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Best Tent Camping near Lawrenceburg, TN

263 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping opportunities surrounding Lawrenceburg, Tennessee include several primitive options within a short drive of town. Southport Saltpeter Cave, located 12 miles south of Columbia, offers primitive tent camping alongside unique cave exploration experiences. Other tent camping options include "The Hollar," a small established campground with just four tent sites, and Fox Valley Farm, which features five walk-in tent sites in a natural setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers. Fire rings are common at sites like Southport Saltpeter Cave, where fires are permitted and firewood is available on-site. Several campgrounds, including Second Creek Recreation Area across the state line in Alabama, offer picnic tables and basic toilet facilities but lack drinking water. A recent review noted, "Lots of mosquitoes at night. Quiet pretty spot to camp. Trees for hammocking." Campers should plan to bring their own water supply when visiting most sites, as drinking water is only available at select locations like Ray of Hope Guest Ranch.

Tent campers can expect varying experiences across these backcountry sites. Southport Saltpeter Cave combines camping with educational opportunities, as one camper explained, "Buddy gives a guided tour along with camping privilege's." The cave setting creates a unique backdrop for overnight stays not found at typical tent campsites. Second Creek Recreation Area provides waterfront tent camping with concrete tables at each site, making it popular for weekend excursions. Many tent campsites in the region feature tree cover suitable for hammocks, providing shelter from summer heat. Areas like "The Hollar" and Fox Valley Farm maintain a primitive camping atmosphere with minimal development, allowing tent campers to experience a closer connection to the natural environment.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lawrenceburg, Tennessee (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lawrenceburg, TN

3 Photos of 5 Lawrenceburg Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lawrenceburg, TN

263 Reviews of 5 Lawrenceburg Campgrounds

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    When you think FREE you probably don't think of sites THIS NICE!

    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)
  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2025

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    The best in free camping!

    This place is a gem! You can stay for 14 days each year because, let's face it, it's too nice for them to let people hog it. Free water in various places, garbage cans by your site, numbered sites, paved driveways and parking spaces, manicured and litter-controlled park, and a bathroom building with multiple flush toilets for each sex and sinks with running water! These are in at least two places. Picnic tables and fire rings with lift-off on a hinge grates.

  • Devin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Meriwether Lewis Campground

    Hey, It’s Free

    I was really looking forward to this place on my way to Arkansas. However, as soon as I turned into the camping area I was “greeted” by not one but TWO off leash dogs barking and running toward my van (they were not together). Fortunately, I took vinegar spray with me when I took my dog for a walk. It was a useful deterrent when one of the loose dogs ran at us. I yelled to put the dog on leash but of course nobody emerged from the van. On the return trip I made sure to have my spray and body pointed straight toward the dog who was just waiting for me to turn around so he could attack again. If you want a flat spot, a pull through spot, or one that you can’t smell the toilets, get there early! I got there around noon and maybe 15 people were there. By sundown most spots were taken…on a Tuesday. Restrooms toward the entrance were nice with running water and flush toilets.

  • saddie R.
    Mar. 31, 2025

    Meriwether Lewis Campground, Milepost 385.9 — Natchez Trace Parkway

    Loved our stay!

    We took our three kids tent camping overnight and we had a great time! All roads and campsites are paved so the kids all road bikes easily! No electric at sites but there are water spigots periodically placed through the campground. Bathrooms were very clean. No showers. Overall we were very happy!

  • Mandy F.
    Jun. 28, 2019

    Heartstone Campground

    Heartstone Campground - REAL Camping in the Tn Woods

    What a hidden treasure! We had so much fun! It really is in the woods, complete with songbirds to wake you up and crickets to sing you to sleep. The creek makes a relaxing backdrop to your campfire time at night. The creek is deep enough to sit in, but not swim. It’s very reasonably priced, pretty, and SO worth the drive!

    The campground owners are friendly and take great care of the place and campers, but they don’t hang around all the time. They obviously love their place because it was tidy and neat.

    The “outhouse” is a four stall building - very clean and private. The owners make sure to think of everything you would need (and a few little extras) We took showers with our solar bags in a outdoor little stall built on a hill. It was so cool to shower “outside”! There is plenty of firewood around the campground, and each site has a fire ring, and a picnic table. There are plenty of trash cans throughout.

    Heartstone is a primitive campground, with no hook-ups or electricity. They only allow dry camping for trailer campers. I’m pretty sure the limit for a Camper is 25’. Cell phone signals are spotty depending on your carrier, but they have a land line for emergencies. Welcome to off grid camping!

    Although it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere there are actually stores and restaurants about 15 minutes away in the towns of Hohenwald, or Linden, or Waynesboro. The Buffalo River is only about 5 minutes away where you can go canoeing or floating, and the Tennessee River is about 30 minutes drive. It’s also near Amish communities where you can buy locally made and grown items. Nashville and Huntsville are both about an hour and a half away, depending which way on Hwy 65 you go.

    We really loved it there, and will definitely make it a regular stop this year. Hope this helped!

  • Justin L.
    Dec. 27, 2020

    Brush Creek Park

    Decent spot on the lake

    Camped here on Christmas Day 2020. It was very quiet and a little windy. I was the only camper but it’s on a disc golf course so I saw a couple of those guys. I went down to the parking lot so I could sleep in my car and have a fire by the water. It was great and quiet except there are parking lot lights which I didn’t see until they turned on. There are picnic tables, trash cans, and portable toilets. All in all a nice spot. I had Verizon and I think I had two bars of service. There’s also a spot a little east off an unmarked dirt road which was ok and had a fire pit. I checked it out but there was just too much litter and a half eaten deer carcass which I wasn’t vibing with.

  • Mo F.
    Sep. 26, 2017

    McFarland Park Campground

    Camping in the City Limits

    We pulled in with no plans and drove through the whole campground. There are 60 RV spots, pull thru and not, some parking lot style and some a along a creek. There are no trees or bushes between spots, but the whole campground is situated with forest and creek on one side and the Tuscumbia River on the other. We weren't positive what the deal was so we checked in with the host and paid $14 for one night.

    Primitive tent spots are right on the river. There are fire pits, trees, and picnic tables sporadically placed. We pitched our tent facing the bluffs along the river and our hammock between two trees. It wasn't crowded and it was pretty quiet (no generators, no music, very family friendly and chill). The grass was cut, and though there were small ant piles everywhere, they really weren't in the way or aggressive. The bath-house is...not awesome. It's exactly what you'd expect for an older, gov-run park, with some spiders and leaky toilets, but toilets and showers are there.

    It is a three minute drive into downtown Florence. Most of that is through the park, which is home to a good-sized marina, disc golf course, and (defunct?) driving range. It's super convenient, cheap, and kept up well enough. The view of the water and bluffs is A++, and it's fun to watch the speed boats and river cruises.

  • Michael W.
    May. 6, 2023

    Brush Creek Park

    Open free with hot showers

    Just started in campground May 5. Has paved roads in it 18 padded spots with water hookups. Bathroom’s with hot water and shower’s. Has designated dispersed tent spot. Boat ramp. Has another spot for camping with no water dispersed. Everything looked we’ll kept and stocked. Overall great area. Lots of shade close to lake with wildlife too

Guide to Lawrenceburg

Tent camping near Lawrenceburg, Tennessee offers primitive options within a 25-mile radius of town. The region spans the Tennessee-Alabama border with elevation ranging from 650 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with nighttime temperatures in the 50-60°F range.

What to do

Cave exploration: Southport Saltpeter Cave offers historic cave tours alongside primitive camping sites. According to one visitor, "Southport Saltpeter Cave is a historic cave located 12 miles south of Columbia TN. We offer cave tours, primitive camping, hiking, and exploring."

Stargazing: Ray of Hope Guest Ranch provides excellent night sky viewing from its open hillside position. One camper noted, "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."

Fishing and kayaking: Second Creek Recreation Area allows direct water access for fishing and paddling. A regular visitor shared, "We have been camping here for years, good spot for fishing kayaking and just good family time."

What campers like

Natural setting: Fox Valley Farm features five walk-in tent sites in an undeveloped natural area. The farm maintains a limited number of sites, preserving the primitive camping experience with minimal development.

Free camping with lakeside views: Second Creek Rec Area offers no-cost camping with concrete tables at waterfront sites. A camper shared, "Quick and easy getaway! Multiple spots to set up camp with concrete tables at each."

Small, private sites: "The Hollar" maintains just four tent sites, creating a secluded camping experience. The limited capacity means campers can enjoy quieter surroundings compared to larger established campgrounds in the region.

What you should know

Facilities vary significantly: Most tent campgrounds near Lawrenceburg provide basic amenities with few modern conveniences. At Second Creek, one camper noted, "No porta potty in sight. Did two, not maintained by TVA anymore. One spot looks like party point. Locals keep mowed."

Water availability is limited: Most primitive sites require campers to bring their own water supply. The Hollar is one of the few locations that provides drinking water access, though the quantity may be restricted during dry periods.

Weather preparedness: Summer camping requires additional planning for heat and insects. One camper at Second Creek advised, "Lots of mosquitoes at night. Quiet pretty spot to camp. Trees for hammocking. Portopotty for your bathroom needs."

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: Southport Saltpeter Cave combines camping with learning experiences suitable for youth groups. As one leader shared, "Enjoyed this rough camping trip and Spelunking with our Royal Ambassador boys (1st to 9th grade). Buddy gives a guided tour along with camping privilege's. Great Trip."

Access to supplies: For tent camping Lawrenceburg, Tennessee families should note nearby provisions. Ray of Hope is located "near the small town of Petersburg, TN where you can find two gas stations and a Dollar Store."

Comfort considerations: During warmer months, prepare for Tennessee heat at open campsites. One experienced camper suggested, "If it's hot outside, you might want to bring a battery operated fan."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodation: The Lawrenceburg tent camping area has few sites suitable for recreational vehicles. Second Creek Recreation Area accepts RVs but lacks hookups or amenities specifically for larger vehicles.

Site selection: When bringing an RV to Second Creek, location matters. A camper advised, "Moved from open area to site 1 at entrance, better view right on lake."

Duration planning: Many primitive sites near Lawrenceburg work better for shorter RV stays. Weekend trips are common, with one camper noting, "We camp here regularly on the weekends. Good location and easy to get to."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lawrenceburg, TN is Southport Saltpeter Cave with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Lawrenceburg, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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