The Cumberland Plateau around Sherwood, Tennessee sits at elevations between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates between ridgetops and gorges. This elevation change often means campsite temperatures can vary by 10-15°F within just a few miles. Primitive camping options concentrate along the plateau's western escarpment, offering campers direct access to seasonal waterfalls and sandstone bluffs without reservation requirements.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campsites near Sherwood provide trail access to notable waterfalls including Foster Falls within South Cumberland State Park. "Camping was easy and bathrooms were clean. Really beautiful scenery on somewhat strenuous hikes to waterfalls, some good sport climbing, and a few trails that will take you really high up so you can look down at the beautiful green canopy," notes Kelly M. from Foster Falls Campground.
Cave exploration: The region's limestone geology creates underground exploration opportunities. "Crystal Cave was right on site and enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!" shares Jen O. who stayed at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground.
Climbing access: Foster Falls is known for sport climbing routes suitable for various skill levels. "Foster Falls waterfall and trailhead for incredible hiking can be accessed from the campground," explains Shana D., adding that "Foster Falls campground has primitive sites with a central bathhouse with flush toilets and showers."
What campers like
Quiet camping atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings away from urban noise. At Fireside Camp + Lodge, "Each camp spot boasts its own wooden bench, perfect for soaking in the serene views, with some sites enjoying partial shade from the surrounding trees," according to Peter D., who also noted good T-Mobile reception with "plenty bandwidth for streaming a movie."
Lakefront access: Water access remains a primary draw for campsites around Tim's Ford Lake. Clinton N. explains that at Fairview Campground, you'll find "Great campground on the water and spacious sites. Water access at your campsite to swim or kayak. Nice bathhouse, clean facilities."
Stargazing opportunities: The region's limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. Asher K. noted that at Fireside Camp + Lodge, "We particularly enjoyed the open field, which allowed us to stargaze at night under the clear skies. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and plenty of space to accommodate one or two tents."
What you should know
Rooster wake-up calls: Multiple campgrounds report nearby roosters. At Foster Falls, Stephanie J. warned, "There is a farm nearby with a rooster that spent the better part of the day crowing, which can be distracting when you have a toddler you are trying to get to sleep." Fireside Camp also has roosters that campers jokingly call "nature's alarm clock."
Bathhouse considerations: Bathhouse availability and quality varies significantly. At Cloudland Canyon State Park, "The bath house has showers and running hot water," according to Abby M., who appreciated the walk-in sites where "you can have the convenience of my car-but can avoid the noise of RVs."
Primitive site preparation: The more remote primitive sites require proper planning. At the Walls of Jericho, "The campsite is not immediately at the parking lot so you will have to hike/carry your belongings almost an hour before getting to the site. Be cautious of weather because the trail can get fairly muddy if it has rained in the area in recent days," advises Ethan K.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shaded sites: For summer camping with children, shade makes a significant difference. At Foster Falls, "The towering trees give most sites ample shade, and there is a lot of firewood that is easy to collect from felled trees, particularly on the back half of the loop," writes Stephanie J., though she cautions about trash issues on busy weekends.
Consider site location: Proximity to bathrooms and trails matters with children. "Site 8 has a trail running directly behind it that takes you to the falls overlook, and to the trailhead to walk down to the falls themselves. Our 2 and 5 year old walked from our campsite down to the falls and back up easily," shares Stephanie about the Foster Falls campground layout.
Select kid-friendly hiking options: When camping at Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite, Steve V. notes "The Clark Cemetery campsite is a moderate sized campsite along the Walls of Jericho trail and is located just yards from the Clark Cemetery and the Turkey Creek Bridge. The site is approximately 3.1 miles from the Alabama hikers trailhead parking lot."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose carefully for large RVs. At Raccoon Mountain, one camper with a 40-foot class A reports: "While we really enjoyed the campground, this site was not ideal for an RV our size. We weren't able to put out our awnings or comfortably sit outside."
Check hookup types: Electricity amperage varies between campgrounds. At Tim's Ford, Larry S. notes the state park has "30 amp only" electrical hookups, while Fairview Campground offers more options, with Becky S. reporting "Some sites have Full Hook-up, 50 amp. (Sewer not available on water sites.)"
Be prepared for tight turns: Access roads can present challenges. Traci C. advises about Foster Falls: "Trying to get into campground during afternoon hours maybe challenging to bigger RV units. Foster Falls parking does get full, can overflow towards campground even though it says registered campers."
