Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers access to several beautiful waterfalls along the Duck River. Located near Manchester, Tennessee, the park sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with a moderate climate that allows camping throughout most seasons. The area features limestone bluffs and dense hardwood forests that create natural boundaries between camping areas.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: At Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, multiple waterfalls create natural swimming areas during warmer months. "One of the many things that brought us to the park is the waterfalls, I am a huge waterfall fan and love to take lots of pics and this place is perfect," notes camper Robin M.
Hiking trails: The Fall Creek Falls State Park trail system offers diverse difficulty levels for all abilities. "There's tons to do from hiking, to swimming, waterfall gazing, rock climbing, ziplining, and much more," explains a visitor. Some trails cross rope bridges and lead to swimming holes within a 25-minute drive from Manchester.
Fishing opportunities: Cedar Point Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. According to Timothy T., "Cedar point campground it's a little interesting getting to it but it is beautiful once you get there. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Campers appreciate the natural spacing at Rock Island State Park. "There are many trees to provide separation and privacy, and sites are spaced a decent amount of space apart," notes a reviewer. The campground maintains shaded sites throughout summer months.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks highly in visitor reviews. Scott G. at Old Stone Fort notes, "The showers are SUPER clean!!" while another camper at Rock Island mentions, "Bathrooms and showers were clean and in great shape."
Water activities: Cedar Point Campground offers direct lake access from campsites. "We brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite," shares Michael T. The proximity to water allows for spontaneous swimming during hot weather.
What you should know
Highway noise: The luxury glamping options at The Broken Banjo (formerly Manchester KOA) experience interstate noise. One camper states, "We were in pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic."
Site size considerations: Some primitive sites at Greeter Falls Campground run small. "Our only complaint was the site size & distance to our neighbor. We stayed at primitive site 1. Flat area for your tent, then a slight slope towards the walkway," reports Karlie.
Seasonal water levels: Waterfall intensity varies by season. A Greeter Falls visitor notes, "Unfortunately it was pretty dry so there wasn't much waterfall action." Spring visits typically provide the strongest water features.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fairview Campground offers family-friendly recreation areas. "Great for kayaking, fishing, swimming, and family gathering," mentions Becky S., highlighting the lakeside location within 35 minutes of Manchester.
Swimming options: Bigfoot Adventure RV Park combines water activities with adventure features. "Fun Stay—Had a blast fishing in the ponds. Didn't get a chance to zip line but looks like a blast," shares Frank A., noting the multifaceted recreation options.
Educational opportunities: Archaeological and historical elements at Old Stone Fort provide learning experiences. A visitor shared, "The museum was neat there's a lot of History there. The campground has a lot of nice hikes in it."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Cedar Point Campground offers practical RV setup. "The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided," notes Timothy T., highlighting the straightforward utilities.
Leveling needs: Rock Island sites vary in grade. One RVer mentions, "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out." Most pads are paved but not all are perfectly level.
Hookup placement: The Broken Banjo (formerly Manchester KOA) offers thoughtful utility positioning. An experienced RVer notes, "The utilities are located smartly in the middle of the pad to include an extra sewer connection near the pad's front."