Camping near Thompson's Station, Tennessee centers on Percy Priest Lake and the tributaries of the Duck River, with elevations ranging from 650 to 900 feet. Summer camping conditions include significant humidity with occasional afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in July and August. Most campsites in the region remain open through late October, though amenities may be reduced during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Kayaking at Lake Percy Priest: Head to Poole Knobs where campers report excellent water conditions for paddling. "We enjoyed our stay and took full advantage of the lake. We paddle boarded, swam, and kayaked," notes one visitor who found multiple water-based activities accessible directly from their site.
Explore historic sites: The region contains several Civil War-era landmarks within a 20-minute drive of most campgrounds. Visit Montgomery Bell State Park Campground where one camper mentioned, "There is a beautiful waterfall and an adorable old church" among the historical attractions they discovered while hiking.
Winter birdwatching: December through February offers opportunities to spot migratory waterfowl. A camper at Henry Horton noted their "Great December sleep in go as we headed south. Clean campground and beautiful scenery...will return outside winter season," suggesting the quieter cold months still provide wildlife viewing options.
What campers like
Level, well-maintained sites: Many campers highlight the quality of the campsite infrastructure in the region. At Henry Horton State Park Campground, reviews frequently mention site quality: "Well kept spots, very nice well run campground with all the amenities." Another noted their site "was very level, paved and double wide. Parking was easy and it accommodated the 38' RV and a SUV."
Off-season tranquility: Fall and winter camping receives particular praise. "I visited in the off season (Nov 24) - the bathrooms were clean, the sites were quiet and it was beautiful. Some sites are level, some aren't. We ended up booking another site to stay another couple of days because we loved it so much," shared one Henry Horton visitor.
Waterfront access: Sites with water views rank highest in satisfaction. At Elm Hill RV Resort, campers appreciate the lakefront setting: "Our site backed up to an amazing view of the lake and the marina. Very clean, well-maintained and well-run." Another visitor noted the "most sites are waterfront and have great sunrise views."
What you should know
Crowding on holiday weekends: Several campgrounds become extremely busy during peak weekends. One camper at Montgomery Bell reported: "We stayed on Memorial Day Weekend and it was completely full. When it's full, it's just TOO full. Too many people, dogs and kids that are too close together."
Bathroom accessibility challenges: At Seven Points, the lake views come with a tradeoff. One visitor explained, "First of all, I love COE campgrounds. They are usually clean, scenic, and have lots of space between campsites. Poole Knobs has all of that, but the bathrooms were ridiculously hard to get to."
Varying site dimensions: Check site specifications carefully before booking. A reviewer at Nashville I-24 Campground mentioned, "Spot was a little tight for our 38 ft 5th wheel. With slides on both sides and our awning out we were close to our neighbor."
Wildlife encounters: Skunks and raccoons are active in some areas. One camper reported, "The only issue was that they have a skunk problem - two skunks at various times wandered into our campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campground layouts: Choose sites with easy biking access. "Campers RV Park has activities everywhere! There are pavilions and out buildings setup with games, hammocks, and all kinds of fun family-friendly things to see and do," noted one family who appreciated the organized recreation spaces.
Designated swimming areas: Most lakefront campgrounds offer swimming, but conditions vary. A visitor reported, "Clean bath houses. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes. We loved it here and will definitely return."
Safety considerations: Check campground rules about supervision requirements. Montgomery Bell State Park gets high marks from families: "We took our 3 young kids during monsoon season and the staff were amazing at getting the kids out and into nature!"
Tips from RVers
Cellular connectivity: Remote work is possible at several campgrounds. One RVer at Henry Horton reported, "We stayed at this campground recently and because the wifi coverage and speed was so good was actually able to work from home here."
Site selection for privacy: RV sites vary greatly in spacing and privacy. At Nashville KOA Resort, a camper noted, "Our GPS brought us right to this KOA resort near the Grand Old Opry. Check-in was fairly quick and we were escorted to pull through site J-2 with FHUs and KOA patio."
Site orientation matters: Request details about hookup placement. At Nashville I-24 Campground, a visitor shared this practical tip: "My site was full hookup and probably the easiest sewer connection I've had at any campground, very low and easy to drain and flush my tanks."
