Looking for the best campgrounds near Lafayette, TN? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Tennessee camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Lafayette, TN. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$25 - $30 / night
"I had seen great reviews for this place, like many in Tennessee, but the amenities never seemed to stop when I actually arrived. "
"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."
$25 - $50 / night
"There is a restroom in the campground and a shower house, laundry room, post office and store adjacent. The dump station is next to that facility right outside the front “gate”."
"This campground is close to the visitor center and you’ll need site reservations in summer. Showers are wonderfully hot but there’s no RV hookups."
"There is a short trail near the boat ramp, more for fisher folk then a good hike. It ends at a small inlet. You have a strip of grass to your uphill side to use, otherwise not much privacy."
$5 / night
"There are about 4 lakeside sites available all with good lake views"
"Cove Creek at Dale Hollow lake in TN is a primitive campsite with lakeside camping. There are water faucets for drinking water and a pit toilet available."
"Despite this campsite being surrounded by the Green River on 3 sides, water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet."
"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."
$30 - $45 / night
"While visiting family in Scottsville we were in need of a close by RV park for our 40’ rig. This was the perfect spot for us."
"A lot of people pull in for the night since it's right off the highway and behind a Pilot/Flying J, but it was still quiet."
$30 - $55 / night
"Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere. It is out in the farmlands, but worth the drive."
"sites: horse sites available. wooded area around campground. semi-private sites. amenities: lake. pool. other attractions: lodge/camping cabins. restaurant. I would go back again."
$50 / night
"These sites looked super nice, but many are reserved for group camping and equestrian camping it seemed."
"Nice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too."
LegendWhile visiting Mammoth Cave, we drove through the campgrounds checking them out for family that was going to be traveling here in the next couple of months. These sites looked super nice, but many are reserved for group camping and equestrian camping it seemed. It does seem like some people didn’t have horses too, so there must be regular camping as well. The campground was small, but wooded and seemed to offer some seclusion from others and it was a reprieve from the busy park.
LegendDale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere. It is out in the farmlands, but worth the drive.
I drove to it from Cumberland Parkway, a very picturesque drive. The GPS took me right to the entrance no issues like there are with some other parks.
Once there the main areas are very well marked. The camp store has a somewhat useful map that will get you there by road.
My disappointment and frustration was the trails marked on the map. I'm not sure if some spurs are new, not used often or being reclaimed but we would start down a trail that had a trailhead sign and then the trail would just disappear into the weeds or a field with no signage.
The trail to Eagle Point was well used and a good walk to an awesome view.
The Campground is set up in what I call wagon train circles (lol) if your going with a large group it's perfect. People parked their toys and cars in the middle and set up in the sites around the hub.
if your not with a group you will probably have an opportunity to met your neighbor. There is not a lot of shade. There is a pool on site and cute little blue cabins to rent. Newer restrooms and a dumpstation. Tge horse ampground was adjacent to the regular campground.
The Marina and Lodge are at the end of the road and there was a golf course on the way in. Pretty much covers all the bases of outdoor entertainment.
LegendMammoth Cave Campground is in the country but centrally located between several nice size cities and right off I65.
No signal once you get in the park except if your lucky at the lodge. We tuned in to WIFI whenever we passed through the Visitors Center/lodge restaurant in the morning.
The campground is primitive, no electric with parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a restroom in the campground and a shower house, laundry room, post office and store adjacent. The dump station is next to that facility right outside the front “gate”.
There is enough space between camp sites to have some privacy and the trees provide natural noise block and shade. There be critters in the woods so protect your food! You may see deer and turkey, you won’t see the little shit raccoon that runs off with dog toys and any food left out ;)
There are several trail access points directly from the campground. Including two easy trails to the visitors center.
Aside from the obvious, cave tours, there are several other options on how to spend your day and nights.
If your coming for the cave specifically make sure you reserve your preferred cave tour way ahead of time!
If you are coming for the trails, enjoy! There are multiple options. I run the trail near the visitor center year round. It is technical and hilly, not stroller friendly.
The trails on the far side of the Green River ferry have dispersed camping sites and plenty of natural features to discover.
The float down the Green River is enjoyable. If you bring your own water craft several of the companies will drive you to the put in from the ferry parking area for a nominal fee.
Also across the Green River is the Maple Springs group and horse campground, I’m not a horse person but I see plenty of them in the area and they seem to be enjoying the trails and campground.
There is also zip lines in the area, a winery and golfing.
Fast food and Wally World in Brownsville, other touristy attractions one exit up at Cave City. (Ky Down Under and Dinosaur World, plus a Yogi Bear Campground)
We spent the weekend hiking in the rain and avoided Green River, it’s a muddy mess right now.
LegendNice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too. There are also several primitive spots you can backpack into, check in with the staff before beginning your adventure.
RangerWOW we loved this park and caves and hikes, the kids could not stop talking and talking about the caves. This campground is close to the visitor center and you’ll need site reservations in summer. Showers are wonderfully hot but there’s no RV hookups. Our sites were pretty close to another but I think some of them had some more privacy. We met someone camping here with their horse which sounded like so much fun (but don’t worry the horse sites are farther away so no barn smells).
Guidesites: horse sites available. wooded area around campground. semi-private sites. amenities: lake. pool. other attractions: lodge/camping cabins. restaurant. I would go back again.
GuideI visited the Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park for a total of 3 days/2 nights. I chose this site because it was pet friendly. Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded. The sites were also spaced far enough apart that you never have to interact with your neighbors. Each site has two grated fire pits as well as picnic tables.
The campground offered several facilities such as a communal fire pit and a few privies and water supply stations. Everything was clean and in order while I was there.
Horses are allowed in the campground and you will see a lot of people taking their horses for a few runs around the road through the campsite as a warm up in the early mornings. My dogs did not like the horses at first but they got used to it as the trip went on. Keep this in mind if you plan to bring any four legged friends!
The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray and my gear had been treated with permethrin. Seriously, the ticks were gnarly.
Overall, this was a great place to stay. I would happily go back if I felt that I had more control over the bug situation. I hope I can learn a little more about tick control and make my way back there soon!
LegendWhen I happened upon this campground I was pleasantly welcomed by a visitor center and hiking from the moment I entered the park. But no matter how nice this area was I wasn’t able to even expect what was to come with the camping facility which by far was a surprise to say the least.
I had seen great reviews for this place, like many in Tennessee, but the amenities never seemed to stop when I actually arrived. From an Olympic sized swimming pool, horse stables, a historic chapel, butterfly garden, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, nature center and even outdoor recreation fields. It seemed never ending! There was even a cave, that with special permit you can crawl into and explore!
The spaces were closer together than I might have have normally liked, but everyone was so friendly it didn’t seem to matter. When I was there, there was an event going on that coming weekend so it was a bit more full than typical week day would have been.
Still despite all the people, it wasn’t loud. People did not blast music, talk loudly after hours or have generators humming throughout the night. Instead it was like being in this nice isolated area just with a bunch of neighbors also enjoying the isolation.
I took full advantage of all the outdoor spaces, the only one I didn’t get a chance to enjoy was the pool which was at a point during the season where it was only open on weekends.
I would stay at this site again if passing through. Reservations are not required but could be helpful on busy weekends like the one I stayed just before. I do suggest checking into the office also to get a Passport for the State of Tennessee (a small book you can stamp with each stop you make at a state facility).
TIPS:
LegendI went to Mammoth Cave National Park the first time as a child with my family in the 70’s. I took my children to Mammoth in the 90’s. And I have lived within 45 minutes of Mammoth for the last 10 years. The only time during the last 10 years I was not at the Park at least monthly was during my deployment and when the government shutdown in 2013.
In all that time I have visited the cave maybe 10 times. Spelunking was the most exhilarating visit. Make sure you check out the tour offerings online https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/gocavetours.htm well before your visit and reserve a place. If you wait until your visit you will probably have a hard time getting past the cathedral.
All the other visits were spent enjoying all the other things there are to do at Mammoth.
First and foremost is the camping. Mammoth has a campground adjacent to the Visitors Center which is basic except for two sites. There are reservable as well as walk up sites. A store, showerhouse, laundry and post office are co-located at the front of the campground and there are toilet facilities in the campground. I used the access points in the campground to hike some of the trails and walk to the visitors center.
An aspect that I have just recently started exploring are the several dispersed camp sites throughout the park. These are free but you must check in at the Lodge before hiking to them. A good , waterproof map is key.
In addition at Maple Springs on the far side of the Green River Ferry ( yes, there is a cool little two car ferry) is the Maple Springs horse and group site camping area. Nice basic, shaded area with trailheads in the area.
Now that you have found your home for your stay what to do?
Kayaking/watercraft, fishing: several companies work the Green River. If you brought your own craft they will usually meet you at the Green River Ferry parking area and transport you up river for a nominal fee. Check ahead at least a day so they are tracking you and can coordinate.
Hiking, Trail Running, dirtbiking, , horse, Geocaching: My favorite trail run is from the main picnic area to the ferry, with several connectors. Just technical enough to keep you on your toes, definitely not a mountain but the hills and valleys give you good work out.
The Maple Springs Trailhead is the major access point for all things backpacking and horse back riding. It even has a handicap accessible horse “loading” area which is wheelchairs friendly.
If your going to geocache pre-save your coordinates and instructions cause there is no signal in the park. If you visit the restaurant at the lodge they have WiFi but it’s slloooowwwww. When we stay over I always try to do my site surfing first thing in the morning.
If you are dirt biking check your trails, some are limited access.
On our most recent visit we explored the new construction on the ferry trailhead. Pictures included.
Not Mammoth related or affiliated but a few things you may want to try while in the area:
http://www.kentuckywine.com/cave-valley-winery-at-park-mammoth-resort/
Guns and wine, can’t get much more Kentucky then that!
https://dinosaurworld.com/kentucky/
Dogs allowed ;)
http://kentuckydownunder.com/
Educational and fun, who knew!
http://mammothcave-adventures.com/
You will drop some green here but it is a lot of fun!
And there’s more ;) Happy Camping
Horse camping in Tennessee offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lafayette, TN is Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 47 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lafayette, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Lafayette, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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