Percy Priest Lake and the Cumberland River basin shape the camping experience around Dickson, Tennessee. Most RV parks near Dickson sit between 450-650 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-90°F. The area's limestone geology creates distinctive water clarity in local waterways, particularly noted at riverside camping areas where swimming spots feature visible rocky bottoms in depths up to 4 feet.
What to do
Water recreation opportunities: At Piney River Resort, visitors have direct access to the clear Piney River. "We enjoyed daily time sitting by the river while our kids play and swim," says one camper. The swimming hole allows cliff jumping for the adventurous, with another visitor noting, "We loved watching the younger crowd jump off the cliff into the water."
Fishing access: Fishing spots available within short walking distance at most area campgrounds. "Crystal clear and cold" water conditions as described by one visitor create good visibility for spotting fish, particularly in the mornings and evenings when lake traffic is reduced.
Nashville excursions: Several campgrounds provide shuttle services into Nashville for those wanting urban activities. A visitor at Nashville North mentioned, "We used their shuttle service into Nashville. There is a lot of traffic noise, but that didn't bother us as it may others."
What campers like
Waterfront positioning: Campers consistently rate waterfront sites highest for their views and direct water access. A visitor at Elm Hill RV Resort noted, "Most sites are waterfront and have great sunrise views. The sites are level and have nice firepits."
Evening entertainment: Live music features at several campgrounds during peak season. "Live music every night was nice," reported one visitor at Grand Ole RV Resort & Market, while another added, "The entertainment for NYE was seriously the most fun we've had out in a while. Nothing says Nashville like live country music!"
Site assistance: Staff help with parking and setup impressed many first-time visitors. "A man even led us to our site in a golf cart and helped my fiancé back in and park our trailer, which was a huge help," noted one camper, reflecting a common practice at several parks around Dickson.
What you should know
Site drainage concerns: Heavy rainfall can affect some camping areas. One visitor mentioned, "While our site was level, it does get a bit of flooding when it rains."
Railroad proximity: Train noise affects several parks in the region. A camper at Grand Ole RV Resort & Market reported, "Only downfall are the trains that operate 24/7 directly adjacent to the grounds. Trains rolling by at 3 am is not how I spend my night."
Cell service variability: Reception quality varies significantly across the region. At Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, a visitor reported, "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."
Bridge clearance issues: Some access roads have low clearance bridges. A reviewer warned, "Most importantly, there is a special way to get into this park. They have a low bridge right outside of their park that prevents you from getting here the easy way. The bridge is at 12ft if I remember correctly, it is too low for most 5th wheels and many class As."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Some campgrounds advertise playgrounds that are minimal. "They show a playset on their map and it was two regular swings and a baby swing. This was disappointing since we had little ones," reported one family at Grand Ole RV Resort & Market.
Kid-friendly water areas: Shallow entry points work best for families with small children. "Our girls enjoyed swimming, fishing, and kayaking," noted a visitor at Piney River Resort, adding it had "very peaceful campground right on the river!"
Management attitudes: Some parks cater more to adults than families. A parent staying at Four Corners RV Resort shared, "Bill doesn't like kids. He would prefer the camp to be 55+. Bill didn't like kids playing on the 'adult lounge swings'."
Tips from RVers
Site length verification: Some campgrounds list approximate measurements. "Be very cautious of the site lengths. Some are extremely short and I'd say the measurements are nearly exact. Since our site backed up to a drop off, there was a small fence so no way to 'hang over' the pad a little for extra room," advised one RVer.
Access road challenges: Approach routes can be challenging for larger rigs. A visitor to Piney River Resort cautioned, "The drive in from the highway was very scary on narrow, windy roads with dropoffs on the side. We took the staff recommended route in and Co-Pilot's route out and both were scary in our Class A towing a car hauler."
Traffic flow limitations: Site arrangement affects movement during busy periods. "The sites are very tight too. As mentioned above they are staggered so you still have the view, but it is pretty tight backing in. Also notable is when you are backing in you're blocking the entire road. The road is one way and there's not enough room to get around anyone. Makes for some traffic back ups during check in and check out."
