The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Milan, TN

215 Reviews

State parks and public lands surrounding Milan, Tennessee offer diverse tent camping options, from walk-in sites to backcountry shelters. Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, located approximately 30 miles northeast of Milan, features multiple primitive tent camping areas including riverside sites and backcountry shelters along hiking trails. Stillwaters Farm Rustic Campsites provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities, while Santa's Woods offers five tent-only sites nestled among large trees. Natchez Trace State Park, situated about 25 miles east of Milan, provides additional backcountry tent camping opportunities for those seeking more remote experiences.

Most tent-only sites in the region require minimal to moderate hiking to access, with surfaces typically consisting of natural forest floor or designated clearings. Primitive tent campgrounds at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park include fire pits at most locations, though amenities vary significantly between sites. According to reviews, some riverside sites include picnic tables, but bathroom facilities are limited and often lack showers. Stillwaters Farm provides more amenities for tent campers, including drinking water, toilets, showers, and trash disposal. Reservations are recommended for most tent camping locations, particularly during peak seasons. Weather conditions can affect site accessibility, especially after heavy rainfall.

Tent campers frequently note the peaceful settings and natural surroundings available near Milan. One visitor reported that "primitive sites at Nathan Bedford Forest are along the River banks, providing excellent views." Lakefront tent sites at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park offer opportunities to watch boats pass by on Kentucky Lake. Several backcountry tent camping areas connect to trail networks, including the NBF 10 and 20-mile trails. Santa's Woods allows campers to select their preferred spot among forested areas, providing flexibility for tent setup. Some sites at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park are built on wooden decks with steep access paths, requiring careful planning when carrying tent gear. The region's backcountry tent camping options generally provide good seclusion, even during busier periods.

Map showing campgrounds near Milan, TennesseeExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Milan, Tennessee (9)

Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Milan Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Milan, TN

1 Photos of 9 Milan Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Milan, TN

215 Reviews of 9 Milan Campgrounds

  • B
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Lakefront Campground — Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

    Well kept

    The tent sites were well kept. They are gravel pads with a grill and fire ring. They are right on the water with easy access to put in a kayak. And close to a boat ramp if bringing a boat. It’s shaded. The bath house is a bit of a walk and they have restrooms only, no showers.

  • Rachael H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2020

    Chickasaw State Park Campground

    Very disappointed

    Was excited as we drove into camp. It looked beautiful. Our site has a beautiful view of the lake. Tent pad was mostly level. They say gravel- it was really rocky. Fire ring, standing grill and table were at the site. Ours was nicely shaded. Water spigot not to far away. Tent area restroom was clean. No showers. Walked across the bridge to go to the swimming area. Trash EVERYWHERE. that only got worse as we got to the beach area. The majority of the people we saw there were... the kind of people you’re not surprised to see dropping their trash instead of walking 3 feet to put it in the trash can. I saw several people hawk and spit on the ground. One last view her nose in the ground in plain sight. Gross enough before COVID-19. The water was BROWN. very dirty. My daughter came out brown. Her suit was brown. The restrooms at the beach were FILTHY and full of trash. There is one cold water outdoor shower. Very disappointed in this park.

  • Jeremy H.
    Aug. 27, 2019

    Chickasaw State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Grub Stick Deluxe Kit at Chickasaw Rustic State Park

    **Campground Review: **

    On Friday, August 23, 2019 my son Charlie and I camped at Chickasaw State Park to celebrate his ninth birthday. We couldn’t have found a better park than this one. It reminds me of the classic summer camps I saw on television as a kid: beautiful lake, horses, stables, paddle boats and canoes, and even a well maintained swimming hole. They even have three birds of prey on display for visitors to enjoy. From our arrival to the moment we left, the rangers and staff made us feel welcomed and safe. Ranger Brittany helped me find the perfect site and even checked in later to make sure that we were completely satisfied with the spot. Who wouldn’t be? The campsite was located right on Lake Placid in the middle of almost 15,000 acres of state forest. Each campsite in the tent campground had a new picnic table, a fire ring, access to potable water, and a grill. Our campsite, number 109, was located right next to a large handicapped parking spot that is big enough for a very large handicapped van. The parking spot was constructed on level ground with concrete. Campsite 109 was far away from the bathroom, but the trail to it was beautiful and made even the most hasty trip pleasant walking. Campsite 109 also had easy access to the pier which spans the width of the lake. My son and I enjoyed walking out into the middle of the lake and seeing the expanse of the Milky Way(what a treat!). There’s great firewood for sale at the stables for$6.00 a box. This is the best campfire wood I’ve ever purchased. It burned slow and steady leaving us enough to pass on to one of our neighbors the next morning. I would suggest spending at least two nights here. We only spent one, and my son and I didn’t want to leave. There’s so much we didn’t get to see and do at this park. This place is a real gem. I’ll guarantee that you will feel like you’re back at summer camp. By the way, don’t forget to bring a good lantern or flashlight with you: you will need it since many of the trails to the bathroom and out to the pier are very dark at night. This just helps you to see the stars better.

    ………………….

    **Product Review: **

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test some of the latest and coolest camping products on the market. On my camping trip to Chickasaw, my son and I tried out the Grub Stick Deluxe Kit. What a fun way to cook over a campfire! In my kit I received two telescopic poles which have well made attachments such as the Grub Cage, Grub Fork, Burg Cage, and Grub Tube that attach to the end of the telescopic poles. 

    We used the Burg Cage for supper and it made awesome burgers. They had that perfect campfire flavor. My son enjoyed getting to cook his own food rather than waiting for dad to cook it on the grill. The handles are very comfortable to hold, and they were just the right size for my son’s smaller hands. The whole time he was using it, I kept hearing wows. It’s great when a company makes a camping product that engages children in cooking. The Grub Stick does just that. 

    The kit also came with special grips like the finger grabber and the hot pad to help open and close the cages and other attachments. You can really tell that the makers of the Grub Stick thought of everything when they were designing this. 

    One of the things that was really fun was the Grub Cage. It left me wondering,“where have you been all my life?” Instead of building the S’more AFTER roasting the marshmallow on a stick, you build it in the cage and toast the whole thing. I think this is the way the S’more was always meant to be. Everything, including the graham crackers, oozes with sugary, toasty goodness. 

    For breakfast, we used the Grub Tube and wrapped it with bacon and croissant rolls. It was as good as it sounds. As I was cooking, I kept thinking of other things that could be cooked over the fire using this kit. I’m excited to have it in my cooking kit now, and I see us using this quite often especially on those winter camping trips when we want to stay close to the fire. 

    Overall, this is a great product for engaging kids in camping. The Grub Stick will allow my kids to come up with their own recipes, put them together on their own, and then try them out on the fire. They love being a part of the cooking part of camping, and the Grub Stick is the perfect tool for this. 

    I did have an issue with one of the telescopic handles. After cooking three burgers, one of the telescopic handles broke. I contacted customer service, and they went above my expectations to not only replace it but to help me understand their product even more. Most people expect things to be returned with“no questions asked,” but this isn’t how Grub Stick operates. They asked for pictures and a description of the failure so they can make sure their product gets better and better. I wouldn’t hesitate at all to order more from this company. It’s great when people not only believe in their product but also stand by it and are always looking for ways to improve it. They sent a replacement immediately, and I can’t wait to get this back out in the field.

  • M
    Sep. 22, 2020

    South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park

    Such a unique lake and amazing birds.

    We camp here a lot and have tried several spots in the South campground.  The ones near the lake have views but don't have water access.  There is also a pavilion near the lake.  

    Sites 22, 24, 25, 70 backup to the forest and have lots of room to set up tents, however they are the first to flood and stay wet longer.  

    The map is pretty good about and shows pictures of the sites.  At the time of this review the bathrooms between sites 64 & 66 were closed.  The bathrooms and showers near site 23 are bigger and more accessible.  The bathrooms and showers near site 4 do have a ramp but it is uneven, the space inside is much smaller and would be difficult to navigate with a wheelchair.

    Site 43 has trees on both sides of the pad and, based on comments from another camper, can be difficult to back in a larger camper.

    Sites in the mid and upper 40's are also good for tent camping.  The cypress trees in the area send roots up and the ground can be lumpy because of them.  The campground has lots of gopher holes all over.  The mosquitoes are bad and you should take some strong bug spray. 

    The campgrounds does have drainage issues when it rains and if your forecast predicts rain, you might want to put your tent up on the pad.

    They opened a small gift shop this year.  The sell worms, and they now rent canoes and kayaks.  There is a boat launch near the entrance, but you can't launch anything too wide.

    This campground is due for a makeover and I heard that it is in the works.  

    If you love bird watching or photography this place is a dream; osprey, eagles, herons, egrets, and so many others are everywhere.  Pelican's stop here on their migration and I recommend the pontoon tour in October during the festival if you want to see them on the water.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Parkers Crossroads RV Park and Campground

    RV Park and RV Repair!

    Parker’s Crossroads is located very conveniently off of I-40 and the park is gorgeous! They have some long term campers, storage, and an RV Repair Center on site. The shop inside has more parts then we have ever seen at an RV Park. While here we needed a switch for a water heater, they had it!

    The campground had some narrow roads and some less than level sites but they were all doable. They have a nice pool area, spaces for dogs to be walked (on leash), pet waste disposal, cabins, and full hook ups.

    The park was very quiet and clean, well kept. They have large mature trees, and great landscaping.

    The cellular service for TMobile and AT&T we’re both decent and streaming video was possible each night.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 19, 2021

    Parkers Crossroads RV Park and Campground

    Quiet Country

    20-30-50 amp service 

    7 laser leveled sites with concrete pads all other sites or gravel with some wooden decks

    Rigs up to 70 feet

    Propane available on site, laundry room, swimming pool during season, there is a large grassy area for pets on leash Check in 1 PM with check out at noon. Daily, weekly, and extended stay rates. Reservation on line or call 731-249-9988 with daily rates at $45.56 Free cable and wireless wifi. Campground is secure and quiet. There is a large office with a "Guest Only" after this point. The pond is a "Catch and Release". Located between Memphis and Nashville and a short distance from I40 in the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee.

    LNT

    Travel safe

  • Katrin M.
    Oct. 10, 2021

    Spring Creek Primitive Campground — Mousetail Landing State Park

    Nice campground on the water

    We camped here for just 1 night on our way west. There are 2 campgrounds. We stayed at the primitive one which was separated from the main park. The sites are on the water but there was not really an access to it. The sites have a picnic table and a fire pit. There are plenty of porta-potties but no water spigots. The sites were close together. At the end of the campground is a little gazebo with a swinging bench to watch the Tennessee river. The hiking trails are nice and the dogs had the chance to swim. The main bathroom in the other campground was well maintained. Overall it was a basic campground that was good for 1 night, but the park was very beautiful.

  • Staci R.
    May. 5, 2023

    South Campground — Reelfoot Lake State Park

    Getting Reeled at Reelfoot

    Campground is well layed out with everything well marked. The campsites all have Blacktop drives With concrete pads for picnic tables. Picnic tables are fastened down so you cannot move them. Water and electric are near each site as well as a standard fire ring. There are 2 shower houses on each end of the campground and then there are also several bathrooms on each opposing corner so they're close to all camp sites. Beware the lake has a lot of snakes, so if you are in a lake front campsite you are more likely to see snakes. And the sights along the leg from 23 24 25 up to 68 and on down to the seventies on the map looks like it's lake front but it's actually backed with wooded overgrowth.

  • Isabel D.
    Aug. 30, 2018

    Happy Hollow Campground — Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

    standard state park campground, fine place to camp

    We arrived late at this campsite and left early, so I didn't get a chance to see much of the state park (although the hiking trails looked good), but the campsite itself and amenities were great. We were going to camp at site 9, but ended up camped at Site 14, which was on a loop trail, so a little farther from the toilets/ shower block but with more privacy. The campsite had a picnic table and fire ring, and a paved spot to park the car on.

    There are also cabins available to rent in one section of the campground, but we chose to just put up our tent. Everything was clean, lots of spots and a mix of RVs and cars- it's definitely a good campground if you are exploring around the area or need a good place to camp while traveling somewhere else.

    Note: Site 9 is close to the toilet block and the light was shining into the site late, so we switched to site 14. Site 14 is slightly sloped, so be aware if you are putting up a tent there.

Guide to Milan

Tent camping options around Milan, Tennessee extend beyond state parks with several private campgrounds offering unique experiences. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently above 85°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the optimal seasons for backcountry hiking and camping. Terrain varies from flat riverside areas to moderately challenging hillsides with elevation changes of 100-300 feet in some camping locations.

What to do

Water activities at Kentucky Lake: Campers at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Group Campground can access Kentucky Lake for fishing, swimming and boating. "This is the BEST state park in West TN. It's quiet, depending on your camping neighbors, and just sitting on the banks watching the boats go by is peaceful," notes camper KO4FIE-Logan.

Historical exploration: The area surrounding Milan contains several Civil War historical sites accessible from camping areas. A short visit to Campground Road Backcountry Shelter #2 provides access to these historical areas. As Jessica B. explains, "Lovely little campground, but beautiful & serene. Lots of great trails to hike. A good place for a Civil War history buff."

Farm activities: Some private campgrounds near Milan offer unique agricultural experiences. At Stillwaters Farm, campers can participate in seasonal farm activities between April and October. "This property is so peaceful and well cared for. You can choose to participate in farm activities or kick your feet up and relax. This isn't your run of the mill farm," shares Ashley F.

What campers like

Customizable campsites: Several tent camping areas near Milan allow campers to select their ideal location. At Santa's Woods, "Santa's Woods is full of large trees and trails, he welcomes you to find the spot that calls to you for your camping adventure," according to Jake C. This flexibility allows tent campers to find flat, shaded, or more private areas based on preference.

Trail connectivity: Many Milan area tent sites connect directly to hiking networks. At Campground Road Backcountry Shelter #1, Jessica L. reports, "There are also some backcountry sites along the NBF 10 and 20 mile trails. Some of the rustic camping sites are right along the Kentucky Lake. There are also a few trails (both short and long) and are nice with views of the lake."

Quiet atmosphere: Tent campers consistently mention the tranquility of camping locations near Milan, particularly during weekdays and non-summer months. The backcountry shelters at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park remain relatively uncrowded even during peak season, with most visitors reporting peaceful evenings without excessive noise from other campers.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most primitive tent sites have basic or no facilities. At Red Rock Trail Backcountry Shelter, Shana D. notes, "The bathhouse is very old though and does not have a shower. That is the only reason I couldn't give this one 5 stars!" Pack accordingly with extra water and sanitation supplies.

Accessibility challenges: Some tent sites require significant hiking or navigation of steep terrain. Ryan M. explains about Chester Hollow Backcountry Shelter #1, "Bit of a steep hill to access some of the sites. And some are built on wooden decks." Plan for extra time when carrying gear to these locations.

Cell service limitations: Most backcountry camping areas around Milan have spotty or no cell service, particularly in ravines and heavily wooded areas. Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park backcountry shelters typically have limited connectivity, with the best service found at higher elevations or near the main campground areas.

Tips for camping with families

Accessible sites for children: When tent camping with young children near Milan, select locations with minimal hiking requirements. Private campgrounds like Stillwaters Farm offer walk-in sites under 200 feet from parking areas, making gear transport manageable with children.

Wildlife education opportunities: The Milan region provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for educational family experiences. Bring field guides to identify the numerous bird species, deer, and small mammals commonly seen around dawn and dusk at most camping areas.

Weather considerations: Summer temperatures frequently reach above 90°F with high humidity, which can be challenging for young children. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer more moderate temperatures in the 70-80°F range with lower humidity, making these ideal seasons for family tent camping trips.

Tips from RVers

Drop camping equipment: RVers visiting the Milan area with tent-camping friends can coordinate equipment drop-offs at many locations. Several tent-only sites at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park are accessible by vehicle for unloading before parking in designated areas.

Combined trips: Groups with both RVs and tent campers can coordinate stays at campgrounds that accommodate both types. RVers should reserve sites at main campgrounds while tent campers access nearby backcountry areas, meeting for shared activities during the day.

Storage solutions: Due to frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, RVers can provide secure storage for tent campers' electronics and sensitive gear. Plan for regular afternoon rain patterns from June through August, particularly between 2-5pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Milan, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Milan, TN is Stillwaters Farm Rustic Campsites with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Milan, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Milan, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring