Camping sites near Castalian Springs, Tennessee range from elevated platform sites to lakeside resorts within 30-45 minutes of the town. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with peak season running April through October when water activities are most accessible.
What to do
Fishing at Percy Priest Lake: Four Corners RV Resort provides direct lake access for anglers. "We got to chat at length with the owner and you can tell he cares about the property," notes a camper who appreciates the well-maintained facilities.
Halloween festivities: Cedars of Lebanon State Park hosts special seasonal events for children. According to one visitor, "their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" This makes October an excellent time for families seeking structured activities.
Pontoon boat tours: Edgar Evins State Park offers educational water excursions with rangers. A camper mentioned, "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too!" These tours provide insights about the local ecosystem.
Swimming options: Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort maintains a swimming area adjacent to campsites. "The campground was very convenient for those visiting the Nashville area, its just off the highway and they offer shuttles for a fee to downtown and opryland," reports one visitor who found the location practical.
What campers like
Unique camping platforms: Edgar Evins State Park features distinctive pier-like deck camping spots. "First time camping in our camper, on platforms. Loved it!" shares one camper who appreciated this unconventional setup.
Convenient Nashville access: Nashville KOA Resort provides city-adjacent camping with resort amenities. "The proximity to the Opry and surrounding sites is fantastic. Top that off with front desk, event and maintenance staff that were all super nice and you've got a great combo," explains a visitor who valued the location.
Spacious lakeside sites: Four Corners RV Resort offers premium waterfront camping. "We spent a week on a Lakefront site with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, we were right next to one of the courtesy docks where our family members picked us up on their boat," shares a camper who enjoyed direct water access.
Cedar glades ecosystem: Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground provides camping amid unique natural features. "Cedars of Lebanon is a great State Park in middle TN for camping and for day hikes. It has a great pool, and the natural area where it's located features tons of endemic species to the area!" explains a visitor who appreciated the botanical diversity.
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Nashville North KOA requires extra preparation for uneven sites. "Friendly folks, but the entire campground is kinda hilly. You can get level in the pull through, but just if you park so-so," reports one visitor who needed leveling blocks.
Mosquito preparation: Four Corners RV Resort campers face significant insect challenges. "The first and last night we stayed the mosquitos were so bad we couldn't be outside. There were two nights in between that it was tolerable. I went out on the dock one night to fish and they were so thick it was impossible to not get bit by them," warns a camper who recommends heavy-duty insect repellent.
Highway noise levels: Nashville North KOA experiences traffic sounds from nearby roadways. "Very very noisy due to the highway that runs right on the other side of the tree line. But... the folks running the show are really nice," mentions a camper who still enjoyed their stay despite the noise.
Primitive camping access: Edgar Evins State Park offers more rustic options with some hiking required. "We stayed 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," explains a visitor who liked the secluded experience.
Tips for camping with families
Waterpark coordination: Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort has seasonal waterpark access that requires planning. "If your here with your family and love water parks and money is no object get here a day early to get full advantage of the weekend. We got ripped off by buying a season pass for a day and a half," advises one visitor who recommends verifying operating hours.
Playground accessibility: Edgar Evins State Park provides recreational areas for children that may require supervision. "Pretty campground on water. Even though it's a mostly RV type place there are some good tent sites and it's a pretty remote quiet place," mentions a camper who enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere.
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Castalian Springs, Tennessee, multiple campgrounds provide these structures. Dad's Bluegrass Campground offers yurts with convenient amenities. "Truly the nicest folks I have met at campground so far. All lots are pull through. They have a huge pavilion for events, nice pool, showers, and very clean restrooms," shares a visitor who found the facilities well-maintained.
Wildlife viewing: Baileys Point Campground offers nature encounters for young explorers. "We stayed 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," reports a family who enjoyed wildlife spotting opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Navigational challenges: Dad's Bluegrass Campground requires careful approach. "Watch the approach since you could head into the truck stop - stay to the right and you will be ok. I used the truck stop to fill up on the way out and it was OK," advises an RV camper who navigated the entrance.
Satellite reception: Edgar Evins State Park has connectivity limitations. "We were in site 50, which had no visibility to DISH west satellites, and we were not able to pick up and OTA TV with our omni antenna," reports an RVer who had technology issues.
Weekend dump station timing: Baileys Point Campground experiences congestion at certain times. "Also gets a little crowded at the dump station on the weekends at check our time," warns a camper who recommends planning accordingly.
Speed bump caution: Edgar Evins State Park has traffic control features that require slow driving. "Be wary of the speed bumps throughout the campground, they are closely spaced and rather abrupt, take them very slowly," cautions an RV driver who protected their equipment by reducing speed.
