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Best Tent Camping near Lancaster, TN

926 Reviews

Several tent campgrounds surround the Lancaster, Tennessee area, offering varied experiences for primitive camping in the Cumberland region. Holleman's Bend Camping Area provides free tent sites with river access, situated on a peninsula surrounded by water with gravel road access. Long Hunter State Park Campground offers primitive tent sites along the lakeshore with reservable walk-in options for backpackers seeking more remote experiences.

Tent campers at Holleman's Bend should prepare for minimal facilities and self-sufficient camping. The area has dispersed sites along the access road before reaching the water, with additional sites past the main area that offer more privacy. No drinking water or toilets are available, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Fire rings exist at most sites, and campers must follow the 14-day stay limit enforced by park officials who occasionally check vehicle information. One camper noted, "It's a great place for free camping with a cute little peninsula to camp on and beautiful water," though cell service is limited to non-existent in most areas.

The backcountry tent sites at Long Hunter State Park provide direct water access with designated fire rings. The walk-in tent camping areas require hiking up to 6 miles to reach, making them ideal for backpackers seeking solitude. A camper observed that "even though 6 miles is quite the hike for a young Girl Scout Troop just to reach our campsite, it was beyond worth it." Primitive tent campers frequently encounter wildlife including deer and turkeys along the wooded trails. Summer campers should prepare for ticks, especially around fire pits. For tent campers seeking amenities, Horseshoe Bend Marina offers developed tent sites with access to drinking water, electric hookups, showers and toilets, while still maintaining direct access to the water for kayaking and fishing opportunities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lancaster, Tennessee (33)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lancaster, TN

25 Photos of 33 Lancaster Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lancaster, TN

926 Reviews of 33 Lancaster Campgrounds

  • Shana D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 14, 2022

    Greeter Falls Campground

    New campground

    We only checked out the primitive sites while passing through the area. The sites had picnic tables and fire rings, but they were pretty overgrown. It doesn’t look like this section of the campground is getting much use yet. They have a couple of portable toilets on site with garbage cans next to the toilets. There is a water spigot at the exit that can be used for filling tanks/containers. Also, there is a community fire pit area near the exit and a small camp store building near the entrance. Closed when we drove thru. To be honest, other than sites being marked with a site number, I couldn’t tell where the sites were actually at or where tents were supposed to be set up at.

    We did not drive they the yurts or RV sites, so I cannot speak for those, but the pictures on the website look nice.

    Rating this a 3 based on location to Greeter Falls Waterfall and also because it is new and still an ongoing work in progress, I didn’t want to rate too low.

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    Ranger Review: The Dyrt Reservations at Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally compensated for staying at and reviewing campgrounds. I was given the opportunity to stay at Mountain Glen RV Park and Campground in order to test the new reservation system through The Dyrt. The reservation system works extremely well--it is fast and efficient, and save the trouble of using a third party reservation system after finding a campground you like on The Dyrt. I look forward to more campgrounds joining TD's network!

    Mountain Glen is a new campground, located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, and it is absolutely beautiful. There are a total of 8 tent sites and 41 RV sites, set next to a lake and a gorgeous view of a farm. Amenities include picnic tables, a playground, fishing, horseshoes, corn hole, a game room, a camp store, and laundry facilities, showers, and flush toilets with electricity (and heat!). It is also a short drive to Fall Creek Falls State Park, for anyone looking to enjoy the hiking near the falls without the overnight crowds the state park brings in. 

    The RV sites occupy most of the campground, and accommodate trailers ranging from 60' to 90'. All sites have electric and water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and most have small grassy areas for dogs, kids, or even grown ups to stretch out and rest. RVs are also available to rent.

    Tent sites 1-3 are listed as “primitive” sites and have no electricity or water, however it is a short walk to the office where water is available. The road is visible from these sites, however there is a grassy meadow both between the sites and the road, and the sites and the lake, with woods bordering site 3. 

    Sites 4 and 5 are located closest to the picnic shelter, with a clear view of the lake. Sites 6-8 are next to the office/bathrooms. Site 6 is the smallest and 8 is the largest. All tent sites are fairly hilly, and accommodate small tents better than large based on limited flat space—though hammocks would work well!

    There is a trail that winds around the lake, and passes a beautiful spillway on the end opposite the office which is great for getting some shade, and a chance for kids to splash in some water. This end also has a picnic table for day use. I would love to see this area eventually become a walk-in campsite as it is definitely the most beautiful area of the entire campground!

    The owners here are extremely nice. We were greeted warmly on our arrival, and spent some time talking with them our second day. It is obvious they care about the campground and want campers to enjoy themselves and feel comfortable. We are tent campers and I was wary of staying somewhere more geared towards RVs, but what tent camping here lacks in privacy and wilderness, it more than makes up for in beauty, peace, and a feeling of home-away-from-home.

  • Christy E.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful area with many activities

    I stayed in the tent-only loop - a small group of 10 sites. It was quiet and had many trees for hammocks. Thus site offers level tent pads, a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Clean bathrooms and hot showers available. The nearby swimming beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available. Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases.

  • Greg S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Anderson Road Campground

    4.5 stars

    Stopped 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.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    Sorta like a treehouse

    Edgar Evins SP is unique in that the campground sites are decks, which is actually pretty cool. Now the one down side is that certain sites can be a challenge to back into. If you are a talented backer upper shouldn’t be an issue. However if your backing up could use some practice, and/or causes fights with your spouse you may want to call and ask the easier sites to set up in...just saying, less stress. The bottom sites are along the lake and you are across from the marina. Another thing is your cooking area is off the side of your deck with your picnic table. The primitive sites are walk in and have some pretty sweet views of the lake. Downside your walking up and down a slope with your gear. Speaking of slopes, the whole campground is on a slope so your pretty much either going up or down. Cool stairways to use and strategically placed facilities. The store and trash are located wheee you park for the primitive sites at the entrance. There’s a trail in the campground that gives you a quick route to the beach area.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2025

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Waterfalls!

    General: Three distinctly different areas: tent only section, cabin area, and the main campground. I didn’t see the inside of the cabins, but they looked very luxurious from the outside, so I am sure they are very nice. The tent area also looks nice. This review focuses on the main campground. 

    Site Quality: Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side. Not all are completely level. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and grill. All sites have electricity and water, and eight of the 50 sites are FHU. There are many trees to provide separation and privacy, and sites are spaced a decent amount of space apart. Some sites can accommodate tents, and these are indicated on the post. 

    Bath/Shower: Very clean. There was a sign saying the bathrooms are cleaned twice per day. Soap, paper towels, and utility hooks are all appreciated as was instant hot water from the taps. 

    Activities/Amenities: Many outdoor activities including tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and a playground. There are two hiking trails accessible from the campground. I hiked a short distance on the Bluff Trail until it became narrow and overgrown. There are other hikes that require a drive from the campground. The best hike is in the Twin Falls area but that is a 10-15 minute drive from the campground. There is also a swimming beach with a rentable pavilion and picnic tables. It is possible to walk there but easier to drive. We also saw people kayaking on the lake and fishing is permitted. Each bathhouse also has one washer/dryer for a reasonable price. Free WiFi with a good, strong signal. 

    We enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground and for us, it was a five-star stay but I gave it four stars due to some sites not being completely level and the necessity to drive to the best hike.

  • CC C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2021

    Nashville I-24 Campground

    Lovely stay

    We 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.

  • T
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Rock Island State Park

    Beautiful state park! Unbelievable waterfalls with many of hiking trails! There is a lot of history in the park! Tent campground was nice and level! Each tent site had a tent pad, lantern pole, fire ring and sturdy table! The bathhouses was clean and warm water! Wood is sold in the near by town or at the park visitor center!

Guide to Lancaster

Lancaster sits along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee, with elevation ranging from 500 to 700 feet in most camping areas. Free primitive camping is concentrated along waterways, with sites typically situated on peninsulas or in wooded areas that flood seasonally. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with most primitive sites offering limited or no connectivity.

What to do

Kayaking at local waterfalls: Horseshoe Bend Marina offers direct water access for paddlers looking to explore Center Hill Lake and nearby waterfalls. "You can paddle down to Rock Island State Park or up the other direction to a few smaller streams that take you back to breathtaking waterfalls!" notes camper Nate H.

Wildlife observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound near the best tent camping areas in Lancaster. At Long Hunter State Park Campground, the wooded trails provide excellent wildlife spotting. "I saw so many deer and turkeys I finally quit taking pics of them," reports camper DrDavid P.

Morning mist photography: Early risers camping at Holleman's Bend can capture stunning fog patterns over the water. Camper Devin R. describes the experience: "I woke up early enough to see the sunrise and the fog coming off the river. Simply magical."

What campers like

Water-accessible camping: Turnhole Backcountry Campsite offers unique peninsula camping surrounded by water on three sides. Camper Shelly S. notes: "The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it's not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by."

Peace and solitude: Tent campers near Lancaster appreciate the quiet settings. "Secluded, quiet and beautiful. Located on the Caney Fork River," mentions Bari M. about the camping experience at Horseshoe Bend Marina.

Night sky viewing: Winter campers particularly enjoy celestial observation at certain sites. "Clear nights with a bright moon were magical here," explains Mandy C. about Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, adding "It is probably a beautiful spot when there is no foliage, as well."

What you should know

Water access challenges: Despite being near water, accessing it can be difficult at some sites. At Holleman's Bend Camping Area, Andrew K. advises: "Easy to find, download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out."

Insect preparation: Summer campers should be prepared for significant tick activity. "It was the most ticks any of us had seen, including tiny seed ticks. We left with multiple bites," warns Mandy C. about Long Hunter State Park.

Site selection strategy: Many campsites offer better options beyond the obvious spots. "Go past the main sites for more private sites," suggests Andrew K. about Holleman's Bend, while Tommy S. notes there are "dispersed site[s] along the road before you get to the water" that may be preferable to the main area.

Tips for camping with families

Difficulty assessment: Some primitive sites require significant hiking. At Tailwater Rec Area, families should note it's "a little far from the town but overall good," according to Isai L.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lancaster, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lancaster, TN is Holleman's Bend Camping Area with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lancaster, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Lancaster, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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