Old Hickory Lake campsites offer different experiences depending on location around this 22,500-acre reservoir. The lake stretches 97 miles along the Cumberland River in central Tennessee, with campsites positioned at various elevations between 445 and 450 feet. Spring camping brings mild temperatures averaging 60-75°F with higher rainfall, while summer campers can expect humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Seven Points Campground has a swimming area with a clean shoreline for families. "This place is gorgeous. The lake view and night skies are amazing. The water is warm, which isn't something I'm used to being from further north," notes Sean M. about Seven Points.
Hiking cedar forest trails: The unique limestone glades at Cedars of Lebanon State Park provide distinctive hiking terrain. "Cedars of Lebanon is a great State Park in middle TN for camping and for day hikes. It has a great pool, and the natural area where it's located features tons of endemic species to the area," says Phoebe A. about Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground.
Fish from lakefront sites: Multiple campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing without launching a boat. "Most sites have a lovely view of the lake if not directly along the shore. Swimming beach, playground, and marina both within walking distance," explains Kathy G. about Cedar Creek.
What campers like
Level concrete pads: Elm Hill RV Resort (previously Safe Harbor) offers stable, well-maintained sites. "The sites are level and have nice firepits. We just travelled cross country for 3 months and this is one of the nicest campgrounds we have stayed at," shares Chris H. about Elm Hill RV Resort.
Live entertainment options: Several campgrounds feature regular music performances. "They have live music every night was nice. Backing my trailer is not my strong suite but they guided me through it like it was nothing," says Ed S. about Grand Ole RV Resort & Market.
Proximity to Nashville attractions: Campers appreciate the ability to explore the city while staying at lakeside campgrounds. "Very busy campground, showers and bathrooms were very clean and nice. Nice shuttle service to downtown Nashville ($10 round trip) offered from two separate shuttle companies," notes Aaron L. about Two Rivers Campground.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Some campgrounds have railroad tracks nearby that can disrupt sleep. "Only downfall are the trains that operate 24/7 directly adjacent to the grounds. Trains rolling by at 3 am is not how I like to spend my night," warns Jeff P. about Grand Ole RV Resort.
Site spacing varies significantly: Some areas offer privacy while others pack campers close together. "The campground was dirty and not well kept. It seemed like people had been basically living out of the campground," states Jessica L. about Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground.
Seasonal operations: Check opening dates before booking as some lakeside campgrounds close during winter. "We actually had a really good stay here, but I will say that the water park was closed and it wasn't peak season," reports Darrell F. about Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Look for pest-protected sites: Insects and wildlife can be problematic during warmer months. "Our dogs picked up ticks every day, and we had a few as well. Watch out for lyme and other tick born illnesses," cautions Kyle S. from Bledsoe Creek State Park.
Consider Halloween weekend events: Special seasonal activities make camping more entertaining for children. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" recommends Justin L. about Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Waterpark combination options: Campgrounds with water recreation features provide additional entertainment. "The water park is amazing. The boys had a blast running under water buckets dumping over them and going down slides, floating down the lazy river or getting knocked down in the wave pool," describes Christy C. about Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Some Old Hickory Lake campsites have exact measurements with limited overflow space. "Be very cautious of the site lengths. Some are extremely short and I'd say the measurements are nearly exact. Since our site backed up to a drop off, there was a small fence so no way to 'hang over' the pad a little for extra room," advises Beth H. about Elm Hill RV Resort.
Road navigation challenges: Internal campground roads can be tight for larger rigs. "The only thing that was not ideal were how tight the roads were between campsites but it may have felt that way because we are new to hauling a camper," notes Ashley U. about Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Amenities for extended stays: Some campgrounds offer laundry facilities and cable TV connections. "We had a nice level pull through site near the front. The grounds were clean and staff was friendly," reports Jil S. about Nashville East-Lebanon KOA.
