Camping near Savannah, Tennessee centers on a landscape defined by limestone bluffs and mixed hardwood forests along the Tennessee River watershed. Average summer temperatures reach 90°F with high humidity levels, while winter lows typically hover around 30°F. The region's camping season runs longest from April through October, with limited seasonal closures at some parks.
What to do
Kayaking the Buffalo River: At Crazy Horse Recreational Park, visitors can combine river adventures with comfortable camping. "We love to come here for when we kayak the Buffalo. Plenty of open river front campsites and shuttles to or from the camp (depending on which route you take)," reports Emily S. The park maintains separate camping areas based on atmosphere preference.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at David Crockett State Park offer chances to view local fauna. "Most mornings I can sit outside & watch the deer grazing as I have my coffee," notes camper Nickie F. The park's trail system provides opportunities to observe native birds and small mammals in their natural habitat.
Lake activities: Camping sites near fishing spots allow for convenient water access. "Piney Grove Campground was full of beautiful waterfront campsites. It was a delight to be able to put in my kayaks right at my campsite and not have to drive to a boat ramp," explains Katie S. The Tennessee River system supports bass, crappie, and catfish fishing year-round.
What campers like
Level concrete pads: Campers consistently mention the quality of camping pads at Pickwick Dam Campground. "This campsite was renovated after flooding occurred. Nice level sites! Our Super C Class did require more blocks for leveling in the front on Site 6," shares Jody J. These improvements make setup easier for both tents and RVs.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities. "Clean campground, bathrooms were clean with plenty of warm water. They have vending machine, washer/dryer on site. They also have small playground at entrance and small area of mini golf," notes amber about J.P. Coleman State Park.
Yurt camping options: Tishomingo State Park offers specialized yurt camping near Savannah, Tennessee with basic amenities. "Off season wonder! Site 13 with electric and lake side was perfectly level and near restroom with showers, which were large!" reports Big R. These structured canvas accommodations provide an alternative to traditional tent or RV camping.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. "Cell service was spotty with both Verizon and AT&T having two bars. We could text but not receive phone calls and often the internet wouldn't connect or was too slow to be useful," reports MickandKarla W. at Piney Grove.
Bridge clearance issues: Larger RVs face access challenges at some parks. At Natchez Trace RV Campground, "There is 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," warns Emerson F.
Seasonal operation: While most campgrounds operate year-round, certain amenities close during winter months. "The swinging bridge and trail is very cool! The river is fantastic. The only disappointment for us was the lack of swimming opportunities. The pool has long been out of service and swimming isn't allowed in the lake," explains Greg S. about seasonal limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Quiet vs. active areas: Family-focused campers should research specific areas within larger campgrounds. "Has a family side and another rowdy side across the river. Family side quiet time begins at 10 pm," advises Cam A. about the designated family section at Crazy Horse Recreational Park.
Kid-friendly features: Look for parks with dedicated youth amenities. "We visited this park in late June. The campground and park was immaculate! Sites were level and easy to back in. We had a great outdoor class to learn about snakes, hiked the trails, and enjoyed the falls," shares Steve G. about David Crockett State Park.
Hammock opportunities: J.P. Coleman State Park offers tree-filled sites perfect for hammock camping. "Piney Grove Campground was full of beautiful waterfront campsites. It was a delight to be able to put in my kayaks right at my campsite and not have to drive to a boat ramp. Each campsite has a ton of trees, which was great for our 7 hammocks," notes Katie S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: At Tishomingo State Park, experienced campers recommend specific site numbers. "The new section - sites 38-62- is amazing! Just perfect. Beautiful large sites with lake views and perfectly paved and landscaped. The rest of the campground needs the same treatment asap and is in rough shape," advises Greg S.
Backup leveling tools: Even at parks with concrete pads, slight adjustments may be needed. "Our first time RVing and this is where we stayed!! We really liked that the pads were concrete and level....took a lot of pressure off of the leveling process," shares Nancy B. about her experience at David Crockett State Park.
Hookup positioning: Pay attention to utility placement when backing into sites. "The downfall to this park is the camper pads. There are a few that are perfect. Most of them once you step out of your camper has a huge drop off. Just remember to park as close to the hookup side as possible," advises Bruce F. regarding Tishomingo State Park.
