Tent camping near Murfreesboro, Tennessee offers access to waterways, woodland trails, and primitive backcountry sites within a 30-mile radius of the city. The central Tennessee region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 550 to 900 feet and a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. Campers should prepare for seasonal tick activity, particularly from May through September when nightly temperatures typically remain above 65°F.
What to do
**Kayaking and fishing: Access paddle-friendly waters at Horseshoe Bend Marina where tent sites provide direct water access. "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy," notes Lori H.
**Wildlife observation: Morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities. DrDavid P. reported at Long Hunter State Park Campground: "I saw so many deer and turkeys I finally quit taking pics of them. There's also a really nice paved trail around the lake for the kids or handicapped folks."
**Hiking on moderate trails: Several parks offer hiking routes suitable for different skill levels. At Bells Bend Park, "The trails are through farmland and bike friendly," according to Shelly S. The park maintains 10 primitive tent sites accessible by short hiking trails from the parking area.
What campers like
**Water proximity: Many tent campers appreciate waterfront sites that provide both scenic views and practical water access. At Long Hunter State Park, primitive sites are positioned right on Percy Priest Lake. Mandy C. notes, "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."
**Privacy and seclusion: Turnhole Backcountry Campsite provides isolation despite being within day-trip distance from Murfreesboro. "This is a nice, secluded spot. You are on the end of a ridge. Clear nights with a bright moon were magical here," shares Mandy C., noting its positioning with the Green River on three sides.
**Budget-friendly camping: Tent camping options near Murfreesboro range from $10-25 per night. Krista A. reports Bells Bend Park charges "$10.00 a night per site for Davidson Co. residents, $11.00 a night per site for out of County residents, you can reserve all 10 sites for $50.00."
What you should know
**Bug prevention: Bring appropriate insect repellent, particularly during summer months. At Cook - J. Percy Priest Reservoir, tick activity increases with warmer weather, and campers should check themselves regularly.
**Water access challenges: Water sources can vary significantly between sites. At Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, Mandy C. advises: "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 river is at least 1/2 mile away, through extremely dense brush."
**Cell service limitations: Expect limited or no cell reception at more remote sites. Joe B. reports from Horseshoe Bend Marina: "Wi-Fi worked great for streaming. NO CELL SERVICE for ATT." Check ahead with your specific carrier before relying on mobile connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
**Wildlife viewing opportunities: Tent camping sites often provide excellent wildlife spotting for children. At Lone Branch, Melani T. shares: "One great thing about this campground is that there is wildlife everywhere. We saw so many Whitetail Deer, it was amazing. They would just come into the campground, feed and walk around."
**Activity options: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options to keep children engaged. Lone Branch offers fishing opportunities where "My dad caught some trout which was really cool. We cooked that for dinner one night and it was amazing!"
**Trail difficulty considerations: When camping with younger children, consider trail lengths carefully. Sasha R. from Long Hunter State Park notes: "Even though 6 miles is quite the hike for a young Girl Scout Troop just to reach our Campsite it was beyond worth it!"
Tips from RVers
**Limited RV sites: Most primitive tent camping areas near Murfreesboro do not accommodate RVs. However, Smith Springs near Percy Priest Lake does offer electric hookups for smaller rigs. DrDavid P. notes: "The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water."
**Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain can present difficulties at some sites. One RVer at Horseshoe Bend Marina reported: "We are on site 9 and it's not the most leveled spot. We have a 25ft class C." Arrive during daylight hours when possible to better assess site conditions.
