Campers seeking RV sites near Portland, Tennessee can access several established campgrounds within a 30-40 mile radius. The terrain in this region features gentle rolling hills between 500-700 feet elevation with mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder weather with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Visit historic caves: Located about 40 miles north of Portland, Mammoth Cave National Park offers extensive underground exploration opportunities. "There are many local restaurants within 20 minutes and several other cave systems to see here as well," notes one visitor who appreciated the variety of natural attractions.
Enjoy water recreation: Four Corners RV Resort provides direct lake access for boating enthusiasts. "We spent a week on a Lakefront site with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, we were right next to one of the courtesy docks where our family members picked us up on their boat, enjoying the lake coves and scenery," shares one camper about their experience.
Explore local entertainment: Many campgrounds offer on-site activities during peak season. "The Grand Ole RV Resort offers live free entertainment nightly and some of the most pleasant staff we have encountered," according to one reviewer who found value in the campground's social atmosphere.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Level sites make setup easier at several campgrounds. At Safe Harbor RV Resort, "Almost every site has a view of the water on flat concrete big pads. Some sites, on higher land, are mostly long term residents. Most sites are back in but there are a few pull through."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and common areas receive consistent praise. One camper at Nashville RV and Cabins Resort noted, "Clean and safe - title kind of says it all! I stayed in a cabin which was fairly priced and super nice."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer catch-and-release ponds or lake access. "There's a little catch-and-release pond. We had a little bridge that crossed the creek from our main site to an additional space where our fire ring was. That area provided plenty of shade and quick access to the pond," according to a family who stayed at Singing Hills Campground.
What you should know
Highway proximity noise: Several campgrounds near Portland are situated close to interstates. At Nashville North KOA, "Noisy due to the highway that is very close. Great sounds of the trucks to keep you awake," reports one candid reviewer.
Train schedules: Some campgrounds experience regular train traffic. "Only downfall are the trains that operate 24/7 directly adjacent to the grounds. Trains rolling by at 3 am is not how I like to spend my night," mentions a camper at Grand Ole RV Resort.
Seasonal insects: Lakefront properties may have significant mosquito populations. "The mosquitos. The first and last night we stayed the mosquitos were so bad we couldn't be outside. There were two nights in between that it was tolerable," warns a camper about their Four Corners RV Resort experience.
Site spacing considerations: Many RV parks maximize capacity with close quarters. "The sites are very very close together. Very very noisy due to the highway that runs right on the other side of the tree line. But... the folks running the show are really nice," explains a Nashville North KOA guest.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreation options. At Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave, "The kids are super excited to do the lake inflatable course and have already enjoyed the nice playground and bouncing pad."
Check for water features: Pools provide welcome relief during hot summer months. "From the second we pulled in we had nothing but great vibes. The amenities were top notch and tons to do with kids," shares a Safe Harbor RV Resort visitor.
Consider noise levels for sleeping: Family-friendly parks may have early quiet hours. "Overall very quiet, and the location is great — just off the interstate, about 10 miles north of Nashville, and roughly 45 minutes from Bowling Green," notes a visitor to Grand Ole RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on specific needs. At RJourney Clarksville RV Resort, "They have several pull through sites designated just for one night stop overs and many more designed for longer stays. The park is really quite nice with small grass sections next to each site."
Low water pressure awareness: Some campgrounds have shared water connections. "Water spigots are also shared, which means you'll have low water pressure if you're both using water simultaneously," notes one camper at Diamond Caverns RV Resort.
Electrical capacity limitations: Power infrastructure varies between campgrounds. "The electricity at the campground doesn't appear to be able to handle the amount of load that most campers will pull in the summer months. The checkin packet recommends not running multiple high wattage appliances simultaneously," advises a Diamond Caverns RV Resort guest.
Leveling requirements: Check site conditions before setup. At Jellystone Park, one camper noted, "For the price it's great to have all the hookups but it's not level at all. I parked at an angle, propped up the front and our full slide gives it a wonky tilt so got it pretty good."
