Best Tent Camping near Franklin, TN
Searching for a tent campsite near Franklin? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Franklin campgrounds for you and your tent. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Franklin campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Franklin, TN (16)
1. Long Hunter State Park Campground
J Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee7 Reviews•59 Photos•126 SavesBackcountry Camping- Reservation Required
Long Hunter has 2 primitive campsites for tent camping only, each site has a designated fire ring. Both sites are wooded, offering shade, they are located on the shoreline of J.Percy Priest Lake.
A 6-mile hike is required to reach the sites, beginning at the parking lot, using the Day Loop/Volunteer Trailhead. Backpacking equipment is strongly suggested. There is no running water, electricity, restrooms or heated showers available. Water must be filtered from natural sources or carried in. The campsites are open year-round. Campsite capacity ranges from 8-10 persons. What to Know Before You Go
Reservations are required for ALL backcountry camping. Your reservation receipt is your permit. A copy of the camping receipt MUST on your person, during your overnight stay. A copy of the camping receipt or a piece of paper with the name associated with the reservation MUST be placed in the dash of each vehicle that is to be parked overnight at the trail head. No hiking on trails after dark. Please allow enough time to reach your destination in daylight. The last permit issued will be 2-3 hours before sunsetPet Policy
Leashed pets are allowed on this site.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
2. Bells Bend Park
Pegram, Tennessee3 Reviews•20 Photos•69 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$10 - $11 / night
3. Whooping Crane Farm
Ashland City, Tennessee2 Reviews•24 Photos•50 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$100 / night
4. Smith Springs
La Vergne, Tennessee2 Reviews•13 Photos•25 SavesOverview
Smith Springs Recreation Area is a lakeside oasis in the hills of middle Tennessee, providing visitors with countless recreational activities on the lake and in the surrounding woods and grasslands.
Recreation
The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from, including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass, and white bass. Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream and trout provide excellent opportunities for younger anglers. Nearby Anderson Road Fitness Trail is a paved trail winding a little over a mile through the cedar glade area beside the lake.
Facilities
Smith Springs Recreation Area offers a large group shelter for day use and can accommodate up to 50 guests. There is limited parking suitable only for 12 vehicles.
Natural Features
J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers lakes to have recreation as part of its justification. The dam, completed in 1968, impounds 42 miles, with 14,200 surface acres of water. In soothing contrast to the sparkling waters of the lake are the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands. A highlight of the region, the Cedar Glades Natural Area, is home to countless wildlife and plant species, including the Tennessee coneflower.
Nearby Attractions
J. Percy Priest Lake is conveniently located about 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, offering visitors countless cultural activities and the conveniences of a metro area.
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Group
$45 / night
6. Stones River Getaway
Murfreesboro, Tennessee1 Review•17 Photos•10 SavesOur beautiful setting overlooks the West Fork of the Stones River. With walk-in access to the water, the camp is perfect for exploring a thriving river system (2, 6, and 8 mile floats are easy since take-out points are just up the road a piece or just paddle up and down the river, depending on the rains). The river is wadable most of the year. Smallmouth and seasonal trout make for easy fishing. The river is home to an abundance of birds, turtles, and fur-bearing friends.
The tent is equipped with a queen bed, sheets and blankets, a heater for the colder nights and fans for the warmer ones. We have an additional pop up tent that can accommodate 2 people, however you will need to bring a sleeping bag. We also have space for more pop-up tents, so if you have a bigger group there will be plenty of space to spread out. The tent is off-grid but we provide battery operated lights, a charging power bank and the ability to use electric plugs outside our house if there is a real need.
Two rock beaches on our property are across from a river island! Beyond that is a small creek and 190 acres of vacant land.
In case you run out of Lunchables, we have several methods for camp cooking with fire or our dual-fuel Coleman stove. Keep your refreshments fresh all weekend with our big Coleman cooler.
If you don't feel like cooking, Downtown Nashville (40 minutes) and Murfreesboro (15 minutes) are close for campers needing an escape from nature. Last minute supplies are just minutes away.
We provide board games, outdoor games, kayaks for rent, tubes for rent, fishing gear for rent and other seasonal amenities!
Because the location is very convenient, it also comes with passing cars and the hum of I-840 in the distance mingling harmoniously with the babbling brook. The groundhogs and kingfishers don't seem to mind it too much.
Please let us know if you need an earlier check in or later check out. We will always try to accommodate if we can.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Tent Cabin
$112 - $160 / night
7. Southport Saltpeter Cave
Mount Pleasant, Tennessee2 Reviews•4 Photos•69 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$10 / night
8. Old Hickory Beach
Hendersonville, Tennessee1 Review•22 Photos•14 SavesOverview
Old Hickory Beach sits along the lengthy shoreline of Old Hickory Lake. The day-use area is perfect for visitors looking to spend a day on the lake or lounging on the beach. Entertaining is easy with a large group picnic shelter accommodating up to 100 guests and grills for cooking out. Birders can find a mix of waterfowl, wading birds, migratory songbirds and the occasional Blue heron or Snowy egret. Other wildlife in the area includes wild turkey, rabbits and white-tailed deer.
Recreation
Swimming and sailing are popular activities on the lake, while anglers will find an abundant population of catfish, crappie and bass for exceptional bank and boat fishing. Hikers can explore the 1.1-mile Old Hickory Lake Nature Trail, featuring three loops (the Woodland Loop, Willow Swamp Loop and the Wildlife Loop), covering varying terrain. The trail is located below Old Hickory Dam near the tailwater parking lot.
Facilities
A sandy swimming beach, a playground for the kids, small shelter near the beach and water, large reserveable shelter, and boat ramps.
Natural Features
Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500 acre reservoir created by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam on the Cumberland River. The lake is named after former president Andrew Jackson, a Tennessee-native nicknamed "Old Hickory" for his tough and aggressive personality.
Nearby Attractions
Take in the nightlife of downtown Nashville if city entertainment beckons or stick with the great outdoors and sit on the fishing piers at Rockland, Sanders Ferry, Shutes Branch, and Bledsoe Creek State Park. The lake is also near the Hermitage, the plantation where U.S. President Andrew Jackson lived in the early 1800s.
Charges & Cancellations
If a customer cancels a group day use facility (shelter) reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service charge.
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Group
$75 / night
9. Laguardo
Mount Juliet, Tennessee2 Reviews•4 SavesOverview
Not far from Nashville, Laguardo is a great day-trip destination for kids and families. It offers a playground, boat ramp, and sandy beach to keep both the kids and adults entertained. Visitors looking for a little more action will find this area is also ideal for bank fishing.
Recreation
Laguardo is a popular spot for picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports with a convenient boat ramp located within the facility.
Facilities
The group picnic shelter holds up to 50 guests and parking may be available for up to 50 vehicles. A restroom facility, family friendly playground, swimming area with sandy beach, and picnic tables located throughout the park are also available.
Natural Features
Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500 acre reservoir created by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam on the Cumberland River. The lake is surrounded by wooded areas and grassy flatlands in addition to 440 miles of scenic shoreline.
Nearby Attractions
Just across the Old Hickory Lake to the North, hikers and cyclist can enjoy the trails at Lock 4 Park. Mountain bikers may also try the Shutes Branch Mountain Biking Trail. In Hendersonville, located at the dam, Archers and bow hunters can sharpen their skills using the Old Hickory Lake Archery Range and trail.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
$85 - $120 / night
10. Camp Nashville Highland Rim
Goodlettsville, Tennessee1 Review•12 Photos•32 SavesSecluded hilltop primitive camping nestled among the hardwoods near Nashville.
Amenities: community water hydrant, fire pit, vault toilet, tent shower (cold & hot water).
Supply your own tent, hammock, vehicle, and camping gear. No electricity.
Choose your favorite available camping space upon arrival.
Base price includes two adults (18 or older) per reservation. Under 18 no cost with adult reservation.
Contact host for special requests, and tips for local amenities.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$32 - $45 / night
Recent Tent Reviews in Franklin
550 Reviews of 16 Franklin Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
Legend
Nashville KOA
Okay KOA Stay
Our GPS brought us right to this KOA resort near the Grand Old Opry. Check-in was fairly quick and we were escorted to pull through site J-2 with FHUs and KOA patio. The utilities are more to the front of the site with two sewer connections. We had decent water pressure. This campground (CG) has a lot of mature trees that would make satellite iffy depending on the site. We got 4 bars on Verizon and used our MiFi versus Starlink for our overnight stay. The KOA WiFi was very good when we tried it. The CG has the upgraded sites, cabins, and amenities to include a shuttle bus stop to make this a true resort. However, there are sections of, as they say around here,“residents that have been here a minute.” For the most part their areas are clean, but when someone starts their old diesel truck up at 3:45 AM for 15 minutes before going to work it takes away from the resort ambiance. There’s also a lot of interstate noise. The playground area across from us went crazy with kids running around and screaming with no adult supervision. The office staff was very nice and helpful. We stopped by the office to let them know that one of our sewer connections was missing a cap. The issue was fixed before we go back to our campsite. The gift shop at the office is well stocked with sundry items and souvenirs. Overall, this KOA was a pleasant experience.
Kevin C.
Ranger
Meriwether Lewis Campground
Beautiful and Free!!
Came in on a Tuesday in late October and found about 10 campsites occupied, so lots to choose from. The campsite has two adjoining loop roads. The lower loop has a bathroom with flush toilets and sinks.
The campground appears to be very well maintained. There is not much privacy between campsites as there are only a few trees and no shubbery between campsites.
We met two other camping groups that were simply delightful Americans.
Devin R.
TravelerMeriwether Lewis Campground
Hey, It’s Free
I was really looking forward to this place on my way to Arkansas. However, as soon as I turned into the camping area I was “greeted” by not one but TWO off leash dogs barking and running toward my van (they were not together). Fortunately, I took vinegar spray with me when I took my dog for a walk. It was a useful deterrent when one of the loose dogs ran at us. I yelled to put the dog on leash but of course nobody emerged from the van. On the return trip I made sure to have my spray and body pointed straight toward the dog who was just waiting for me to turn around so he could attack again. If you want a flat spot, a pull through spot, or one that you can’t smell the toilets, get there early! I got there around noon and maybe 15 people were there. By sundown most spots were taken…on a Tuesday. Restrooms toward the entrance were nice with running water and flush toilets.
M D.
Scout
Harpeth River Bridge Campground (TN)
Peaceful beauty
We cook, kayak, camp, & fish. It has a peaceful family atmosphere, beautiful sunsets*, clean grounds & bathhouse , safe & secure sights, gated at night and patrolled daily by Sherrifs Dept.
tinus B.Scout
Heritage Campground and RV Park
Real cute
Very friendly staff, nice surroundings of Amish settlement, campground itself looks old but, heritage, it’s great.
- tinus B.Scout
Two Rivers Campground
Top campground
Price ok, friendly staff, facilities ok, live music and shuttle service togo downtown. That’s all we need.
James R.Ranger
Thousand Trails Natchez Trace
Older campgrounds
It’s a large campground with a lot of full time campers on site. Nice lake at 102 sq acres in size. Did have an issue that most sites are only 50 or 30amp hookups only, so I had to borrow a 30 to 120 adapter. The hiking trails were closed which sucked since I was looking forward to a hike with the dog. They are building a new pool. Good luck getting a lakeside site since I was told only 8 are available and are full most of the time.
Donald S.Scout
Marcella Falls RV Park and Campground
Beautiful! Like going back in time!
It was so cool sitting outside and watching the amish buggies drive by! We visited some amish farms close by and found all kinds of stuff! Their candy is so good!!!
- AArt Z.
GuideTwo Rivers Campground
Super Convenient for Visiting Nashville
We stayed two nights. In a perfect world, I would give Two Rivers only four stars because the scenery isn't much. But given where they are located, crammed in with two other RV parks and a Camping World all next to the highway, there isn't any way to make things better.
The people are super friendly and helpful. The sites, though small, are clean and well maintained. The electricity and water both worked as they should. We ended up with a site without sewer so had to use the dump station but that was easy to access and clean.
We will definitely stay at Two Rivers Campground the next time we come to Nashville.
- ppaulGuide
Tanbark Campground
Very Nice Overnight Stay
We stayed one night. It was very nice. Cash or check only. Veteran and other discounts. Inexpensive. Check in after 12:00 Check out 11:00. Pull through full hookup 30/50A service. Fast friendly check in. Some sites gravel, some asphalt. Older building for restrooms and laundry, but meticulously maintained. Level enough that I didn't unhook, just lowered jacks for stabilization. I don't see where the complaints about space come from. All of the tight spaces are taken by full time residents. We had more than enough room for a 36' 5th wheel with 3 slideouts, a cargo carrier on the back, tow vehicle (which I didn't have to unhook) and a second vehicle. We could have fit another car if needed. The person behind us parked his truck between his rig and ours. In front was a fire ring on a 12' wide patch of grass. There are full time residents here, but most of the rigs look a lot nicer than other places we've seen. Beautiful area. Was surprised how low the road noise is being so close to an interstate. We wouldn't even hear it if our door was shut. Very quiet. We would definitely stay here again. Thank you for recognizing veterans and offering a discount.
OliverTraveler
Meriwether Lewis Campground, Milepost 385.9 — Natchez Trace Parkway
Nice little primitive place
It's just numbered spots with fire rings and picnic tables. I tent camp so it was perfect for me and I really liked it.
- James R.Ranger
Meriwether Lewis Campground
Free site
Nice first come free camping location just off the Trace. Grounds seem to be keep up on every time I’ve been there.
- JJochen H.Traveler
Two Rivers Campground
Expensive and loud
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nice staff
-
restrooms o.k.
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over 90 Dollars with 3 Kids 🫣
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loud (near the street).
Not our place, but good to explore the city with a cheap Shuttle to downtown.
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James R.GuideMeriwether Lewis Campground
Free sites
Nice location just off the Trace! Nice free getaway spot with plenty to do around.
- AArthur P.Scout
Lock A
“Best Value”
Senior Pass $12/night. Wide, level campsite on the water. Very nice and well kept. Great Starlink access.
Gloria L.ScoutNashville KOA
Very bad, costly experience
Ugh, I hate to write bad reviews...but this was, to us, such a bad experience, from what I call deceptive pricing, to location within camp, no signage/direction locators, crowding, safety issues, and more. 1) Our"delux" cabin was located/surrounded in a row filled with BIG RVs. 2) There was no signage/location indicators at the dark row corners or roads within park. It is even hard to identify what are actually road at night so finding it at night amongst the HUGH RVs was horrific! 3) There was no sidewalks or places to walk except on the one lane roads...this is unsafe for kids, especially if you have to go out at night. 4) The"Deluxe" cabin is small, but tha bathtub is REALLY small. More of a small kids tub. 5) Air conditioner is across from foot of bed. The grid on the front of ours was broken, so the air came straight at us on bed, made the bed sheets feel moist and uncomfortable to sleep on. 6) Sun shines in from window above tub into room blinding you, we had to stuff a towel over it. 7) Crowding. Spaces are small, so there are BIG RVs boxing you in everywhere. 8) Floor tiles are warped on edges, you can tell animals have went to the bathroom on them. 9) Floor was dirty (room itself was clean and looked good and so was the bed sheets) 10) Pricing, to me, was deceptive, see my receipt. In making the reservation online, I put 2 adults and 2 pets. It came up$182.69 as a total and I paid that. There is a note that other charges for"additional" adults, pets, etc may apply. It says"additional" not that they don't charge you for your pets until you get there. So I had to pay an additional $58...making my total for the night almost $250. Would never stay again!
- Megan A.Guide
Two Rivers Campground
Nice place!
Only negative is you must bring your own fireplace and it must be raised off the ground. Parking with our truck and trailer was a little awkward, we were a little too long for the spot we were in and the person next to us had the same issue. The staff was super friendly and everything was well kept. Everything else was pretty much everything you’d expect from an rv park. There’s a $10 round trip shuttle that takes you to downtown Nashville from the campground parking lot which is super convenient!
- EEric R.Scout
Barton Springs Campground
Dynamic pricing
Use to be one of my favorite campgrounds. Campspot has turned it into a money racket. Educate yourself and look up dynamic pricing which nothing but greed. If you see prices over their normal it’s dynamic. Not to mention site lock which if isn’t paid they could move you to an unleveled site not of your choice.
Gary C.ScoutBarton Springs Campground
Not Senior Friendly any longer
This use to be a nice campground and still is as far as looks and on the water that is.
The bad is....
Sites are too close together and some very unlevel.
No sewer hook-up
Pricey...$50+ a night
NO SENIOR DISCOUNTS....
Not budget friendly....
This is NOT the way most TVA campgrounds are run,,,,,,
Will not be back until New Managment......
Pam R.Guide
Montgomery Bell State Park Campground
Pretty park with Excellent staff
For a State Park, Montgomery Bell is pretty great. We had a decent sized level site with large trees and a view to the creek. We walked a couple of the trails through the woods which were perfect after a long drive. The bathroom/showers were clean and the water was hot. A strong storm came up suddenly and the staff came by to check on every camper to make sure we were all inside and safe. After the storm passed, they came by again checking on every camper. The power went out for two hours, and the staff came by once more to keep us informed. The park is beautiful, but it's the super competent staff earned the excellent rating I gave this park.
- Charles M.Scout
Two Rivers Campground
Don’t go anywhere else
Excellent in all ways. Even had entertainment each night. Very helpful staff.
- JJustin H.Scout
Montgomery Bell State Park Campground
Great
Campground is well marked and super friendly people. Fire pits at every spot.
Kathy L.RangerNashville KOA
Great location
Awesome KOA campground, well located with easy access to all that Nashville has to offer. Campground is clean with tons of amenities, great pool, playgrounds, etc. We stayed in campsite and my elderly parents stayed in cabin, which worked out great. Would definitely return
Megan C.Guide
Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground
Great Campground, Large Paved Pads, Close to Nashville, BUT CONSTRUCTION!
We camped here for 2 full weeks. The campground at Cedars of Lebanon State Park deserves 5 stars for their proximity to Nashville, the large paved pads for campers, the peaceful woods, and their overall cleanliness.
However, we were here when there was construction going on. It was LOUD from 8am to 4, 5, and even 6pm somedays with working trucks and digging up the Tennessee Rock.
The weekends were peaceful without the construction, and the trails are all easy and flat. The showers worked well and were the typical campground showers.
The wifi that is listed on the website is basically nonexistent, so don't count on that for anything important. But Verizon had good service, while AT&T was fair.
Only Campground 3 was open during our stay and you can see the work they are doing here is going to make a huge difference to be big rig friendly. Enjoy!
- RRoosterScout
Barton Springs Campground
There's better options.
Much better options in the area, this place is run by a pack of a holes.
- aadam S.Scout
Grand Ole RV Resort & Market
Great First Experience
I’m in Nashville frequently due to work. First time traveling with the camper, and chose this place after seeing it a few times. They were great. Clean report and nice people.
Lucy P.Ranger
Henry Horton State Park Campground
Highly recommend primitive camping
Stayed with our van in the primitive sites here and had a great time! Very affordable and not many other campers (but if the group camp sites are booked I’d go elsewhere, they’re very close). The bathroom is super far away, but there was a portable potty for a few days until they inexplicably took it away. If you have a camping bathroom setup and are comfy going to get water if needed, it’s a great value and gives you want more privacy.
Also the showers here are the best I’ve ever experienced at a campground. They have signs saying you can shower for $5 even if you don’t camp here.
Guide to Franklin
Tent camping near Franklin, Tennessee offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Tent campers should check out Long Hunter State Park Campground
- Enjoy primitive camping right by the water at Long Hunter State Park Campground, where you can swim and filter water directly from the lake.
- This campground allows pets and fires, making it a great choice for families looking to enjoy a cozy campfire under the stars.
- Be prepared for ticks, as some campers have noted their presence, especially around the fire pit area.
Local activities to explore while camping
- Take advantage of the scenic trails at Bells Bend Park, which offers beautiful views and a chance to see local wildlife.
- For a unique experience, visit Whooping Crane Farm for glamping right on the river, complete with kayak rentals and a peaceful setting.
- Explore the hiking opportunities at Smith Springs, where you can enjoy a calm atmosphere and beautiful water access.
Tips for tent camping near Franklin
- Pack plenty of bug spray if you're heading to Long Hunter State Park Campground to keep ticks at bay.
- Bring your own firewood to Bells Bend Park, as it’s a pack-in, pack-out site with no trash services.
- If you prefer a quieter experience, consider Smith Springs, which is well-maintained and offers a peaceful retreat from the busier campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Franklin, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Franklin, TN is Long Hunter State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Franklin, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Franklin, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.