Tims Ford Lake sits at approximately 895 feet above sea level with over 265 miles of shoreline near Winchester, Tennessee. The area features a humid subtropical climate with warm summers averaging 85-90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 25°F. Most campgrounds near Winchester remain open year-round, with lakeside sites often requiring reservations 2-3 months in advance during summer.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers several waterfall hikes along the Duck River. "The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike," notes Michael P. about Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park. The park combines historical elements with natural beauty.
Mountain biking access: Monte Sano State Park provides technical trails for bikers of various skill levels. "Great hiking and mountain biking," reports Brent W. about Monte Sano State Park Campground. The park maintains specific trails designated for mountain biking with varying difficulty levels.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds offer disc golf as an additional recreational option. A camper at Bigfoot Adventure notes, "They seem to be adding things… disc golf maybe. Great park with clean facilities," according to Frank A. The course provides an alternative activity for days when water recreation isn't preferred.
Kayak exploration: Cedar Point Campground allows direct water access from campsites. "We brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite," shares Michael T. about Cedar Point Campground. The calm lake waters provide ideal conditions for paddlers of all experience levels.
What campers like
Direct lake access: Marion County Park offers immediate water access from many sites. "We had a large site. Picnic table and fire ring. Easy access to water from site and had two boat launches," notes Ronald S. about Marion County Park. The proximity to water makes loading and unloading watercraft convenient.
Spacious sites: Cedar Point campers appreciate the generous site dimensions. "Spacious sites, not very close together. Quiet and peaceful with beautiful views of Normandy Lake," reports @HomegrownRV about Cedar Point Campground. Sites have ample room for both camping equipment and recreational space.
Clean facilities: While not luxurious, most campgrounds maintain acceptable bathhouses. "Bathhouses with shower are close and pretty clean," mentions Michael T. about Cedar Point. Many campgrounds perform daily maintenance on facilities during peak season.
Wildlife viewing: The wooded settings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "We had deer in our site everyday," B M. shares about Old Stone Fort State Park. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Lakefront sites book quickly during summer months. "It's not a huge campground so you may want to reserve early," advises Doug H. about Fairview Campground — Tims Ford State Park. Premium waterfront sites often require booking 3-4 months in advance.
Site limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV sizes. "Great location. Sites are not set up for large campers," Jennifer R. notes about Fairview Campground. Many older campgrounds have limited infrastructure for larger modern RVs.
Road noise concerns: Campgrounds near highways experience traffic sound. "The main downfall is that the campground is close to interstate (noise)," explains Kayla L. regarding Manchester KOA. Sites further from roads typically offer quieter environments.
Seasonal differences: Some amenities close during off-peak months. "The pool was closed when we were there," mentions Joel R. about Manchester KOA. Many water-based activities and amenities operate only between May and September.
Tips for camping with families
Scout for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "There are cool little wooden play obstacles for the kids in the campground and a huge playground 1/2 mile away inside the park," Greg S. shares about Monte Sano State Park. Playgrounds provide entertainment during downtime at camp.
Halloween events: Some campgrounds host seasonal activities. @HomegrownRV notes about Rvino - The Broken Banjo: "Fun Halloween event with trick or treating and contests for the kids!" These special events typically occur on weekends in October.
Swimming options: Cedar Point provides designated swimming areas. "There is a decent swimming beach with sand," Michael T. explains. The maintained beach areas offer safer swimming conditions than unmarked shorelines.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites combine learning with recreation. "The museum was neat there's a lot of History there," B M. comments about Old Stone Fort State Park. Many parks offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choosing the right location affects comfort and convenience. "We were in site #22 the best site was #21," advises B M. about Old Stone Fort State Park. Corner sites and those at the end of loops typically offer more space and privacy.
Electrical capacity: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup capabilities. Becky S. explains about Bigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground: "Some sites have Full Hook-up, 50 amp. (Sewer not available on water sites.)." Verify electrical requirements match available connections before booking.
Pull-through accessibility: Some sites offer easier access for larger vehicles. "The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided," Timothy T. notes about Cedar Point Campground. Pull-through sites eliminate backing requirements but often provide less privacy than back-in sites.
Level pad importance: Many campers recommend checking site levelness. "We stopped overnight and did not have to disconnect, as we were perfectly level," Scotty W. shares about Manchester KOA. Properly leveled sites reduce setup time and stabilizer requirements.
