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.
$20 - $30 / night
"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."
$34 - $172 / night
"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!)"
"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."
$18 - $21 / night
"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."
"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."
$25 - $50 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
$8 - $32 / night
"Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."
"Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."
GuidePossibly the most extraordinary campsite I have been to. Large decks suspended over the hillside, some with excellent views of the lake. We were here for one night off season, I imagine if you are here in summer you wouldn’t want to be on the side of the marina. We were originally in site 7, but moved to 53… sites 1-12 definitely take some parking skills
GuideDecent space between camps. Well priced. Stayed overnight on our way from Missouri to Atlanta. Good place to take a walk before hitting the road again. It's beautiful and wooded. Quiet and lots of morning birds. No gate or code to enter. Clean bathrooms & showers.
ScoutNothing crazy, scenic but tricky drive in here. Use the coordinates to find it, Apple Maps will send you to the other side and add a 30/40 min drive. The camping area had 1 shared restroom/porta potty type deal. The area is pretty flat ground with about 10 good spots to tent/small vehicle camp. Came on a Tuesday evening to about half the site being used. There’s signs to get here once you get close.
ScoutWe camped at Howland's Hideout for two nights in our 5th wheel (water & electric hook-up plus they have a sewer dump).
So conveniently located (approx. 3 miles) from Fall Creek Falls State Park but much less noise and more relaxed.
The hosts (Kurt and Maria) went above and beyond to be sure we had everything we needed and so enjoyed getting to know them.
Their two dogs (Star & Sassy) were very friendly and our dog loved playing with them.
If you are looking for a relaxing spot to camp with great hosts, you should definitely give this place a try. We can't wait to go back.
Arnold & Debra Puckett
ScoutCamp Towhee is the perfect peaceful getaway near Fall Creek Falls! Spacious RV sites with full hookups, plenty of room to relax, and a quiet, well-maintained property make it ideal for a stress-free stay. Highly recommend!
GuideYou take a sometimes single lane road to get there. Very windy at points. There is a parking lot to hold 4+ cars. You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits. There is one private site past the marked site if you keep going you will find a large level gravel lot with a single fire pit that would be much better for van or truck camping. Past this point it turns back into residential.
GuideCampground is primitive with a clean vault toilet. There are approx 12 campsites with fire pits. Across the main gravel road is a large spot for off-roading / side by side parking. Main gravel road to campground is smooth no ruts. Campground should accommodate 24’ class b or so. My 18’ truck had lots of room and space for awning.
ScoutQuick stop on our drive home. Made the reservation the night before, they called to confirm the next day. Nice folks both on the phone and in person! Check in was quick and easy, and you are escorted to your site by a sweet guy on a golf cart. Hook ups are close and they offer free WiFi and cable hookup.
TravelerGiven that our visit was out of season, campground options in the area were limited, so we decided to stick to state parks. The night before, we were in Southern Illinois and only saw one other camper in the entire park, so we expected very few other campers in this park as well, but there were a surprising number of campers around us. However, there were few enough to have five or six spaces between us and our neighbors.
The pads are gravel, well maintained, and perfectly flat. Our site had an awesome layout with plenty of room for parking, a large pad, and a fire ring with a grill in the corner furthest away from the road. A previous camper was nice enough to leave us dry wood, but there is tons of dry wood laying around within the surrounding woods.
The best part of the campground was the shower house. I would assume from the immaculate condition that the building is not that old or went through a recent remodel. The bathroom/shower stalls are family style, with each locking room containing a flushing toilet and an ADA compliant shower with a high and low nozzle, and shower chair. The best part is that the rooms are heated! On the cold morning when we were there, this was a welcome gift for a long overdue shower.
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 138 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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