Best Tent Camping near Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee provides several tent camping options within a short drive of Nashville. Long Hunter State Park offers primitive tent sites with waterfront locations and hiking trails. Camp Nashville Highland Rim provides tent-only camping with amenities including toilets, showers, and drinking water. Bells Bend Park features walk-in tent sites in a natural setting about 15 minutes from downtown Nashville.
Most tent campsites around Old Hickory Lake have basic amenities with varying levels of development. Long Hunter State Park's primitive sites require hikers to pack in all supplies, including water for drinking and cooking. Fires are permitted at several locations including Camp Nashville and Bells Bend Park, with firewood available at Camp Nashville. Many campgrounds allow pets, though specific rules vary by location. Several tent camping areas near the lake lack facilities like showers or flush toilets. A camper noted that at Long Hunter State Park "it was the most ticks any of us had seen, including tiny seed ticks," suggesting insect repellent is essential gear during warmer months.
Tent campsites in this region offer varied experiences based on proximity to water and natural features. Areas closest to the shoreline provide swimming and fishing opportunities, particularly at Long Hunter State Park where sites have direct water access. One visitor commented that Long Hunter Park features "great wooded trails where you can see plenty of deer and turkeys." Walk-in tent locations often provide more seclusion, with Bells Bend Park and Long Hunter's primitive sites requiring short hikes to reach campsites. Wildlife viewing is common at many of these tent campgrounds, with multiple reviews mentioning deer sightings. For campers seeking a balance between nature and urban accessibility, Camp Nashville Highland Rim offers tent sites within reasonable driving distance to Nashville's amenities while maintaining a natural setting.





