Montgomery Bell State Park Campground offers a family-oriented experience with clean facilities and ample shade trees. Cabins near Dickson, Tennessee range from rustic to deluxe, with options varying seasonally. Winter cabin camping is available at most locations, though amenities may be limited during colder months when daytime temperatures average 45-55°F.
What to do
Creek exploration: Montgomery Bell State Park Campground has several creeks where children can play while adults relax. According to one visitor, "we really enjoyed our spot by the creek. Children can wade in the creek all day, why parents enjoy sitting outside under all the shade trees."
Waterfalls and hiking: Fall Hollow Resort offers access to waterfall trails. A camper noted, "It is located right across from the Natchez Trace Parkway (waterfalls) and 8 miles from town with a golf course."
Fishing and water activities: Piney River Resort features clear water for fishing and swimming. One review mentions, "Between fishing, riding the trails, having campfires and watching the fireflies I don't know what we enjoyed better."
Historical sites: Visit Loretta Lynn's Ranch for cultural attractions. A visitor shared, "The best part of our stay was the tour of the plantation and Loretta Lynn's Museum."
What campers like
Rustic accommodations: Primitive cabin camping options range from $10-20 for basic sites. A visitor at Fall Hollow Resort said, "I stay in the creek side primitive tent sites and they are awesome. They are spaced well enough to where you don't really have neighbors and are secluded enough to get your fix."
Creek-side cabins: Waterfront cabin rentals offer natural cooling and water sounds. One guest at Montgomery Bell State Park Campground mentioned, "Our fave sites are 1-8, with #1+2 right next to the creek and the most updated bathrooms."
Peaceful settings: Rental cabins away from busy areas provide quiet retreats. A Piney River Resort visitor noted, "The quietest campground we've ever stayed at. Only recreational things to do is swim in the river, catch crawfish, and fish."
Family-friendly amenities: Many cabin sites include pavilions and playgrounds. One visitor mentioned, "With a great pavilion, Vb court, ball diamond, and playground, the far side of the camp is perfect for families, groups, and events."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book cabin rentals early, especially for waterfront locations. One visitor at Piney River Resort advised, "Sites are able to booked 6 months ahead, so think ahead."
Site selection: Cabin locations vary widely in shade, privacy, and access. A camper at Henry Horton State Park Campground noted, "Sites are fairly close together but still provide some privacy."
Weekend crowds: Holiday weekends bring significantly more visitors. A Montgomery Bell camper observed, "This place is OK when it's not a busy weekend. We stayed on Memorial Day Weekend and it was completely full. When it's full, it's just TOO full."
Bathroom facilities: Bathhouse quality varies between locations. A visitor mentioned, "They do a great job keeping the grounds clean and well manicured. I love this spot and it will be a regular stop here in Tennessee."
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for kids: Select cabin sites near playgrounds but not on pathways. A visitor advised, "If you don't want kiddos walking through your campsite to get to the playground, you may want to choose a higher number."
Kid-friendly water access: Piney Campground offers shallow water areas for younger children. A camper noted, "Water was warm and calm being off the main lake. Piney cove is pretty shallow and we could walk out into the water a good 30-40ft before getting too deep."
Staff interaction: Park staff often provide special attention to families. One Montgomery Bell visitor shared, "we took our 3 young kids during monsoon season and the staff where amazing and getting the kids out and into nature!"
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer historical sites within walking distance. A visitor mentioned, "Great family friendly park with lots of hiking and historical sites. There is a beautiful waterfall and an adorable old church."
Tips from RVers
Access roads: Some cabin rental areas have challenging approach roads. A Piney River Resort visitor cautioned, "The drive in from the highway was very scary on narrow, windy roads with dropoffs on the side."
Site leveling: Cabins with RV hookups may require leveling equipment. A camper noted, "We had a site up on hill farther from the river (which was lovely) but we couldn't get level and couldn't put our slides out."
Connectivity: Internet access varies widely between parks. A Nashville KOA Resort visitor reported, "5 bars of 5Ge on AT&T and the campground WiFi was good enough to get some work done."
Parking logistics: Space for additional vehicles may be limited at cabin sites. A visitor mentioned, "The site I had was a little awkward backing into and the water hookup was on the wrong side for my camper."
