Normandy Lake serves as a popular camping destination near Pocahontas, Tennessee, with its 3,220 acres of water surface and 73 miles of shoreline. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating moderate temperatures that range from 40-85°F throughout the camping season. Winter camping often sees temperatures dropping to the 30s, with occasional light snowfall between December and February.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Rock Island State Park Campground offers excellent waterfall access with varying difficulty levels. "I loved the hiking there. The campsite has a good website, letting you know exactly what you get. Have the option to go tent or RV. Beautiful surroundings," notes Aaron S. The park features multiple falls within hiking distance of campsites.
Kayaking on calm waters: Barton Springs Campground provides direct water access for paddlers. Michael T. from Cedar Point Campground reports: "Awesome sites right on the water, we brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite. Lake is extremely quiet and calm."
Swimming options: During summer months, several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. "The nearby swimming beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available," shares Christy E. about Rock Island State Park. Cedar Point also features "a decent swimming beach with sand" according to visitors.
What campers like
Level, shaded sites: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park receives consistent praise for site quality. Scott G. notes: "We love this place! The sites are level and there are plenty of shade trees to go around. Very quiet at night also. The showers are SUPER clean!!"
Secluded waterfront camping: Many campers appreciate the privacy of some waterfront sites. "If you plan to go camping here, pay a little extra & get waterfront. We had so much of our own space & could literally walk right out of our camper & go for a swim," recommends Mariah C. about Barton Springs.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers abundant wildlife viewing. Shelly S. recalls their experience at Old Stone Fort: "We had deer in our site everyday... It was so quiet and woodsy."
What you should know
Site selection matters: At some campgrounds, site selection significantly impacts experience. One camper cautions about Fall Creek Falls: "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out." Another notes that "some lower sites can become water logged if there's a good downpour."
Highway noise considerations: Manchester KOA (now Rvino - The Broken Banjo) sits near I-24. "This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic," advises Scotty W., though he still rated it highly overall.
Variable cell reception: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. One camper at Barton Springs reports: "I also had no cell service in b loop. Enough for phone, but not really any other connectivity." Plan accordingly if you need reliable internet access during your stay.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple activity options: Smooth Rapids Campground combines camping with river recreation. One visitor shares: "Smooth Rapids is a kayak and tubing outfitter, so you can take a float down the river, and they have a shuttle that will drop you off." The campground also offers rental equipment for those without their own.
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds feature shallow water access points. Brandie D. describes Fall Creek Falls: "The park itself has a scenic loop drive of the gorge, multiple waterfalls to visit, miles on end of hiking trails in which some cross rope bridges, awesome swimming holes, and even an olympic pool with diving boards and a snack shack for the kiddos."
Playground facilities: Whispering Oaks Campground provides dedicated play areas. "They have a nice place for the kids to play in the field with a play ground," notes Katie D. Similarly, other reviewers mention "large fields perfect for games and activities" at various campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Extension cords may be necessary at some sites. Michael T. advises: "If tent camping, the electric pole is a bit far, so be sure to bring extra long extension cords." This applies to several campgrounds in the region where utilities aren't always optimally placed.
Site size considerations: Larger RVs should research carefully. Jon S. cautions about Rock Island: "Fair warning, sites all seemed to be pretty small." For big rigs, Manchester KOA offers "level, pull through sites" according to Joel R., who calls it a "regular stop for our travels."
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have steeper entrances. One RVer notes about Smooth Rapids: "The entrance and exit is very narrow and steep even for our Sprinter motorhome, let alone something larger. Would not advise it!" Always research road conditions before booking with larger vehicles.
