Montgomery Bell State Park offers tent camping, RV sites, and cabins within 45 miles northwest of Santa Fe, Tennessee. The park spans over 3,700 acres with multiple lakes and 19 miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests. Sites vary in amenities from primitive tent spots to full hookup RV pads. Campground temperatures range from winter lows near freezing to summer highs in the 90s.
What to do
Creek exploration: Montgomery Bell State Park features creek access directly from several campsites where children can wade and play during warmer months. "We really enjoyed our spot by the creek. Children can wade in the creek all day, why parents enjoy sitting outside under all the shade trees. The park has tons of activities and good hiking trails," notes Tammy P. from Montgomery Bell State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes at David Crockett State Park provide popular fishing spots with boat rentals available. The park also features a small waterfall that creates an ideal sunset viewing location. "The clear creek to play in is gorgeous! The park had so much to offer. Lots of hiking trails, covered bridge, fishing lake w/boat & kayak rentals plus a beautiful waterfall that is great for sunsets," shares Shana D.
Historical exploration: Visit the Southport Saltpeter Cave for guided cave tours and primitive camping in a historical setting. This cave, located 12 miles south of Columbia, offers an educational experience about its mining history. One camper mentions, "Enjoyed this rough camping trip and Spelunking with our Royal Ambassador boys (1st to 9th grade)."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layout at Henry Horton State Park, especially in the primitive sites. "We always got a primitive site, shady site. I was never disappointed by any of our sites and never felt cramped or too close to other campers," says RL from Henry Horton State Park Campground.
Level concrete pads: David Crockett State Park receives high marks for its well-maintained concrete camping pads, which minimize setup time. "We really liked that the pads were concrete and level....took a lot of pressure off of the leveling process. Campground is clean and very quiet at night," notes Nancy B. from David Crockett State Park Campground.
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping provides a quieter experience at regional campgrounds. "Great December sleep in as we headed south. Clean campground and beautiful scenery...will return outside winter season," reports Joe N., who visited Henry Horton State Park during the off-season.
What you should know
Varying site privacy: At Montgomery Bell, tent camping areas offer different privacy levels. "The state park is absolutely gorgeous. We chose to stay in the tent only camping sites. They are spread out far enough that you don't feel like you are in one another space. However, they are all together in the center of the RV camping loop," explains Lexi S.
Holiday weekend crowds: Some campgrounds become significantly busier during holiday weekends, affecting the overall experience. "This place is OK when it's not a busy weekend. We stayed on Memorial Day Weekend and it's was completely full. When it's full, it's just TOO full. Too many people, dogs and kids that are too close together," cautions Jody A. from Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds, with some offering reliable connections while others have limited coverage. "I had absolutely no cell service through Verizon and my T-Mobile 5g internet had no reception either (even with a booster). Luckily, I was able to rely on my Starlink," reports Emerson F. about Natchez Trace.
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly areas: Montgomery Bell has designated areas ideal for family gatherings. "With a great pavilion, volleyball court, ball diamond, and playground, the far side of the camp is perfect for families, groups, and events. Our fave sites are 1-8, with #1+2 right next to the creek and the most updated bathrooms," recommends Stæven F. from Four Corners RV Resort.
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Henry Horton offers backcountry sites that are accessible with minimal hiking, making them perfect for families new to backpacking. "The backcountry campsites are just a short trek from the camp store, the hike itself follows the river. We only saw one other couple and no one else was staying at the second site so it was such a secluded weekend," shares Amanda C.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have safe areas for children to ride bicycles. "Check in was great and the front desk was incredibly helpful. Nice amenities," notes Travis M., while another camper at Four Corners mentions, "This was a nice spot to stay by the water. Safe and friendly neighbors. Good place for kids to bike and play."
Tips from RVers
Navigation considerations: RVers should note specific access routes when visiting Natchez Trace. "They have a low bridge (11ft) that you need to pass under to get onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you can't fit, you have to take Napier road north several miles," advises Emerson F. from Nashville KOA Resort.
Full hookups with variations: Some campgrounds offer specialized hookup configurations. At Nashville KOA, "The utilities are more to the front of the site with two sewer connections. We had decent water pressure. This campground has a lot of mature trees that would make satellite iffy depending on the site," reports MickandKarla W.
Site selection for large RVs: Montgomery Bell can accommodate larger vehicles with advance planning. "Fantastic place for families and big rigs! Make your reservations early!! Beautiful area lakes, groomed trails, nice hosts - highly recommend," suggests Andrea R.
