Campgrounds near Livingston, Tennessee feature a mix of wooded sites, lakefront access points, and mountain terrain. Dale Hollow Lake dominates the camping landscape with its clear blue waters reaching depths over 100 feet in some areas. Most primitive camping areas charge $3-5 per night while developed campgrounds range from $18-35 depending on hookup availability and season.
What to do
Explore Cummins Falls State Park: Located across from Old Mill Camp and General Store, this natural area features one of Tennessee's most impressive swimming holes. "Cummins Falls State Park across the street. Friendly owners. You will have a nice time staying here," notes Mary V., who appreciates the campground's proximity to the falls.
Fish the trout-rich waters: The area below Dale Hollow Dam provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Campground parallels the Obey River. Plenty of fish opportunities from boat, kayak, wading and shoreline," reports Kenny P. about Dale Hollow Damsite.
Hike to scenic overlooks: The terrain offers multiple hiking trails with panoramic views. "The hike to the waterfall was really lovely. We were hoping to see the cave, but the office was closed so we couldn't inquire about its location," writes Angela C. about her experience at Belle Ridge Retreat.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds feature well-maintained bathhouses and amenities. "HUGE well kept showers. Cute store that serves sandwiches and ice cream," says Mary V. about Old Mill Camp's facilities, highlighting the campground's commitment to cleanliness.
Island camping options: Lillydale Campground offers unique tent camping on an island. "We stayed on the island (walk in spot) and it was quiet and had beautiful views right on the water. There are also toilets and water available on the island if needed," shares Joseph B., describing the distinctive camping experience.
Lake access for swimming: Direct water access ranks high among camper priorities. "The launch is a 5 minute walk. You can launch a boat or in my case a paddle board right from campsite," Amy R. notes about Willow Grove Campground, where many sites offer direct water access.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds. "There is little to no cell service in the park. You're about 10-15 minutes from the grocery store," warns Sonyia W. in her review of Standing Stone State Park.
Site accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have navigation difficulties. "As mentioned before, it is a small park. Although our campsite was listed as 42 foot in length our TT is 32 feet), my very experienced in driving a trailer husband had to take several attempts to back in due to trees closely lining the road and drop offs on the side of the road," explains Beth H. about Standing Stone State Park.
Reservation timing: Most popular sites book quickly during summer months. "The drive in is something not to be missed, one long road that twists and turns. But it's so pretty," notes Amy R. about the journey to Willow Grove Campground, which operates seasonally from mid-May to early September.
Tips for camping with families
Look for spoke-style campsites: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly configurations. "Campsites are on loops off the main loop/road. It puts 7-8 sites in a circle so it's possible for families to rent multiple site in same loop. Plenty of room for kids to play and also has a swimming pool!" explains Kenny P. about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Seek out shallow swimming areas: Some lakefront sites feature protected swimming zones. "We absolutely LOVE it here. Beautiful sites and lots of good exploring and kid activities," shares Malissa H. about her family's experience at Standing Stone State Park.
Visit during organized activities: Check for campground programs designed for children. "The state parks in Tennessee all hosted special programs for the event, and Standing Stone park rangers invited everyone to row out on the lake to watch this magnificent phenomenon. They provided boats and life jackets for everyone who registered," shares Patricia M. about a special eclipse event.
Tips from RVers
Check water hookup distances: Some sites require longer-than-standard hoses. "I also wish they would have mentioned the length to water hookup. We ended up having to go buy a longer water hose bc the hookup was more than 30 foot away," cautions Beth H. about Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Note campground entrance restrictions: Access roads can present challenges for larger rigs. "Be mindful of the notice on the website about entering the park via Hwy 52. That's a legit warning. Thankfully we were aware of that because our GPS tried to take us that way," advises Beth H. about Standing Stone State Park.
Consider location for noise factors: Highway proximity affects some camping sites near Livingston. "If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it's going to be very noisy. We were in the middle of the campground and it was occasionally loud, but not terrible," notes Angela C. about Belle Ridge Retreat, which sits near I-40.
