B
BARBARA J.
Scout
ScoutOld Mill Camp and General Store
The hosts were extremely helpful and accommodating. Very clean and well maintained, little campground. Would stay again on a heartbeat.
Camping near Cookeville, TN
18 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Campgrounds near Cookeville, Tennessee range from family-friendly developed sites to more remote options, situated in the picturesque Upper Cumberland region. Old Mill Camp and General Store provides tent and RV sites directly across from Cummins Falls State Park, while Belle and Beau Acres offers more primitive camping experiences with waterfront options. Within a 30-mile radius, Edgar Evins State Park and Rock Island State Park campgrounds provide cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping sites. The area's mix of state parks and privately owned campgrounds creates diverse options for overnight stays.
Seasonal considerations affect site availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds open year-round but experiencing peak visitation from late spring through early fall. "The bathhouse was clean and the showers were the nicest I've ever used. Single walk in showers with plenty of room," noted one visitor to Old Mill Camp. Many campgrounds feature modern amenities including electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though primitive sites with fewer services are also available. The terrain varies from relatively flat, accessible sites to more rugged areas requiring careful navigation. Weather patterns in the Cumberland Plateau region can bring sudden storms, particularly during summer months, making weather awareness important when planning extended stays.
Campers consistently highlight water features as key attractions in the area. Proximity to Cummins Falls State Park appears frequently in positive reviews, with multiple visitors mentioning the waterfall as a primary reason for choosing nearby accommodations. As one camper reported, "If you want to do the hike which I highly encourage it, we hike down every time so far and love it." Several campgrounds offer spacious, shaded sites with fire rings and picnic tables as standard amenities. Family-owned operations receive particular praise for their personal attention and well-maintained facilities. Most developed campgrounds provide restrooms and showers, while some also feature on-site stores selling camping essentials, food, and local products, creating convenient base camps for exploring the region's natural attractions.
Best Campgrounds near Cookeville (157)
1. Edgar Evins State Park Campground
"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."
7 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
2. Old Mill Camp and General Store
"Just getting in from a fun weekend at Old Mill Camp in Cookeville, TN."
"If you don't care to grill or have a sandwich or ice cream at the general store on site the friendly owner will tell you where to eat in town (Cookeville)."
3. Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake
"2nd the layout is more tent friendly (to me) with walk in sites with some nice views."
"It was okay, but not good for anyone who cannot handle a lot of stairs. 2) There was a lot of boat traffic on the lake, even late into the night."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $50 / night
4. Rock Island State Park Campground
"Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."
"Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."
15 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
5. Spacious Skies Belle Ridge
"I seek off the beaten path places, and this campground is a gem."
"First, one advantage/disadvantage is it is located right off 40. If you are placed in one of the sites in the front it’s going to be very noisy."
Check Availabilityfrom $29 - $139 / night
6. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
"Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."
"Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."
56 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
7. Ragland Bottom
"Snuggle deep in Ragland bottom Tennessee this nice Corps of Engineer campground is nestled. The campground is very well-kept. With plenty of room on the camping pads for all types and sizes of RVs."
"RV’s are at lake edge, there are several walk in tent sites near the lake too. If you have your watercraft along direct put in is possible but it’s rocky."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $50 / night
8. Belle and Beau Acres
"Off the beaten path and quiet piece of Tennessee that we needed."
"Woke up to 2 jakes walking through our campsite below our rooftop tent. Property is back away from any houses and extremely peaceful."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
9. Defeated Creek Campground
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $100 / night
10. Twin Lakes Catfish Farm & Campground
"It sits adjacent to a catfish farm where you can fish and eat all in the same breath. The sites have electrical, water, and sewer so they are meant for the long haul camper."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from Nashville, TN
- 1 hr 28 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 47 min from Bowling Green, KY
- 1 hr 49 min from Cleveland, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Cookeville, TN
278 Photos of 157 Cookeville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Belle and Beau Acres
Old Mill Camp and General Store
Tentrr Signature Site - Iceman at Defenders Retreat - Coleman Outfitted Site
Spacious Skies Belle Ridgec
Leeric Lodge & Resort on Center Hill Lake
Floating Mill - Center Hill LakeL
Ragland Bottom
Indian Creek CampgroundT
Edgar Evins State Park CampgroundK
Long Branch — Center Hill Lake
Holleman's Bend Camping Area
COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground
Recent Reviews near Cookeville, TN
908 Reviews of 157 Cookeville Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendLong Branch — Center Hill Lake
A Big-Rig-Friendly COE Worth Returning To
We stayed here overnight on the way to Gatlinburg and three nights on the way back. GPS and signage was good as getting to this COE was easy. Often you don’t know what you’re going to get at a COE i.e. tight roads, low hanging branches etc. This was not the case as the campground (CG) is big rig friendly. For the overnighter, we checked in at the gate and proceeded to back in site 50 with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP). We had no problem backing into site 50 which sits above the creek that runs through the side of the CG. The gravel pad was fairly level(didn’t need any blocks under tires) with a picnic table, fish cleaning station, fire pit and stand up bbq. For the three nights we were in back in site 37, which was along the fence side of the CG. Site 37 had the same picnic table, cleaning table, stand up bbq and fire pit. This site’s pad was plenty long enough so we could put our toy hauler patio down. For both sites we got 1 bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile. As there is no Wifi in this CG, we used starlink. Since our starlink antenna is not hard mounted, we were able to move the antenna around to get a good signal through the trees. We were surprised this COE didn’t sell firewood nor ice. We enjoyed walking our dog around and even did some fly fishing in the adjacent river. We thoroughly enjoyed this COE.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Whispering Falls RV Park
Great Customer Service and a Walk to Burgess Falls
We originally reserved three nights at Whispering Falls RV Park but changed our plans to an overnight stay with only 24 hours' notice. The staff was very accommodating and changed our reservation without any fees. On travel day, we called to see if we could arrive early since check-in wasn't until 3:00 PM. Again, no problem! Awesome customer service. We followed RV Life Trip Wizard GPS along with the directions in our confirmation email, which accounted for a detour due to construction of the new Burgess Falls State Park visitor center. The drive took us along country roads that we wouldn't want to navigate after dark. Check-in was simple, and we entered the gate code and proceeded to back-in site 7. We were impressed with the newer campsites featuring pavers and long pads. Utilities were conveniently placed, making hookups easy. Water pressure was decent at around 45 psi. Campground (CG) WiFi was pretty good at 20.5 Mbps download. We received one bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile, but our T-Mobile Home Internet was unusable, so we set up Starlink. Mature trees surrounded the CG perimeter but didn't cause us any satellite reception issues. Sites were decently spaced, with sites 9 and 10 looking like great choices for those traveling together. There were quite a few seasonal or permanent campers, but their sites were very well maintained. The CG also had a good-sized, unfenced dog area. One nice feature was being able to hear the falls from sites toward the back of the CG. We especially enjoyed being able to walk directly from our campsite into Burgess Falls State Park and access the trails leading to the falls to include bringing our dog on a leash. The store, which also serves as the check-in location, offered fast food, beer, and basic grocery items. Between the excellent customer service, well-maintained sites, and convenient access to the state park, we would definitely stay here again!
- RRonnie C.
TravelerHowland's Hidout
This was a last minute stay, the camp was full but accommodations were made for us by the host to park in his front yard and connect to house power. We were invited to join the host and other guests at the massive fire pit that was warming the cool mountain evening. Very pretty here…was a long and winding road up the mountain from our travel direction. Excited to see what it looks like in daylight. I have 3 bars on my T-Mobile but also have StarLink.
- ssheila B.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Beautiful view on the water. Not very full, which was nice. I came for some quiet and privacy and while it worked, there were just some that were very social. Haha
Mark 'Tony' Z.TravelerObey River Park
Nasty Water
The lakes are way low, so our lakeside campsite was not really. With no flow, the lake stunk and had a slimey feel. Too many motors to paddle, too loud, no privacy. I’ll not visit this one again.
Brent F.TravelerStillwaters Creek Campground & Cabins
Beautiful Campground Near Fall Creek Falls State Park!
Stillwaters Creek Campground is a hidden gem tucked away in the beautiful hills of Spencer, Tennessee, just a short drive from Fall Creek Falls State Park. The campground offers spacious full-hookup RV sites, cozy cabins, and tent camping, with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The property is surrounded by beautiful woods and features a peaceful creek, walking trails, a fishing pond, playground, and pavilion. The bathhouse has been completely renovated with updated showers and restrooms, and there's laundry available on-site. The campground also offers Wi-Fi and a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. One of the best things about Stillwaters Creek is the setting. It's peaceful and secluded enough to feel like you're getting away from it all, but still conveniently located near some of Tennessee's best hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor attractions. Whether you're visiting Fall Creek Falls, spending a weekend with family, or just looking for a relaxing place to unwind, Stillwaters Creek is definitely worth checking out!
Mary D.
GuideCumberland Mountain State Park Campground
4th Time Here
This is our number one favorite place to camp. We are from Knoxville, TN and if we are wanting to camp for the weekend but avoid the drive, this is where we come! Area 1 site 25 is our favorite and we are super excited to stay at 108 and 109 in the future. The campground is beautiful. Area 1 is shaded with plenty of trees around making it feel like you're in a little forest, and of course fall is wonderful. Some sites have sewer. I have T-mobile cell phone and I have 3 bars at 5g and my husband has xfinity and has 2 bars at 4G.
Love this campground!
don B.TravelerRagland Bottom
Site 5
Nice campground, spaces are a little tight but not bad. Restrooms are clean.
Guide to Cookeville
The Upper Cumberland region sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,400 feet, creating diverse camping environments around Cookeville, Tennessee. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with higher humidity levels and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, requiring proper insulation for cold-weather camping.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 20-minute drive to Cummins Falls State Park from several nearby campgrounds. "This park is an amazing find and will blow your mind with the single best swimming hole in the US," reports one camper at Old Mill Camp and General Store.
Kayaking on Center Hill Lake: Launch directly from waterfront sites at Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake. "We love to swim, as does our dog! A lot of people brought their boats, there was a lot of parking & easy access for it," notes a visitor.
Hiking on Lost Spring Trail: The trail near Floating Mill Campground offers lookout points over the lake. "There's a small hiking trail in the park also called the 'lost spring trail'... a couple of lookout points. Must not be much traffic through the trail anymore, the lookouts were a little overgrown," shares a hiker.
Primitive camping with privacy: For those seeking seclusion, multiple secluded sites exist. "You have your choice of sites, either in the heavily wooded timber, in the field, or by the creek. We stayed in the timber and it was glorious! Lots of downed wood to burn, several level sites," describes a camper at Belle and Beau Acres.
What campers like
Platform camping sites: Unique elevated camping decks at Edgar Evins State Park offer distinctive experiences. "I was very skeptical about the sites being pier-like decks. Some of the sites just don't have a lot of room, especially around the fire pit and bbq. But there are a couple gem spots if you scout before you book," explains a camper.
Clean, modern bathhouse facilities: Facilities vary widely between established and primitive sites. "The bathhouse was clean and the showers were the nicest I've ever used. Single walk in showers with plenty of room," noted a visitor to Old Mill Camp.
Direct waterfront access: Multiple sites allow for immediate water entry. "The lakefront sites all have water access right from the site, so you can launch a kayak, or throw out a line, or just go for a swim right from your site," explains one camper about Ragland Bottom.
Spacious campsites: Many locations provide substantial room between sites. "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," notes a visitor to Edgar Evins State Park.
What you should know
Steep terrain at some campgrounds: Several camping areas feature significant elevation changes. "The steps down to our campsite. Some of the campsites towards the back of the campground have a good amount of stairs. It was okay, but not good for anyone who cannot handle a lot of stairs," warns a camper at Floating Mill.
Variable cell coverage: Connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. "AT&T had 2 bars and 1 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 4 MB/s with it. Overall WiFi was problematic," notes a camper at Edgar Evins State Park.
Advance reservations essential: The best places to camp near Cookeville, Tennessee book quickly, especially waterfront sites. "Ragland Bottoms is such a fun place to camp! The campground is right on Center Hill lake... sites 1-15 are all lakefront sites with electricity and water, and they book up fast," advises a visitor.
Seasonal water releases: Dam schedules affect water activities. "Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases," recommends a camper at Rock Island State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options for kids: Several campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas. "It includes two swim areas which is nice. Bathrooms are good in campground standards! The hiking trail is ok. Canoe the Caney is a few minute drive from the campground which is great if you like canoeing," shares a visitor to Floating Mill.
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple campgrounds provide facilities specifically for children. "Nice campground with outstanding facilities. The overlook has a 'Wow' view," notes a visitor to Spacious Skies Belle Ridge.
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led activities enrich family camping experiences. "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too!" shares a visitor to Edgar Evins State Park.
Early arrival for waterfall access: Morning visits avoid crowds at popular water features. "If you want to go on the hike which I highly encourage it... Pro tip if you want to go on the hike go early almost right when the park opens. There are less people which makes the hike more enjoyable," advises a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Platform sites require planning: The unique elevated sites at some parks need special consideration. "Parking sites are on wooden platforms which was fine for our Winnebag Revel, but a bit weird for my daughter who was sleeping in a tent, but it all worked out fine," reports an RVer at Edgar Evins.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain demands preparation. "Be wary of the speed bumps throughout the campground, they are closely spaced and rather abrupt, take them very slowly. The sites are all elevated platforms due to the steep slope to the lake," notes another Edgar Evins visitor.
Full hookup availability: Select campgrounds offer complete RV services. "We had a concrete site in E-loop that allowed us to level with no trouble! The dogs enjoyed the huge field next to the sites and we enjoyed hiking the trails," shares a camper at Spacious Skies Belle Ridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV parks are available in or near Cookeville, TN?
What RV parks are available in or near Cookeville, TN?
RV enthusiasts near Cookeville have several quality options. Spacious Skies Belle Ridge offers a peaceful forest setting near Monterey, just a short drive from Cookeville. Ragland Bottom is a well-maintained Corps of Engineers campground with generous pads accommodating various RV sizes and stunning lake views. Other nearby options include COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground, which features creekside sites and mountain views, and Floating Mill on Center Hill Lake for water recreation enthusiasts.
Where are the best campgrounds in Cookeville, Tennessee?
Where are the best campgrounds in Cookeville, Tennessee?
Cookeville offers excellent camping options with Old Mill Camp and General Store leading the list. Located directly across from Cummins Falls State Park, it features spacious sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and a general store. For those seeking public lands, Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground is within driving distance and offers impressive waterfalls and recreational activities. The surrounding Upper Cumberland region provides additional options like Defeated Creek Campground near Carthage and Twin Lakes Catfish Farm & Campground near Baxter.
Can I find tent camping locations near Cookeville?
Can I find tent camping locations near Cookeville?
Tent campers have excellent options around Cookeville. Belle and Beau Acres provides a quiet, off-the-beaten-path tent camping experience. For nature enthusiasts, Rock Island State Park Campground offers tent sites surrounded by beautiful forest with easy access to hiking trails and dramatic waterfalls. For a rustic experience, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground delivers a nostalgic camping feel with modern conveniences in a small, intimate setting adjacent to Scott State Forest and Big South Fork River.
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