Best Campgrounds near Lancaster, TN
The area surrounding Lancaster, Tennessee provides several established campgrounds primarily situated around Center Hill Lake. Edgar Evins State Park Campground offers tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping opportunities along the lake's northern shoreline. Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas feature more basic accommodations for both tent and RV campers seeking a less developed experience. Floating Mill Campground on Center Hill Lake provides water and electric hookups with boat-in access. These mixed-use campgrounds typically operate year-round or with seasonal closures between late fall and early spring.
Center Hill Lake dominates the camping landscape near Lancaster, with most campgrounds offering water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Summer months bring warmer temperatures ideal for water recreation, while spring and fall provide more moderate conditions for hiking and outdoor activities. Many campsites require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities like drinking water, fire rings, and toilets, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Road access to most campgrounds is generally good, though some areas may have steep terrain. As one visitor noted, "We could reach the edge of the lake from our campsite and launched our kayaks from there. The boats made it a little difficult to kayak the lake, but some kayakers towards the front of the campground at the day beach seemed to do okay."
Waterfront camping sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, with campers particularly appreciating the scenic views of Center Hill Lake. Edgar Evins State Park features unique platform camping sites that elevate tents above the ground, which proves beneficial during Tennessee's frequent rain showers. A camper observed, "Where as I was at first turned off by the platform, there are a few pluses: It rains A LOT in Tennessee. When I used to camp up north, we got flooded out during heavy rains, as we were camping directly on the ground. The platform keeps you elevated." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the camping areas, with deer frequently wandering through campsites. While campgrounds closer to the lake may experience more boat traffic and noise, particularly near marinas, those seeking more solitude can find it in the more wooded camping areas or at primitive sites that offer fewer amenities but greater privacy.
