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Best Campgrounds near Cookeville, TN

859 Reviews

Campgrounds near Cookeville, Tennessee range from family-friendly developed sites to more remote options, situated in the picturesque Upper Cumberland region. Old Mill Camp and General Store provides tent and RV sites directly across from Cummins Falls State Park, while Belle and Beau Acres offers more primitive camping experiences with waterfront options. Within a 30-mile radius, Edgar Evins State Park and Rock Island State Park campgrounds provide cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping sites. The area's mix of state parks and privately owned campgrounds creates diverse options for overnight stays.

Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds open year-round but experiencing peak visitation from late spring through early fall. "The bathhouse was clean and the showers were the nicest I've ever used. Single walk in showers with plenty of room," noted one visitor to Old Mill Camp. Many campgrounds feature modern amenities including electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though primitive sites with fewer services are also available. The terrain varies from relatively flat, accessible sites to more rugged areas requiring careful navigation. Weather patterns in the Cumberland Plateau region can bring sudden storms, particularly during summer months, making weather awareness important when planning extended stays.

Campers consistently highlight water features as key attractions in the area. Proximity to Cummins Falls State Park appears frequently in positive reviews, with multiple visitors mentioning the waterfall as a primary reason for choosing nearby accommodations. As one camper reported, "If you want to do the hike which I highly encourage it, we hike down every time so far and love it." Several campgrounds offer spacious, shaded sites with fire rings and picnic tables as standard amenities. Family-owned operations receive particular praise for their personal attention and well-maintained facilities. Most developed campgrounds provide restrooms and showers, while some also feature on-site stores selling camping essentials, food, and local products, creating convenient base camps for exploring the region's natural attractions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Cookeville, Tennessee (141)

    1. Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Lancaster, TN
    17 miles
    Website

    "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."

    2. Old Mill Camp and General Store

    22 Reviews
    Bloomington Springs, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 268-0045

    "Just getting in from a fun weekend at Old Mill Camp in Cookeville, TN."

    "If you don't care to grill or have a sandwich or ice cream at the general store on site the friendly owner will tell you where to eat in town (Cookeville)."

    3. Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake

    21 Reviews
    Silver Point, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 858-4845

    $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."

    4. Rock Island State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Rock Island, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 686-2471

    "Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."

    "Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."

    5. Spacious Skies Belle Ridge

    14 Reviews
    Monterey, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 241-4341

    $29 - $249 / night

    "I seek off the beaten path places, and this campground is a gem."

    "First, one advantage/disadvantage is it is located right off 40. If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it’s going to be very noisy."

    6. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."

    "Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."

    7. Belle and Beau Acres

    4 Reviews
    Baxter, TN
    7 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    "Off the beaten path and quiet piece of Tennessee that we needed."

    "Woke up to 2 jakes walking through our campsite below our rooftop tent. Property is back away from any houses and extremely peaceful."

    8. Ragland Bottom

    12 Reviews
    Smithville, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 761-3616

    $16 - $50 / night

    "Snuggle deep in Ragland bottom Tennessee this nice Corps of Engineer campground is nestled. The campground is very well-kept. With plenty of room on the camping pads for all types and sizes of RVs."

    "RV’s are at lake edge, there are several walk in tent sites near the lake too. If you have your watercraft along direct put in is possible but it’s rocky."

    9. Defeated Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    Carthage, TN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 774-3141

    $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."

    10. Twin Lakes Catfish Farm & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Bloomington Springs, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 858-2333

    "It sits adjacent to a catfish farm where you can fish and eat all in the same breath. The sites have electrical, water, and sewer so they are meant for the long haul camper."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cookeville, TN

362 Photos of 141 Cookeville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cookeville, TN

859 Reviews of 141 Cookeville Campgrounds

  • greg S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake

    Beware of host

    My family has camped here for years with no issues and we usually stay for at least 3 days if not longer at a time. On holidays we usually stay for a week or more at a time. The last 3 times we've camped there the host were horrible. They police you from the time you check in til you leave. They are very discriminating depending on who you know at the campgrounds. They charge some people to visit and not others. If you have kids they better walk the line during thier time there or they will threaten to have you leave. They have treated my family like we were second class as best. Talked to us like we were ignorant.  Not there to help at all. On a power trip for being the host. When you spend your hard earned money and time to relax and spend time with family and friends you shouldnt have to be harassed and watched over to the point you cant enjoy yourslves for your vacation. Not an enjoyable experience at all. We will not be back until they are no longer the host. Never been treated like that by host.

  • J
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Willow Grove Campground

    Very pleased

    This campground is typical Corp of Engineers campground. This place is very well kept. It has a boat ramp small beach area and is surrounded by water on 3 sides. Water is accessible from multiple points, getting down to the water is easy its a decent climb coming back. This site is not shaded especially in the evening. Picnic table could stand to be repaired or replaced but still very usable.

  • Alisha L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground

    Salt Lick Creek

    Overall, we enjoyed our experience. It's a nice campground. The site was small and we prefer more space and seclusion since we travel with dogs. We stayed in site 94, which was on the water and nicely shaded. There was no cell service. Our camper has a wifi booster so we were able to boost the signal to our phones from the nearby bathhouse that had wifi. The campground is very remote, but it doesn't feel remote because of how busy and open it feels.

  • Mary D.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Awesome time!

    We had such a great time at Cumberland Mountain State Park! Area 1 was especially nice and shaded. It was quiet, clean, and so easy to enjoy. The bonus surprise for us was that the Wi-Fi worked really well, which made it easy to stay connected when we needed to. We’ve already made future reservations and can’t wait to come back and stay at site 25!

  • G
    Jul. 26, 2025

    COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground

    Very disappointing

    What a disappointment and I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this campground. I checked in at the appropriate time. There was no one at the gate, no packet no information. I found my campsite and pulled in quite unlevel due to deep divots in the gravel… used baby wipes embedded in the gravel, foul trash in the fire ring, and the campsite had been vacant according to the website for at least a week Obviously no preparation had taken place. Never saw a Ranger never saw host. I left one day early only to find that they have listed me as a cancellation thereby excluding me from being able to leave a recommendation on their website I’ll not be returning.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Lillydale Campground And Day Use

    Amazing views right on the water.

    This is my second time at this campground, because I love how the campsites, As many of them as possible, have great views of the water, and a lot of them are right on the water. I also appreciate that while there is an RV section of the campground, there is a whole island of just tent camping, that has a whole different vibe. So if your tent camper or RV camper, you will find your place. The staff is also extremely welcoming: I ended up switching sites for a period of my stay to be closer to the water, and they were more than happy to help with that.

  • Nicholas The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Great for water sports!

    Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry.

  • T
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Overnight Trail Hike-in Site — Cumberland Mountain State Park

    Cumberland county state Park, Crossville TN

    Staff was great! Fellow campers could have been better people. Way to many KAREN'S. We have 4 dogs. We did everything possible to keep them quiet. Including buying muzzles. We worked with the rangers and staff to get the furtherest away from people. Because of barking. The closest people was a block away. The other campers complained!! Maybe the complaining people should have bought ear plugs!! We did everything possible in concirsation of other campers. The night ranger was not friendly at all. 10 pm he pulled up to tell us to make sure we keep our dogs quiet and to keep the fire down. At that time 10pm everyone was in bed. No one had a fire the whole 6 days we were here. It was like building a fire was illegal. That's how the ranger made me feel about a fire in the fire pit.

Guide to Cookeville

Camping near Cookeville, TN, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing in nature, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Good hikes nearby," making it a great spot for those who love to hit the trails.
  • Water Activities: At Rock Island State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A camper shared, "This is a great state park with great hiking and beautiful waterfalls."
  • Wildlife Watching: Edgar Evins State Park Campground is known for its wildlife. One reviewer noted, "The park has a lovely waterfall hike that we did and many others that we didn’t make it to."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park said, "Pretty with clean bathrooms," highlighting the well-maintained amenities.
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground. One camper remarked, "The campground is quiet, clean, beautiful. So nice to be on the river."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the activities available at Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Everyone was so friendly and had haunted houses set up for the trick or treaters."

What you should know:

  • Site Selection: Some sites can be tricky to access. A camper at Edgar Evins State Park Campground advised, "I definitely recommend either scouting out a site before booking or researching well which site would be a good fit."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Bandy Creek Campground noted, "The campgrounds are nice and well maintained. However, most of the sites are small."
  • Seasonal Restrictions: Some parks have seasonal openings. For example, Frozen Head State Park Campground is open from March 15 to November 1.

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rock Island State Park Campground noted, "There was a 7in difference between the sides and being new to camping we weren’t prepared."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Some campgrounds offer full hookups, which can be a game-changer. A visitor at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground mentioned the convenience of having "electric hookups."
  • Plan for Leveling: Be prepared for uneven sites. A camper at Bandy Creek Campground shared, "The campground was excellent!!" but noted the need for leveling their camper.

Camping near Cookeville, TN, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV parks are available in or near Cookeville, TN?

RV enthusiasts near Cookeville have several quality options. Spacious Skies Belle Ridge offers a peaceful forest setting near Monterey, just a short drive from Cookeville. Ragland Bottom is a well-maintained Corps of Engineers campground with generous pads accommodating various RV sizes and stunning lake views. Other nearby options include COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground, which features creekside sites and mountain views, and Floating Mill on Center Hill Lake for water recreation enthusiasts.

Where are the best campgrounds in Cookeville, Tennessee?

Cookeville offers excellent camping options with Old Mill Camp and General Store leading the list. Located directly across from Cummins Falls State Park, it features spacious sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and a general store. For those seeking public lands, Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground is within driving distance and offers impressive waterfalls and recreational activities. The surrounding Upper Cumberland region provides additional options like Defeated Creek Campground near Carthage and Twin Lakes Catfish Farm & Campground near Baxter.

Can I find tent camping locations near Cookeville?

Tent campers have excellent options around Cookeville. Belle and Beau Acres provides a quiet, off-the-beaten-path tent camping experience. For nature enthusiasts, Rock Island State Park Campground offers tent sites surrounded by beautiful forest with easy access to hiking trails and dramatic waterfalls. For a rustic experience, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground delivers a nostalgic camping feel with modern conveniences in a small, intimate setting adjacent to Scott State Forest and Big South Fork River.

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