The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Eva, TN

430 Reviews

State parks and public lands surrounding Eva, Tennessee offer diverse tent camping options, with Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park providing several backcountry tent sites. The park features multiple primitive tent campgrounds including Campground Road Backcountry Shelters and Chester Hollow Backcountry Shelters, all accessible via hiking trails. Santa's Woods, located near Eva, offers five walk-in tent sites with tree cover and established trails. For tent campers seeking waterfront locations, Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area in nearby Dover provides primitive tent camping with Kentucky Lake access.

Most tent campsites in the region require campers to bring their own water and supplies. Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park's backcountry shelters have minimal amenities, with some sites permitting fires while others prohibit them. Tent pads are typically natural surfaces with minimal grading. Ginger Bay requires four-wheel drive vehicles to navigate the steep, rutted gravel roads leading to tent sites. Stewart State Forest offers primitive tent camping with abundant firewood but no potable water, with the closest store about 5 miles away in Tennessee Ridge. Reservations are required for most established tent campgrounds, while dispersed camping in Land Between the Lakes requires a backcountry permit.

Tent campers frequently choose these areas for their seclusion and natural settings. According to reviews, the primitive sites at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park offer "the best views" with locations along the riverbanks. One camper noted that Ginger Bay provides "incredible backcountry campsites with no other people for days," making it ideal for tent campers seeking solitude. Stewart State Forest visitors appreciate the marked trails throughout the area, though they caution about hunting seasons potentially affecting the quiet atmosphere. Gatlin Point Self-Service Campground receives praise for its beautiful, quiet tent sites with fishing access nearby. Most tent-only areas feature fire rings, and many waterfront sites allow direct access to Kentucky Lake for swimming and fishing.

Map showing campgrounds near Eva, TennesseeExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Eva, Tennessee (19)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Eva Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Eva, TN

9 Photos of 19 Eva Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Eva, TN

430 Reviews of 19 Eva Campgrounds

  • Vince B.
    Mar. 31, 2021

    Gatlin Point

    A Good Boondocking Spot!

    About four miles of winding hills off the paved road. Cleared and not too rough. The site has 18 designed spots, all tiered into the wooded hillside. There is a natural boat launch into Bards Lake. A single Vault toilet and Dumpster as well. The gravel camping pads are reasonably level, each with a concrete picnic table and large fire ring with grate.The hillside spots were designed for tent camping and are tight. No campers larger than 20' will fit on the hillside, however the bottom four spaces will accommodate a class A rig. A fork at the top of the hill provides a space for small campers to turn around if needed. Space number 16 has poor drainage. The area is very shady, a nice deep woods feeling. Firewood must be deadfall or bring your own "bug free" wood. The welcome center at the entrance has fresh and "potable" water, and a blackwater dump. The center also has maps, sodas, candy, etc. Great area to hike, the weird history of the area can be seen everywhere. Hundreds of very old cemeteries and homestead ruins... Att signal was two bars at all times. Overall, a big thumbs up!!!

  • David B.
    Oct. 8, 2018

    Gatlin Point

    Five miles off paved roads and no electricity or running water.

    Located at Land Between the Lakes at the south end. This campground has about 18 sites. You can can camp near the water or back in the woods. The sites have concrete picnic tables, fire rings and gravel for parking and to set up your site. As m motioned, no electricity or running water. Nearest water point is about five miles away at the South welcome center. Vault toilet (one seat). Sites are close but not crowded. There is a small no wake lake next to the site and lake Barkley is 50 yards away. There is also a boat ramp into Lake Barkley a quarter mile away. This is a great site for relaxing and fishing.

  • B
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Lakefront Campground — Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

    Well kept

    The tent sites were well kept. They are gravel pads with a grill and fire ring. They are right on the water with easy access to put in a kayak. And close to a boat ramp if bringing a boat. It’s shaded. The bath house is a bit of a walk and they have restrooms only, no showers.

  • Staci R.
    Aug. 16, 2022

    Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Redd Hollow Campground

    Redd Hollow is prime for being primitive!

    Redd Hollow is a Self-service campground in Land Between the Lakes (LBL) with improved camp sites, fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilet and trash dumpsters. Some sites are directly on the water, some are higher up, with great views of the lake.  The campsites are pea gravel based, and while some are smaller and closer together (ideal for tents or car camping) there are a few that are large enough for dry docking a small RV.  I didn't pay attention to whether there was potable water, (I haul mine in) but the Dump Station just south of Golden Pond Visitor Center has potable water.  

    The road going back to Redd Hollow is an improved gravel road that is in good condition. Easily traveled in a car, 4WD is not needed.  All sites are first come- first served, so you will want to come early.  At Self Service areas, I drive through, find my site, then walk back to the entrance and complete the registration card, place payment in the envelope and drop it in the "Iron Ranger".   A Dispersed Camping permit does not allow you to camp in a self-service campground.

    Further details for LBL's camp grounds:  https://landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/camping/rules/

  • D
    Sep. 7, 2018

    Redd Hollow

    Tent and Small Camper Camping, Basic Sites

    Well kept campground offering a more basic camping experience as compared to the larger campgrounds at LBL. Gravel pads with concrete picnic tables and fire rings. Be mindful when picking a site that some of the fire rings are damaged, some are the older short (12" tall tops) style and still others are brand new and have the adjustable cooking grate.

    The actual gravel pads that we saw were for the most part in good shape. One or two sites suffered a bit from heavy wash running across them and rutting or washing gravel off the pads.

    About half the sites are on the left hand side when you drive in and you can pick from sites tucked back in the woods a bit or sites nearer the water. Farther into the campground the road passes the vault toilet and boat ramp and goes uphill to higher up sites still. Sites in the woods with a longer walk to the lake but potentially better views and breezes.

    We found that campers here did not limit themselves to staying on the defined tent pads. They would park on the pads and set up tents around the true camp site. Not a super big deal but it made getting down to the water a little awkward because you had to walk a little too close to someone else's tent for my liking.

    The Forest Service could stand to go in and add some of the timber framing or bigger rip-rap bordering around the sites and maybe a splash of the smaller sized gravel to help level out the pads. You do need watch to make sure you get a level site.

    If there are say 30 sites here, only about 15 were occupied over Labor Day weekend. Way less than what we expected for a holiday but it was exactly what we were hoping for, avoid the crowds at the larger, more amenity-filled campgrounds.

    Last thing regarding the lake. The back end of Redd Hollow is shallow. Nice place to wade for kids. However, when they start pulling the lake down what were water access sites become gravel and mud bar access sites. In the dead middle of the summer the back end of the cove is probably full of water. Early spring and late summer early fall it is not. I suspect you can use the boat ramp year round though.

  • D
    Oct. 18, 2022

    Lock A

    Great place to camp for $

    While the facilities are limited, we enjoyed being here. We were in site 25 with the river right behind us. 50A power and water, dump on the way out. Concrete pad, level, picnic table, fire ring and a trash can at every site. The road in is small and winding, nighttime driving is difficult. Senior pass got us in for just $12 a night. Boat ramp close by. Would certainly stay here again.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    When you think FREE you probably don't think of sites THIS NICE!

    For My FULL VIDEO Of My Experience At This Campground CLICK HERE

    Following the winding a scenic Natchez Trace you begin to climb higher and higher into the beauty of the mountains. When I was making this trip in late August, I could already see the shifting of the leave in its most early stages and I could only imagine what it would be like only a month later.

    As I entered the park and followed the signs toward the campground I was very eager to see what this FREE site had to offer. I had discovered this site when searching youtube for things to do and someone suggested camping here because of the historic landmark in the park. After further research I discovered it was a pretty decently sized campground with semi primitive camping.

    I arrived at the camping loops and discovered two loops of camping each with differing sizes of spaces, some designed for pull through style RV parking and some for back in car parking. Spaces were large and while there were several people staying here it did not seem overly crowded.

    The first loop was much further from the restroom than the second, which also housed the campground host in his RV just as you entered the loop. He was welcoming with a smile and wave and I just felt like this was going to be a nice place to stay for the night.

    You can stay for up to 14 days at this location and I could easily see this being one of those stops you wouldn’t necessarily want to leave in a hurry because it was so peaceful. There were numerous hiking trails and a well landscaped creek area which made for a great place to come for day use as well.

    My site was pretty typical in that it had a fire ring and picnic table. The ground was semi level and very rough so camping in a tent I was happy to have brought a little padding. The restrooms were very nice and had both flush toilets and drinking water. They were well lit and for a minute when I walked in I wondered how on earth this was a free site because they were so nice.

    All was great until about 8 p.m. when some people pulled in after dark and weren’t quite sure how to set up their tent and were pretty loudly disagreeing with one another in debate of how to do so. But after they finally figured that out about an hour later the night was again left to the sounds of the cicadas and frogs.

    TIPS

    • If you are tent camping bring some kind of cushion on pad for your floor otherwise it will be a rough evening on the ground.
    • Bug spray is a must, the mosquitoes are thick here because of all the moisture of the forest and ticks can also be a problem during certain months.
    • Don’t tell all your friends, they will take over your secret little camping spot after they find out just how amazing this site really is!! (lol)
  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2025

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    The best in free camping!

    This place is a gem! You can stay for 14 days each year because, let's face it, it's too nice for them to let people hog it. Free water in various places, garbage cans by your site, numbered sites, paved driveways and parking spaces, manicured and litter-controlled park, and a bathroom building with multiple flush toilets for each sex and sinks with running water! These are in at least two places. Picnic tables and fire rings with lift-off on a hinge grates.

  • Devin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    Hey, It’s Free

    I was really looking forward to this place on my way to Arkansas. However, as soon as I turned into the camping area I was “greeted” by not one but TWO off leash dogs barking and running toward my van (they were not together). Fortunately, I took vinegar spray with me when I took my dog for a walk. It was a useful deterrent when one of the loose dogs ran at us. I yelled to put the dog on leash but of course nobody emerged from the van. On the return trip I made sure to have my spray and body pointed straight toward the dog who was just waiting for me to turn around so he could attack again. If you want a flat spot, a pull through spot, or one that you can’t smell the toilets, get there early! I got there around noon and maybe 15 people were there. By sundown most spots were taken…on a Tuesday. Restrooms toward the entrance were nice with running water and flush toilets.

Guide to Eva

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park provides primitive tent camping options with varied access requirements. Most backcountry shelters require hiking trails to reach sites, while Santa's Woods offers walk-in sites with established paths through forested areas. Tent campers near Eva, Tennessee need to be prepared for minimal facilities at most locations. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area requires backcountry permits for dispersed camping, with Ginger Bay requiring four-wheel drive vehicles to navigate its rough access roads.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Gatlin Point Self-Service Campground offers direct access to fishing spots. "Beautiful campsite, fishing close by," notes camper Marcella, who appreciated the quiet setting.

Hiking trail system: Explore marked pathways throughout the region's forested areas. At Stewart State Forest, "There are marked trails throughout the area," according to Douglas K., who adds that their scouting units have used this area for years in all seasons.

Kayaking on Kentucky Lake: Multiple waterfront campsites provide direct water access. Brittni F. found Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area ideal for water activities: "We fished, we hiked, we kayaked!! We all enjoyed the peaceful exclusivity this site offers."

What campers like

Waterfront seclusion: Tent sites along Kentucky Lake provide private settings. "Great place for backcountry though you can drive right to the spot," reports Brittni F. about Ginger Bay. "The site is right on the water with a gravel opening beside it. We were able to setup 4 tents with lots of room to spare."

Wildlife viewing: Campground Road Backcountry Shelter #2 offers nature observation opportunities. Jessica B. describes it as a "Lovely little campground, but beautiful & serene. Lots of great trails to hike."

Historical connections: Several campsites offer access to historical sites. Jessica B. notes that Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park is "A good place for a Civil War history buff," while Shelly S. recommends checking out "what's left of the old foundations" at Ginger Bay.

What you should know

Road conditions: Many of the best tent camping near Eva, Tennessee requires navigating rough terrain. Jessica M. warns about Ginger Bay: "Very peaceful and gorgeous view with boat ramp. The drive in is pretty rough even with us being in a jeep though."

Water access: No potable water exists at most primitive sites. Santa's Woods has no drinking water facilities, requiring campers to pack in all water needs. Similarly, Douglas K. advises about Stewart State Forest: "There is no water, so bring plenty. There is a spring, however you have to know where it is."

Seasonal considerations: Hunting seasons affect camping experience. Douglas K. warns: "Please be aware that hunting is allowed in this area, so deer and turkey seasons could present issues for those who are looking for peace and quite."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose campgrounds with easier access for children. Michelle T. found Ginger Bay perfect: "We were looking for a place to park our van with a view where our dog could run and we could spend a few days acclimating to Van life and this was perfect."

Wildlife education: Use camping trips to teach about local ecosystems. At Ginger Bay, Michelle T. reports: "We watched turtles, popping their head up in the lake and really enjoyed ourselves."

Structure options: Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Group Campground provides organized spaces for family gatherings. KO4FIE-Logan describes it as a "Beautiful location" where "just sitting on the banks watching the boats go by is peaceful."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle requirements: Most primitive sites near Eva require high-clearance vehicles. Juli G. emphasizes for Ginger Bay: "This is a car camping site however you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get down the steep gravel road to the dispersed camping area."

Space limitations: RV sites are limited, with most areas better suited for tent camping. Abraham notes about Ginger Bay: "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."

Alternative arrangements: For easier RV access, consider Chester Hollow Backcountry Shelter #1 which has some more accessible sites. Ryan M. notes: "The lakefront sites are really cool and the facilities are pretty decent! Bit of a steep hill to access some of the sites."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eva, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eva, TN is Campground Road Backcountry Shelter #2 — Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Eva, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring