Center Hill Lake spans 18,000 acres with 415 miles of shoreline in Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau region. The lake reaches depths of 190 feet and maintains a summer water temperature averaging 78-82°F. Several pet friendly camping options near Center Hill Lake offer waterfront access with boat ramps and fishing docks for outdoor enthusiasts.
What to do
Trout fishing opportunities: At Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas, anglers can access world-class trout fishing directly from riverside campsites. "World class trout fishing" is available according to Marsha G., who appreciated the "nice and quiet" setting with "beautiful view of Caney Fork River."
Hiking trail exploration: The Lost Spring Trail in Floating Mill Campground provides lookout points with lake views, though portions may be overgrown. Shy-Anne W. noted, "There's a small hiking trail in the park also called the 'lost spring trail' not much of a spring to see, but a couple of lookout points. Must not be much traffic through the trail anymore, the lookouts were a little overgrown."
Waterfall adventures: Rock Island State Park Campground offers numerous waterfall views within hiking distance. "The best hike is in the Twin Falls area but that is a 10-15 minute drive from the campground," explains Lee D., while Alicia F. mentions, "Great hikes and random places to jump into the water."
Kayaking excursions: Horseshoe Bend Marina provides excellent paddling access to waterfalls and Rock Island State Park. According to Lori H., "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy."
What campers like
Multi-level camping layouts: Edgar Evins State Park Campground features unique platform deck campsites built into the hillside. "The sites are all elevated platforms due to the steep slope to the lake, which we had not encountered before, but are very widely spaced," notes Ray & Terri F., while Rosa B. shared, "First time camping in our camper, on platforms. Loved it!"
Clean, accessible facilities: Fall Creek Falls State Park maintains modern bathhouses in each camping area. Sandra V. explains, "Modern bathhouses located in each camping area, swimming pool, golf course and restaurant make roughing it easier for those who need more comfort while camping."
Lakefront access for swimming: Many Center Hill Lake campgrounds offer direct water access from campsites. At Floating Mill, Clinton N. shared, "Many sites have their own water access. The tent only sites are at the back of the campground and are along the water. You have to take steps down from the parking lot to get to your campsite."
Pet-friendly shorelines: Bear Bluff Retreat welcomes pets with access to walking paths. According to Ed G., it's "close enough to town if you forgot something and far enough away that it's extremely quiet no street noise whatsoever, and great views of the river right next to it, mountains, or walking through the woods nearby."
What you should know
Site elevation challenges: Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake has steep terrain requiring stairs to reach some campsites. Leah J. warns, "Very steep hill throughout the campground" and "Most sites require climbing 3–5 flights of stairs." Shy-Anne W. adds, "Some of the campsites towards the back of the campground have a good amount of stairs."
Campground host interactions: Experiences with staff vary significantly between locations. At Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas, one camper reported, "The staff and rangers were all great," while another noted less positive interactions, stating campground hosts "police you from the time you check in til you leave."
Site spacing considerations: Tent camping areas have variable privacy levels. Andrea S. noted at Fall Creek Falls that "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Reservation timing: For prime waterfront spots, early booking is essential. Lori H. advises about Ragland Bottom, "We stayed on site 10, and had the perfect lake front spot! I know that sites 1-15 are all lakefront sites with electricity and water, and they book up fast, so if you want one of those you need to plan to book well in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several Center Hill Lake campgrounds include play areas for children. At Ragland Bottom, Marvin J. noted it has "playground areas for the kids" along with being "reasonably priced" and having "bath houses clean."
Swimming options: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers both natural swimming holes and developed facilities. Brandie D. recommends, "The park itself has a scenic loop drive of the gorge, multiple waterfalls to visit, miles on end of hiking trails in which some cross rope bridges, awesome swimming holes, and even an olympic pool with diving boards and a snack shack for the kiddos."
Entertainment amenities: Some campgrounds provide organized activities for children. At Horseshoe Bend Marina, Lori H. mentions, "They have a game room tent with ping pong, cornhole, jenga, etc. and they host a movie night sometimes! They also had an inflatable water slide during the day."
Safety considerations: Water depth and terrain vary significantly around the lake. Grant B. observed at Ragland Bottom, "The gravel was on the coarser side and the pad was a bit rocky, but I was able to stale our tent out with a 2lb mini sledge."
Tips from RVers
Access route awareness: Some campground roads have challenging entry points. Regarding Old Mill Camp, Steve V. advises, "We'd really like to go back in warmer weather to take advantage of the many swimming holes on the hike to the falls and be able to play in the falls."
Site selection strategy: For pet owners with RVs, choosing the right campground area impacts experience quality. At Edgar Evins State Park, Myke C. suggests, "There are a couple gem spots if you scout before you book. We had a great time. Great place."
Dump station logistics: Different campgrounds have varying waste disposal setups. Shana D. noted about Center Hill Lake Primitive Areas, "I did think that the dump station was located in a strange spot as it was right on the main road in The campground and in front of someone's campsite."
RV pad construction: Rock Island State Park has varied pad sizes for different RV lengths. Lee D. explains, "Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side. Not all are completely level."
