Camping in the Ethridge area offers access to Tennessee's only significant Amish settlement, with rural campsites positioned near both natural attractions and cultural experiences. Several campgrounds are located within 30-45 minutes of Santa Fe, Tennessee, making them convenient base camps for exploring the region's waterways, historical sites, and Amish community. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer months see averages of 70-90°F with higher humidity.
What to do
Visit Amish farms and shops: Near Heritage Campground and RV Park, you can experience authentic Amish culture. "Plan on taking a buggy ride to tour the place," suggests one camper who visited the small Amish community surrounding the campground.
Kayak the Piney River: The clear waters offer excellent paddling opportunities. "Kayaking the piney river is a must," notes a visitor at Piney River Resort. The river maintains a consistent flow suitable for beginners and intermediate paddlers, with several access points along campground properties.
Fishing at Percy Priest Lake: Multiple campgrounds offer direct lake access. "We sat in beach chairs and let the current wash over us. The swimming hole was great! We loved watching the younger crowd jump off the cliff into the water. Fishing and kayaking too!" reports a camper who stayed at Piney River Resort.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Waterfront camping provides direct access to recreational activities. "The sites are level and have nice firepits... we just travelled cross country for 3 months and this is one of the nicest campgrounds we have stayed at," shares a camper about Elm Hill RV Resort on Percy Priest Lake.
Variety of accommodation options: Some parks offer alternatives to traditional RV camping. "Cabins are spacious clean and furnished! Dishes to use and pots and pans! Even shower towels!" reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, which offers cabin rentals in addition to RV sites.
Live entertainment: Several RV parks near Santa Fe feature regular performances. "The entertainment for NYE was seriously the most fun we've had out in a while. Nothing says Nashville like live country music!" notes a winter visitor to Grand Ole RV Resort & Market, which offers nightly live music during peak seasons.
What you should know
Train noise affects some locations: Railroad proximity impacts sleep quality at certain campgrounds. "The location is in between a railroad and a highway," notes one camper about Grand Ole RV Resort. Another adds, "Trains rolling by at 3 am is not how I like to spend my night."
Seasonal insect considerations: Lake proximity means insects can be intense. "Mosquitos! The first and last night we stayed the mosquitos were so bad we couldn't be outside," cautions a visitor to Four Corners RV Resort. Another adds, "The mayflies swarm into your rig if you have lights on at night."
Shower and bathroom access varies: Not all campgrounds maintain the same bathroom standards or access. "No laundry, public showers, or restrooms. Not an issue for me as I have all that in my rig, but if you don't it could be a problem if you plan to stay long term," explains a camper who stayed at River Road RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Some parks offer more family amenities than others. "There is a playground, hammock hut, and game area for the kids to stay entertained," notes a visitor to Campers RV Park. Verify playground facilities before booking, as one camper at another park was disappointed: "They show a playset on their map and it was two regular swings and a baby swing."
Swimming options: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The swimming pool was very busy and well maintained," reports a camper at Nashville North KOA. Elm Hill RV Resort provides a swimming beach, while Piney River Resort features natural swimming holes in the river.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds maintain a more adult-focused atmosphere. A visitor to Four Corners RV Resort noted, "Bill, the manager... doesn't like kids. He would prefer the camp to be 55+." This highlights the importance of researching the campground culture before booking with children.
Tips from RVers
Follow campground directions: GPS can lead RVs down unsuitable roads. "The roads to get here are not the norm but we had no issues. Just be sure to follow the directions the hosts send you," advises a Piney River Resort visitor. At Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, campers warn about a low bridge: "They have a low bridge right outside of their park that prevents you from getting here the easy way. The bridge is at 12ft if I remember correctly."
Site dimensions matter: Many RVers report tight spacing at various campgrounds. "Be very cautious of the site lengths. Some are extremely short and I'd say the measurements are nearly exact," warns a camper about Elm Hill RV Resort. "Since our site backed up to a drop off, there was a small fence so no way to 'hang over' the pad a little for extra room."
Check internet connectivity: Service varies widely across the region. "No service for TMobile and almost none for Verizon (was told at&t works, but I can't verify)," reports a camper at River Road RV Park. This contrasts with Four Corners RV Resort where "Excellent WIFI connectivity pretty much everywhere" was noted as a positive feature.
