143 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Manchester, Tennessee encompasses a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and RV resorts set amid the rolling hills of middle Tennessee. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers year-round camping with tent, RV, and glamping options just minutes from downtown Manchester. Cedar Point Campground and Whispering Oaks Campground provide additional established camping within the immediate area, while Barton Springs Campground in nearby Normandy operates seasonally from March to November. These campgrounds sit within a region known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, and archaeological sites, with several state parks within a 30-60 minute drive.
Most campgrounds in the Manchester area require reservations, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends. According to reviews, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park can become crowded during peak seasons, with campers noting that "sites are very close together, so you will need to love your neighbor as yourself on holidays, or if you need solitude, you may need to go during the week." Summer humidity and insects are common challenges, with one visitor recommending "a good DEET based bug spray" for summer camping. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though some more remote sites may have limited connectivity. RV campers should note that Old Stone Fort has a one-lane bridge at its entrance that may restrict larger vehicles.
The camping options around Manchester cater to different preferences and needs. RV-focused campgrounds like Rvino - The Broken Banjo (formerly Manchester KOA) offer full hookups, heated pools, and amenities like dog parks and camp stores. Tent campers will find dedicated sites at most facilities, though they're typically less secluded than in more remote parks. Water recreation is available at several nearby locations, including Tims Ford State Park, which offers boat-in camping options. Visitors report that the area's campgrounds are generally well-maintained and clean, with most providing standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. The proximity to Manchester means supplies are readily accessible, making this area suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays.
"My son Conner and I stayed at the Old Stone Fort Campground in Manchester, Tennessee on the night of Monday, July 8, 2019."
"It isn't very big and the hike around the stone fort isn't very long but it is interesting and the waterfall is very pretty. The campground itself is nice with water and electric hook ups."
"This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful."
"The staff will come around and collect your trash for you (which isn’t necessary but a nice plus!)"
from $32 - $102 / night
Check Availability"Beach area is clean and away from the main lake. Our campsite was right on the water. Even tough it was full, it was quiet! Staff was super helpful and friendly! We will definitely come back!"
"Close to the lake was flooded after heavy rain. I also had no cell service in b loop. Enough for phone, but not really any other connectivity."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Foster Falls is located at one end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail, one of the most beautiful trails in Tennessee, possibly the country!"
"We used two cars and parked one at our campsite here, and brought one to the beginning of the Fiery Gizzard Trail."
from $18 - $21 / night
Check Availability"There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided."
"Quiet and peaceful with beautiful views of Normandy Lake. Fishing, swimming and canoe/kayak rentals available. Friendly staff."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Some really nice sites on lake and shaded. Inner sites are nice as well and have sewer. Good space between sites. 30 and 50 amp. The old section that was for yearly rental is gone."
"Gravel drives & pads with water & electric at sites. Our site #28 had an exceptional view out the kitchen window & from the pinic table of the lake. Newer shower house centrally located."
"Just stopped for a quick overnight on way to Florida and didn’t want to tackle the delightful downhill plummet of 24 that occurs a bit past this location in the dark."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Manchester TN might not be a bucket list destination, but if we're passing through again we'd stop at Whispering Oaks to chill out in the country for a day or three."
"I will preface this with the fact that we are very partial to Tennessee. The climate, scenery, the people, all of it. The Park: Long gravel sites, most are pull through."
"The best thing about this spot is the lake access for swimming. We stayed at site 37 and the walking trail down to the lake was right next to our site."
"There are paved paths for miles right there off the campsites. There are other trails as well not paved with but more tugged/traditional trails with bridges and cottonmouths lol be careful."
"The best part about having family that lives in Tennessee is being able to go and visit. We do a big family reunion every other year, and we always have our shindig at a campground."
"I love camping and hiking in the Tennessee area. This campground definitely didn't disappoint. Here are a few things I loved about this campground:
- Big campsite spaces! This is always a perk."
ScoutReservation were easy and staff very friendly and helpful. All rv sites were paved and in good condition. Park and bathhouse well maintained and clean. We stayed during the week and was very quiet.
ScoutVery quiet and peaceful
GuideCedars of Lebanon State Park • Lebanon, TN • Site 69 • water, electric, and dump station
This park is beautiful!! It is only 6 miles off the interstate. We only stayed one night (not even a full 24 hours) to visit the State Fair, but would love to come back for a weekend, especially to do one of the cave tours! They have a splash pad and all sorts of activities to do. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest I've seen.
Some of the sites were pretty tight. The picnic table was right outside our door and there was a tree blocking us from opening the awning all the way. There were other sites with plenty of room. The campground advertises wifi, but they were having issues.
I have T-mobile and it said 5G but I wasn't able to browse efficiently. My husband and brother have Comcast and Verizon and had service and were able to browse just fine.
GuideCame in later than expected but secondary station still open to register for a site.
ScoutThis campground is so nice. The people that work here are friendly. It’s clean and well-maintained. They worked us in on the last minute for a three month day and they’ve been nothing but cordial since we’ve been here. We have met so many nice people workers in camp campers alike.
TravelerSmooth Rapids is hands down one of our faves. We like to rent 19 & 20 together. It gives elbow room and lets us pull power and water from Lot 19 over to where we park our little teardrop on Lot 20 (which has no power or water itself). The staff team is just terrific. We like to kayak. They rent yaks or if you BYO you can also pay to shuttle. We do both depending whether we want to haul our kayaks. They have a really good bath house and a restaurant. Kids have a playground on one end but we are past those days now. You get a mix of fellow campers. This time of year is busy but even then it is usually a nice time. Folks there tend to be friendly. The Barren Fork River runs right along the entire stretch of campground and behind the restaurant. We typically do the medium length run that takes 2.5-4 hours depending on how aggressively you row. You feel like you are away in the wilderness but you’re really just tooling through McMinnville. We highly recommend it.
ScoutThey are dishonest and it is not a safe place for children. I have attached a picture of the caboose of their“train”(my son is in the background) with crowbars, trash, debris, etc. that they were allowing children to ride in. I witnessed open slices of cheese sitting on the counter in the heat for the entire day, employees handing people this cheese with their bare hands without washing them. The playground equipment was half painted and falling over. The paint cans as well as cans of wasp spray were underneath where children play for any child to access. Over half of the amenities promised were either closed, hazardous, or not available. Only excuses from the owner. No accountability and no professionalism at all. Stay far away. There many other places that are fun and safe for your children.
ScoutPeople are nice and it's a great place to put a rv and chill with nature
ScoutSasquatch Farms is a great place to camp or RV. There’s good space between campers. Full hookups, friendly staff. Camp store has a good selection and propane. There is a small lake that’s fun to swim or float. Occasionally live music and seasonal events.
Normandy Lake and Tim's Ford Lake form the key waterways for camping near Manchester, Tennessee, situated in the Highland Rim region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. Most campgrounds in this area operate between April and October, with several remaining open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F during peak camping season, with higher humidity levels from June through August.
Waterfall hiking: 0.5-mile trail at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park leads to multiple cascades. "There are three waterfall's inside the park... hiking to them is a mild hike. The hiking trails are well maintained," notes Michael P. The trails follow Duck River with its distinct waterfall breaks.
Lake activities: boat rentals available at Cedar Point Campground for exploring Normandy Lake. "We brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite. Lake is extremely quiet and calm," reports Michael T. The campground includes a swimming beach with sand and lakeside campsites.
Fishing: multiple species year-round in area lakes and rivers. At Barton Springs Campground, campers can fish directly from their sites. "Pull through spots right by the water... The reservoir is just beautiful, peaceful nights perfect for fire fly watching," explains Patrice S. Bass and crappie are common catches in spring and fall.
Shaded sites: mature trees throughout most campgrounds provide cooling cover. At Whispering Oaks Campground, "All sites are shady with trees" according to Maggie C., who also notes they have "a large field and playground for the kiddos." The combination of shade and open play areas appeals to many visitors.
Clean facilities: regularly maintained bathhouses at most locations. Scott G. reports that at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, "The showers are SUPER clean!!" This sentiment is echoed at other campgrounds, though frequency of cleaning varies between locations.
Proximity to attractions: convenient location for exploring regional destinations. "Jack Daniel's Distillery is close buy & so worth doing the tour and tasting... George Dickel Distillery is close too," mentions B.M. from Old Stone Fort. The area provides access to Lynchburg, Murfreesboro, and multiple state parks within 30-60 minutes.
Seasonal availability: reduced options between November and March. Most lakeside campgrounds operate March through October. "Barton Springs Campground... operates seasonally from March to November," according to Tim T., who adds, "There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps."
Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, Andrea S. warns, "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Dynamic pricing at some locations affects budget planning. Eric R. cautions about Barton Springs: "Use to be one of my favorite campgrounds. Campspot has turned it into a money racket. Educate yourself and look up dynamic pricing which is nothing but greed."
Swimming options: multiple locations for safe water recreation. At Tims Ford State Park Main Campground, visitors find "a big classic TN lake. You absolutely need to have a boat or kayak of some kind to enjoy the park fully," suggests Lynn G. The park also features "a big swimming pool" for those who prefer chlorinated water.
Playgrounds: dedicated areas for children at several campgrounds. Wayne K. notes Whispering Oaks has "a large field and playground for the kiddos." Most family-oriented sites include basic playground equipment and open spaces for games.
Wildlife viewing: daily opportunities for nature observation. "We had deer in our site everyday" at Old Stone Fort, shares B.M. Morning and evening hours offer the best chances for spotting local wildlife, particularly around water features.
Leveling challenges: bring extra equipment at certain campgrounds. Richard F. advises at Fall Creek Falls State Park: "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out."
Hookup locations: check placement before parking to avoid issues. Wayne K. points out at Whispering Oaks, "We enjoyed two overnight stays, charging our car as we slept." Some sites require extension cords or longer hoses due to hookup placement.
Pull-through availability: limited at some locations requiring advanced planning. MickandKarla W. found at Rvino - The Broken Banjo "site 27 was the easiest pull through we've ever had as its angled straight in from the street, no turns or maneuvering to center the rig." For larger RVs, advance research on site dimensions and access is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Manchester, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Manchester, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 143 campgrounds and RV parks near Manchester, TN and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Manchester, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manchester, TN is Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manchester, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Manchester, TN.
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