Best Tent Camping near Lawrenceburg, TN

For My FULL VIDEO Of My Experience At This Campground CLICK HERE

Following the winding a scenic Natchez Trace you begin to climb higher and higher into the beauty of the mountains. When I was making this trip in late August, I could already see the shifting of the leave in its most early stages and I could only imagine what it would be like only a month later.

As I entered the park and followed the signs toward the campground I was very eager to see what this FREE site had to offer. I had discovered this site when searching youtube for things to do and someone suggested camping here because of the historic landmark in the park. After further research I discovered it was a pretty decently sized campground with semi primitive camping.

I arrived at the camping loops and discovered two loops of camping each with differing sizes of spaces, some designed for pull through style RV parking and some for back in car parking. Spaces were large and while there were several people staying here it did not seem overly crowded.

The first loop was much further from the restroom than the second, which also housed the campground host in his RV just as you entered the loop. He was welcoming with a smile and wave and I just felt like this was going to be a nice place to stay for the night.

You can stay for up to 14 days at this location and I could easily see this being one of those stops you wouldn’t necessarily want to leave in a hurry because it was so peaceful. There were numerous hiking trails and a well landscaped creek area which made for a great place to come for day use as well.

My site was pretty typical in that it had a fire ring and picnic table. The ground was semi level and very rough so camping in a tent I was happy to have brought a little padding. The restrooms were very nice and had both flush toilets and drinking water. They were well lit and for a minute when I walked in I wondered how on earth this was a free site because they were so nice.

All was great until about 8 p.m. when some people pulled in after dark and weren’t quite sure how to set up their tent and were pretty loudly disagreeing with one another in debate of how to do so. But after they finally figured that out about an hour later the night was again left to the sounds of the cicadas and frogs.

TIPS

• If you are tent camping bring some kind of cushion on pad for your floor otherwise it will be a rough evening on the ground.
• Bug spray is a must, the mosquitoes are thick here because of all the moisture of the forest and ticks can also be a problem during certain months.
• Don’t tell all your friends, they will take over your secret little camping spot after they find out just how amazing this site really is!! (lol)

It's just numbered spots with fire rings and picnic tables. I tent camp so it was perfect for me and I really liked it.

Great if you want to canoe or paddle board while camping. Has a little island not far by canoe. You can’t drive to the tent spots, but there is a parking lot close by. The tent camping is almost never crowded.

Stayed at campground 1 site 20 and was very pleased! Very clean and well maintained! We tent camped and I like the concrete pad because didn’t have to worry about things getting wet from the ground. Has a 20 and 30 amp electric hook up and water beside. Nice fire pit and table also! Site 20 is located right beside shoal creek and with in walking distance to the restrooms and bathhouse!

Site 1 was on it own little peninsula with cypress tree, flat ground, and nice views. The whole primitive/tent campground was nice, with all site being on or viewing the water. Clean and nice to walk around. The primitive section js also the boat ramp area and doesn’t have running water facilities

My husband and I went on our first camper trip here. It was breathtakingly beautiful! They have a rope course, water activities/rentals, cabins, rv/camper/tent sites waterside, and more. We fished feet from our camper off of the bank. They have a tie-down for animals, fire pit (with grill), all the hook ups for the rv/campers, and even gave us free food upon arrival. It was a perfect getaway for just the 2 of us, but we plan to bring our children next time!

I have camped here twice so far and it is a nice, basic campground. We tent camped but there were a couple of RV's there, so I know there are places for them. It is on a nice stretch of the Tennessee River, and you can swim, fish, and boat there. Plenty of camp sites and very spacious. Popular with the locals and fairly secluded. Pretty woodland all around. There is a bathhouse with toilets, sinks, and cold showers. The bathhouse is pretty centrally located and there are electric lights around it. Usually not crowded. Plenty of dead wood to collect for firewood. There is a covered area with picnic tables near the bathhouse. Also a few picnic tables around the grounds. There are also plenty of trash cans and fire pits. You can park right next to your site. Very good for family camping. Within a few miles there are a couple of gas stations/convenience stores. Some cell service works out there, some not so much.

“Let’s go camping where one of the most remembered American explorers died a tragic death.” That’s probably not something I would have said before visiting the Meriwether Lewis Campground near Hohenwald, Tennessee. This campground is amazing. First, its setting couldn’t be anymore beautiful being nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of central Tennessee. The campground is filled with tall, stately oak trees that provide great, all day shade and shelter from the sun. It was hypnotizing listening to the wind from a summer storm swoosh through them. The sites are tent, car camper, and RV friendly though if you are staying in a tent you might have to be selective about which site you choose. Some are rocky and have quite a slant. Site 16, the one we chose to call home for the night, would not have made a good tent site at all even though it offered a breath-taking view of a cool, green hollow. Each site has a fire ring with an attached grill. The rings are about three feet wide and around 18 inches deep. They rest on a concrete slab. Camp parking is asphalt as are all the roads that wind through the park. All sites are within walking distance of a fully functional and positively clean bathroom that is cleaned regularly. You will need to bring your own soap to the bathroom though. The park doesn’t supply it or paper towels. Each campsite also has a secure trash can that is emptied daily(late in the evening during our stay). The campground is full of wildlife so it's nice to know they won’t be feasting on full trash cans. We shared our campsite with a pleasant and oddly curious Tennessee Rough Green Snake or Vine Snake. He enjoyed hunting bugs in the leaf litter at our campsite, and for about an hour, my son Oz and I enjoyed watching him on the hunt. We also saw a box turtle speeding down one of the many trails located within walking distance of the campground. The campground had three rounds of campers arrive on Friday night, July 5. The early campers who arrived between 2PM and 6PM, the after-work campers arriving just before sunset, and the evening crowd that arrived after sunset. The after-sunset crowd made a quick camp and went right to sleep. The camp has fresh water sources scattered throughout the campground including water fountains and spigots. Park staff were welcoming and hard working as you can instantly tell by the overall tidiness of the entire park. You may want to grab supplies before you head into camp since the two nearest towns are a few miles from the camp: Hohenwald (8 miles) and Summertown (11 miles). There is no store in the park or vending machines. You will also need to purchase firewood or be willing to walk to get it. The campground is well used so most sites only have twigs available. We lucked out and found some charred wood in unused campsites that supplemented our kindling we found while hiking. Overall, this is a great family campground. Access to the park isn’t restricted at night so you may want to make sure you carry a light with you as you walk around the campground in the dark. There is a lot of after dark traffic and you want to make sure you can be seen by other campers driving to the bathroom or the occasional guest who might just be driving through. I look forward to going back again soon. This is a five star park.

David Crockett State Park is located near Lawrenceburg, Tn off I64 or I43 depending on your direction of travel.

We visited in March for the Vintage Camper weekend and had an excellent time. The campground is sort of a double loop design , down hill, so makes for a good walk. Full hook up, cement pad, level sites and everyone would have shade if the leaves had come in, though that early in the season it wasn’t really needed. The sites are adequate but not overly roomy. You can fit yourself in, and an extra car. A small tent or hammock would fit too. The showerhouse was newer and well maintained, as well as the campground. The host was very helpful and knowledgeable.

The trail we took was a little rough , definitely technical but plenty of cool things to keep my granddaughter interested in the next turn. The lake will accommodate water sports of all sorts, we did not stop by though because the granddaughter would have ended up in the water ;)

David Crockett State Park is near Lawrenceburg, Tn. Not huge but very outdoor enthusiast friendly.

2 campgrounds to choose from, #1 is the older if the two and has several sites that sit next to the water. Unfortunately these sites have limited camping area. It really depends on what you like within easy access. The other sites in #1 are a little larger. #2 sites have more room and shade and a newer showerhouse. When we visited there were only a few other campers and it was very peaceful and relaxing. Full hookup but no sewer on sites. The temperature at night has started dropping to cool enough and no bugs but not teeth chattering cold. My favorite type of camping weather. The fire is an enjoyable location after dark with a lite blanket in your lap and warm beverage nearby.

There are many sites to see but nothing spectacular. I say this because it means the tourists are not tramping through the area with trash and noise in their wake. To me this park had a more , I guess, homey atmosphere, if that makes sense. The staff had decorated the area in pumpkins and spider webs and the fall colors had just started changing the forest greens into a blanket of warm colors. There is a museum with water wheel on its side that has injured and recooperating wildlife housed next to it. There are trails to explore, fishing and other water sports. You could easily spend a week here just meandering through outdoor activities and sitting in a hammock chilling.

Loved it as a kid and still love it today! This is a great spot located in Northern Alabama just east of Florence on the Tennessee River. This is a good spot for exploring some of the cool spots in the area including the musical landmark of Muscle Shoals.

There are improved and primitive sites available, depending on what your looking for. Primitive sites are simple and improved sites come in all shapes and sizes (i.e. some have sewer, some are 50 amp, 30 amp, etc.). While the improved sites cater to RVs, they are nice for tents as well. The campground is full of great trees if you're hoping to sling a hammock for your stay.

There's a store and a nice boat launch readily accessible. Be sure to get a site right on the water if you can. Here's a map to help! http://www.alapark.com/sites/alapark.com/files/JoeWheelerStateParkCampgroundMap.pdf

Overall: Small, shaded and quiet. Way off the beaten path near the Tennessee River. A drive to the nearby Lady’s Bluff Small Wild Area is worthwhile. 

Getting there: If you want to get away from the crowded I-40 Interstate and do not mind a 30 minute drive through the gently rolling hills and farmland of rural Tennessee this might be a good stop for you! Be sure to set your GPS before leaving I-40 because at least with ATT you will lose signal.  

Check in and staff: Online reservation was easy and the website has photos with a good listing by site of what is there, including whether or not there is a tent pad and the size of same. We needed to change sites at the last minute. The ranger was very kind and helpful. 

Amenities: power and water available at main campground but not all site:, spotty cell service with ATT. Does work on the hilltop of the main campground. Washer/dryer available in bath house. Camp store closed for remodeling and paving while we were there. 

Bathrooms: older but clean, well kept. Small, one shower. 

Site: partial shade, some reasonable separation between sites but some close together. Fellow campers were quiet and courteous. Picnic tables and fire pits clean and in good order.

Henry Horton State Park has that back country lived in feel. Probably has something to do with the multitude of kinfolk wandering about:)

South of Nashville, Tn 31A runs right through the middle of the actual park.

Duck River runs through the park and is a main focus of the entertainment with rental places picking up tubers from on the road into the tent area. (Yes, I received several dirty looks for driving on the road toward the tent area.) I parked in the restroom area as the road was completely blocked with children, inner tubes and adults.

The tent area had BIG sites that would easily fit several tents and trees for hammocks. There are 10 sites. The river was at the rear of the tent area as well as a trail Adeline Wilhoite River trail that followed the river. There are also primitive campsites available if your backpacking through located near the observation deck on the Adeline Wilhoite River trail loop.

The bathhouse is newer and well kept. There is a playground in the middle of the campground area, in front of the visitors office. ( pretty awesome looking sandpit)

The RV area is adjacent through the woods it has 56 sites. The sites looked adequate, but from what I saw they were close together. There may have been more space further in.

There is an Inn and cabins available also on the other side of the park/river.

We enjoyed the trails , just gotta say BUG SPRAY :) Keep your eyes open for critters and there are bikers using several of the trails.Wilhoite Mill Trail is one of the features of the park, which leads to a historic mill.

So pack your banjo and yak and git on out to Henry Horton State Park for a good ole time !

This park is extremely clean and well maintained. The primitive sites are right on the beautiful tennessee river. The park rangers are extremely helpful as well. Highly recommended

Most campgrounds in Tennessee are buried in the woods, but not this yurt campsite at Ray of Hope.  The yurt sets on the side of a beautiful Tennessee Hill offering almost a complete view of the nighttime sky.  We watched the moon rise over a hill directly in front of the campsite, and we even saw a brilliant shooting star blaze across the sky for what seems like an eternity.  The Ray of Hope campground is a private campground that went above and beyond our expectations.  The yurt was clean, included battery powered lights and a LED lantern, and a full sized bed that made the night pass with ease.  The campsite also offers free firewood and a large fire ring.  There are two deck chairs at the campsite which are perfect for stargazing.  The entrance of the yurt faces sunrise and the farm animals serenade you in the morning when the mist begins to burn off the valley.  There is a well stocked outside shower surrounded by sweet smelling herbs.  Water and a toilet are near the shower stall.   The campsite is near the small town of Petersburg, TN where you can find two gas stations and a Dollar Store.  If it's hot outside, you might want to bring a battery operated fan.  This place is a perfect glamping experience for an extended date or weekend in beautiful Tennessee.

I stayed here on a Thursday evening and I literally had the whole place to myself. It was nice. I couldn't get a for going and my tent poles were broken but I still had a great evening with the river just yards away. There are flush toilets and showers, but no potable water, so plan ahead!

Stayed overnight in July and there was just 1 toilet working! When it rains just a bit, the campground is a mess. I expect mud but this was awful. Way too much water lying around to be able to setup a tent. Fortunately, they had a couple spots that were a bit higher up so not as wet and muddy. Too expensive for what you get. Staff was ok, not overly friendly or helpful but certainly not rude.

The campground is right on the river and very quiet and peaceful. Porta-potties are available in the primitive campground and they’re very clean. The staff was helpful and came by to check in on us when they saw we had trouble with a tent pole that had broken. Bug spray is a must here, the mosquitoes are awful that close to the river but that’s the only negative thing we encountered.

On August 30, 2019, my wife and I camped at Blackberry Row Campground located on Shalom Farm near Ethridge, Tennessee. The private campground is right in the middle of Amish country, so on our drive in we were able to stop and enjoy the fields, windmills, animals, and horse and buggies of the Amish people. There are other campgrounds located near the Amish community in Ethridge but none quite as beautiful and centrally located as Blackberry Row. 

The campground is simple. There’s a bathroom building with a composting toilet. At the time we camped, there was no running water in the bathroom building, but there was a spigot located near the campsites. This doubles as a water source for many of the farm animals that will join you on your camping trip at Blackberry Row. For instance when we got up in the morning, we were greeted by five beautiful hens and their ever watchful rooster. They enjoyed picking up the scraps from our S’mores the night before. 

The campsite we stayed at was near the woods. It had a permanent structure built there that a tent or hammock camper could use during the rain. We parked next to it and used it as a porch for our chairs, cooking setup, and campfire.  It was nice sitting under it and enjoying coffee from our Banner and Oak Coffee Cups.

Some of the camping areas are not level, but there’s a large field that has plenty of level spots if that’s what you need. The campground is near a small paved country road but there’s very little traffic. The whole time we were there only two or three cars passed. We had full cell phone reception which was really nice.

This would be a perfect place for kids. I know my children would have loved visiting the many animals that call Shalom their home. 

TIP: I would make sure to pick up all of your essentials before arriving to set up camp. This is a rural location and stores are a bit away. We brought our Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast(yum) and a few snacks to get us through the night. We also had fun using our Grub Stick  to make S’mores over the fire. 

TIP: By the way, don’t forget to bring some cash. The Amish make wonderful items for sale (Monday-Saturday, closed on Sundays), but as you might imagine, you can’t buy their fried pies or peanut brittle with a card. We took $25 in cash and ate like kings.

TIP: Please remember that the Amish do not like to be photographed.  If you stay at Blackberry Row you will be camping in the heart of their homeland.