Are you planning a tent camping trip to Columbia? We've got you covered. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Tennessee tent camping excursion.
$10 / night
Backcountry Camping- Reservation Required
Long Hunter has 2 primitive campsites for tent camping only, each site has a designated fire ring. Both sites are wooded, offering shade, they are located on the shoreline of J.Percy Priest Lake.
A 6-mile hike is required to reach the sites, beginning at the parking lot, using the Day Loop/Volunteer Trailhead. Backpacking equipment is strongly suggested. There is no running water, electricity, restrooms or heated showers available. Water must be filtered from natural sources or carried in. The campsites are open year-round. Campsite capacity ranges from 8-10 persons. What to Know Before You Go
Reservations are required for ALL backcountry camping.
Your reservation receipt is your permit.
A copy of the camping receipt MUST on your person, during your overnight stay.
A copy of the camping receipt or a piece of paper with the name associated with the reservation MUST be placed in the dash of each vehicle that is to be parked overnight at the trail head.
No hiking on trails after dark. Please allow enough time to reach your destination in daylight.
The last permit issued will be 2-3 hours before sunsetPet Policy
Leashed pets are allowed on this site.
$10 - $11 / night
$100 / night
Our beautiful setting overlooks the West Fork of the Stones River. With walk-in access to the water, the camp is perfect for exploring a thriving river system (2, 6, and 8 mile floats are easy since take-out points are just up the road a piece or just paddle up and down the river, depending on the rains). The river is wadable most of the year. Smallmouth and seasonal trout make for easy fishing. The river is home to an abundance of birds, turtles, and fur-bearing friends.
The tent is equipped with a queen bed, sheets and blankets, a heater for the colder nights and fans for the warmer ones. We have an additional pop up tent that can accommodate 2 people, however you will need to bring a sleeping bag. We also have space for more pop-up tents, so if you have a bigger group there will be plenty of space to spread out. The tent is off-grid but we provide battery operated lights, a charging power bank and the ability to use electric plugs outside our house if there is a real need.
Two rock beaches on our property are across from a river island! Beyond that is a small creek and 190 acres of vacant land.
In case you run out of Lunchables, we have several methods for camp cooking with fire or our dual-fuel Coleman stove. Keep your refreshments fresh all weekend with our big Coleman cooler.
If you don't feel like cooking, Downtown Nashville (40 minutes) and Murfreesboro (15 minutes) are close for campers needing an escape from nature. Last minute supplies are just minutes away.
We provide board games, outdoor games, kayaks for rent, tubes for rent, fishing gear for rent and other seasonal amenities!
Because the location is very convenient, it also comes with passing cars and the hum of I-840 in the distance mingling harmoniously with the babbling brook. The groundhogs and kingfishers don't seem to mind it too much.
Please let us know if you need an earlier check in or later check out. We will always try to accommodate if we can.
$112 - $160 / night
Smith Springs Recreation Area is a lakeside oasis in the hills of middle Tennessee, providing visitors with countless recreational activities on the lake and in the surrounding woods and grasslands.
The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from, including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass, and white bass. Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream and trout provide excellent opportunities for younger anglers. Nearby Anderson Road Fitness Trail is a paved trail winding a little over a mile through the cedar glade area beside the lake.
Smith Springs Recreation Area offers a large group shelter for day use and can accommodate up to 50 guests. There is limited parking suitable only for 12 vehicles.
J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers lakes to have recreation as part of its justification. The dam, completed in 1968, impounds 42 miles, with 14,200 surface acres of water. In soothing contrast to the sparkling waters of the lake are the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands. A highlight of the region, the Cedar Glades Natural Area, is home to countless wildlife and plant species, including the Tennessee coneflower.
J. Percy Priest Lake is conveniently located about 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, offering visitors countless cultural activities and the conveniences of a metro area.
$45 / night
50 acres of beautiful grassy pasture surrounded by woods on a very private road.
$30 / night
If you are a fan of the great outdoors then this is the place for you!! We are located "down in the hollar" in beautiful Ethridge, TN. We are small and secluded on 3 acres of Tennessee countryside at its finest! On the property is fresh running water in a natural creek that flows non stop providing nourishment if needed as well as soothing sounds to ease your mind and relax you while you escape from everyday life. We also allow some minor hunting if there are no other campsites set up at the time. This place is truly stunning and unlike any other and a guaranteed "must check it out" for your next camping adventure. We are pet and kid friendly 😃. Contact us now before the opportunity passes by!! We'll love to have ya!
$25 - $45 / night
We stayed one night. It was very nice. Cash or check only. Veteran and other discounts. Inexpensive. Check in after 12:00 Check out 11:00. Pull through full hookup 30/50A service. Fast friendly check in. Some sites gravel, some asphalt. Older building for restrooms and laundry, but meticulously maintained. Level enough that I didn't unhook, just lowered jacks for stabilization. I don't see where the complaints about space come from. All of the tight spaces are taken by full time residents. We had more than enough room for a 36' 5th wheel with 3 slideouts, a cargo carrier on the back, tow vehicle (which I didn't have to unhook) and a second vehicle. We could have fit another car if needed. The person behind us parked his truck between his rig and ours. In front was a fire ring on a 12' wide patch of grass. There are full time residents here, but most of the rigs look a lot nicer than other places we've seen. Beautiful area. Was surprised how low the road noise is being so close to an interstate. We wouldn't even hear it if our door was shut. Very quiet. We would definitely stay here again. Thank you for recognizing veterans and offering a discount.
It's just numbered spots with fire rings and picnic tables. I tent camp so it was perfect for me and I really liked it.
Nice first come free camping location just off the Trace. Grounds seem to be keep up on every time I’ve been there.
nice staff
restrooms o.k.
over 90 Dollars with 3 Kids 🫣
loud (near the street).
Not our place, but good to explore the city with a cheap Shuttle to downtown.
Nice location just off the Trace! Nice free getaway spot with plenty to do around.
Senior Pass $12/night. Wide, level campsite on the water. Very nice and well kept. Great Starlink access.
Ugh, I hate to write bad reviews...but this was, to us, such a bad experience, from what I call deceptive pricing, to location within camp, no signage/direction locators, crowding, safety issues, and more. 1) Our"delux" cabin was located/surrounded in a row filled with BIG RVs. 2) There was no signage/location indicators at the dark row corners or roads within park. It is even hard to identify what are actually road at night so finding it at night amongst the HUGH RVs was horrific! 3) There was no sidewalks or places to walk except on the one lane roads...this is unsafe for kids, especially if you have to go out at night. 4) The"Deluxe" cabin is small, but tha bathtub is REALLY small. More of a small kids tub. 5) Air conditioner is across from foot of bed. The grid on the front of ours was broken, so the air came straight at us on bed, made the bed sheets feel moist and uncomfortable to sleep on. 6) Sun shines in from window above tub into room blinding you, we had to stuff a towel over it. 7) Crowding. Spaces are small, so there are BIG RVs boxing you in everywhere. 8) Floor tiles are warped on edges, you can tell animals have went to the bathroom on them. 9) Floor was dirty (room itself was clean and looked good and so was the bed sheets) 10) Pricing, to me, was deceptive, see my receipt. In making the reservation online, I put 2 adults and 2 pets. It came up$182.69 as a total and I paid that. There is a note that other charges for"additional" adults, pets, etc may apply. It says"additional" not that they don't charge you for your pets until you get there. So I had to pay an additional $58...making my total for the night almost $250. Would never stay again!
Only negative is you must bring your own fireplace and it must be raised off the ground. Parking with our truck and trailer was a little awkward, we were a little too long for the spot we were in and the person next to us had the same issue. The staff was super friendly and everything was well kept. Everything else was pretty much everything you’d expect from an rv park. There’s a $10 round trip shuttle that takes you to downtown Nashville from the campground parking lot which is super convenient!
Use to be one of my favorite campgrounds. Campspot has turned it into a money racket. Educate yourself and look up dynamic pricing which nothing but greed. If you see prices over their normal it’s dynamic. Not to mention site lock which if isn’t paid they could move you to an unleveled site not of your choice.
This use to be a nice campground and still is as far as looks and on the water that is.
The bad is....
Sites are too close together and some very unlevel.
No sewer hook-up
Pricey...$50+ a night
NO SENIOR DISCOUNTS....
Not budget friendly....
This is NOT the way most TVA campgrounds are run,,,,,,
Will not be back until New Managment......
For a State Park, Montgomery Bell is pretty great. We had a decent sized level site with large trees and a view to the creek. We walked a couple of the trails through the woods which were perfect after a long drive. The bathroom/showers were clean and the water was hot. A strong storm came up suddenly and the staff came by to check on every camper to make sure we were all inside and safe. After the storm passed, they came by again checking on every camper. The power went out for two hours, and the staff came by once more to keep us informed. The park is beautiful, but it's the super competent staff earned the excellent rating I gave this park.
Excellent in all ways. Even had entertainment each night. Very helpful staff.
Campground is well marked and super friendly people. Fire pits at every spot.
Awesome KOA campground, well located with easy access to all that Nashville has to offer. Campground is clean with tons of amenities, great pool, playgrounds, etc. We stayed in campsite and my elderly parents stayed in cabin, which worked out great. Would definitely return
Much better options in the area, this place is run by a pack of a holes.
Stayed with our van in the primitive sites here and had a great time! Very affordable and not many other campers (but if the group camp sites are booked I’d go elsewhere, they’re very close). The bathroom is super far away, but there was a portable potty for a few days until they inexplicably took it away. If you have a camping bathroom setup and are comfy going to get water if needed, it’s a great value and gives you want more privacy.
Also the showers here are the best I’ve ever experienced at a campground. They have signs saying you can shower for $5 even if you don’t camp here.
This is pinned wrong on Dyrt. If you clicked Waze directions on the other pin and you’re heading down Jennie Smith road, you’re heading the wrong way.
Sites a little closer than I like and no showers, but the ride in was beautiful and it’s free. Good place for a stopover.
In KOA’s classification system, this campground is classified as a “resort”. With that comes a high price tag. Our pull through patio site was $120/nt, and that was during early spring time. Is it worth it? Maybe during the summer as the pool is quite nice and there are plenty of activities. And of course the close proximity to Opryland and also downtown Nashville comes with a price. For our recent stay the price seemed a bit high for what we got. But still it’s a nice place and if you want to visit Nashville this will probably work fine for you.
Friendly, well kept rv park. Highway noise is really bad but there’s not anything they can do about that. Close by restaurants and Camping World for any needed supplies. Front desk is very friendly and happy to help with planning things to do.
Something for everyone! Tent spots, RV spots, cabins, back country spots! Lots of recreation opportunities here too! The lakes are great!
On the gorgeous Piney River! Tent camping and RV spots. Gets busy during holiday weekend and middle of summer but still a great place and worth a visit! Also a kayak rental company so you can camp and float the river.
I love Loretta Lynn's! Lots of options for all types of camping. They have equestrian spots, RV spots, tent spots, and cabins for rent. Plus so much to do on the property! Can get busy on holiday weekends when the weather is nice or if they are doing any events there! Otherwise you can easily find a spot here!
My brother and eldest son camp and watch the AMA national motocross championship hosted by LL.
The campground is quite large with lots of things to explore. A lot of the roads, especially around the campsites were in need of repair. I had full hookup with 30 amp service, though not all of the sites have sewer. All of the lakeside sites are taken up by resident campers (of which there are a lot). I had absolutely no cell service through Verizon and my T-Mobile 5g internet had no reception either (even with a booster). Luckily, I was able to rely on my Starlink. A lot of the buildings looked like they had seen better days, but were maintained as well as they could be. Staff were nice and pleasant. Meriwether Lewis death/gravesite was nearby and interesting to check out. Not a whole lot else to do in the area. There is a low bridge (11ft) that you need to pass under to get onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you can’t fit, you have to take Napier road north several miles. There is a wal-mart in town about 20 or so minutes away.
So many bad reviews for this site. Complainers!! Yes big hills and horrible roads in the park, but your in the sticks, sooo.... Plenty level spots. Some Sites are full and some are partial hook-ups. Plenty spots w easy access and plenty not so easy. Wifi is available to purchase $25 for the week, no issues thus far. Beautiful location. Natchez Trace Pkwy has plenty to learn and explore!!! Cute, lively little towns nearby that have kept up that old town look with awesome shops! In Hohenwald there is an elephant sanctuary. It has a location in town to teach about that sanctuary (No elephants are kept there)
Overall we enjoyed our stay at Cedar Point Campground.
Pros: Spacious sites, not very close together. Quiet and peaceful with beautiful views of Normandy Lake. Fishing, swimming and canoe/kayak rentals available. Friendly staff. Close to larger cities like Murfreesboro and about 15-20 mins to closest city for a quick store run. Fun Halloween event with trick or treating and contests for the kids!
Cons: The campground seems to be mostly seasonal campers, so there’s not a ton of interaction between guests or with hosts. Bathrooms were small and on the dirtier side. They were only cleaned once during our 3 weeks stay that we could tell. The on site store is very small and doesn’t offer too much. There’s no laundry available or playground for the kids.
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We went there to check out thank goodness this park is not as advertised it is for field workers
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Columbia, TN is Southport Saltpeter Cave with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Columbia, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
