Old Hickory Lake encompasses 22,500 acres of water surrounded by 440 miles of shoreline in north-central Tennessee. The lake, formed by the Old Hickory Dam on the Cumberland River, maintains water temperatures between 75-85°F during summer camping season. Camping areas around Old Hickory Lake feature numerous pet-friendly options with specific designated areas for dog walking and lake access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Seven Points offers excellent fishing access with a dedicated fishing platform. "This is a great place to camp. The dogs had a good time walking around the grounds," notes Keith F., adding practical details about the park layout.
Water activities: Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort provides multiple water recreation options beyond just swimming. "Nice clean paved spots facing the lake. Full hookup with playgrounds and a general store. The water park is amazing," shares Jared B., highlighting the resort's comprehensive facilities.
Live music: The Grand Ole RV Resort offers regular entertainment without leaving the campground. According to Reid L., "Everyone I met was super friendly and the entire experience is charming," while another camper noted they have "live free entertainment nightly" during summer months.
Hiking opportunities: Multiple short trail systems connect various camping areas around the lake. A visitor at Cages Bend mentioned, "We had a wonderful meal. There are stairs up to the camper - just fyi," indicating the varied terrain around the campground that creates interesting walking routes.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Elm Hill RV Resort (formerly Safe Harbor) earns high marks for its lakeside positioning. As Chris H. explains, "Most sites are waterfront and have great sunrise views. The sites are level and have nice firepits."
Convenient boat access: Dog owners who bring boats appreciate the proximity to launches. "Great campground with water and electric hook-ups. Lake front sites for campers or tents. Close to groceries and gas station," writes Austin R. about Cages Bend.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the thoughtful layout at some Old Hickory Lake campgrounds. "Sites are very well-maintained with mix of shade and sun. Nice coated metal mesh large picnic table and fire ring," Jay B. reports about Cedar Creek, noting the site arrangement.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness matters greatly to campers with pets. At Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Ashley U. found "a nice clean site, number 62. It had a fire pit, grill and picnic table. The site location was great for us because we had our 5 dogs with us and there was room at this site to let them out with ease."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most dog friendly campgrounds at Old Hickory Lake require advance booking, especially during summer. "Reserve ahead, definitely on the weekends," advises Shelly S. about Cages Bend, noting its popularity.
Site specifics: Each campground has different site configurations and requirements. At Nashville KOA Resort, Jennifer H. found "tidy sites, tons of them, something for everyone and then some. Paved roads the kids loved scootering on."
Seasonal considerations: Water levels and campground operations vary by season. "We stopped in just for a night while driving across many states. The check in gate wasn't attended at the time and directed us to make a reservation online," shared Jay B. about off-season camping at Cedar Creek.
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campers report wildlife encounters requiring dog owners to be vigilant. One camper at Cages Bend mentioned they "never felt close to our neighbors" but advised watching for wildlife near the water.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly play areas. At Nashville Shores, one camper mentioned, "We 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."
Swimming access: Waterfront camping doesn't always mean swimming access. At Elm Hill RV Resort, Raul M. noted, "We enjoyed our stay and took full advantage of the lake. We paddle boarded, swam, and kayaked."
Special events: Seasonal family activities make certain times ideal for visiting. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" shares Justin L. about Cedars of Lebanon State Park, highlighting one of the organized events.
Space considerations: Sites vary dramatically in size and accommodation for family groups. A camper at Cages Bend mentioned, "We stayed in site 41... Turned out to be a great spot. It was quiet and clean. I think every site has some view of the lake, even if not directly."
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Several campgrounds have tight access roads. At Cages Bend, Keith F. advises, "The road in is pretty tight along a tree line so be careful."
Hookup locations: Utility placement varies between campgrounds. "The utilities are more to the front of the site with two sewer connections. We had decent water pressure," reports MickandKarla W. at Nashville KOA.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling. Tony D. notes that Seven Points provides "level cement pads with large well spaced sites. If you can get a lake view it is wonderful."
Size restrictions: RV length limitations matter at Old Hickory Lake campgrounds. One camper mentioned their site at Cedar Creek was "a little tight for my 43' motorhome, especially maneuvering dump station."
