Best Tent Camping near Bumpus Mills, TN
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area dominates tent camping options near Bumpus Mills, Tennessee, with multiple primitive tent areas scattered around the shoreline of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Forest Service Rd 343 offers dispersed tent sites requiring permits, while Ginger Bay provides basic tent camping areas directly on the water. Stewart State Forest, located within driving distance, offers additional primitive tent camping with minimal facilities. Gatlin Point Self-Service Campground provides more established tent sites with basic amenities including picnic tables and pit toilets.
Tent campsites throughout the region typically feature gravel pads or natural ground surfaces with limited development. Most areas require campers to bring their own drinking water or filter from nearby lakes, as potable water sources are scarce. Fire rings are common at established sites, but dispersed camping areas may only have informal fire circles or require campers to practice leave-no-trace methods. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Gatlin Point, but many primitive tent camping areas have no sanitation facilities. A backpacking permit or dispersed camping permit is required for many sites, available at visitor centers or online before arrival.
The shoreline tent sites provide exceptional water access for swimming and kayaking, with many campers specifically seeking these spots for their proximity to the lakes. Sites under forest canopy offer good shade during summer months when temperatures can be quite hot. Many tent campsites remain relatively uncrowded during weekdays, though holiday weekends can fill quickly. According to one visitor at Forest Service Rd 343, "There is a handful of dispersed camp sites on this road. The road is gravel and bumpy so you might not want to take a smaller car on it but just fine for any AWD, truck, van, etc." Tent campers at Old Boy Scout Campground particularly appreciate the seclusion, with one reviewer noting it has "space for several tents and you could find spots for hammocks in the nearby tree line."
