116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northern Tennessee landscape surrounding Portland features a mix of state parks, Corps of Engineers facilities, and private campgrounds within an hour's drive. Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground in nearby Hendersonville provides year-round camping with both RV hookups and primitive lakeside sites away from generator noise. Cedar Creek in Mount Juliet operates seasonally from April to October with boat-in access and electric hookups. Cages Bend in Gallatin consistently receives high ratings for its waterfront sites. The region's camping options extend north into Kentucky with Dad's Bluegrass Campground in Franklin offering diverse accommodations including tents, RVs, cabins, and yurts.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Portland area. Most lakeside campgrounds experience peak demand from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with advance reservations strongly recommended during summer months. As one camper noted about Cedar Creek, "We fell in love with peaceful walks along the river, watching the ducks and birds along with a few turtles. Coffee just hits you different when watching the sun shimmer on a glass lake." Summer humidity and temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making shaded sites particularly valuable. Cell service varies considerably between campgrounds, with better connectivity at private resorts than at more remote state park locations. Many campgrounds close or reduce services between November and March.
Waterfront access represents a primary attraction for campers in this region, with several visitors highlighting the views of Old Hickory Lake and other waterways. "We loved our site which was fully shaded all day long which was great in August given the heat and humidity," reported one visitor to Lock A campground. Families particularly appreciate the combination of water activities and playground facilities at several locations. Mosquitoes can be problematic at lakeside sites during summer months. Campground amenities vary widely, from basic facilities at Corps of Engineers sites to full-service RV resorts with concrete pads, laundry facilities, and boat rentals. Proximity to Nashville (approximately 30 miles south) makes this area popular for weekend getaways, with several campgrounds serving as convenient bases for exploring both natural areas and urban attractions.
"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."
"While visiting family in Scottsville we were in need of a close by RV park for our 40’ rig. This was the perfect spot for us."
"A lot of people pull in for the night since it's right off the highway and behind a Pilot/Flying J, but it was still quiet."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We came from Idaho to Tennessee in May for two weeks and this was our first campsite. We fell in love with peaceful walks along the river, watching the ducks and birds along with a few turtles 🐢."
"Bathrooms near to the entrance were a little dated, but the ones near the dump station were nicer. The playground/beach area was nice."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Nashville north koa was a nice campground with a proximity to Nashville but away from the bustle. We stayed for a week and enjoyed ourselves."
"The proximity to the Opry and surrounding sites is fantastic. Top that off with front desk, event and maintenance staff that were all super nice and you’ve got a great combo."
"The Grand Ole RV Resort is a nice park to stay in near all the fun and sightseeing of Nashville, Tennessee. The campground is very tidy and well-kept."
"There’s a train that passes by on the nearby track a couple of times a day, but it was never super early or late and didn’t bother us at all."
"It has conveinient access to I65 and Highway 31W. They have 30/50amp full service hookups and Cabins.
One of the coolest deals is the local winery deals while staying there."
"For restaurants and grocery runs, take I-65 South to exit 97. Of course, you have the Nashville scene, but check out Mansker’s Station for some rich history of true pioneer spirit."
"The Bowling Green KOA, Ky is located on the outskirts of Bowling Green near the I65 and Natcher interchange. You can actually see the back end of the campground from the ramp that connects the two."
"Had higher expectations for KOA based on other experiences but should have researched to know how close the highway was. Convenient to stores and restaurants. Laundry open 24/7 ($2.50)."
"The site we had was a little tight for our slide out and steps because of a large tree and the wall around it, but we made it work. The dogs had a good time walking around the grounds."
"Corp of Engineers campground with a view of Old Hickory Lake. Some waterfront sites. Adjacent boat ramp. Fishing platform. Well kept. Convenient to amenities in Hendersonville and Gallatin."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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”."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability
ScoutLet me start off by saying that this Campground is not very ADA friendly and the dog park is atrocious. In fact the dog park is entirely off limits if you have mobility issues as there are no sidewalks and the dog park is unlevel and kind of a nightmare. Good place to stay overall. We did not utilize any of the amenities other than the full hookups at our site. We would stay again.
TravelerThe pricing policy is complicated for long term they require $25 each person for background checks. The sites in the back are pretty tight and mostly long term. They do have nice sites near the office. They are pull through.
TravelerSort of a narrow road in. Not well marked, you really just dead end into the campground. We arrived early but were told by attendant that check in was 3 pm and we needed to wait some where else. The other person said go on in. It has to do with cleaning the sites between campers. That I understand. Anyway backing in on 55 was easy and only took one pad to level. Hookups are convenient. Great views of the lake. Verizon worked pretty well. The
ScoutI live within an hour of this campground, and saw a one night opening with good weather, so trying it out. Every site is level concrete, and has a view of the river. Each site (15 total) has power and water. One dump station in campground. Bath house is good and clean. Best part, with my American the beautiful pass, its only $11 night.
TravelerNice facility, friendly staff, well kept. Easy drive to the downtown area or to the Grand Ole Opry area.
TravelerI love 1000 trails but this one is unfortunately in disrepair. The staff is wonderful and it’s pretty. But the free WiFi is only in the common room they have, Which is nice with billiards etc. the WiFi on the campgrounds is slow and costs with a limit of connections. The mini golf is barely usable. The Astro turn is destroyed so you’re playing it on broken concrete. And the props are broken probably that’s to rude guests. The playground is so broken it’s unsafe. Luckily, I was out there with my kids and I could catch them before they try to get on the sides that were broken before they came down and we ended up leaving that area. You can tell it used to be beautiful.
I love this place, but I feel like the WiFi, playground and mini golf should no be advertised.
ScoutNice sites, and clean washrooms nice staff
GuideNicely laid out sites that are expansive and well kept. Great views of the lake.
LegendWe stayed one night at Cedar Creek Campground while traveling north and appreciated its location, which allowed us to bypass Nashville traffic by using I-840 and TN-45. We followed the route using RV Trip Wizard and Waze, although Waze wanted to route us through I-40. Coming in from the south, we did not see any brown campground signs until we reached the marina entrance. The final approach travels through a narrow, hilly rural-suburban area before arriving at the campground. Check-in was quick, and we headed to back-in Site 22 with 50/30/20-amp electric and water. Immediately after leaving the check-in station, there is a fairly tight right-hand turn. The attendant specifically warned us to take it wide, explaining they occasionally see larger rigs scrape there. The site length was accurately represented on Recreation.gov and accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel, although we needed to unhitch to park our F-450 alongside the trailer. Utilities were conveniently located near the middle of the site, water pressure was excellent, and the site included a newer picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post. We received three bars on Verizon and two bars on T-Mobile. Our T-Mobile Home Internet averaged 193 Mbps download and 1.3 Mbps upload. With the heavy tree canopy, Starlink availability will vary considerably by site, and we doubt Site 22 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground has two bathhouses, with the newer facility offering individual shower rooms. The older bathhouse had two coin-operated machines, although the dryer was out of service during our stay. The lakeside sites are more generously spaced, while the interior loops connect to one another, making the back sides of the loops feel very close together, with some sites almost sitting on top of each other. Sites 54 and 56B appeared to be among the better choices for larger rigs. Although we didn't use the dump station, it looked manageable for a 40-foot rig despite reviews suggesting otherwise. The biggest consideration is maneuverability. The roads are narrow, several turns are sharp, and there are trees and drainage ditches throughout the campground. We exited without incident, but even on a Thursday with light occupancy, it required careful driving. Had the campground been full with vehicles parked along the roads, navigating a large RV would have been considerably more challenging. Overall, we enjoyed the peaceful Corps of Engineers setting and the opportunity to avoid Nashville traffic, but for our 40-foot fifth wheel, we're not convinced the extra maneuvering required is worth the tradeoff for future overnight stays.
Portland offers a variety of camping experiences across the state line into Kentucky, with sites situated at elevations between 500-800 feet across the Cumberland Plateau region. Campgrounds near Portland, TN typically remain open from early April through mid-October, with a few year-round options. Weather patterns create distinct camping seasons with spring wildflowers and fall color changes marking prime reservation periods.
Hiking trails: Cedars of Lebanon State Park offers unique ecological exploration with endemic plant species. "Beautiful hiking on calm trails and lots of wildlife! And fishing!" notes Abby C. about Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground, which features several accessible paths for campers of all abilities.
Water activities: Many campgrounds provide lake access for kayaking and fishing. A camper at Cedar Creek mentions, "Adjacent boat ramp. Fishing platform. Well kept. Convenient to amenities in Hendersonville and Gallatin." Some sites feature designated swimming areas, though availability varies seasonally.
Educational opportunities: Visit nearby Mammoth Cave National Park for guided tours requiring advance reservations. "Never a dull moment at Mammoth! Our normally restless kids were so taken by the 2-hour cave tour that they remained in near total silence and awe," reports one visitor about the underground experience.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds feature resident deer populations that frequently visit campsites. At Bledsoe Creek, one camper observed, "Deer would just walk up near you and just say hello. It's so peaceful and it allows me to think that there's not all bad here on Earth."
Evening entertainment: Some private campgrounds provide scheduled activities. A reviewer at Grand Ole RV Resort & Market appreciated that "The entertainment for NYE was seriously the most fun we've had out in a while. Nothing says Nashville like live country music!"
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "Bathrooms were very clean. The hosts were nice, and rode by to see if we needed wood or ice," noted one Bledsoe Creek visitor. Another mentioned, "The bathhouse was clean, air-conditioned, and accessed with a key code — two toilet stalls and three showers for women, all very well maintained."
Tick precautions: Ticks pose a seasonal challenge at many campgrounds. A Bledsoe visitor warns, "Our dogs picked up ticks every day, and we had a few as well. Watch out for lyme and other tick born illnesses. We unfortunately found a bullseye rash from one of the bites."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near highways or railroad tracks experience regular sound disturbances. At Nashville North KOA, a camper noted, "Noisy due to the highway that runs right on the other side of the tree line," while another explained highway noise was "not audible inside the RV so it wasn't enough to disturb sleep."
Site variations: Campground sections often feature significant differences in privacy and amenities. About Cedars of Lebanon, one camper advised, "Keep in mind, while making reservations, section 1 has very small, cramped together sites. We took a walk around section 2, and section 3. There was a lot more room, and seemed a little more private."
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Bowling Green KOA, "This KOA has a pool, fishing, putt putt, dump station, general store, cabins, a little run down restroom/bath houses, kids play scape, large chess board, and a dog park."
Budget considerations: Tent camping costs vary significantly. One visitor to Nashville North KOA observed, "We were then charged 42 dollars for our tent site, we should have just turned around and got an Air B&B at that point."
Educational activities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs or nature walks. "Cedars of Lebanon is a great State Park in middle TN for camping and for day hikes. It has a great pool, and the natural area where it's located features tons of endemic species to the area!" notes one reviewer.
Dump station challenges: Some facilities have limited turning radius for larger rigs. At Cages Bend, a camper mentioned, "The dump station was clean but short and tight. I have a 25' camper and fit ok, but speaking to another camper with a large 5th wheel, he couldn't use it."
Site selection advice: Request specific site numbers based on rig requirements. "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," notes a Bledsoe Creek visitor, providing useful details for RV leveling needs.
Electrical hookup variations: Check amperage availability when booking. A Cedar Creek visitor observed, "To my surprise I opened the electric pedestal, and there was only 50 amp service. I'm set up for 30 amp, so I had to use an adapter."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Portland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Portland, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 116 campgrounds and RV parks near Portland, TN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Portland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Portland, TN is Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Portland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Portland, TN.
What parks are near Portland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Portland, TN that allow camping, notably Old Hickory Lake and Barren River Lake.
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