Lancing, Tennessee sits at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with mild winters and warm, humid summers. Camping accommodations near Lancing include primitive tent sites, full-service RV sites, and yurt camping options throughout the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails lead to scenic waterfalls throughout the area. At Frozen Head State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple waterfall hikes from the campground. "A truly beautiful well kept secret of TN. Beautiful grounds and wonderful waterfalls!!" noted Amy P.
Fishing opportunities: The region's rivers and lakes offer excellent fishing spots. Deer Run RV Resort provides a "Well stocked fishing lake. Reasonably priced. Well taken care of" according to Dennis B., making it perfect for anglers wanting to stay near their fishing spot.
Trail running and hiking: The area features dozens of hiking trails across various difficulty levels. Many hikers appreciate the unique landscape around Frozen Head. "The surroundings are gorgeous: the foothills of the Appalachians and the hiking is superb and challenging. If you are able, make sure to hike to the Lookout Tower!" advises Jessica L.
Swimming in natural areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming options beyond traditional pools. Spacious Skies Belle Ridge provides access to a unique swimming area, with a visitor noting, "The sandy playground (though it was older and the volleyball net was down), the fishing lake, and the really cool swimming lake, which was surrounded by rock, were all appreciated."
What campers like
Yurt camping options: Yurt accommodations near Lancing, Tennessee provide comfortable shelter while maintaining a camping feel. At Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground, one visitor shared, "This campground has everything you need and nothing you don't. The prices are reasonable and the hiking trails within the park start right next to the campsites."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities. "The bathhouse is beautiful with cedar stalls. Lots to do with the hiking. Grounds are well maintained without taking away from the natural beauty," wrote Brittni F. about her stay at Frozen Head.
Natural surroundings: The natural landscapes receive consistent positive feedback. A visitor to Blue Heron Campground shared: "The campsites have a picnic table and a firepit. Our campsite was very nice and private with a big grassy area. The bathhouse was nice and clean."
Spacious sites: Campers frequently note the generous site sizes. "The sites were level, large, gravel with picnic tables and fire rings.spaced far enough apart you didn't feel crowded at all," reported Brenda L. about Spacious Skies Belle Ridge.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Some campgrounds close during winter months. East Fork Stables operates from April through November, with one visitor noting: "Campground has Cabins, Bunk house, full-hook-ups and primitive spots. There are stalls and tie lines with round pens and paddocks scattered around."
Gate closures: Some parks lock gates after certain hours. "The gates get locked so make sure you arrive early. We got locked out and couldn't contact anyone," warned Melanie G. about her experience at Frozen Head State Park.
Campground layout considerations: Site locations can affect your experience. At Cumberland Mountain State Park, one camper observed: "Sites in my section were pretty steep as in on a big hill so us tenters get quite a workout going up to the bathhouse! Not to mention, was very difficult to fit two tents and vehicles at the site since the ONLY level spot was the gravel drive."
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have spotty or no cell reception. A visitor noted about Frozen Head State Park: "There is no wifi and no cell phone reception," which can be either a welcome break or inconvenient depending on your needs.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting local wildlife. "My daughter (9 yrs) brought her bike and was able to ride all around the camp site & have a blast. Being a Ultra Runner fan girl I of course had to take a picture of the infamous Barkley Marathon yellow gate," shared Liz A. about her family trip to Frozen Head State Park.
Mining activities: Some campgrounds offer gem mining activities. At Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, families can purchase mining bags, though one visitor noted timing issues: "The next morning we wanted to buy the bag of gems for the mining and the office wasn't even open (12PM) before check-out (11AM)."
Playgrounds and recreational areas: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly facilities. "Outdoor pool with a kids pool, playground, basketball, corn hole, horse shoe," lists Josh S. about amenities at Caney Creek RV Resort & Marina.
Safety considerations: Some facilities require extra attention for safety. Laura D. warns about Cumberland Mountain: "Be advised, the last two years there's been baby copperhead snakes that hang around outside the bath house at night."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. At Crossville I-40 KOA, one RVer reported: "Super simple, not many trees or landscaping. No shade so super hot in summer."
Electrical issues: Check electrical connections upon arrival. One visitor to Blue Heron Campground noted: "My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004."
Highway noise: Consider site location relative to highways. Regarding Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, a camper advised: "First, one advantage/disadvantage is it is located right off 40. If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it's going to be very noisy."
Spacious sites for large rigs: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs well. "We had a concrete site in E-loop that allowed us to level with no trouble! The dogs enjoyed the huge field next to the sites," shared a visitor about Spacious Skies Belle Ridge.
