Percy Priest Lake surrounds many campgrounds near Franklin, Tennessee, with 14,200 acres of water and 213 miles of shoreline. Elevations range from 490 to 550 feet throughout the camping areas, with mature oak and hickory trees providing shade at many sites. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 70-80°F days.
What to do
Fishing access: Try the Anderson Road Campground for spacious lakefront sites where you can fish directly from your campsite. "This spot was among my favorites... The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water. Think how awesome it'd be to fish for supper right from the tent almost," notes reviewer DrDavid P.
Hiking trails: Explore Montgomery Bell State Park's network of trails surrounded by historical sites. "Great family friendly park with lots of hiking and historical sites. There is a beautiful waterfall and an adorable old church," shares Faith S., who found the park's natural and historical elements worth exploring.
Water activities: Visit Percy Priest Lake from April through October for swimming and boating. "We paddle boarded, swam, and kayaked. The pool area is nice and they had live music on Saturday night," mentions Raul M. from Elm Hill RV Resort, highlighting the variety of water recreation options available.
What campers like
Clean bathrooms: Four Corners RV Resort maintains spotless facilities that campers consistently praise. "Bathhouse is spotless. It is attached to the marina (but the marina is situated on the far end) and they rent kayaks, paddle boards, and golf carts," writes Susan & Kevin W. about this newer lakeside property.
Level sites: Henry Horton State Park Campground offers well-maintained, level sites for comfortable setup. "We ended up booking another site to stay another couple of days because we loved it so much. Some sites are level, some aren't," notes Ashley F., who visited during the off-season in November.
Privacy between sites: Seven Points provides wooded sites with good separation between campers. "The bathrooms are nice and camp sites are set up to be quite spacious/private with good tree coverage for even summer camping," explains Wendy J., who recommends getting a spot on or across from the lake.
What you should know
Seasonal mosquitoes: Be prepared for insects at lakeside campsites, especially at dawn and dusk. "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," warns Chris L. from Four Corners RV Resort.
Holiday crowds: Montgomery Bell State Park Campground can get very busy during peak times. "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. Too many people, dogs and kids that are too close together," cautions Jody A.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider campsite location relative to facilities. At Poole Knobs, "the bathrooms were ridiculously hard to get to. If you get a site along the lake, expect a long walk and then an arduous climb to the bathroom and showers or hop in your vehicle and drive there," shares Larry R.
Tips for camping with families
Playground areas: Seven Points offers family-friendly amenities and lakeside swimming. "VERY nice campground! Everything is very well kept and neat. We were located close to all of the sights we were going to and had the bonus of a very scenic campground to explore!" says Sara D., highlighting its appeal to families.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized programming. "We took our 3 young kids during monsoon season and the staff where amazing and getting the kids out and into nature!" shares Amy P. about Montgomery Bell State Park, demonstrating how staff can help engage children even in challenging weather.
Biking opportunities: Choose campgrounds with paved roads for young cyclists. "The sites are fairly close together but still provide some privacy. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes. We loved it here and will definitely return," recommends Laur H. about Henry Horton State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site length accuracy: Check measurements carefully when booking at Nashville KOA Resort. "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," advises Beth H.
Pet-friendly options: Nashville I-24 Campground welcomes pets with a dedicated dog walking area. "The dog walking area is well-maintained, and the park enforces its pet rules consistently," notes a visitor who appreciates the pet friendly camping near Franklin, Tennessee.
Leveling considerations: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "This is not bad for a stop near (sort of) the highway. Spots are good size, but gravel. Roads are wide but camp sites are on a berm so our truck angled down. This caused the hitch height to increase making it difficult to un/hitch," explains Captmatt from Nashville I-24 Campground.
