Camping options near Winchester, Tennessee extend beyond equestrian facilities to include state parks, lakeside spots, and wooded retreats. The region sits within the Highland Rim, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet and a moderate climate that averages 55-75°F from April through October. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with peak season running May through September, allowing campers to enjoy the oak-hickory forests and limestone terrain characteristic of southern Tennessee.
What to do
Water activities at Tims Ford Lake: Fairview Campground at Tims Ford State Park offers direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. "Great campground on the water and spacious sites. Water access at your campsite to swim or kayak," notes Clinton N. The park maintains kayak rentals through the office for those without their own equipment.
Hiking the Walls of Jericho: Located about 30 miles east of Winchester, this challenging 7-mile round-trip trail leads to a natural amphitheater with waterfalls. "The rock formations are truly beautiful and fairly unique to this camping area. When its hot out, there are places to go for a swim and wash/cool off," shares Ethan K. The trailhead parking is accessible from either Alabama or Tennessee sides.
Stargazing at rural campgrounds: Ray of Hope Guest Ranch provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "We watched the moon rise over a hill directly in front of the campsite, and we even saw a brilliant shooting star blaze across the sky for what seems like an eternity," according to Jeremy H. The yurt camping area sits on a hillside with nearly unobstructed views of the night sky.
Fossil hunting along creek beds: Red Coach Resort, 45 minutes northwest of Winchester, offers unique paleontological opportunities. "Did I mention fossils? All over the place some of the oldest creatures to crawl the earth are there for you to find! I'm not kidding we saw trilobites everywhere along the creek," says Bruce G. The creek areas are accessible via walking paths throughout the property.
What campers like
Lakeside campsites: Fairview Campground receives consistent praise for its waterfront sites. "Beautiful, clean, well-maintained campground along Tims Ford Lake. Most campsites are on the water with incredible views. The campsites are shady and nicely spaced," writes Tony D. Sites along the water don't have sewer hookups but offer superior views and direct lake access.
Private fire rings and patios: Manchester KOA (now Rvino - The Broken Banjo) offers upgraded site amenities. "What we first noticed was the large cement patio with table, chairs, bench, stand up barbecue, and fire pit," MickandKarla W. mentions. The "Premium" sites include wrought iron furniture and maintained fire facilities.
Peaceful state park settings: Henry Horton State Park provides a tranquil atmosphere within driving distance of Nashville. "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," explains RL. The park offers diverse camping options from primitive sites to full-hookup RV spots.
Wide open spaces: Sharon Johnston Park in nearby Alabama features expansive grounds. "The park is about 200 acres and the RV sites are located through gate one. There are three rows of sites and the best ones in my opinion are the ones located against the treeline/creek," reports M&P M. The park's layout allows for significant recreational space beyond the campsites themselves.
What you should know
Trail difficulty at Walls of Jericho: Walls of Jericho requires moderate hiking experience. "The trail is full of swithbacks. There are tree markers on the trail to mark the turns but at times they are easy to lose. There are also some random trees marked that are not on the trail. So watch out for that. The hike out is much tougher than the way in, so pack light," advises Aaron S. The elevation change makes the return trip considerably more strenuous.
Seasonal water levels: Water features vary significantly throughout the year. "In September the water level was low and the waterfalls were not flowing. But there is a spring that runs out of a cave on a cliff to the left of the amphitheater, so water is not an issue," notes Aaron S. about Walls of Jericho. Plan visits in spring for optimal waterfall viewing.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to highways. "This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic," warns Scotty W. about Manchester KOA. Select interior sites when possible if road noise is a concern.
Primitive bathroom conditions: Some campgrounds with no fees have limited facilities. Regarding Davis Pond, Tessa B. notes, "I took off a star because the bathroom looks like an actual third world country, covered in trash and bugs and who knows what else. I didn't stay long to look at it in detail. It was very rudimentary and disgusting." Always check facility conditions before booking primitive sites.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple recreation options: Henry Horton State Park offers comprehensive family activities. "Perfect for families! 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. 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," shares Laur H. The park maintains paved roads suitable for beginning cyclists.
Space for children to explore: Sharon Johnston Park provides extensive play areas. "It's a great site to bring the kids. In the summer the pool is open which is great for the hot days. There's also a track, a baseball field, and soccer fields so I've seen many athletic events held there. When we go, our kids run free -- there are 200 acres of open space and a lake so they have a great time," explains M&P M. The park also includes a Pioneer Village for educational exploration.
Swimming opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming access during summer months. "We had the best time! Loved being right on the lake," says Misty C. about Fairview Campground. Water access provides natural cooling during hot Tennessee summers when temperatures frequently reach 90°F from June through August.
Site selection for family privacy: Choose sites strategically at busier campgrounds. "We ended up booking another site to stay another couple of days because we loved it so much," mentions Ashley F. about Henry Horton State Park. Visiting during off-season (November-March) provides more site options and fewer crowds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Henry Horton State Park has variable site leveling. "Some sites are level, some aren't," notes Ashley F. Check campground maps or call ahead to request level sites for larger rigs, particularly if your RV exceeds 30 feet.
Pull-through convenience: Manchester KOA offers easy-access sites. "Site 27 was the easiest pull through we've ever had as its angled straight in from the street, no turns or maneuvering to center the rig," shares MickandKarla W. The site design accommodates larger rigs without complicated backing maneuvers.
Size limitations at some parks: Fairview Campground may present challenges for larger RVs. "Great location. Sites are not set up for large campers," cautions Jennifer R. Some waterfront sites have access limitations that may not accommodate RVs over 35 feet.
Hookup variations: RV sites often have different hookup configurations even within the same campground. "We are in a 35' 5th Wheel. Most sites easy access, some sites maybe tight for bigger Rigs. Some sites have Full Hook-up, 50 amp. (Sewer not available on water sites.)," explains Becky S. about Fairview Campground. Request specific hookup requirements when making reservations.
