Pet friendly camping near Greenbrier, Tennessee ranges from rustic tent sites to full-service RV resorts, all within a 30-mile radius of the Cumberland River valley. The region sits at elevations between 400-700 feet with moderate seasonal temperatures making spring and fall particularly popular for campers. Most campgrounds in this area maintain gravel sites with electrical hookups ranging from 30-50 amp service.
What to do
Boating access: 1125 Benders Ferry Road offers multiple water recreation options at Cages Bend Campground. "I'd recommend and stay again if we are in the area. We found this while traveling from FL to MN - basically needed a place to stay for the night. What a gem and wonderful night!" according to Lisa who visited in 2022.
Watch river traffic: Cumberland River views from Lock A let you observe commercial vessels. "It's pretty cool watching the big barges move up and down the river during the day, but at night it's a little loud," notes Guy M. The campground has "one boat ramp directly in the campground. Fun to watch the river barges go by and fish."
Hiking opportunities: Bicentennial Trail near Lock A stretches 13.3 miles through shaded woodland. "We hiked the Bicentennial Trail (13.3 miles long from start to finish) which was also shaded and with geocaches. We went with our 2 dogs and 2 kids," reports Ines M. who enjoyed the trail accessibility from the campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance at Cedar Creek earns positive feedback from visitors. "Restrooms are clean, well lit etc. Sites closer to the waterfront are beautiful and more spread out than the inland sites," according to Jay B. who appreciated the "nice coated metal mesh large picnic table and fire ring."
Level camping pads: Concrete sites at Seven Points provide stable foundations for equipment. "The campsites are level cement pads with large well spaced sites. If you can get a lake view it is wonderful," notes Tony D. This Corps of Engineers campground maintains "clear out they did on some of the spots" according to Jennifer W.
Entertainment options: Live music at Grand Ole RV Resort creates a festive atmosphere. "Live music every night was nice. Backing my trailer is not my strong suite but the guided me through it like it was nothing," states Ed S. Another camper mentioned, "The entire experience is charming. I'm definitely going to stay there every time I stop in Nashville."
What you should know
Highway proximity: Traffic noise affects some campgrounds more than others. At Nashville North KOA, "Noisy due to the highway that runs right on the other side of the tree line. But... the folks running the show are really nice," explains Mary L. Mickey C. adds, "Great sounds of the trucks to keep you awake."
Site spacing: Variable privacy levels differ between campgrounds. "The sites are very very close together," at Nashville North according to Mary L., while at Cedar Creek, "Sites closer to the waterfront are beautiful and more spread out than the inland sites."
Weather considerations: Seasonal flooding occurs at some riverside locations. "The sites are mostly gravel, and while ours was level, it does get a bit of flooding when it rains," notes Jen O. about Grand Ole RV Resort, though she emphasized "None of this, however, will stop us from being back."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options at Two Rivers Campground keep children entertained. "Great park, small but level spots with lots of shade. The pool was great our kids loved it!!!" shares Erin G. The campground also offers "paved roads the kids loved scootering on" according to Jennifer H.
Swimming facilities: Beach areas provide water recreation at several locations. At Lock A, "A sandy beach area in the area, but there is no way I would go in that nasty river!" warns Abby C., who instead recommends the "large sandy children's playground" as an alternative activity.
Space considerations: Site selection matters for family comfort. "We had great neighbors and enjoyed the beach! We love how it is secluded and clearly camping but minutes from shopping!" says Jennifer W. about Seven Points, where the "sites are great - nice and spread out and tucked in the woods."
Tips from RVers
Utility placement: Hook-up locations at Nashville KOA Resort require planning. "The utilities are more to the front of the site with two sewer connections. We had decent water pressure," notes MickandKarla W. David S. adds that while the campground is "classified as a 'resort'. With that comes a high price tag. Our pull through patio site was $120/nt."
Connectivity considerations: Digital access varies between campgrounds. "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," according to MickandKarla W. At Lock A, Arthur P. found "Great Starlink access" despite the more rural setting.
Parking challenges: Site dimensions should be checked before booking. At Two Rivers, "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," shares Megan A., though she still rated her experience highly.
