Camping options around Lafayette, Tennessee include both developed campgrounds and primitive sites across the region's lakes and forests. Defeated Creek Campground near Carthage sits along the water with sites for tents and RVs, offering electric hookups and picnic tables for campers. The area features several Corps of Engineers campgrounds including Salt Lick Creek on Cordell Hull Lake, providing boat-in access and waterfront camping opportunities. Cedar Creek, Floating Mill, and Bledsoe Creek State Park expand the range of options with varying levels of amenities and site types from primitive tent sites to fully developed RV pads with hookups.
Seasonal considerations shape camping experiences throughout the region, with many campgrounds operating from spring through fall. According to one visitor, "It's very well-kept with plenty of room on the camping pads for all types and sizes of RVs. The area is absolutely stunning and beautiful." Road access varies, with some campgrounds featuring paved pads while others have gravel sites that "flood when it rains." Center Hill Lake and Dale Hollow Lake areas offer extensive water recreation opportunities, influencing site selection and availability. Summer weekends tend to fill quickly, especially at waterfront locations, while spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Camping permits and reservations are required at most established sites, with different rules depending on whether the area is managed by Tennessee State Parks, the Corps of Engineers, or other agencies.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. "We stayed on site #61 - the lake was literally steps away from our door, and it was a no wake zone," reported one camper at Lillydale. Campgrounds like Floating Mill provide direct water access, with many sites offering views of Center Hill Lake. The terrain varies from flat, accessible sites near Nashville to more secluded areas tucked into the hills and forests. Cell service can be limited in many locations, particularly in the more remote campgrounds. Facilities range from basic toilets to full bathhouses with laundry, depending on the campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and waterfowl, particularly at campgrounds adjacent to protected natural areas or forest land.
$25 - $100 / night
"Our site was atop a hill overlooking Cordell Hull Lake. The place was nearly full capacity yet quiet. Sites are spread out nicely, many are lakeside or have lake views."
"Sites 51 and 52 are a shared pull through site, so if you book one of them, you will more than likely have people you don't know backed up right close next to you."
"There is a flat trail next to the lake that my two year old loves to run up and down, playgrounds, and a story trail."
"Easy hiking trails with little to moderate inclines and terrain. Around 5-7 miles of trails, plenty of camping sites. I always see wildlife when i visit this park."
$20 - $50 / night
"Our site was right on the creek and very near the beach. We went for an evening swim and we had a picturesque view of the sun setting over the mountains."
"And it was adequate but situated on an inlet with mucky water. We took a walk and found an empty site (45) with breathtaking views. We asked to switch and they were happy to oblige."
$22 - $50 / night
"Campground Review: Roughly 20 miles from the Bowling Green, Ky I65 exit Baileys Point is a well laid out large campground."
"This campground is a favorite spot of ours that is close to home. it is only a 40 minute drive from Bowling Green. it has nice bathroom and shower facilities."
$25 - $30 / night
"The campground at Cedars of Lebanon State Park deserves 5 stars for their proximity to Nashville, the large paved pads for campers, the peaceful woods, and their overall cleanliness."
"We hiked some of the 2 mile running trail and then veered off to explore the CCC original looking covered bench which overlooks a currently dry stream bed."
"I'm from New England and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. The first time I went camping at Edgar Evans, I had no idea what was going on!"
"The park is a gorgeous property with a lake and hiking trails. There are ADA sights. The hills are steep and some of the sights have angle ramps."
$25 - $50 / night
"Bathrooms were close by and air conditioned too! The showers are in the general store building where the post office is so a short walk or drive there."
"There is a restroom in the campground and a shower house, laundry room, post office and store adjacent. The dump station is next to that facility right outside the front “gate”."
$25 - $34 / night
"Being able to park your boat within walking distance of your camper, load up and go when you please, we loved that!
The park was clean and the neighborhood of the campground was very friendly!""right next to barren river state park lodge and marina. convenient to several stores and the towns of glasgow , scottsville, and bowling green, ky with excellent fishing and boating and viewing of wildlife"
TravelerArrived late, but had no problem finding a nice flat spot in the grass. Very quiet. Two clean porta potties as well as trash cans and picnic tables, everything well maintained. Perfect spot with the dog. Only drawback was minimal service with Verizon. Bonus is the super cute town of Granville (world’s largest decanter collection and town is decorated as Little Mayberry). Would definitely stay again.
GuideDoing a road trip from CO to the east coast while hitting some national parks. This RV park is convenient off the highway and close to Mammoth cave national park. Quiet with lots of birds chirping all day. There is a train that runs through it it would bother you. Staff is friendly. So are the other campers. The pool is nice. Showers are clean. We don’t have a regular RV and they were super accommodating (see pics).
TravelerWe had such a lovely stay at Born Again. We were genuinely surprised to be the only guests over Memorial Day weekend! Peggy was an absolute gem - so kind, generous, and truly someone with a heart of gold. It’s clear she has poured so much love and care into the campground, and it shows in every detail. The entire place is perfectly eclectic, charming, and delightfully quirky.
Her sweet dog, Lily, kept us company throughout our stay and quickly won our hearts. We also had visits from Boots the cat, who was just as friendly and welcoming. Peggy kindly let us peek into each of the themed cabins, and it was easy to see the thoughtfulness and creativity behind every space. Each cabin felt carefully curated to match its theme, making the experience even more special.
Her husband, Tony, also stopped by to say hello, adding to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Overall, this was such a special place, and we already can’t wait for our next visit.
TravelerThe trails & cavern tours are fabulous to enjoy while you’re here.
ScoutGreat folks to work with hand an amazing time will be back again and again must check it out for yalls own selves!
TravelerThe people who said this is just a parking lot probably never found the actual campsite, I almost missed it too! Cell service cut out far down the road, but since there were no turns we just kept going until we found the boat ramp (gravel lot, clear No Camping signs). We thought this was a bust, turned around to leave, and then we spotted the gravel path into the site. It's easy to miss on the way in. It's a small camping area between the boat ramp and the equestrian trail head, with two foot paths. One path leads to more sites closer to the water (still close enough to easily carry supplies) and the other leads to the equestrian section and a portapotty. Dyrt's location pin is for the boat ramp not the campsite, see my map for a more accurate location. It was quiet and relatively clean, with some horseback riders passing through during the day.
ScoutStaff was wonderful at helping with all needs...booking tours too. Can shuttle a bus to downtown Nashville. Nice pool. Live music every night at the campground. Clean restrooms, laundry and the entire park.
GuideDefeated Creek Campground Defeated, TN site L14. I’m not sure how we’ve gotten so lucky this year, but we’ve had 2 amazing sites back to back. Defeated Creek is another beautiful campground. We had another waterfront site, facing west, so the sunsets were amazing. Not a long walk to the bathhouse, volleyball area, or playground. It also has a beach and tons of room to go fishing. Lots of wildlife, we even spotted a couple of cows in the park lol. Chelle was able to launch her kayak just about 10 yards from our camper. The camp host are a very sweet older couple and the place is very well kept. It can be hard to get reservations here, so get a jump on that 6 month booking window. That said, if you can’t get in here, try Salt Lick Creek Campground in Gainesboro. The spaces are further apart and it’s very well kept also. Although we just drove through, I think it would also be a great place to stay.
ScoutGreat place to stay when passing through.
Camping near Lafayette, Tennessee offers access to both Cordell Hull Lake and Center Hill Lake within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at elevations between 500-1,200 feet, creating varied terrain from lakefront flats to wooded hills. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring camping often faces afternoon thunderstorms that can quickly saturate unpaved sites.
Fishing access points: At Defeated Creek Campground, the lake is steps away for shore fishing. "We always get sites on the water. The kids ride bikes and fish," mentions Holly G., who found the waterfront spots ideal for quick fishing access.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Edgar Evins State Park offers excellent deer spotting. "Deer would just walk up near you and just say hello. It's so peaceful," notes Grace E., who found the abundant wildlife a highlight of her stay.
Swimming beaches: Barren River Lake features dedicated swimming areas. "The beach was awesome. We swam at the beach, and in early September, we had the place to ourselves," shares Paul O., who appreciated having lake access without crowds during shoulder season.
Historical exploration: Cedar forests contain unique limestone formations. "The park was wet and infested with BOY SCOUTS! Facilities were clean, trails and signage well maintained. Historical stuff too," mentions Shelly S., who noted the educational opportunities beyond just natural features.
Platform camping: Edgar Evins State Park offers unique raised deck campsites. "We love the platform sites that are so spacious and private. Easy access to dump station and bath houses. Almost all sites have view of water," reports Betheny, who found the elevated sites provided better views than traditional pads.
Clean facilities: Bledsoe Creek State Park maintains excellent bathhouses. "The bathhouses were VERY clean, and the hosts were friendly and helpful," notes Robbie M., who found the cleanliness standards exceeded expectations even during busy periods.
Space between sites: COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground provides generous site dimensions. "Great size sites. Many with waterfront property and others totally wooded. Shower house had amazing water pressure," reports Chris Y., who appreciated both the privacy and amenities.
Family activities: Cedar parks organize seasonal events. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" mentions Justin L., highlighting the organized activities that supplement natural recreation options.
Cell service limitations: COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground has virtually no connectivity. "There is absolutely no cell coverage for any carrier at the campground and about a 30 minute drive in any direction. Also no stores around as well," warns Chris Y., emphasizing the importance of bringing all supplies.
Site drainage issues: Gravel sites can become problematic after rain. "Site 22 has a slightly declined slope and is right next to another site that is a pull through. It is also right next to the main road for the park," explains Kyle S., highlighting how site selection impacts water runoff.
Tick prevalence: Wooded areas harbor ticks year-round. "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., who encountered disease-carrying ticks during their stay.
Supply distance: Remote campgrounds require planning. "There is only one gas station within 30-45 minutes that have ice and firewood. Make sure to bring everything you need," advises Chris Y., noting the lack of nearby resupply options.
Beach options: Defeated Creek Marina offers kid-friendly swimming. "Clean baths and sandy shore swimming area - book sites 90, 91 or 92!" recommends LuAnn R., who found these specific waterfront sites ideal for families with children.
Biking considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for young cyclists. "It is pretty spread out, so biking with the family was a little challenging. And their bike loop was really pretty, but SUPER bumpy and hilly. Pretty hard for the younger ones," cautions Paul O., whose children struggled with the terrain.
Primitive camping access: Some parks offer backpack-in sites for more adventurous families. "We camped in the primitive camping section which has a parking area up top and you hike with your equipment down some stairs into a wooded area with about 7 primitive campsites," explains Emily W., describing the layout for families considering non-vehicle sites.
Hookup configurations: Baileys Point provides water and electric but limited sewer. "Beware of some of the best sites in the B loop. Some of them do not have electric hookup, but the view is amazing!" warns Beth H., highlighting the trade-off between premium views and full hookups.
Platform challenges: Edgar Evins State Park's unique design requires adaptation. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if your walking from one level to the next, which if you need the showerhouse, you will be on certain tiers," explains Shelly S., noting the physical demands of the multi-level design.
Dump station timing: Plan your departure to avoid waits. "Also gets a little crowded at the dump station on the weekends at check our time," advises Beth H., suggesting off-peak timing for easier service access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lafayette, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 142 campgrounds and RV parks near Lafayette, TN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lafayette, TN is Defeated Creek Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Lafayette, TN.
What parks are near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Lafayette, TN that allow camping, notably Stillhouse Hollow Lake and Barren River Lake.
Keep Exploring
