23 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several tent campgrounds surround Kingston Springs, Tennessee, with options ranging from primitive walk-in sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Bells Bend Park offers ten primitive tent-only sites requiring a short hike from the parking area, while Long Hunter State Park Campground provides tent campsites with lake access about 35 miles east of Kingston Springs. Both locations cater exclusively to tent campers seeking natural settings away from RV hookups and developed facilities. Whooping Crane Farm, located just 12 minutes from downtown Nashville, offers additional tent camping options with Cumberland River views.
Most tent sites near Kingston Springs feature basic setups on natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. At Bells Bend Park, campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, though firewood is provided on site. Walk-in tent sites typically include fire rings and sometimes picnic tables, but amenities remain limited. One camper noted that Bells Bend has "10 total sites. No drive up. Pack it in, pack it out." Water access varies significantly between locations - Long Hunter State Park provides direct water access for filtering from the lake, while other locations like Bells Bend require campers to carry in their water or walk to the outdoor center for running water. Portable toilets are available at some parking areas, with more developed facilities often requiring a short hike.
Tent campsites in this region offer varied experiences based on location and proximity to water. At Long Hunter State Park, primitive sites sit directly on the water, creating excellent swimming and fishing opportunities. "It is a great swimming spot with flat rocks to hang out on," according to one visitor's review, though they also warned about ticks being prevalent. Bells Bend Park provides a more secluded woodland experience with sites positioned on a hill among trees. During summer months, insect repellent is essential for tent campers in this region, particularly at waterfront sites. Most locations permit pets on leash, allowing complete families to enjoy the tent camping experience. Fall camping offers more comfortable temperatures and typically fewer insects than peak summer months.
"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."
from $10 - $11 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"There is a flat trail next to the lake that my two year old loves to run up and down, playgrounds, and a story trail."
"We stayed right on the water & one of the trails, it was so beautiful."
"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."
"Stayed overnight at the boat ramp in a large quiet lot next to the reservoir surrounded by trees. A few cars were in the lot in the morning but I didn’t hear a sound. There are no services here."
"Easy to get to, ample room between campers, close to local shopping."
from $60 - $75 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $32 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $85 - $120 / night
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RangerThe tent sites were well kept. They are gravel pads with a grill and fire ring. They are right on the water with easy access to put in a kayak. And close to a boat ramp if bringing a boat. It’s shaded. The bath house is a bit of a walk and they have restrooms only, no showers.
LegendStopped 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.
TravelerWhile 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.
TravelerThis place is a gem! You can stay for 14 days each year because, let's face it, it's too nice for them to let people hog it. Free water in various places, garbage cans by your site, numbered sites, paved driveways and parking spaces, manicured and litter-controlled park, and a bathroom building with multiple flush toilets for each sex and sinks with running water! These are in at least two places. Picnic tables and fire rings with lift-off on a hinge grates.
GuideI was really looking forward to this place on my way to Arkansas. However, as soon as I turned into the camping area I was “greeted” by not one but TWO off leash dogs barking and running toward my van (they were not together). Fortunately, I took vinegar spray with me when I took my dog for a walk. It was a useful deterrent when one of the loose dogs ran at us. I yelled to put the dog on leash but of course nobody emerged from the van. On the return trip I made sure to have my spray and body pointed straight toward the dog who was just waiting for me to turn around so he could attack again. If you want a flat spot, a pull through spot, or one that you can’t smell the toilets, get there early! I got there around noon and maybe 15 people were there. By sundown most spots were taken…on a Tuesday. Restrooms toward the entrance were nice with running water and flush toilets.
LegendWe 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.
GuideSpent 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.
ScoutWe took our three kids tent camping overnight and we had a great time! All roads and campsites are paved so the kids all road bikes easily! No electric at sites but there are water spigots periodically placed through the campground. Bathrooms were very clean. No showers. Overall we were very happy!
ScoutI pulled in really late to tent camp. Richard, the owner came down and checked me in. Such a chill spot to set up for the night. I’d highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a spot to rest for the night. Not real sure how many tent sites he has but the one I am at right now is super close to the showers and the main office which is cool for a couple reasons. Convenience and safety! Check this place out for sure!
Tent camping around Kingston Springs offers secluded woodland experiences within 30 minutes of Nashville. This region sits along the Cumberland River valley where campers encounter mixed hardwood forests and limestone outcroppings typical of the Highland Rim geological area. Fall temperatures average 55-70°F during the day, providing more comfortable camping conditions than summer's humid 85-95°F highs.
Kayaking on the Cumberland River: Laguardo Recreation Area provides river access for paddlers looking to explore the waterways. "I've only been here kayaking but it's nice and clean," notes a visitor at Laguardo.
Hiking through farmland: At Bells Bend Park, trails wind through agricultural landscapes. "Farmland with spots of woodland... The trails are through farmland and bike friendly," according to one camper's experience.
Swimming at Percy Priest Lake: The lake offers multiple swimming areas with varying terrain. One camper at Smith Springs mentions, "The water area here is slightly different than some of the other areas I visited on the lake. Looks like it'd be great for just jumping in and lots of shallows for kids."
Fishing from lakeside spots: Fishing opportunities abound throughout the region's waterways. Campers can fish from shorelines or bring small boats to access deeper water. Multiple areas offer water access, though bank conditions vary seasonally.
Proximity to Nashville: Camp Nashville Highland Rim offers a rare combination of woodland camping with city access. "Due to city regulations, it can be difficult to find camping this close to the city. At Camp Nashville, you can make day trips to the city and come back to your cozy campsite after a day exploring," explains a reviewer at Camp Nashville Highland Rim.
Lakeside camping: Primitive sites directly on the water create opportunities for water activities. "Boated in and camped on an island," notes one camper at Cook - J. Percy Priest Reservoir, though they caution about potential noise from other campers.
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Trails to walk-in sites provide practice for novice backpackers without major elevation challenges. "Excellent practice run on your primitive skills. Pack distribution and what you need, no major climbs. This is a good trail to try out your skills before attempting a more challenging trip," shares a camper about Long Hunter State Park.
Stargazing opportunities: The region's relatively dark skies provide good stargazing conditions. "The sky is immense," notes one Bells Bend Park visitor about the night sky views from the camping area.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Most tent camping near Kingston Springs requires self-sufficiency. "Primitive camping, in the trees on a hill. Group only. There are some tables and some fire rings," explains a Bells Bend visitor.
Water access varies significantly: At Stones River Getaway, drinking water is available, but many sites require campers to bring their own or have a filtration system for natural water sources.
Insect preparation essential: Beyond mosquitoes, the region has significant tick populations, particularly at waterfront sites during warm months. One Long Hunter camper warns, "We left with multiple bites, and were constantly picking them off each other and our gear. They seemed to be worst around the fire pit."
Reservation requirements: Most tent sites require advance booking, and some have specific check-in procedures. Group sites often have different pricing structures than individual sites.
Weather considerations: The Cumberland River valley can experience sudden storms. Several campers mentioned rain experiences, with one noting they "had some heavy rains overnight, and did have some dripping water from the center seam of the tent."
Shallow swimming areas: Smith Springs offers kid-friendly water access with gradual entry points. "Lots of shallows for kids," notes one visitor, making it suitable for families with young children.
Short hiking distances: Several campgrounds feature trails appropriate for children. Long Hunter State Park has received positive reviews from youth groups, with one leader noting, "Even though 6 miles is quite the hike for a young Girl Scout Troop just to reach our Campsite it was beyond worth it!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The best tent camping near Kingston Springs offers chances to observe local fauna. "I saw so many deer and turkeys I finally quit taking pics of them," shares a camper at Long Hunter State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Some parks offer organized activities. "The park offers a lot of programs to base your camping around," mentions a Bells Bend visitor, which can enhance camping trips with children through structured learning experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kingston Springs, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kingston Springs, TN is Bells Bend Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Kingston Springs, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Kingston Springs, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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