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Best Campgrounds near Smyrna, TN

790 Reviews

Campgrounds near Smyrna, Tennessee range from basic tent sites to full-service RV resorts along J. Percy Priest Lake and surrounding waterways. Nashville I-24 Campground, located in Smyrna proper, offers cabin, tent and RV camping with full hookups and is open year-round. Several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, including Poole Knobs just 7 miles northeast of Smyrna, provide more natural settings with waterfront access. Most established campgrounds in the area feature mixed-use camping areas that accommodate both tent and RV campers, with varying levels of amenities from primitive to resort-style facilities.

The camping season for many sites runs approximately April through October, with a few locations like Nashville I-24 Campground and Nashville KOA Resort remaining open year-round. Water-based campgrounds managed by the Corps of Engineers typically close during winter months. "Great, spacious sites with concrete or wood picnic tables, fire pits and grills. Fairly level sites. Clean and well maintained. Only downside is limited bathroom and shower facilities (a long trek, uphill)," noted one visitor about Poole Knobs. Most waterfront campgrounds feature a mix of primitive sites and sites with water and electric hookups, though availability can be limited during peak summer weekends. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend camping during summer months when lake activities are popular.

Waterfront camping sites receive consistently positive reviews, particularly at Poole Knobs and Anderson Road campgrounds along Percy Priest Lake. One camper shared: "Absolutely loved waking up next to the water. Great location and super clean. Lots of shade and privacy." Several visitors mentioned shoreline views and water access as key highlights of their camping experience. Many campgrounds in the region strike a balance between natural settings and proximity to urban conveniences, with most sites being within 30 minutes of Nashville and even closer to shopping and dining in Smyrna or Murfreesboro. While RV-focused campgrounds tend to have more developed amenities like laundry facilities and camp stores, they often feature more closely spaced sites compared to the Corps of Engineers campgrounds, which typically offer greater privacy and natural surroundings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Smyrna, Tennessee (123)

    1. Poole Knobs

    22 Reviews
    La Vergne, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 459-6948

    $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!"

    2. Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Lebanon, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 443-2769

    $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."

    3. Seven Points

    23 Reviews
    Mount Juliet, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 889-5198

    $32 - $50 / night

    "Paved roads, showers, playground, Big lake side sites wth shade. lots of space between the campsites. fire rings, picnic tables."

    "The campsite was surrounded by trees and it was a quick walk to the lake. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and had warm water."

    4. Nashville I-24 Campground

    13 Reviews
    Smyrna, TN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (615) 459-5818

    "Convenient to Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Cons...Spot was a little tight for our 38 ft 5th wheel."

    "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."

    5. Four Corners RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    La Vergne, TN
    6 miles
    +1 (629) 236-2600

    "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."

    6. Anderson Road Campground

    14 Reviews
    La Vergne, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 361-1980

    $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."

    7. Elm Hill RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    J Percy Priest Lake, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 710-9365

    "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."

    8. Nashville KOA Resort

    38 Reviews
    Nashville, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 889-0282

    "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."

    9. Long Hunter State Park Campground

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

    "we go there often. one of our favorites in Tennessee!"

    "This is a good trail to try out your skills before attempting a more challenging trip. Basic Tennessee woodland and animals. I liked this area much more then the main park."

    10. Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort

    13 Reviews
    Mount Juliet, TN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 889-7434

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Smyrna, TN

267 Photos of 123 Smyrna Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Smyrna, TN

790 Reviews of 123 Smyrna Campgrounds

  • e
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Campers RV Park

    Not worth the price

    They say they have bathroom and showers for camper but that is not necessarily so. You have to rent one of their cabins to get to use the bathhouses.

    Not worth the $65 per night.

    Had I known before hand I would have went a few short miles down the road to the much cheaper state park that has bathhouses.

    The not so friendly lady at the front desk didn’t say anything about no access to bathhouses until after I had paid and gotten my site number. The “oh yeah by the way” in regards to the bathhouses was kinda underhanded.

  • L
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake

    Good Pros and Really Bad Cons

    WARNING - If you have an RV t the turn around to get out is VERY steep. We watched an RV get very scraped up. If you're not a confident driver this isn't the spot for you.

    Stayed here because: It was the only campground near Nashville with last-minute openings.

    Overall: Not very dog or child friendly. The entire campground sits on a steep hill leading down to the lake. Most sites are separated by riprap (large rocks), so there’s very little flat space. Our dog had almost nowhere to walk, and I’d be worried about small kids falling.

    Pros:

    Beautiful lake views from nearly every site which is a very very good pro. The views were amazing. But are they enough to make up for the cons??

    Most sites (especially tent sites) are shaded

    Cons:

    Very steep hill throughout the campground

    Most sites require climbing 3–5 flights of stairs

    Little to no space around the fire pit (ours barely fit two chairs)

    Not much room for dogs to walk safely

    Site #87 had no stairs, but it lacked all privacy and was next to the road and bathhouse lights

    Bathroom heaters stopped working half way through the trip and temps dropped into 40s.

  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Holleman's Bend Camping Area

    Nice spot

    This campsite was easy to find, which made arrival stress-free. While the cell service was a bit spotty, it actually helped me disconnect and enjoy the surroundings. Overall, a great site—quiet, scenic, and well worth the visit.

  • Daniol S.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Henry Horton State Park Campground

    Back Country

    Went camping with my brother back in May. They seem to have made a lot of improvements to the campground since my last visit years prior. There are new trails and the amenities at the sites appear to be new. The trails are very well maintained.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    The Caverns Campground in Grundy County Tennessee

    Concert Venue Camping

    We stayed at this campground to see St. Paul and the Broken Bones. This campground is for The Caverns concert venue and can only be camped at during concerts. A bit pricey but worth it. Port-a-Potty’s were spotless. Beware of choosing a spot on top of a fire ant house!!! Ouch!

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Poole Knobs

    Always a great stay

    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. Our favorite site is 48 which offers a great view with access to the water and trees for privacy along the roadside.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Nashville

    Two rivers is a nice park friendly people clean and well maintained.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Seven Points

    Great COE Campground

    Best camp hosts ever. Very friendly, kind and helpful. Great views. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric at every site. Dump station. Discount for America the Beautiful pass. You need to book your reservations on recreation.gov

Guide to Smyrna

Camping near Smyrna, Tennessee, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful parks to well-equipped campgrounds, there's something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Montgomery Bell State Park Campground. Reviewers rave about the trails, with one stating, "We walked a couple of the trails through the woods which were perfect after a long drive."
  • Fishing: Head to Rock Island State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor mentioned, "This is a great state park with great hiking and beautiful waterfalls," making it a perfect spot for anglers.
  • Kayaking: If you're into water sports, check out Edgar Evins State Park Campground. One camper shared, "Kayaking is great! Put in below Center Hill dam. 6 mile run of clear cold water!"

What campers like

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Edgar Evins State Park Campground, do not allow pets and have limited amenities. A camper pointed out, "There is a hill between you & anything you’re wanting to do."
  • Crowded during peak season: Popular spots like Nashville KOA can get busy. One review mentioned, "Spaces are small, so there are BIG RVs boxing you in everywhere."
  • Check site conditions: Some sites may have inclines or be difficult to access. A visitor at Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground advised, "Prepare to jiggle your camper!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly parks: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Nashville KOA has a great pool and playgrounds, making it a hit with families.
  • Plan for bathroom trips: Some sites, like those at Henry Horton State Park Campground, have bathrooms that are a bit far. One camper noted, "The bathroom is super far away, but there was a portable potty."
  • Pack entertainment: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids engaged. A reviewer at Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Looks like it would be a great family place with the play area and waterfront."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rock Island State Park Campground said, "Most of the sites are small. This is not a big rig friendly park."
  • Be prepared for leveling: Some sites may require extra leveling equipment. A visitor at Montgomery Bell State Park Campground mentioned, "The only issue we had was leveling our camper."
  • Bring your own supplies: Some campgrounds, like Defeated Creek Campground, may not have firewood available. A reviewer noted, "Bring your own hand soap."

Camping around Smyrna, TN, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a KOA campground in Smyrna, TN?

There is no KOA campground directly in Smyrna, TN. The closest KOA-affiliated property is Rvino - The Broken Banjo in Manchester, which is about 45 minutes southeast of Smyrna. This campground features friendly staff, clean laundry and bathroom facilities, and convenient trash collection service. For those seeking amenities similar to KOA standards closer to Smyrna, Four Corners RV Resort offers level concrete pads, excellent WiFi, and lakeside spots at competitive prices.

What are the best campgrounds in Smyrna, TN?

The top-rated campgrounds near Smyrna include Nashville I-24 Campground, which offers full hookups and convenient access to Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. It's especially popular during NASCAR events. Cedar Creek is another excellent option with peaceful riverside sites where you can enjoy watching wildlife and beautiful sunrises. Both campgrounds provide clean facilities and are well-maintained. For those willing to drive a bit further, several state parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Nashville offer additional camping experiences with more natural settings.

Where can I go tent camping near Smyrna, TN?

For tent camping near Smyrna, consider Long Hunter State Park Campground, which offers primitive sites with beautiful lakeside views just a short drive from Smyrna. Another excellent option is Montgomery Bell State Park Campground, located within an hour's drive and featuring shaded sites in a peaceful hollow with nearby creeks and hiking trails. Both parks provide basic amenities including water and restroom facilities, making them ideal for tent campers looking for a natural setting without traveling too far from Smyrna.

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