Carthage, Tennessee and the surrounding area feature several established campgrounds along the shores of Cordell Hull Lake and Center Hill Lake. Defeated Creek Campground, located within Carthage city limits, provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups, water access, and boat-in camping options. The region includes a mix of Corps of Engineers managed properties like Salt Lick Creek Campground in nearby Gainesboro and primitive camping areas around Center Hill Lake. Accommodations range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, with several locations also offering cabin rentals. Edgar Evins State Park, approximately 20 miles south of Carthage, features unique platform camping sites built on hillsides overlooking the water.
Camping in the Carthage area typically operates seasonally, with most campgrounds open from March through November. "We camped here for 4 days at site #61 - the lake was literally steps away from our door, and it was a no wake zone," noted one visitor about nearby Lillydale Campground. Many waterfront sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when boat traffic increases. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds reporting limited or no connectivity. The terrain around Carthage features rolling hills and forested lakeshores, with some campgrounds built on steep grades requiring careful navigation. Weather conditions remain mild through most of the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few year-round facilities available.
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for most campers in the Carthage area, with fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities abundant. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful setting and well-maintained facilities at Corps of Engineers campgrounds. A camper described Salt Lick Creek Campground as "situated perfectly alongside the creek in the mountains of Tennessee" with both waterfront sites and "wooded secluded sites" available. Campgrounds near Carthage generally receive high ratings for cleanliness and amenities, though some primitive areas lack facilities like showers or flush toilets. The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from tent camping to large RVs, with many sites featuring fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses. Wildlife viewing opportunities include waterfowl, deer, and various bird species around the lakes and forests.
"I'm from New England and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. The first time I went camping at Edgar Evans, I had no idea what was going on!"
"The park is a gorgeous property with a lake and hiking trails. There are ADA sights. The hills are steep and some of the sights have angle ramps."
$25 - $100 / night
"Our site was atop a hill overlooking Cordell Hull Lake. The place was nearly full capacity yet quiet. Sites are spread out nicely, many are lakeside or have lake views."
"Sites 51 and 52 are a shared pull through site, so if you book one of them, you will more than likely have people you don't know backed up right close next to you."
$20 - $50 / night
"Our site was right on the creek and very near the beach. We went for an evening swim and we had a picturesque view of the sun setting over the mountains."
"And it was adequate but situated on an inlet with mucky water. We took a walk and found an empty site (45) with breathtaking views. We asked to switch and they were happy to oblige."
$25 - $30 / night
"The campground at Cedars of Lebanon State Park deserves 5 stars for their proximity to Nashville, the large paved pads for campers, the peaceful woods, and their overall cleanliness."
"We hiked some of the 2 mile running trail and then veered off to explore the CCC original looking covered bench which overlooks a currently dry stream bed."
$24 - $50 / night
"2nd the layout is more tent friendly (to me) with walk in sites with some nice views."
"It was okay, but not good for anyone who cannot handle a lot of stairs. 2) There was a lot of boat traffic on the lake, even late into the night."
"We thought this was a bust, turned around to leave, and then we spotted the gravel path into the site. It's easy to miss on the way in."
"While the cell service was a bit spotty, it actually helped me disconnect and enjoy the surroundings. Overall, a great site—quiet, scenic, and well worth the visit."
"There is a flat trail next to the lake that my two year old loves to run up and down, playgrounds, and a story trail."
"Easy hiking trails with little to moderate inclines and terrain. Around 5-7 miles of trails, plenty of camping sites. I always see wildlife when i visit this park."
$30 - $50 / night
"We recently moved from Idaho to Tennessee, we booked two spots at Long Branch to stay for two weeks."
"There are steps down to the river. Many sites have plenty of shade especially the ones in the small loop. I will be coming back here for sure."
"I would stay away from the pull through sites by the bathroom if You prefer privacy."
"If you arrive early and are wanting to fully hike down to the waters it is a must to arrive early and by the time you finish enjoying activities driving is not something that sounds appealing."
GuideArrived late, but had no problem finding a nice flat spot in the grass. Very quiet. Two clean porta potties as well as trash cans and picnic tables, everything well maintained. Perfect spot with the dog. Only drawback was minimal service with Verizon. Bonus is the super cute town of Granville (world’s largest decanter collection and town is decorated as Little Mayberry). Would definitely stay again.
TravelerWe had such a lovely stay at Born Again. We were genuinely surprised to be the only guests over Memorial Day weekend! Peggy was an absolute gem - so kind, generous, and truly someone with a heart of gold. It’s clear she has poured so much love and care into the campground, and it shows in every detail. The entire place is perfectly eclectic, charming, and delightfully quirky.
Her sweet dog, Lily, kept us company throughout our stay and quickly won our hearts. We also had visits from Boots the cat, who was just as friendly and welcoming. Peggy kindly let us peek into each of the themed cabins, and it was easy to see the thoughtfulness and creativity behind every space. Each cabin felt carefully curated to match its theme, making the experience even more special.
Her husband, Tony, also stopped by to say hello, adding to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Overall, this was such a special place, and we already can’t wait for our next visit.
ScoutGreat folks to work with hand an amazing time will be back again and again must check it out for yalls own selves!
TravelerThe people who said this is just a parking lot probably never found the actual campsite, I almost missed it too! Cell service cut out far down the road, but since there were no turns we just kept going until we found the boat ramp (gravel lot, clear No Camping signs). We thought this was a bust, turned around to leave, and then we spotted the gravel path into the site. It's easy to miss on the way in. It's a small camping area between the boat ramp and the equestrian trail head, with two foot paths. One path leads to more sites closer to the water (still close enough to easily carry supplies) and the other leads to the equestrian section and a portapotty. Dyrt's location pin is for the boat ramp not the campsite, see my map for a more accurate location. It was quiet and relatively clean, with some horseback riders passing through during the day.
ScoutStaff was wonderful at helping with all needs...booking tours too. Can shuttle a bus to downtown Nashville. Nice pool. Live music every night at the campground. Clean restrooms, laundry and the entire park.
GuideDefeated Creek Campground Defeated, TN site L14. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten so lucky this year, but we’ve had 2 amazing sites back to back. Defeated Creek is another beautiful campground. We had another waterfront site, facing west, so the sunsets were amazing. Not a long walk to the bathhouse, volleyball area, or playground. It also has a beach and tons of room to go fishing. Lots of wildlife, we even spotted a couple of cows in the park lol. Chelle was able to launch her kayak just about 10 yards from our camper. The camp host are a very sweet older couple and the place is very well kept. It can be hard to get reservations here, so get a jump on that 6 month booking window. That said, if you can’t get in here, try Salt Lick Creek Campground in Gainesboro. The spaces are further apart and it’s very well kept also. Although we just drove through, I think it would also be a great place to stay.
ScoutGreat place to stay when passing through.
ScoutStayed on a Thursday night at a pitch a tent spot. Beautiful farm but unfortunately the tent spots are right next to a very noisy 4 lane highway.
GuideThis was a very nice resort camping spot. I loved the not tub with the jets. I tent camped on the mulch and electric/ water site. I just wanted to see what the mulch was like. The big chest , checkers and jumping pillow was pretty cool. And if you want wood you can charge your card on file and they'll bring your wood to your site.... since they don't just have it in the office. It's also very close to town so you can get a Uber or even have food delivered if you actually don't want to cook. Feels very much like glamping.
Camping near Carthage, Tennessee centers around the Cumberland Plateau's limestone terrain at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. The area's sandstone bluffs and river systems create distinct fishing and water recreation opportunities throughout the camping season. Summer nights typically cool to the low 60s, even when daytime temperatures reach the high 80s.
Trout fishing below dams: Center Hill Lake's tailwaters offer premier trout fishing opportunities. "We stopped for one night at Long Branch, so didn't explore very much, but this is a very nice campground with large sites, hookups, a playground and friendly staff," notes a visitor to Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas.
Kayaking quiet coves: The numerous inlets around Cordell Hull Lake provide protected waters for paddling. "We were at site #45, which looked great on paper. We took a walk and found an empty site with breathtaking views. We asked to switch and they were happy to oblige," shares a camper at COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime deer spotting times throughout the area. "This park was my home for a week or so and it was so amazing to enjoy. Deer would just walk up near you and just say hello," reports a visitor to Bledsoe Creek State Park.
Historical exploration: The old Granville settlement near Holleman's Bend offers a glimpse into 19th century riverside life. "Cute little town nearby, decent service when we were expecting none, and a cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you'll hear fish splashing all night," remarks a camper at Holleman's Bend Camping Area.
Spacious lake sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy waterfront options without feeling crowded. "We camped here for the long Presidents Day weekend in a wooded drive through spot with few neighbors. We saw 10 deer one morning and hiked a trail with our 3 boys and 2 dogs," shares a visitor to Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: The Corps of Engineers campgrounds receive consistent praise for cleanliness. "Great size sites. Many with waterfront property and others totally wooded. Shower house had amazing water pressure. Very clean and quiet considering that all 154 sites were full," notes a Salt Lick Creek camper.
Private swim areas: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated swimming sections away from boat traffic. "Excellent campground right on the water. There's a swimming area for campers separate from the day use area. Many sites have their own water access," reports a visitor to Floating Mill.
Unexpected platforms: Edgar Evins State Park features unique camping platforms built into the hillsides. "We stayed here in November 2017; we camped in the primitive camping section which has a parking area up top and you hike with your equipment down some stairs into a wooded area with about 7 primitive campsites."
Cell coverage limitations: Many lake campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "There is absolutely no cell coverage for any carrier at the campground and about a 30 minute drive in any direction. Also no stores around as well," warns a camper at Salt Lick Creek.
Limited supplies nearby: Most campgrounds require advance provisioning. "There is only one gas station within 30-45 minutes that have ice and firewood. Make sure to bring everything you need," advises another Salt Lick Creek visitor.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate from March through November only. "We visited in October, nice and warm during the day cool at night perfect for fires in the morning and at night. Wish they stayed open all year long but they don't," notes a visitor to Center Hill Lake.
Reservations essential: The best places to camp near Carthage fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "Can't find a bad site! Our favorite place but very hard to get into," mentions a camper at Defeated Creek Campground.
Child-friendly accommodations: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming beaches. "We stayed 5 days at this beautiful campsite, we were pleased to find the facilities clean with hot water, washer and dryer on site. The walk around the grounds in the early morning and late nights once the sun goes down is very peaceful," shares a Defeated Creek camper.
Tick prevention: The wooded areas harbor ticks, especially in summer. "Our dogs picked up ticks every day, and we had a few as well. Watch out for lyme and other tick born illnesses. We unfortunately found a bullseye rash from one of the bites," warns a Bledsoe Creek visitor.
Special events: Some campgrounds host seasonal activities for families. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" notes a camper at Cedars of Lebanon.
Educational opportunities: Several area campgrounds offer ranger programs. "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too!" mentions an Edgar Evins visitor.
Site selection concerns: Many lakeside campgrounds have challenging terrain. "The steps down to our campsite. Some of the campsites towards the back of the campground have a good amount of stairs. It was okay, but not good for anyone who cannot handle a lot of stairs," advises a Floating Mill camper.
Electrical hook-up variations: Different campgrounds offer different amperage options. "To my surprise I opened the electric pedestal, and there was only 50 amp service. I'm set up for 30 amp, so I had to use an adapter," notes a visitor to Old Mill Camp and General Store.
Road conditions: Some campground roads present navigation challenges. "The only thing that was not ideal were how tight the roads were between campsites but it may have felt that way because we are new to hauling a camper," shares a Cedars of Lebanon camper.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling. "We were in site 68 and had plenty of room. The site had plenty of space, level, and fairly easy to back into," reports an RVer at Salt Lick Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Carthage, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Carthage, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Carthage, TN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Carthage, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carthage, TN is Edgar Evins State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 59 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Carthage, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Carthage, TN.
What parks are near Carthage, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Carthage, TN that allow camping, notably Stillhouse Hollow Lake and Center Hill Lake.
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