Montgomery Bell State Park offers a range of camping options near Dickson, Tennessee. The park spans 4,000 acres with terrain varying from flat camping areas to wooded hiking trails. Winter temperatures average 30-50°F while summer can reach 85-95°F with high humidity. Most campsites sit at around 500 feet elevation, providing campers with moderate hiking conditions.
What to do
Creek exploration: Montgomery Bell State Park has a small creek running through the campground where children can wade and play. As Tammy P. notes, "Children can wade in the creek all day, why parents enjoy sitting outside under all the shade trees."
Historic site visits: Loretta Lynn's Ranch features tours of the country music legend's homestead replica and museums. One visitor mentioned, "The tours of Loretta's homestead replica, her mansion and the museums was AMAZING! That would be the only reason I would ever return."
Water activities: Many campgrounds in the area offer fishing, boating, and swimming. At Natchez Trace RV Campground, you'll find "a large campground with a lot of full time campers on site. Nice lake at 102 sq acres in size." The park offers rentals for water recreation as another camper points out: "From relaxing by the water to renting a kayak or pontoon!"
What campers like
Peaceful creek sites: The small creek at Montgomery Bell provides a natural cooling spot. According to Tammy P., "Montgomery Bell State Park is very clean and quiet. We really enjoyed our spot by the creek."
Spacious tent sites: Henry Horton State Park receives praise for its tent camping areas. One camper notes, "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."
Family-friendly environment: Montgomery Bell State Park earns high marks from families. Amy P. shares, "We took our 3 young kids during monsoon season and the staff where amazing and getting the kids out and into nature!"
What you should know
Bridge clearance issues: Some campgrounds have access restrictions. At Natchez Trace RV Campground, "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."
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity varies by location. At Camping Off The Grid, the name accurately represents the experience - no hookups or cell service available. Similarly, one camper at Natchez Trace noted, "I had absolutely no cell service through Verizon and my T-Mobile 5g internet had no reception either (even with a booster)."
Equestrian considerations: While dedicated horse campgrounds near Dickson, Tennessee are limited, many parks offer trails suitable for day rides. Pack appropriate tack and check with park offices about trail conditions and permits before bringing horses.
Tips for camping with families
Central play areas: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation spaces. At Campers RV Park, "There are pavilions and out buildings setup with games, hammocks, and all kinds of fun family-friendly things to see and do."
Historical learning opportunities: The area offers educational experiences for children. Faith S. notes about Montgomery Bell State Park: "Great family friendly park with lots of hiking and historical sites. There is a beautiful waterfall and an adorable old church."
Swimming options: Multiple parks feature swimming areas. Henry Horton State Park has clean facilities and one camper mentioned, "We loved our stay at HHSP. Check-in was a breeze, setup was simple with a level site, and everyone there was friendly and helpful. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Montgomery Bell, experienced RVers recommend sites 1-8 for families. According to Stæven F., "With a great pavilion, Vb court, ball diamond, and playground, the far side of the camp is perfect for families, groups, and events. Our fave sites are 1-2, right next to the creek and the most updated bathrooms."
Utility hookups: Henry Horton State Park Campground offers reliable hookups. Randy C. shares, "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."
Seasonal planning: For those seeking equestrian-friendly campgrounds near Dickson, Tennessee, Loretta Lynn's Ranch provides options. According to Amelia R., "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!"
