Center Hill Lake forms the anchor for camping near Rock Island, Tennessee, with elevation changes creating diverse waterfront and forested camping experiences. The Cumberland Plateau setting creates a landscape of limestone bluffs and hardwood forests surrounding the lake's 415 miles of shoreline. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer daytime averages reach the high 80s with humidity making July and August particularly challenging for tent campers without proper ventilation.
What to do
Hiking trails: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks ranging from easy to challenging. "There are miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all. Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," explains camper Myke C.
Water recreation: Rock Island State Park Campground provides direct water access with seasonal safety considerations. "The beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available. Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases," advises Christy E. Water releases from the dam affect swimming conditions and require advance planning.
Overnight kayaking: Horseshoe Bend Marina offers multi-day paddling trips with boat-in camping options. "The property sits right on the water, and it's perfect for kayaking! 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," notes Lori H.
What campers like
Platform camping: Edgar Evins State Park Campground features unusual elevated camping platforms built to accommodate the steep terrain. "We were there in November 2017; we camped in the primitive camping section which has a parking area up top and you hike with your equipment down some stairs into a wooded area with about 7 primitive campsites. We could see and hear the lake from our campsite," describes Emily W.
Off-grid seclusion: Hammock Sway provides primitive camping experiences on 40 acres with river access. "From the open hilly land that we chose as our site (plenty of solar power!), to the pine forests and incredible creek, this is by far our favorite campground on the East side of the States," shares Kayla N. Sites require self-sufficiency with no running water or facilities.
Waterfront access: Floating Mill campground offers direct lake access from tent sites. "The tent only sites are at the back of the campground and are along the water. You have to take steps down from the parking lot to get to your campsite," explains Clinton N. Sites 1-15 at Ragland Bottom are particularly sought after for waterfront placement.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds in the region. "No service for T-Mobile sprint. We are on site 9 and it's not the most leveled spot. We have a 25ft class C. Arrived at night & got lost due to hardly any visible signs," reports one camper at Horseshoe Bend Marina.
Seasonal closures: Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds operate seasonally. Floating Mill operates from May 2 to September 24, while Ragland Bottom is open April 18 to October 16, requiring advance planning for off-season visits.
Site selection strategy: Ragland Bottom campground requires careful site selection. "I know that sites 1-15 are all lakefront sites with electricity and water, and they book up fast, so if you want one of those you need to plan to book well in advance," advises Lori H.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rock Island State Park offers dedicated play areas near campsites. "The whole park was just really well kept. Kids loved playing at the playground. Bathrooms and showers were clean and in great shape," shares Jon S., highlighting the well-maintained facilities particularly suitable for families with young children.
Swimming options: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides both natural and developed swimming areas. "The park itself has a scenic loop drive of the gorge, multiple waterfalls to visit, miles on end of hiking trails in which some cross rope bridges, awesome swimming holes, and even an olympic pool with diving boards and a snack shack for the kiddos," notes Brandie D.
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led programs operate at several state parks seasonally. "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger," mentions Rosa B. from Edgar Evins State Park, noting the educational value of structured activities available for children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Campsite grades vary significantly throughout the region. "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," advises Richard F. about Fall Creek Falls. This becomes particularly important for larger rigs.
Access challenges: Smooth Rapids Campground presents access considerations for motorhomes. "The entrance and exit is very narrow and steep even for our Sprinter motorhome, let alone something larger. Would not advise it!" warns Ron & Shirley H., highlighting the importance of researching access roads before arrival.
Utility availability: Water and electric hookups vary between state parks and private campgrounds. "They have great dump station but prefer to have that taken care of before we pull out," notes Betheny about Rock Island State Park, referencing the limited number of full hookup sites compared to water/electric only options.
