Gallatin, Tennessee provides access to multiple waterfront camping areas along Old Hickory Lake, with Cages Bend Campground offering particularly well-regarded sites near the water. Located within minutes of the city, these campgrounds feature electric hookups, drinking water, and picnic facilities suited for both tent and RV camping. Most established campgrounds in the area are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, providing reliable amenities while offering reasonable proximity to Nashville, approximately 30 miles southwest.
Most campgrounds in the Gallatin area operate seasonally, with many facilities closing between October and April. Cages Bend Campground, for example, typically operates from mid-April through mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend visits during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area due to proximity to Nashville. A visitor noted, "Corp of Engineers campground with a view of Old Hickory Lake. Some waterfront sites. Adjacent boat ramp. Fishing platform. Well kept. Convenient to amenities in Hendersonville and Gallatin."
Several campgrounds near Gallatin provide both waterfront and wooded sites, with varying levels of privacy. Sites at Cages Bend include concrete pads with dedicated picnic areas and grills, though some campers mention that certain locations have split-level designs with tables and cooking areas on different levels. Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground offers more secluded primitive sites away from RV areas, allowing tent campers to enjoy lakeside views without generator noise. Cedar Creek Campground, located in nearby Mount Juliet, receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting. According to one camper, "We fell in love with peaceful walks along the river, watching the ducks and birds along with a few turtles. Coffee just hits you different when watching the sun shimmer on a glass lake." Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including restrooms, trash collection, and drinking water, with some offering additional features like playgrounds, fishing platforms, and boat ramps.
"There is a flat trail next to the lake that my two year old loves to run up and down, playgrounds, and a story trail."
"Easy hiking trails with little to moderate inclines and terrain. Around 5-7 miles of trails, plenty of camping sites. I always see wildlife when i visit this park."
$30 - $50 / night
"We came from Idaho to Tennessee in May for two weeks and this was our first campsite. We fell in love with peaceful walks along the river, watching the ducks and birds along with a few turtles 🐢."
"Bathrooms near to the entrance were a little dated, but the ones near the dump station were nicer. The playground/beach area was nice."
$25 - $30 / night
"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."
"We hiked some of the 2 mile running trail and then veered off to explore the CCC original looking covered bench which overlooks a currently dry stream bed."
"Nashville north koa was a nice campground with a proximity to Nashville but away from the bustle. We stayed for a week and enjoyed ourselves."
"The proximity to the Opry and surrounding sites is fantastic. Top that off with front desk, event and maintenance staff that were all super nice and you’ve got a great combo."
$30 - $35 / night
"Corp of Engineers campground with a view of Old Hickory Lake. Some waterfront sites. Adjacent boat ramp. Fishing platform. Well kept. Convenient to amenities in Hendersonville and Gallatin."
"The site we had was a little tight for our slide out and steps because of a large tree and the wall around it, but we made it work. The dogs had a good time walking around the grounds."
"The Grand Ole RV Resort is a nice park to stay in near all the fun and sightseeing of Nashville, Tennessee. The campground is very tidy and well-kept."
"There’s a train that passes by on the nearby track a couple of times a day, but it was never super early or late and didn’t bother us at all."
$32 - $50 / night
"Paved roads, showers, playground, Big lake side sites wth shade. lots of space between the campsites. fire rings, picnic tables."
"The campsite was surrounded by trees and it was a quick walk to the lake. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and had warm water."
"Campground is near the road but is still quite. This would be a good place for easy access to the lake and Nashville. Multiple places to eat within 5 miles. Great pass through"
"Plenty of dog walking area, even a fenced area for the dogs to run. Friendly staff."
"It has conveinient access to I65 and Highway 31W. They have 30/50amp full service hookups and Cabins.
One of the coolest deals is the local winery deals while staying there."
"For restaurants and grocery runs, take I-65 South to exit 97. Of course, you have the Nashville scene, but check out Mansker’s Station for some rich history of true pioneer spirit."
"Highway noise is really bad but there’s not anything they can do about that. Close by restaurants and Camping World for any needed supplies."
"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."
GuideArrived late, but had no problem finding a nice flat spot in the grass. Very quiet. Two clean porta potties as well as trash cans and picnic tables, everything well maintained. Perfect spot with the dog. Only drawback was minimal service with Verizon. Bonus is the super cute town of Granville (world’s largest decanter collection and town is decorated as Little Mayberry). Would definitely stay again.
ScoutGreat folks to work with hand an amazing time will be back again and again must check it out for yalls own selves!
TravelerThe people who said this is just a parking lot probably never found the actual campsite, I almost missed it too! Cell service cut out far down the road, but since there were no turns we just kept going until we found the boat ramp (gravel lot, clear No Camping signs). We thought this was a bust, turned around to leave, and then we spotted the gravel path into the site. It's easy to miss on the way in. It's a small camping area between the boat ramp and the equestrian trail head, with two foot paths. One path leads to more sites closer to the water (still close enough to easily carry supplies) and the other leads to the equestrian section and a portapotty. Dyrt's location pin is for the boat ramp not the campsite, see my map for a more accurate location. It was quiet and relatively clean, with some horseback riders passing through during the day.
ScoutStaff was wonderful at helping with all needs...booking tours too. Can shuttle a bus to downtown Nashville. Nice pool. Live music every night at the campground. Clean restrooms, laundry and the entire park.
GuideDefeated Creek Campground Defeated, TN site L14. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten so lucky this year, but we’ve had 2 amazing sites back to back. Defeated Creek is another beautiful campground. We had another waterfront site, facing west, so the sunsets were amazing. Not a long walk to the bathhouse, volleyball area, or playground. It also has a beach and tons of room to go fishing. Lots of wildlife, we even spotted a couple of cows in the park lol. Chelle was able to launch her kayak just about 10 yards from our camper. The camp host are a very sweet older couple and the place is very well kept. It can be hard to get reservations here, so get a jump on that 6 month booking window. That said, if you can’t get in here, try Salt Lick Creek Campground in Gainesboro. The spaces are further apart and it’s very well kept also. Although we just drove through, I think it would also be a great place to stay.
ScoutGreat place to stay when passing through.
ScoutStayed on a Thursday night at a pitch a tent spot. Beautiful farm but unfortunately the tent spots are right next to a very noisy 4 lane highway.
GuideThis was a very nice resort camping spot. I loved the not tub with the jets. I tent camped on the mulch and electric/ water site. I just wanted to see what the mulch was like. The big chest , checkers and jumping pillow was pretty cool. And if you want wood you can charge your card on file and they'll bring your wood to your site.... since they don't just have it in the office. It's also very close to town so you can get a Uber or even have food delivered if you actually don't want to cook. Feels very much like glamping.
GuideI've lived close to Cages Bend for over 50 years, but have never camped here until this past weekend. Man I didn't know what i was missing. This little hidden gem is the perfect spot on Old Hickory Lake for camping and taking in an amazing sunrise. You can easily launch your kayak from the shore or catch that big bass you've been trying for. They have a boat launch if you want to bring that or your Jet ski with you. Lots of trees help keep the summer heat from beating down on you and did I mention wildlife? We saw tons of Deer, Ducks, Geese, squirrels, Turtles and snakes, but thankfully the snakes stayed in the water! The camp host, Tanya and Donnie(i hope i got their names right) were amazing from Day 1. Very helpful and kind, blows my mind to see any negative reviews about them, they were truly Amazing! The campground is kept very clean and they take pride in keeping it that way. We stayed in spot 28 the first night, then moved over to 30 for 4 nights. Both of them are great sites. We have verizon phone/internet service and it worked perfectly there. I could go on and on, but i'll finish by saying, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to Cages Bend Campground. We camped at over 50 campgrounds and this is in my top 3!
Gallatin's waterfront camping areas extend across diverse terrain at the edge of the Highland Rim geological region, where elevations range from approximately 500 to 550 feet. Tent and RV campers have access to several campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of Gallatin. Water levels at Old Hickory Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline conditions at waterfront campsites during different times of the year.
Wildlife observation along lakeshores: Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground offers multiple opportunities to spot native Tennessee wildlife. "Deer would just walk up near you and just say hello. It's so peaceful," notes one camper at Bledsoe Creek. Another visitor mentions that "ticks are prevalent at this park due to the deer population," so bringing proper repellent is essential.
Fishing from dedicated platforms: Seven Points campground provides shoreline fishing access with comfortable amenities. "Great campground with water and electric hook-ups. The campsites are level cement pads with large well-spaced sites. If you can get a lake view it is wonderful," explains a visitor. The fishing platforms provide stable footing for anglers of all experience levels.
Hiking on established trails: Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground offers distinctive hiking through cedar glades with unique plant species. A camper reports, "Cedars of Lebanon is a great State Park in middle TN for camping and for day hikes. It has a great pool, and the natural area where it's located features tons of endemic species to the area!" Trails range from easy 0.5-mile loops to more challenging 2-mile paths.
Spacious sites with privacy: Cedar Creek campground features well-designed sites that offer separation from neighbors. "Sites closer to the waterfront are beautiful and more spread out than the inland sites," notes one camper. Another visitor appreciates the "lovely view of the lake if not directly along the shore."
Clean facilities: Nashville KOA Resort maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses and common areas. A visitor mentioned, "This is without a doubt one of the nicest KOA's we've visited. We would absolutely stay here again." Another camper highlighted that "the staff were extremely helpful and pleasant and all employees were masked when indoors."
Peaceful atmosphere: Two Rivers Campground offers a quiet setting despite its proximity to Nashville attractions. A camper notes, "Nice smaller campground with level sites, laundry, store, pool and live music. Minutes from Opryland." Another visitor appreciates that it's "easy access and plenty of space" for camping near the city.
Seasonal operation limits: Many campgrounds near Gallatin close during winter months or reduce services. Cedar Creek operates from "April 16 to October 12," while Seven Points runs "April 1 to October 30," according to their seasonal listings.
Traffic and train noise: Grand Ole RV Resort experiences noise from nearby transportation routes. A visitor notes, "Only downfall are the trains that operate 24/7 directly adjacent to the grounds. Trains rolling by at 3 am is not how I like to spend my night." For light sleepers, interior sites may provide more buffer from noise.
Reserve early for waterfront: The best places to camp near Gallatin, Tennessee fill quickly during peak seasons. A camper at Seven Points advises, "We have stayed at Seven Points around Memorial Day for 3 years now. This year was fabulous! We had great neighbors and enjoyed the beach!" Making reservations 3-6 months in advance is recommended for prime sites.
Playground access: Cages Bend includes child-friendly recreation areas near camping loops. A visitor notes the campground has a "playground with adjacent shelter" that provides shade during summer months. The camping areas closest to these facilities are loops A and B.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for safer water access. A camper at Seven Points mentions they "enjoyed the beach!" which has designated swimming zones with gradual entry points, making it suitable for children of various ages.
Wildlife education: Bledsoe Creek State Park provides opportunities for children to learn about local ecosystems. A visitor reports, "The park was wet and infested with BOY SCOUTS! Looked like they were having rainy fun. Facilities were clean, trails and signage well maintained."
Site levelness varies: Nashville East-Lebanon KOA requires careful site selection for larger rigs. A camper warns, "Friendly folks, but the entire campground is kinda hilly. You can get level in the pull through, but just if you park so-so." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Dump station access: Cages Bend campground has limited dumping facilities for larger rigs. A visitor with a 25-foot camper notes, "The dump station was clean but short and tight. I have a 25' camper and fit ok, but speaking to another camper with a large 5th wheel, he couldn't use it."
Site design considerations: Some campgrounds feature multi-level sites that affect RV door placement. At Cages Bend, a camper mentions site 17 has "concrete picnic table & grill at different level. Door opening is opposite water views," which can impact convenience for accessing outdoor spaces from your RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gallatin, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gallatin, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 campgrounds and RV parks near Gallatin, TN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gallatin, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gallatin, TN is Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gallatin, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Gallatin, TN.
What parks are near Gallatin, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Gallatin, TN that allow camping, notably Old Hickory Lake and J Percy Priest Lake.
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