Campgrounds near Goodlettsville, Tennessee offer varying levels of access to water recreation with several locations positioned along Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake. The region sits at approximately 450-500 feet elevation with rolling hills characteristic of Middle Tennessee's Highland Rim. Seasonal camping extends primarily from April to October at Corps of Engineers sites, though temperatures remain mild enough for winter camping at year-round facilities with average lows rarely dropping below freezing.
What to do
Boating and fishing access: Seven Points provides direct lake access for anglers and boaters. "Love that it's so close to Nashville and even close enough to make a morning coffee run if you forget to pack yours," notes one visitor. The campground features lakeside sites for easy water access.
Water park fun: At Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort, campers can enjoy the attached water park during summer months. "The waterpark is amazing," reports one camper. However, availability is limited: "We didn't actually stay here because after I booked I realized the water park is not open during the week although it had officially opened the week before."
Live music at camp: Several campgrounds offer on-site entertainment. A Grand Ole RV Resort guest mentioned, "We had breakfast at the market a couple of times & it was delicious! The entertainment for NYE was seriously the most fun we've had out in a while. Nothing says Nashville like live country music!"
What campers like
Clean, accessible bathhouses: Bathroom facilities receive consistent praise at most campgrounds. At Two Rivers Campground, campers appreciate "very clean" showers and bathrooms. Another camper noted the convenience of "showers and bathrooms that were very clean with plenty of room" at Nashville Shores.
Lake views and concrete pads: Waterfront camping is a major draw. "The sites are level cement pads with large well spaced sites. If you can get a lake view it is wonderful," reports a Seven Points visitor. Similarly, at Nashville Shores, "Nice clean paved spots facing the lake. Full hookup with playgrounds and a general store."
Quiet camping with city access: Many campgrounds balance natural settings with urban convenience. "This is a great, easy access campground with great amenities. Lake front sites for campers or tents. Close to groceries and gas station," notes a Seven Points review. For Cages Bend, a camper observed it's "convenient to amenities in Hendersonville and Gallatin."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant railway noise. A reviewer at Grand Ole RV Resort mentioned, "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."
Traffic and highway noise: Several campgrounds sit near major roadways. A Nashville North KOA visitor reported, "Noisy due to the highway that is very close. Great sounds of the trucks to keep you awake." Another camper added, "There is a lot of interstate noise."
Seasonal water park operation: Water amenities have limited availability. "The water park is only open on the weekend," noted one Nashville Shores camper. Another added, "The lake is very pretty but it's just to look at unless you want to drop a fortune to rent a jet ski or boat."
Wildlife encounters: Campers should prepare for local wildlife. At Seven Points, a camper warned about "a skunk problem - two skunks at various times wandered into our campsite." Another camper at Bledsoe Creek State Park cautioned, "Our dogs picked up ticks every day, and we had a few as well. Watch out for lyme and other tick born illnesses."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature child-friendly facilities. One visitor to Nashville Shores mentioned, "The boys had a blast running under water buckets dumping over them and going down slides, floating down the lazy river or getting knocked down in the wave pool."
Site selection for kids: Choose locations with appropriate amenities. A camper at Cages Bend noted, "There are water sites close enough to the water to walk your yak down for a paddle." The campground also features a "playground with adjacent shelter."
Space limitations: Consider campground layout when traveling with children. "It is a small area but has some nice trails. Camping is quiet most nights and the water is calm for those who like to fish," reported a Bledsoe Creek visitor. At Grand Ole RV Resort, one family noted, "This was disappointing since we had little ones" regarding limited play equipment.
Tips from RVers
Pad size limitations: Always verify site dimensions before booking. At Elm Hill RV Resort, a camper advised, "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."
Dump station access: Some campgrounds have challenging dump stations. At Cages Bend, a visitor noted, "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."
Satellite and internet connectivity: Connectivity varies by location. At Nashville KOA, a camper reported, "This campground 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."
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