Camping near Livingston, Tennessee offers varied experiences at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,800 feet with mild temperatures averaging 75°F in summer and 40°F in winter. The Upper Cumberland region features numerous limestone caves, clear lakes, and sandstone bluffs that create distinctive camping environments. Water access points vary significantly between campgrounds, with some offering direct lakefront sites and others requiring short hikes to reach swimming areas.
What to do
Trout fishing below the dam: Dale Hollow Damsite Campground provides access to rainbow trout fishing at the adjacent fish hatchery. "Near a fish hatchery so you should be able to catch rainbow trout," notes Laura C., though results can vary as she mentions her group "fished for an hour and a half and never got a nibble."
Hiking to waterfalls: Old Mill Camp and General Store sits directly across from Cummins Falls State Park, making it an ideal base for waterfall adventures. "If you want to go on the hike which I highly encourage it. We hike down everytime so far and love it. Pro tip if you want to go on the hike go early almost right when the park opens," advises Bobby D.
Paddling on clear waters: Lillydale Campground And Day Use offers access to Dale Hollow Lake's less developed sections. Mike G. reports, "The lake has dozens of little 'fingers' and 'tendrils,' making for great little coves to paddle, explore, or just find some peace and quiet."
Primitive island camping: Tent campers can experience unique waterfront sites at Lillydale's island section. Andy K. explains: "I have camped twice at Lillydale campground both times on the island, which is primitive camping but has porta potty toilet hut. Nice sites all are lakeside, only drawback is that you have to park in the parking lot and use one of their carts to haul all your camping gear onto the island."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Standing Stone State Park Campground maintains high standards according to visitors. "The bathroom is clean and maintained," notes Shelly S., while Sonyia W. adds "Bathrooms were cleaned and stocked regularly. Staff was super friendly."
Lake access from campsites: Many campers appreciate Willow Grove Campground for its direct water access. Amy R. shares, "You can launch a boat or in my case a paddle board right from campsite." Shannon W. adds that "The beach and swimmimg area is clean and the water is crystal clear."
Quality shower houses: Old Mill Camp features exceptional bathing facilities. Raeann B. describes them as "the nicest I've ever used. Single walk in showers with plenty of room." Mary V. concurs, calling them "HUGE well kept showers."
Site spacing and layout: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park offers a unique camping layout that appeals to groups. Kenny P. explains: "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."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds in this region. At Obey River Park, Nate H. reports "Cell service is very spotty," while at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Joe K. notes "AT&T and Verizon service is good."
Distance to supplies: Several campgrounds are remote with limited nearby services. Allison G. cautions about Willow Grove: "The road is about 13 miles from the main road so make sure you have everything before you set up camp! The marina does have a convenience store and ice!"
Entrance challenges: Some campgrounds have access restrictions for larger vehicles. Beth H. warns about Standing Stone: "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."
Wildlife considerations: Spacious Skies Belle Ridge and other area campgrounds host various wildlife. Joe K. mentions "Lots of wildlife around" at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, which requires appropriate food storage and site maintenance.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Standing Stone State Park offers diverse recreation options. Malissa H. says, "We absolutely LOVE it here. Beautiful sites and lots of good exploring and kid activities," while Becky G. adds the park "had a pool, volleyball courts, short hikes, and soccer fields."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Chastity G. notes Dale Hollow Damsite has "a park and volleyball area for kids to play at," making it easier to keep children entertained between outdoor adventures.
Swimming options: Obey River Park provides pet-friendly camping near Livingston with water access that's appropriate for families. A camper named "brody2219 J." calls it "a beautiful campground! Very Family oriented. The park attendants are so nice and welcome families."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences alongside recreation. Patricia M. recalls a special event at Standing Stone: "The state parks in Tennessee all hosted special programs for the 2017 Solar Eclipse, and Standing Stone park rangers invited everyone to row out on the lake to watch this magnificent phenomenon."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment for proper RV setup. Beth H. found at Standing Stone: "The site was very unlevel as well. It was list to have a 'slight' grade and I'd beg to differ on that. We were backed up to overhang the site and maxed out our tongue jack and was barely level."
Hookup placement: Water connections can be unexpectedly distant at some sites. Beth H. shares about Dale Hollow State Resort Park: "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."
Backing considerations: Tree placement can complicate RV parking at certain campgrounds. Gary P. notes at Dale Hollow Damsite: "Sites near the back of the campground by the fish hatchery were nice and back up to a fence, but constant construction noise. Plus a rather steep backup ramp to pad area."
Seasonal differences: Deep Valley Campground and other facilities in the region operate seasonally, typically April through November, with varying site availability. Leslie G. notes it offers "30 amp service only" for RVs seeking pet-friendly camping near Livingston, Tennessee.
