemmine for the kiddos!" writes Tanya A. about Paris Landing-Kentucky Lake KOA.
Wildlife viewing: Despite developed areas, wildlife remains abundant. "Nice campground. Clean, pet friendly. A lot of sites! Access to lakes. Saw a lot of wildlife for such a big campground with lots of people traffic," notes Shy-Anne W. about her stay at Piney Campground.
Road conditions: Some primitive areas have challenging access. "You will end up on a dirt/gravel road with some interesting ruts and steps hills. Once you make it to the Ginger Bay area there are several side 'roads' that lead to camping spots," warns Shelly S.
Site reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites fill quickly, especially during summer. "The best spots book up quickly, especially for long weekends so reserve EARLY if you want a specific date," advises Jody A.
Campsite leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for some areas. "Paris Landing State Park has about 70 campsites, most with water and electric hookups, but it is not easy to fine a level site," notes Joel R. about Paris Landing State Park Campground.
Varying water levels: Kentucky Lake water levels fluctuate seasonally affecting shoreline access. "Piney cove is pretty shallow and we could walk out into the water a good 30-40ft before getting too deep. Bottom is soft mud," describes Chris R.
Multiple playgrounds: Family-focused campgrounds offer play structures. "Big campground, with nice bathhouses, and boat ramp. Sites are a little close together but nice. A pavilion and basketball court plus several playgrounds throughout," shares Shelly S.
Swimming areas: Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Piney Campground provides designated swimming zones. "Nice outpost store with most of the essentials including propane and firewood," adds Rob T. The swimming areas feature gradual entry points suitable for children.
Kid-friendly hiking: Short trails suitable for young hikers exist throughout the area. "Hikes nearby- this is something we always look forward to doing when we camp. We do our research ahead of time to find the best hikes for us. The hikes were great, and so much greenery and flowers!" Isabella H. reports.
Road safety awareness: "We took two different weekends at Piney Campground and both times were able to get waterside spots and drop the kayaks right in at the campsite. There are a LOT of kids around riding bikes (so be careful driving)," warns Jody A.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. "Our back in site was to the left on a one way road that I had to turn around and go opposite way so we could get in," explains Todd M. about Paris Landing State Park.
Concrete pads advantage: Eagles Nest RV Park offers solid parking surfaces. "Eagle's Nest RV Park is a hidden gem right next to Kentucky Lake and Paris Landing. It has all concrete pads with full service utility kiosks. Each campsite has plenty of room and comes with its own patio and cable TV connection," describes Andy S.
Road noise considerations: Some sites experience traffic sounds. "The spot was nice, the park was lovely, but the road noise was bothersome. We were in a spot pretty far from the road but it was very noticeable," shares Sara C.
Power management: Check electrical connections before settling in. "Had water and electrical hook up but the 30 amp was fried. Luckily it also had 20 amp so power management was key," advises Todd M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Buchanan, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Buchanan, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 150 campgrounds and RV parks near Buchanan, TN and 9 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 9 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.
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