Best Tent Camping near Hendersonville, TN

Tent campgrounds surround Old Hickory Lake and J. Percy Priest Lake near Hendersonville, Tennessee, offering settings from state park primitive sites to backcountry areas. Long Hunter State Park Campground provides primitive campsites for tent campers, while nearby Bells Bend Park offers walk-in tent sites just 10-15 miles from Hendersonville in a natural riverside setting.

Most tent-only campsites in the Hendersonville area feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal development. Fire rings are standard at locations like Long Hunter State Park, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Drinking water availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with many primitive sites requiring campers to filter water from nearby lakes or streams. Several campgrounds, including Camp Nashville Highland Rim, provide toilet facilities, though primitive backcountry sites generally operate on pack-in, pack-out principles. Reservations are recommended at established tent campgrounds, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly.

The region's tent camping areas offer substantial tree cover, providing welcome shade during Tennessee's hot summer months. Waterfront tent sites at Long Hunter State Park Campground provide direct lake access, though campers should come prepared for insects. A visitor commented, "Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your fingertips." Wildlife encounters are common at tent campgrounds throughout the area, with deer frequently spotted at dawn and dusk. Bells Bend Park tent sites provide a more secluded experience with seasonal night sky viewing opportunities on clear nights. According to one camper, "Bells Bend Park is close to the city but nature all around. Farmland with spots of woodland. Primitive camping, in the trees on a hill."

Best Tent Sites Near Hendersonville, Tennessee (17)

    1. Long Hunter State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    J Percy Priest Lake, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 885-2422

    "Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips."

    "Long Hunter State Park Primitive Campsites are my kinda camping."

    2. Laguardo

    2 Reviews
    Mount Juliet, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 449-6544

    $85 - $120 / night

    3. Camp Nashville Highland Rim

    1 Review
    Goodlettsville, TN
    7 miles
    Website

    $32 - $45 / night

    "I had a chance to talk with the owner at Camp Nashville and learned that due to city regulations, it can be difficult to find camping this close to the city. "

    4. Old Hickory Beach

    1 Review
    Hendersonville, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 847-8091

    $75 / night

    "Old Hickory Beach Day Use Area is not what I would consider a hidden gem..that being said if you like swimming in lake water this is a nice enough area."

    5. Cook - J. Percy Priest Reservoir

    3 Reviews
    J Percy Priest Lake, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 889-1975

    "Easy to get to, ample room between campers, close to local shopping."

    6. Nat Caldwell Park

    1 Review
    Gallatin, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 822-4846

    $50 / night

    7. Lone Branch

    1 Review
    Mount Juliet, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 822-4846

    $50 / night

    8. Smith Springs

    2 Reviews
    La Vergne, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 889-1975

    $45 / night

    9. Bells Bend Park

    3 Reviews
    Pegram, TN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 862-4187

    $10 - $11 / night

    "No drive up. Pack it in, pack it out. Firewood provided. Call the outdoor center for availability. Campground is open year round."

    "Bells Bend Park is close to the city but nature all around. Farmland with spots of woodland. 

    Primitive camping , in the trees on a hill. Group only. There are some tables and some fire rings."

    10. Whooping Crane Farm

    2 Reviews
    Ashland City, TN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 798-9093

    $100 / night

    "Whooping Crane Farm is located In such a great spot, just outside Nashville, it is easy to get to, but convenient to everything. The camp spot is fantastic!"

    "The property is 12 minutes from downtown Nashville, making it a perfect Glamping location. Being close to great restaurants is definitely a plus."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hendersonville, TN

713 Reviews of 17 Hendersonville Campgrounds


  • Greg S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Anderson Road Campground

    4.5 stars

    Stopped for one afternoon and night on our way through. Driving in through da hood you get a questionable feeling but, once through the gate and checked in this is a fantastic little campground! We picked an awesome site- number 8 is a huge pull through with water and electric, a grill, prep table, picnic table, and fire ring with grill. The site has its own path and private lake access. The lake is rocky here but we had no trouble walking in and swimming with our Crocs on. All sites in this small loop campground are great and very large. There is some erosion and there was some trash near the lake that we gladly cleaned up. Overall a fantastic place to camp.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    Sorta like a treehouse

    Edgar Evins SP is unique in that the campground sites are decks, which is actually pretty cool. Now the one down side is that certain sites can be a challenge to back into. If you are a talented backer upper shouldn’t be an issue. However if your backing up could use some practice, and/or causes fights with your spouse you may want to call and ask the easier sites to set up in...just saying, less stress. The bottom sites are along the lake and you are across from the marina. Another thing is your cooking area is off the side of your deck with your picnic table. The primitive sites are walk in and have some pretty sweet views of the lake. Downside your walking up and down a slope with your gear. Speaking of slopes, the whole campground is on a slope so your pretty much either going up or down. Cool stairways to use and strategically placed facilities. The store and trash are located wheee you park for the primitive sites at the entrance. There’s a trail in the campground that gives you a quick route to the beach area.

  • D
    Oct. 18, 2022

    Lock A

    Great place to camp for $

    While the facilities are limited, we enjoyed being here. We were in site 25 with the river right behind us. 50A power and water, dump on the way out. Concrete pad, level, picnic table, fire ring and a trash can at every site. The road in is small and winding, nighttime driving is difficult. Senior pass got us in for just $12 a night. Boat ramp close by. Would certainly stay here again.

  • CC C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2021

    Nashville I-24 Campground

    Lovely stay

    We are RTT campers and chose this place on a whim as the rest of the local tent camping spots closed on October 1st. We were lucky to find they had space available. However, it should be noted that this is more of an RV campground, the traditional tent sites are right by the gate and not very private. The RV slot we were given backed up to a green space that has grazing deer from time to time. The site did not have a fire ring or a picnic table and was a little far from the bathrooms, but it did have power and water available. That being said the bathrooms were extremely tidy, well heated, and the water pressure in the showers was amazing! The other RV’ers were super friendly and the staff was very helpful in our stay and responsive to our request for availability.

  • Dan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Poole Knobs

    Great place for Labor Day weekend

    Spent two nights here for Labor Day 2020. We stayed on the center strip in the primitive area. The facilities were well maintained and clean. Each site has a concrete picnic table, fire ring, and a moveable lantern hook. The primitive area has several water spigots to use (near each restroom and a few in between).

    The outer loop sites all have electric and water hookups, but the restrooms are all on the upper level where the primitive sites are. If you don’t have your own bathroom, it’s a bit of a hill to climb and there’s only a couple spots to do it.

    Overall, we loved it and we’ll be back for sure.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2025

    Barren River Tailwater

    40 Mins from 65

    Tailwater CG - Glasco, KY 1/1/25

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 for an overnight stay. Great winter price, but 40 minutes from 65 w trailer. Price 2024: $8 w interagency pass during winter Security: Host’s site at entry. Usage during visit: Only us Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No Site Spacing: Close. Varies.
    Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: Required. Can be made at the cg.
    Outside Road Noise: No Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes, however off during winter 24/25.
    Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes. Only at one location during winter. Generators: Allowed. Bathroom: Two. Flush Bath and showers bathhouse is closed during winter. Pit toilets at far end open. Pull Throughs: One. Cell Service (Verizon): 1 to 3 bars Setting: Along River Recent Weather: Cold nights.
    Solar: Yes Host: Yes, helpful.
    Rig Size: Varies between sites. Sites: Some sites back up to the river. These are the best locations, I think.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    Turnhole Backcountry Campsite — Mammoth Cave National Park

    Easy or Hard

    Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

    A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

    Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.

    Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.

    The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.

    The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.

    The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.

  • T
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Anderson Road Campground

    Large sites

    The area is clearly designed for RVs, not tents, which was fine since I had my campervan. I did notice, however, some the the sites had seriously sloping drives so lots of leveling would have been required. The area is heavily wooded.y site had no view of the lake but some do. Most that have beach access also have electric. There are 10-12 of those sites. The remainder are primitive. The only water is near the dump station. To access the lake if you don't have a lake site requires driving to a separate area. The bathhouse is fine. Most sites seem to be large enough for a couple of tents and vehicles. Verizon service was adequate. No wifi.

    Guns shots in the surrounding area in the overnight periods. I don't think they were originating from inside the campground. Also, campground is near the Nashville airport so air traffic can be heard. Generators are allowed in the campground.


Guide to Hendersonville

Hendersonville, Tennessee, offers a variety of tent camping options that allow you to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for scenic views or recreational activities, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy swimming and fishing at the beautiful sites along the water at Long Hunter State Park Campground, where you can also explore wooded trails.
  • Experience the tranquility of nature while hiking through farmland and wooded areas at Bells Bend Park, which is perfect for tent or hammock camping.
  • Discover wildlife and scenic trails at Lone Branch, where you can spot deer and enjoy fishing nearby.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Whooping Crane Farm offers glamping options with comfortable beds, a cooking station, and a picnic table, all set right by the river.
  • At Cook - J. Percy Priest Reservoir, you’ll find drive-in access and ample space for tent camping, making it easy to set up your site.
  • Smith Springs features electric hookups and well-maintained grounds, providing a peaceful environment for your camping experience.

Explore these unique features

  • Old Hickory Beach provides a day-use area with swimming and fishing opportunities, perfect for a fun-filled day by the water.
  • Experience the well-kept grounds and beautiful views at Laguardo, where you can enjoy kayaking and other water activities.
  • Camp Nashville Highland Rim offers a cozy camping experience close to the city, making it easy to explore Nashville while enjoying the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hendersonville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hendersonville, TN is Long Hunter State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hendersonville, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Hendersonville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.