Henry Horton State Park offers multiple camping options within a 1,140-acre natural area located along the Duck River in Tennessee. At just 45 minutes from Spring Hill, this area provides year-round access to diverse campground accommodations ranging from primitive sites to yurt camping. The park sits at approximately 650 feet elevation in the Central Basin region, characterized by rolling hills and limestone outcroppings. Winter temperatures average between 30-50°F while summer months typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity.
What to do
Hiking along creeks: Montgomery Bell State Park Campground offers several trails with water features. "There is a beautiful waterfall and an adorable old church," notes one visitor who enjoyed exploring the historical sites within the park. The trails provide varying difficulty levels suitable for different experience levels.
Explore Amish country: David Crockett State Park Campground serves as a convenient base for visiting local Amish communities. "We also explored the downtown square and then drove out to Amish country. We had the best time driving from house to house to purchase different goodies," reports one camper who made this cultural excursion part of their trip.
Cave exploration: Southport Saltpeter Cave offers a unique underground adventure just south of Columbia. "Enjoyed this rough camping trip and Spelunking with our Royal Ambassador boys (1st to 9th grade). Buddy gives a guided tour along with camping privileges," explains one visitor who combined primitive camping with cave exploration.
What campers like
Level sites: David Crockett State Park Campground receives consistent praise for site quality. "Our first time RVing and this is where we stayed!! We really liked that the pads were concrete and level....took a lot of pressure off of the leveling process," explains a first-time RVer who appreciated this feature when learning to set up their equipment.
Off-season tranquility: Several campgrounds offer excellent winter camping experiences. One camper at Cedars of Lebanon State Park noted, "We saw 10 deer one morning and hiked a trail with our 3 boys and 2 dogs," highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities during quieter seasons.
Water access: Four Corners RV Resort provides dedicated lake frontage. "We spent a week on a Lakefront site with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, we were right next to one of the courtesy docks where our family members picked us up on their boat," explains a visitor who valued the direct water access for recreational activities.
What you should know
Seasonal pest management: Mosquitoes can be problematic at lakefront locations during warm months. At Four Corners RV Resort, one visitor warned, "The first and last night we stayed the mosquitos were so bad we couldn't be outside. There were two nights in between that it was tolerable. I went out on the dock one night to fish and they were so thick it was impossible to not get bit by them."
Cell coverage variations: Natchez Trace RV Campground has limited connectivity. "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," reports one camper, highlighting the importance of planning for communication limitations.
Bridge clearance considerations: Access routes may have height restrictions. One reviewer cautions about Natchez Trace, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Montgomery Bell State Park Campground, site selection affects activity access. "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 1-8, with #1+2 right next to the creek and the most updated bathrooms. If you don't want kiddos walking through your campsite to get to the playground, you may want to choose a higher number."
Creek play opportunities: Several campgrounds feature safe water play areas. "The clear creek to play in is gorgeous! The park had so much to offer. Lots of hiking trails, covered bridge, fishing lake w/boat & kayak rentals plus a beautiful waterfall that is great for sunsets!" notes a family that visited David Crockett State Park.
Winter bathroom comfort: Yurt camping near Spring Hill during colder months requires consideration of facility heating. Many state parks maintain comfortable facilities year-round, with families noting the convenience of climate-controlled bathrooms when camping with children during winter months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Nashville KOA Resort, choosing the right location improves the experience. "We decided to try a back-in spot (R12) along the wall that separates the KOA from the RV campground next door. Nice and quiet, adequate shade during the day, and right next to the dog park!" advises an RVer who found this specific spot ideal.
Work-friendly camping: Some campgrounds provide sufficient connectivity for remote work. "We stayed at this campground recently and because the wifi coverage and speed was so good was actually able to 'work from home' here," explains a visitor to Henry Horton, noting infrastructure that supports digital nomads.
Narrow road navigation: Cedars of Lebanon State Park requires careful driving. "The only thing that was not ideal were how tight the roads were between campsites but it may have felt that way because we are new to hauling a camper," mentions a novice RVer who found the park's layout challenging to navigate with larger equipment.
