Center Hill Lake dominates the cabin camping landscape near Lancaster, Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 618 feet at normal lake level to surrounding ridge tops at 1,100 feet. The Cumberland Plateau region experiences moderate seasonal temperature shifts with summer highs typically reaching the upper 80s, making tent platform and cabin accommodations particularly popular during the May-September peak season. Winter visitors can expect nighttime lows around 30°F with occasional frost on elevated cabin platforms.
What to do
Pontoon boat tours: Engage with a park ranger for an educational water expedition at Edgar Evins State Park. "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too!" notes Rosa B., highlighting additional amenities available during these outings.
Trail hiking: Access multiple trail systems directly from cabin and platform sites. At Cedars of Lebanon State Park, cabin guests appreciate the trail connectivity. "We had our 5 dogs with us and there was room at this site to let them out with ease and we were right next to a hiking trail for their walks," reports Ashley U.
Lake swimming: Several cabin locations offer direct lake access for swimming. "The sites have fire rings and picnic tables. The campground has a day use area, and a playground. Great spot for lake camping!" writes Nate H. about cabins at Ragland Bottom, where many waterfront sites allow swimming directly from your cabin area.
What campers like
Platform camping versatility: The wooden deck platforms at Rock Island State Park accommodate various shelter types. "Parking sites are on wooden platforms which was fine for our Winnebago Revel, but a bit weird for my daughter who was sleeping in a tent, but it all worked out fine," shares John B., demonstrating the adaptability of these structures.
Cabin privacy levels: Site selection significantly impacts privacy in cabin areas. At Wildwood Resort and Marina, the new owners "have put a ton of work into it including new gravel at sites, new picnic tables and grills," according to Leah J., creating more defined spaces between cabin sites.
Water proximity: Lakefront cabin sites allow for convenient boat storage. At Defeated Creek Marina Campground, "most sites have good shade, water sites are great with grassy areas going straight to water. We always leave our boat or kayaks in water at sites," explains Mandy C., highlighting the practical advantage of waterfront cabins.
What you should know
Winter operations: Several locations maintain year-round cabin availability despite reduced services. "We stayed here in November 2017... it was pretty quiet and very relaxing. We packed up during the day to explore other nearby parks like fall creek falls and Cummins falls but came back at night to camp," reports Emily W. about her experience at Edgar Evins State Park.
Terrain challenges: Platform sites often require climbing. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if you're walking from one level to the next, which if you need the showerhouse, you will be on certain tiers," explains Shelly S. about the physical demands at some locations.
Connectivity limitations: Cell coverage varies significantly across cabin locations. Ray & Terri F. note: "AT&T had 2 bars and 1 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 4 MB/s with it. Overall WiFi was problematic," detailing the specific connectivity challenges at their platform cabin site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabin sites near recreational facilities. At Beech Hollow Hideout, William has "a four wheeler to carry the big stuff up," which helps families transport gear to their cabin, making the steep climb more manageable with children.
Swimming beaches: Choose cabins near designated swimming areas for safer water recreation. LuAnn R. recommends specific sites: "Book sites 90, 91 or 92!" at Defeated Creek Marina Campground, noting they provide easy access to "clean baths and sandy shore swimming area."
Cabin alternatives: Consider yurt options for family groups. Cedars of Lebanon State Park offers yurt accommodations as well as cabins, providing more space for larger groups while maintaining some comforts of cabin camping.
Tips from RVers
Platform parking limitations: RV-compatible platforms have specific requirements. "Be wary of the speed bumps throughout the campground, they are closely spaced and rather abrupt, take them very slowly. The sites are all elevated platforms due to the steep slope to the lake," advises Ray & Terri F., providing practical navigation tips for arriving with larger vehicles.
Leveling challenges: Many cabin and platform sites require additional equipment for RVs. Gregory G. notes: "We traveled in a 29' motorhome. We stayed in section 1, site 22. It was a pull through site, but it was a little tight," sharing specific site information at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Fire placement restrictions: RVers must adapt to separated fire rings at platform sites. "The only thing that I didn't care for was the need for the fire pit to be off your footprint (obvious why) and the lakeside sites surprisingly did not have easy access to the lake," explains Shelly S., highlighting practical considerations for RV visitors using platforms.
