Henry Horton State Park provides both primitive camping options and upgraded accommodations near Columbia, Tennessee. The park sits along the Duck River, which spans 269 miles through middle Tennessee. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months can reach 85-95°F with high humidity. The park maintains accessibility throughout the year with some seasonal limitations on water activities.
What to do
Fishing at Duck River: Henry Horton State Park offers access to Duck River where campers can fish for smallmouth bass and other species. "We stayed at this campground recently and because the wifi coverage and speed was so good was actually able to 'work from home' here," noted a visitor at Henry Horton State Park.
Hiking on moderate trails: Montgomery Bell State Park has several trail options for different skill levels. "We only visited for a day trip but I will definitely be going back soon to camp for a few nights," one visitor at Montgomery Bell State Park reported. The park features historic sites and waterfalls along its trail system.
Spelunking experiences: The area offers unique cave exploration opportunities. According to one camper at Southport Saltpeter Cave, "Enjoyed this rough camping trip and Spelunking with our Royal Ambassador boys (1st to 9th grade). Buddy gives a guided tour along with camping privilege's."
What campers like
Level sites with concrete pads: David Crockett State Park provides reliable, level camping spots. "Our first time RVing and this is where we stayed!! We really liked that the pads were concrete and level...took a lot of pressure off of the leveling process," mentioned a visitor at David Crockett State Park.
Beginner-friendly backcountry options: Some parks offer accessible backcountry sites for those new to primitive camping. "The backcountry campsites are just a short trek from the camp store, the hike itself follows the river. We only saw one other couple and no one else was staying at the second site so it was such a secluded weekend," noted a camper at Henry Horton State Park.
Off-season value: Winter camping offers quieter experiences with fewer crowds. According to one winter visitor at Henry Horton State Park, "I visited in the off season (Nov 24) - the bathrooms were clean, the sites were quiet and it was beautiful. Some sites are level, some aren't. We ended up booking another site to stay another couple of days because we loved it so much."
What you should know
Train noise at some locations: River Road RV Park has nearby train tracks that can create noise issues. "There is a train track nearby. It didn't bother us, but light sleepers might want to bring earplugs just in case," according to a camper at River Road RV Park & Horse Camp.
Mosquito preparation essential: Lakeside camping requires proper insect planning. One camper at Four Corners RV Resort noted, "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."
Varying site quality: Some campgrounds have uneven quality across different sections. "Sites are fairly close together but still provide some privacy. Be sure to venture across the river to the restaurant! Clean bath houses. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes," reported a Henry Horton State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites with direct access to play areas. "For several months while living in TN, we spent almost every weekend at Henry Horton State Park. It's not quite an hour from Nashville. We always got a primitive site, shady site. I was never disappointed by any of our sites and never felt cramped or too close to other campers," a regular visitor shared.
Kid-friendly glamping in Columbia, Tennessee: Specialty glamping accommodations provide unique experiences. "We loved our stay at HHSP. Check-in was a breeze, setup was simple with a level site, and everyone there, from the park rangers to the camp store staff to the campground hosts, was friendly and helpful," noted one family at Henry Horton State Park.
School-year educational opportunities: Some parks offer interactive learning experiences. "Interactive heritage festivals and other activities frequently came to the center across the street. I don't really recall if this is part of the park or not," mentioned a visitor describing the educational activities at Henry Horton State Park.
Tips from RVers
Bridge clearance issues: RVers should be aware of height restrictions on access roads. A visitor to Natchez Trace RV Campground warned, "Most importantly, there is a special way to get into this park. They have a low bridge right outside of their park that prevents you from getting here the easy way. The bridge is at 12ft if I remember correctly, it is too low for most 5th wheels and many class As."
Wi-Fi connectivity considerations: Internet access varies widely across campgrounds. "We stayed at this campground recently and because the wifi coverage and speed was so good was actually able to 'work from home' here. We were on site 18 and it was very level, paved and double wide," reported an RVer at Henry Horton State Park.
Winter camping comfort: RVers planning cold-weather visits should prepare accordingly. "Enjoyable stay. The campground is well maintained with plenty of shade at the sites. The bathrooms are nice and warm in the winter and clean," noted a winter camper at Henry Horton State Park.
