Best Campgrounds near Hilham, TN

General: Three distinctly different areas: tent only section, cabin area, and the main campground. I didn’t see the inside of the cabins, but they looked very luxurious from the outside, so I am sure they are very nice. The tent area also looks nice. This review focuses on the main campground. 

Site Quality: Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side. Not all are completely level. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and grill. All sites have electricity and water, and eight of the 50 sites are FHU. There are many trees to provide separation and privacy, and sites are spaced a decent amount of space apart. Some sites can accommodate tents, and these are indicated on the post. 

Bath/Shower: Very clean. There was a sign saying the bathrooms are cleaned twice per day. Soap, paper towels, and utility hooks are all appreciated as was instant hot water from the taps. 

Activities/Amenities: Many outdoor activities including tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and a playground. There are two hiking trails accessible from the campground. I hiked a short distance on the Bluff Trail until it became narrow and overgrown. There are other hikes that require a drive from the campground. The best hike is in the Twin Falls area but that is a 10-15 minute drive from the campground. There is also a swimming beach with a rentable pavilion and picnic tables. It is possible to walk there but easier to drive. We also saw people kayaking on the lake and fishing is permitted. Each bathhouse also has one washer/dryer for a reasonable price. Free WiFi with a good, strong signal. 

We enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground and for us, it was a five-star stay but I gave it four stars due to some sites not being completely level and the necessity to drive to the best hike.

I think it was the best weekend my husband and I had in a long time. It was only him and I on the property. (Except the owners, and they kept to themselves but to check In every now and then at the pool to make sure we were enjoying our stay! The pool and the views, I could stay here all day and just float. It's so peaceful. They have nice new outdoor furniture for sunbathing and even tables and even enough umbrellas to keep my husband shaded. The Canvas yurt glamping tents, the beds were so comfy. The had welcome waters, and a few snacks for our arrival. The best was sitting in the hot tub at night looking up at the sky filled with stars. We brought wine- they even had wine glasses, an opener and mini frig and a cooler for our use. After being in the tub we rinsed off in the shower house. Amazing hot water and pressure. The bathroom was very clean and it even had ac/heat unit in each bathroom. My husband and I will definitely definitely will return. If your looking for an escape into nature but still want great comforts and only have to pack and overnight bag, this will definitely check that box.

We camped here over the weekend. Our campsite was perfect. Very private and enough space for 2 tents. Not all campsites are made for tents, some have just a concrete driveway. We had the usual amenities, like a picnic table with a bench, fire pit, and a lantern pole. The bathhouse was clean and well stocked. Rock Island offers a lot hiking trails and stunning waterfalls. There is a little coffee/icecream shop just outside the park, which was awesome. We would camp here anytime again.

We loved Bandycreek campground for it{s scenic beauty….we were there in late October. They leaves were brilliant! The campground was pristine as well as the shower house and bathrooms. So many trails to walk…just make sure you know how long they really are and if they truly are a loop before you head out and take water! The campground was quiet, there was a bustle of activity every morning of park staff cleaning the shower house, emptying the bear boxes and doing general maintenance cleaning up downed branches etc. All staff were met were very friendly. The visitors center was close with staff who were very helpful in answering questions about the area. Our only concern about the place was that it is difficult to navigate if you have a large rv. Ours is a 43 foot fifth wheel. We had a lot of difficulty backing into our site with all the little obstacles but with the assistance of a fellow camper we finally got in. Also the drive into the campsite is treacherous if you are coming from Oneida. It is harrowing to say the least and I would not recommend it if you have a large rv. Hairpin turns and switchbacks, low hanging rocks, and narrow road. We came in the back way which consisted of driving on a well maintained gravel road with barely enough room for two vehicles to pass. So be warned and do your research before you drive in…plan your route! I feel like we barely survived! Ha. But it was worth it and we did survive!

This place is a great place for camping had nice paved trails clean campground. The bathroom was clean. The shower was hot. Lots of friendly campers.

Wasn’t many people when we went there. It’s close to Dale Hallow Lake which is an awesome area in TN. The RV sites all have slope and not great if you have a large RV it could be tricky get into and leveling. Camp grounds could use some updating for sure. It was very nice only having a few others in the campground. Standingstone lake and Mill Creek is located in the park with hiking trails. We did go on a hike around Pleasant Grove Recreation Area which was very nice plus exploring many Marinas around. Ate at The Quarry Restaurant off of the 53, it sits on top of an old rock quarry with spectacular views of the area.

Quiet campground for smaller campers and vans. Dog friendly. It is on the top of the hill, so prepare to hike to the lake. There are trails along the lake, and shortcut trails through the woods, mostly narrow and washed out. The pool is very busy in the summer. The campground is clean and sites are spacious and shady, most sites require leveling. Beautiful lake and dam, definitely worth the visit!

It's so funny to see other people seem to have had issues with the staff here. We went one day to scout out campsites around Center Hill Lake. We had already been to one of the other parks around it and checked out the campsites; we'd just driven in and around and noted which spots didn't have enough shade, etc. then left. When we got to the attendant booth, there was a stop sign at the speed bump. I stopped in front of the stop sign and when I started driving again, an older man opened the window at the booth and yelled at us. I slammed on my breaks and backed up to talk to him. He was an absolute aubergine to us for not talking to him. I told him I was sorry but I didn't know I needed to as I've never had to at any other area parks. He copped an attitude and said "There's a sign!" So, I guessed I just missed it. However, when we were leaving, I turned around and checked and the only sign was the stop sign..... He was sarcastic and rude to us as I explained what we were there to do and insinuated that we were trying to kidnap children... 

Beyond the Belligerent Balding Boomer, the roads in the campground and even just on the way to it from the main road are VERY narrow, crumbling, in BAD need of repaving/repainting arrows, and have lots of tight turns. We went into one area and a car had pulled over to the side of the road but was on the asphalt still which made getting around them not even close to possible. You might have been able to get around a motorcycle. Maybe. We ended up having to back up all the way back out of there with a rock wall on one side of the asphalt and dropoff on the other.

The"Old Mill Camp and General Store" is a charming destination where rustic ambiance meets modern convenience. Nestled amidst picturesque scenery, it caters to both campers seeking a tranquil retreat and travelers looking for local products and essentials. The store offers a delightful array of goods, including handmade crafts, local produce, and freshly baked treats, ensuring there's something for everyone. Visitors can easily plan their visit with the prominently displayed Store hours today ensuring they can stop by for a leisurely browse or a quick restock of camping supplies. Whether you're exploring the nearby trails or simply passing through, the Old Mill Camp and General Store welcomes you with its warm hospitality and diverse offerings.

The people that run this campground are rude and considerate jerks and talk to my kids and I like we where not worth there time.

We stayed on the island (walk in spot) and it was quiet and had beautiful views right on the water.  There are also toilets and water available on the island if needed.

This is one of my favorite spots to camp.  The host is amazing, provides great amenities, and takes care of his campground very well.  If you are looking for a great view with plenty of space for tents and hammocks, look no further.  You will not go wrong with booking with this host.

This is one of the best campgrounds ive ever visited, especially with children. Lots of shade except the couple spots toward the front of the bathrooms, we had booked spot 30 but they kindly let us move to 16 when we realized we needed more trees lol. The bathrooms were immaculate, the little playground was a blast for the kids, the little general store was very cute and well stocked. Cummins State Park right across the road had a nice short, easy half mile hike to the waterfall overlook, my 2 year old walked most of it. Our one-night stay was lovely. Only drawback was lack of laundry facility.

Very nice campground. Met the owners and they are a really nice couple. I was pleasantly surprised by the live music. I would stay away from the pull through sites by the bathroom if You prefer privacy.

Overall, great. Easy to find, download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out. Garbage cans at each site. Someone came and got my name and plate to make sure I followed the 14 day rule but was super nice. Great experience, and free.

Great spot. Full hook ups at many spots. Sites are in cul de sacs. Lake is beautiful and really close. Staff is super nice and helpful. Nice playgrounds and pools. WiFi is not currently working. AT&T and Verizon service is good. Lots of wildlife around. Nice hiking trails.

Ww made a reservation for April 19th and 20th but we had an emergency and had to cancel on April 16th and the lady said it was ok we couldn't make it but she said we couldn't get a refund but could come another time so we called yesterday to schedule the weekend of memorial day but they said we don't have a credit and we're just out of the money they just made it like it's OK I guess then once it got past the time we was supposed to come the lied

This campground has some exceptional features, but it also has some kinks to work out.

First, one advantage/disadvantage is it is located right off 40. If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it’s going to be very noisy. We were in the middle of the campground and it was occasionally loud, but not terrible. Being able to pop off 40 to sleep for the night and get right back on the next morning with gas two minutes away was great for us.

I wasn’t pleased with my check-in because I waited nearly 20 minutes to be helped as a group in front of me arrived with 1,000 questions and booked their campground in person. When it was my turn, I was given four seconds of attention. When my friend checked in there was three people at the desk and she had a good experience. Online registration was easy and we just had to drop off keys in a drop-box before leaving.

Then, the next morning we wanted to buy the bag of gems for the mining and the office wasn’t even open (12PM) before check-out (11AM). My husband felt it was the best camp store we had encountered on this trip, but how does that even help if it’s not open in the morning? My kids were so disappointed.

We were all disappointed because we had looked forward to the themed activity (tie-dye), but it was cancelled with no explanation given and there weren’t any other activities/programs even though it is presented like they have theme weekends.

I thought the layout of the campground and sites was kind of haphazard looking. The sites were gravel and there was plenty of grass and trees. The tables and fire pits all looked oldish. Hook-ups and WIFI were good.

The cabins were spaced really nicely. There was only one bathhouse, which looked absolutely great and was super clean. If you were camped at the front it would be a long walk. My friend stayed in the “primitive” cabin and she said the mattress was fantastic and she appreciated the Keurig. It was close to the bathroom and the loft space would easily accommodate a couple of kids.

What really shined about this campground was the woodsy landscape - the sandy playground (though it was older and the volleyball net was down), the fishing lake, and the really cool swimming lake, which was surrounded by rock, were all appreciated by our group and my friend said she was definitely coming back in the summer so her kids could swim. The hike to the waterfall was really lovely. We were hoping to see the cave, but the office was closed so we couldn’t inquire about its location (it wasn’t on the map).

All in all, we had a nice time and it was definitely more of a camping experience than many of the parking lot like camps we’ve stayed at. It seemed like a lot of guests were there specifically to dirt bike or off-road. I think it would be a nice campground to enjoy in the summer, but do wonder how much of an expansion is coming (their map indicates one is happening soon) and how that would impact the amenities.

Two other things worth noting - I appreciate that the campground prices don’t seem like they skyrocket in the summer. We looked at some summer dates and the prices were pretty similar to the price we paid for April. I also was impressed with the two people who were working - they seemed like they were all over cleaning and fixing things.