Camping sites near Lancing, Tennessee sit within the Cumberland Plateau region at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. The area transitions through distinct camping seasons with fall temperatures averaging 45-65°F and less humidity than summer months. Primitive camping options often have limited cellular connectivity, particularly in valley locations where signal strength diminishes significantly.
What to do
Hiking diverse trail networks: At Frozen Head State Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple difficulty levels of trails ranging from easy creek-side paths to challenging mountain ascents. According to one visitor, "There is excellent and serious hiking and backpacking here. The campground is rustic but taken care of... Park rangers were particularly helpful choosing hikes."
Rock climbing opportunities: Freedom Hills Campground provides access to numerous climbing routes in the Obed area. "Had such a good time here. Chad, the owner, was incredibly nice and a great host, helping us with whatever we needed," notes one camper who frequented the climbing areas.
Water activities on multiple waterways: Melton Hill Dam Campground offers direct lake access for fishing, swimming and boating. A camper mentions, "Easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them. Easy access to my family in Knoxville Tennessee."
Stargazing in designated dark sky areas: Rock Creek Campground provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. One visitor notes, "This is a dark sky park, a neat thing to experience," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Solitude during off-peak times: At Rock Creek Campground, visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, especially mid-week. A camper observed, "A Beautiful campsite, a ton of activities for the grandkids, lots of amenities... We had a great view of one of the ponds, and nice lawn on each side and behind us."
Well-maintained facilities: Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Great spacious site with beautiful scenery all around! There's a lake and walking trails. Descent bathrooms. Water nearby and they sell firewood," one visitor shared.
Bear-resistant storage options: Bandy Creek Campground provides bear boxes at campsites. "Each site has a food storage box," a camper noted, adding that "The sites are all spacious, and wooded for the most part, so you have plenty of space and some privacy."
Brewery and camping combinations: Lilly Pad Campground offers an unusual amenity. A visitor explained, "The brewery on sight is a short walk from the campground and absolutely amazing. They grow their own hops on sight and have a food truck daily."
What you should know
Gate closing times: Several campgrounds have strict entry times. At Frozen Head State Park Campground, "The gates get locked so make sure you arrive early. We got locked out and couldn't contact anyone," one camper warned.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and venomous snakes inhabit the area. One camper at Frozen Head noted, "Be advised, the last two years there's been baby copperhead snakes that hang around outside the bath house at night."
Limited water availability: Bi-Color Campground in Catoosa WMA has no water sources. A visitor advised, "There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions."
Seasonal insect challenges: During warmer months, biting insects become problematic. One camper at Freedom Hills noted the campground has "beautiful views" but warned about seasonal conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground offers family-friendly water access. "This is a larger state park that includes a restaurant, golf course, pool, etc. but also some nice trails to enjoy the natural beauty of the area," a visitor explained.
Campgrounds with playgrounds: Crossville I-40 KOA features dedicated play areas. "We had a blast at this KOA! The sites were clean and beautiful. Big bathhouse rooms... We stayed during Halloween and they organized sites for trick or treating and had hot chocolate and candy in the office," shared one family.
Kid-friendly trail options: Several parks have shorter trails suitable for children. At Frozen Head, one parent mentioned, "My daughter (9 yrs) brought her bike and was able to ride all around the camp site & have a blast."
Look for animal viewing opportunities: Some campgrounds offer unique wildlife encounters. At Crossville I-40 KOA, "It has a pen that hold 2 mules and the view of the mountains is amazing!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: At Melton Hill Dam Campground, "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling. There are a mix of short-stay and longer stay sites."
Limited big rig access: Many campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Bandy Creek, one RVer noted, "The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. Rock Creek Campground has "trash, showers, restrooms. The spaces are pretty close together which isn't my favorite. But the best part about this campground is the convenient location."
Alternative RV accommodations: For larger rigs, Cumberland Mountain State Park provides better options. "Campground has 5 loops and many nice sites although some are not level but they have worked on many of them. Full hookups are in Loop I or A and this loop is open year around."
