Best Tent Camping near Nashville, TN

For several months while living in TN, we spent almost every weekend at Henry Horton State Park. It’s not quite an hour from Nashville. We always got a primitive site, shady site. I was never disappointed by any of our sites and never felt cramped or too close to other campers.

HH has RV sites, cabins, “hammock sites,” and a large group site. They also have a camp store, firewood, and restrooms. Rates are pretty standard. Backcountry primitive hike-in sites are $8.

Interactive heritage festivals and other activities frequently came to the center across the street. I don’t really recall if this is part of the park or not.

We are RTT campers and chose this place on a whim as the rest of the local tent camping spots closed on October 1st. We were lucky to find they had space available. However, it should be noted that this is more of an RV campground, the traditional tent sites are right by the gate and not very private. The RV slot we were given backed up to a green space that has grazing deer from time to time. The site did not have a fire ring or a picnic table and was a little far from the bathrooms, but it did have power and water available. That being said the bathrooms were extremely tidy, well heated, and the water pressure in the showers was amazing! The other RV’ers were super friendly and the staff was very helpful in our stay and responsive to our request for availability.

We are on a cross country trip. And stopped here for 3 night 2 and half days and we couldn't be happier about this place! We were at site 34 and it was probably one of the best sites they have! Shade and privacy bushes on both sides of us. Most sites didn't have this feature. We also had a amazing view of the river! Fire pit and a little table we used for cooking plus a picnic table. We had a tent and it was such perfect weather breezy and warm. We were 30 mins away from Nashville spent a day over there. We were here during the week so it was way less crowded. The camp site is a little pricey for us but worth every cent spent!!

The area is clearly designed for RVs, not tents, which was fine since I had my campervan. I did notice, however, some the the sites had seriously sloping drives so lots of leveling would have been required. The area is heavily wooded.y site had no view of the lake but some do. Most that have beach access also have electric. There are 10-12 of those sites. The remainder are primitive. The only water is near the dump station. To access the lake if you don't have a lake site requires driving to a separate area. The bathhouse is fine. Most sites seem to be large enough for a couple of tents and vehicles. Verizon service was adequate. No wifi.

Guns shots in the surrounding area in the overnight periods. I don't think they were originating from inside the campground. Also, campground is near the Nashville airport so air traffic can be heard. Generators are allowed in the campground.

Spent two nights here for Labor Day 2020. We stayed on the center strip in the primitive area. The facilities were well maintained and clean. Each site has a concrete picnic table, fire ring, and a moveable lantern hook. The primitive area has several water spigots to use (near each restroom and a few in between).

The outer loop sites all have electric and water hookups, but the restrooms are all on the upper level where the primitive sites are. If you don’t have your own bathroom, it’s a bit of a hill to climb and there’s only a couple spots to do it.

Overall, we loved it and we’ll be back for sure.

I hate leaving bad reviews, but I have to this time. This campground advertised tent camping and that is clearly not true. Spent 3 nights (mostly because we couldn't go anywhere else) with our tent in a literal runoff ditch. Other sites had tents squished in the trees and there was absolutely no flat spot to even pretend is a tent pad. Also, there was broken glass all over the site and only 1 drinkable water pump (which was right next to the rv dump station pump. Gross). The camp attendants were super nice though and it's close to Nashville. So if you have an rv, great! If you have a tent, I strongly recommend somewhere else.

Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.

A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.

Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.

The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.

The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.

The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.