Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Portland, TN has a lot to offer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Portland campgrounds just for you. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$32 - $45 / night
"I had a chance to talk with the owner at Camp Nashville and learned that due to city regulations, it can be difficult to find camping this close to the city. "
$75 / night
"Old Hickory Beach Day Use Area is not what I would consider a hidden gem..that being said if you like swimming in lake water this is a nice enough area."
"Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips."
"Long Hunter State Park Primitive Campsites are my kinda camping."
"Easy to get to, ample room between campers, close to local shopping."
"Another backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.
A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave."
"Despite this campsite being surrounded by the Green River on 3 sides, water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet."
"The Narrows Boat Ramp Barron River Lake is actually more then just a boat ramp.
There is a marina on site along side the boat ramp and a nice pavilion, playground, nature trail and restroom."
LegendStopped for one afternoon and night on our way through. Driving in through da hood you get a questionable feeling but, once through the gate and checked in this is a fantastic little campground! We picked an awesome site- number 8 is a huge pull through with water and electric, a grill, prep table, picnic table, and fire ring with grill. The site has its own path and private lake access. The lake is rocky here but we had no trouble walking in and swimming with our Crocs on. All sites in this small loop campground are great and very large. There is some erosion and there was some trash near the lake that we gladly cleaned up. Overall a fantastic place to camp.
LegendWe really enjoyed this place! It's located on the green river and has very spacious campsites. Plenty of room for the kids or dogs to run around. Very secluded. There is a concrete picnic table, pole and fire pit at each spot. Across the road to the ferry is a large pavillion with several more picnic tables for bigger gatherings. There are a few porta potties and no water or hookups. Primitive camping only. We tent camped here in July and saw hundreds of lightning bugs (see video)! It was magical, that really made the experience so much better for us!
Highly recommend a cave tour as well at Mammoth Cave National Park. You will not be disappointed!! Can't wait to go back!
LegendMammoth Cave Campground is in the country but centrally located between several nice size cities and right off I65.
No signal once you get in the park except if your lucky at the lodge. We tuned in to WIFI whenever we passed through the Visitors Center/lodge restaurant in the morning.
The campground is primitive, no electric with parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings. 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”.
There is enough space between camp sites to have some privacy and the trees provide natural noise block and shade. There be critters in the woods so protect your food! You may see deer and turkey, you won’t see the little shit raccoon that runs off with dog toys and any food left out ;)
There are several trail access points directly from the campground. Including two easy trails to the visitors center.
Aside from the obvious, cave tours, there are several other options on how to spend your day and nights.
If your coming for the cave specifically make sure you reserve your preferred cave tour way ahead of time!
If you are coming for the trails, enjoy! There are multiple options. I run the trail near the visitor center year round. It is technical and hilly, not stroller friendly.
The trails on the far side of the Green River ferry have dispersed camping sites and plenty of natural features to discover.
The float down the Green River is enjoyable. If you bring your own water craft several of the companies will drive you to the put in from the ferry parking area for a nominal fee.
Also across the Green River is the Maple Springs group and horse campground, I’m not a horse person but I see plenty of them in the area and they seem to be enjoying the trails and campground.
There is also zip lines in the area, a winery and golfing.
Fast food and Wally World in Brownsville, other touristy attractions one exit up at Cave City. (Ky Down Under and Dinosaur World, plus a Yogi Bear Campground)
We spent the weekend hiking in the rain and avoided Green River, it’s a muddy mess right now.
ScoutLoved staying at the mammoth cave state park last weekend. April 26th-28th 2019.
No reservations are needed until May 1st. It was Walk up First come first serve from March through May. The last weekend of April was perfect and was not over crowded but had a good amount of visitors. We had perfect weather as well. The camp grounds are clean and nice looking , bathrooms also very clean and have normal toilets, laundry room had new washers and dryers and very roomy & clean with attached bathrooms & showers for men & women. The camp store was nicely set up and had plenty of foods and stuff Incase you forgot anything. However they do not sell real fire wood. They do sell compressed fire bricks. That Looks-like compressed sawdust bricks. So if you want real fire wood you have to go off trail and find it. Recommend and saw to cut it up but there was plenty of dead branches to be found through out the park and you are allowed to pick it up and burn it. The cave tours are fun and educational however if you lack fitness some of them will test your limits. So know your limits before booking. Highly recommend buying your tickets before you arrive as they fill up super fast and they offer more tours during the peak season than they do in spring.
The lodge is nice has 2 restaurants one is sit down one is fast food snacks like setting. There are 5 gift shops in all between the camp store has 1 the lodge has 2 and the visitors center has 2. It’s worth the trip if your in to caving and hiking. Unfortunately there is lack of access to the river unless you go backwoods hiking/camping But all in all it’s a fun time!
ScoutWhile the facilities are limited, we enjoyed being here. We were in site 25 with the river right behind us. 50A power and water, dump on the way out. Concrete pad, level, picnic table, fire ring and a trash can at every site. The road in is small and winding, nighttime driving is difficult. Senior pass got us in for just $12 a night. Boat ramp close by. Would certainly stay here again.
LegendWe are RTT campers and chose this place on a whim as the rest of the local tent camping spots closed on October 1st. We were lucky to find they had space available. However, it should be noted that this is more of an RV campground, the traditional tent sites are right by the gate and not very private. The RV slot we were given backed up to a green space that has grazing deer from time to time. The site did not have a fire ring or a picnic table and was a little far from the bathrooms, but it did have power and water available. That being said the bathrooms were extremely tidy, well heated, and the water pressure in the showers was amazing! The other RV’ers were super friendly and the staff was very helpful in our stay and responsive to our request for availability.
LegendTailwater CG - Glasco, KY 1/1/25
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 for an overnight stay. Great winter price, but 40 minutes from 65 w trailer.
Price 2024: $8 w interagency pass during winter
Security: Host’s site at entry.
Usage during visit: Only us
Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No
Site Spacing: Close. Varies.
Pad surface: Gravel
Reservations: Required. Can be made at the cg.
Outside Road Noise: No
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: Yes, however off during winter 24/25.
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes. Only at one location during winter.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Two. Flush Bath and showers bathhouse is closed during winter. Pit toilets at far end open.
Pull Throughs: One.
Cell Service (Verizon): 1 to 3 bars
Setting: Along River
Recent Weather: Cold nights.
Solar: Yes
Host: Yes, helpful.
Rig Size: Varies between sites.
Sites: Some sites back up to the river. These are the best locations, I think.
GuideSpent two nights here for Labor Day 2020. We stayed on the center strip in the primitive area. The facilities were well maintained and clean. Each site has a concrete picnic table, fire ring, and a moveable lantern hook. The primitive area has several water spigots to use (near each restroom and a few in between).
The outer loop sites all have electric and water hookups, but the restrooms are all on the upper level where the primitive sites are. If you don’t have your own bathroom, it’s a bit of a hill to climb and there’s only a couple spots to do it.
Overall, we loved it and we’ll be back for sure.
LegendAnother backside primitive campsite at Mammoth Cave National Forest, Ky.
A lot of people don’t realize the extensive trail system of Mammoth Cave. They come for the Cave and never take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Before using this campsite you are supposed to check in at the visitors center. Unfortunately the ferry is closed so it’s a long drive around to the backside.
Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty , turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in , take a left at the intersection and straight on to the campsite. Difference of about 3 miles-ish.
The trails are used by hikers and horseback riders, are well marked and lotsa fauna to see. No major vistas here, just woods.
The campsite has poles to tie your horses, a fire ring, tent pad and lantern hooks. Pretty easy to find seasoned wood to burn. DARK at night, lots of animal noises ;) not much of a night sky except in the winter months.
The cool thing about this campsite is your sorta on a peninsula of the river. Very private and it’s not on a loop trail so no foot traffic passing by.
Nestled near Portland, Tennessee, tent camping offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Portland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Portland, TN is Camp Nashville Highland Rim with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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