Best Tent Camping near Murfreesboro, TN
Several tent camping options surround Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with established sites at Stones River Getaway offering tent-specific accommodations just minutes from town. Long Hunter State Park Campground, located east of Murfreesboro near Hermitage, provides primitive tent sites with hiking access and lakeside locations. These campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities, from basic tent pads with fire rings to more developed sites with picnic tables and access to drinking water.
Most tent sites require advance reservations, particularly at established campgrounds like Stones River Getaway which maintains just five tent sites. Facilities vary significantly across locations, with some offering showers and toilets while others provide truly primitive experiences. Long Hunter State Park features backcountry tent sites requiring a hike to reach but rewarding campers with waterfront locations. A camper noted, "Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips." Many sites allow fires, though fire rings are not universally present, and campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival.
Tent camping in this region offers opportunities for wildlife observation and water activities. Areas near Percy Priest Lake provide tent campers with boating and swimming access. In reviews from The Dyrt, visitors frequently mention wildlife encounters, with one camper reporting "it was the most ticks any of us had seen" at Long Hunter State Park during summer months. For those seeking seclusion, Bells Bend Park offers primitive tent sites accessible by short hiking trails, providing a more remote experience despite relative proximity to Nashville. Sites at Long Hunter State Park are situated directly on the water, making them popular with anglers and paddlers who appreciate the combination of tent camping and water access. Most tent campgrounds in the area permit pets, though specific rules vary by location.