J Percy Priest Lake offers numerous developed campgrounds with concrete pads and full hookups for RVs, along with primitive tent camping areas along its shoreline. Seven Points Campground and Anderson Road Campground provide water and electric hookups with seasonal availability from spring through fall. Four Corners RV Resort features lakefront sites with concrete pads and beach access about 20 miles south of downtown Nashville. The lake region includes several Corps of Engineers managed sites with varying levels of amenities and proximity to water.
Campground reservations are essential during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. Most developed sites around J Percy Priest Lake operate seasonally, typically closing between late October and April. "There is a gated entrance, which I like. The staff here is unbelievably welcoming and friendly. The crew is constantly working on cleaning, landscaping and maintenance," notes one visitor about Four Corners Resort. Water levels can impact access to boat-in sites, and mosquitoes present a significant challenge for outdoor activities, particularly at dusk near the shoreline. Campers should pack insect repellent and be prepared for windy conditions when staying at lakefront sites during winter months.
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with visitors highlighting the scenic sunrise and sunset views over the water. Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches, fishing docks, and boat access points, making water recreation the primary draw for most campers. Families appreciate the concrete pads and level sites at newer resorts, which provide stability for RVs while maintaining proximity to nature. Wildlife viewing includes deer, turkeys, and waterfowl, with Canadian geese particularly common at Four Corners. Bathroom facilities vary considerably between campgrounds, with some offering only vault toilets while newer resorts provide modern shower houses and laundry facilities. The proximity to Nashville makes these campgrounds popular for those seeking outdoor recreation with urban conveniences nearby.
$32 - $50 / night
"J. Percy Priest lake is very nice as well!"
"Paved roads, showers, playground, Big lake side sites wth shade. lots of space between the campsites. fire rings, picnic tables."
$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."
$24 - $50 / night
"Great campground on a lovely lake. We always enjoy our stay here. Short drive to nearby Smyrna. Bathrooms are clean and staff is very welcoming."
"We have stayed on the other side of Percy Priest lake and loved it so thought we’d try an Army Corps campground this time in Nashville. What a gem!"
"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."
"Sitting in a lake, the campground is a peninsula surrounded by water. Great views, super clean and very nice amenities. Saturday night they had a band and a Halloween celebration. Very safe."
"Nice lake. Nice pool. Good sites. Lake is close to all sites. Very helpful store at the front with items you need."
$24 - $36 / night
"Driving in through da hood you get a questionable feeling but, once through the gate and checked in this is a fantastic little campground!"
"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."
"I’m hesitant to write this review because this is our new close-to-home GO-TO camping spot and we don’t want it to get booked up. 😆 It is new, quiet, and extremely well-priced."
"Want a slice of Tennessee? This is it. All RV parks should take note. This is how it is done. Amazing views of the lake. Beautiful level concrete pads. Spacious sites for everyone."
"There are very few RV parks in the Nashville/Franklin area and are more on the outskirts. We were happy to get a site here as it's relaxing by the lake."
"This campground was very convenient for those visiting the Nashville area, its just off the highway and they offer shuttles for a fee to downtown and opryland."
$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."
"This is a true RV Park with full services, propane, a pool, nice dog walking area, and long pull throughs. The park is kept very clean and has great landscaping."
"Park is close to Murfreesboro and Nashville. Close to great restaurants and shopping. Staff is very friendly and is always open to helping you. Park is quiet."
ScoutWe loved it here! There are some very private spots for tent camping right at the water. We were in a more tight, less private rv spot, but it was still beautiful. And we ended up having a pull through site, which was great. Bath houses were well maintained, great swim area in the lake.
ScoutVery clean campground, water is not for swimming though! And people who are keeping it going are super nice. Wanted to extend but they only have 14 sites and it was booked :/
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.
TravelerReally nice area and very clean bathrooms
J Percy Priest Lake offers year-round tent and RV camping at several waterfront locations within 20 miles of Nashville. The reservoir spans 14,200 acres with 213 miles of shoreline, reaching depths up to 90 feet. Water temperatures range from the mid-40s in winter to upper 80s during summer months, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences across the lake's recreation areas.
Swimming beach access: Cedar Creek Campground features a swimming beach within walking distance of campsites. "Nice place to go downtown the day to relax and swim," notes one visitor about the $5 per vehicle day-use area at Cedar Creek.
Kayaking and paddling: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for non-motorized boats. "We stayed here for a night on our cross country tour. Really pretty lake and beautifully maintained property," shares a camper at Poole Knobs, where lakefront sites allow easy launching of personal watercraft.
Hiking and fitness trails: Campgrounds around the lake connect to walking paths of varying difficulty. "There's a great short fitness trail that's well marked and great for a small getaway," mentions a visitor to Anderson Road Campground, highlighting the exercise options beyond water recreation.
Spacious concrete pads: Many RV sites feature level concrete pads with ample room for equipment. "The sites are concrete, level and roomy with full hookups (great water pressure!), new picnic tables and fire rings," describes a camper at Elm Hill RV Resort, noting the quality of site infrastructure.
Wildlife viewing: Deer and waterfowl are common sightings throughout the camping areas. "The view of Percy Priest is incredible and serene," notes a visitor about watching wildlife at Elm Hill RV Resort, where natural areas remain despite developed camping facilities.
Proximity to Nashville attractions: Campers appreciate the balance between natural settings and urban accessibility. "This is a great park. Everything worked as expected. Clean, organized, friendly. Very close to all attractions!" says a guest at Nashville KOA Resort, which offers shuttle service to downtown Nashville for $15.
Seasonal operation: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "We live in Nashville and were looking for a place to dump our tanks. We decided to spend the night here and take our kayaks out onto the lake," mentions a visitor to Cedar Creek, which typically operates from mid-April through mid-October.
Insect challenges: Lakeside camping often means dealing with mosquitoes and other bugs. "The mayflies swarm into your rig if you have lights on at night," warns a camper at Elm Hill RV Resort, suggesting campers bring adequate repellent and screen protection.
Reservation requirements: Sites at popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer. "Stopped in just for a night while driving across many states. The check in gate wasn't attended at the time and directed us to make a reservation online," notes a visitor to Cedar Creek, highlighting the importance of advance planning.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "The amenities were top notch and tons to do with kids," shares a visitor at Four Corners RV Resort, where facilities include a swimming beach and playground.
Safety features: Some campgrounds provide controlled access for added security. "There is a gated entrance, which I like. The crew is constantly working on cleaning, landscaping and maintenance," mentions a Four Corners guest, appreciating the maintained environment.
Off-season activities: Family camping options extend beyond summer months. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" notes a visitor to Cedars of Lebanon State Park, which hosts special events during shoulder seasons.
Site selection: RV campers recommend researching specific site configurations before booking. "Our site was a little tight for our 38 ft 5th wheel. With slides on both sides and our awning out we were close to our neighbor," cautions a visitor to Nashville I-24 Campground, stressing the importance of knowing site dimensions.
Utility connections: Water and electric hookup placement varies between campgrounds. "The utilities are more to the front of the site with two sewer connections. We had decent water pressure," reports a visitor about Nashville KOA, noting that hookup positions may require extra hose or cord length.
Dump station access: RVers highlight the availability of sanitation facilities even at campgrounds without full hookups. "Discount for America the Beautiful pass. You need to book your reservations on recreation.gov," advises a Seven Points visitor, mentioning the dump station available within the campground for those without sewer connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available at J Percy Priest Lake?
J Percy Priest Lake offers several excellent campgrounds for visitors to enjoy. Seven Points is one of the most popular options, featuring wonderful waterfront sites with stunning sunset views over the lake. Additional campgrounds include Anderson Road Campground, which provides boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites. Poole Knobs is another option with water access and toilet facilities. For those seeking more amenities, there are nearby RV resorts as well. Most campgrounds at Percy Priest Lake are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and offer basic amenities like restrooms, picnic tables, and water access, with many sites situated right along the shoreline for easy lake access.
Where is Cook Public Use Park located at Percy Priest Lake?
Cook Public Use Park is located on the western shore of J Percy Priest Lake, approximately 10 miles east of downtown Nashville. While not as extensively developed as Seven Points or other major campgrounds on the lake, Cook Recreation Area offers day-use facilities for visitors. The park can be accessed via Cook Recreation Area Road off of Bell Road in Nashville. For overnight camping experiences near this area, visitors might consider Poole Knobs which is located relatively close by on Percy Priest Lake. For the most current information about Cook Public Use Park, contacting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District office is recommended.
Can you RV camp at J Percy Priest Lake?
Yes, J Percy Priest Lake is very accommodating for RV camping with several options available. Four Corners RV Resort is an excellent choice for RV campers, featuring level concrete pads, excellent WiFi connectivity, and lakeside spots at reasonable prices. The resort is relatively new and well-maintained. Another option is Elm Hill RV Resort, which offers full hookups and is big-rig friendly. Many of the Corps of Engineers campgrounds around the lake also accommodate RVs with spacious sites that can handle various sizes and types of recreational vehicles. Most RV sites offer water and electric hookups, with some providing full hookups including sewer connections.
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