Camping areas near Sherwood, Tennessee sit within the Cumberland Plateau, an elevated tableland approximately 1,000 feet above sea level with distinct limestone geology and hardwood forests. The region experiences moderate summers with temperatures around 85°F and cooler nights at 65°F, while winters remain mild with occasional freezing conditions. Most campgrounds maintain gravel tent pads and sites that drain reasonably well during the common summer afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers several trails that lead to multiple waterfalls within a compact area. "Great hiking with some beautiful water falls. This was a pleasant surprise on our trip to FL," notes Keith M., who appreciated the park's accessibility.
Mountain biking: Monte Sano State Park provides extensive mountain biking terrain with varying difficulty levels. "The mountain bikers and bikers seem to enjoy themselves too, flying down the closed roadway or the steep roadways and challenging themselves on the rocky terrain," shares Shelly S. about the Monte Sano State Park Campground.
Fishing: Marion County Park offers shoreline fishing access with electric hookups nearby. "We put our boat in here and spend the weekends on the river. Not the nicest place in the world but it's quiet and beautiful," explains Alex S., highlighting the Marion County Park fishing experience.
Kayaking: Fairview Campground provides direct water access for paddlers. "Water access at your campsite to swim or kayak. Nice bathhouse, clean facilities," reports Clinton N. about the lake activities available directly from campsites.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the waterfront camping options at Fairview Campground. "Beautiful, clean, well-maintained campground along Tims Ford Lake. Most campsites are on the water with incredible views. The campsites are shady and nicely spaced," explains Tony D. about the Fairview Campground — Tims Ford State Park.
Yurt camping: Lookout Mountain offers yurt accommodations for those seeking alternatives to tent camping near Sherwood, Tennessee. "This would still not be my primary choice for tent camping as it is still largely geared towards RVs, however the group camping, the wooded feel, and the convenience to Chattanooga make this an amazing place to stay," notes Stephanie J. regarding the camping options at Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA.
Clean facilities: The Falls at Sewanee Creek maintains well-kept shower facilities and common areas. "Our trip was so peaceful and so much fun. Grant and Becky provided so much more than expected! They are truly amazing people and they've got such a great thing going on out there," shares Ashley D. about her camping experience.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. "The sites are well spaced. Ours was extra long. There are electric and water hookups. The price was $20 so it was a great value," reports Alicia B. about her experience at a local campground.
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are located near interstates, which can affect the camping experience. "The main downfall is that the campground is close to the interstate (noise). But, it is a close distance to any store/food if you need to make a run," explains Kayla L. about Manchester KOA.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds have limited services during winter months. "We asked off from work specifically to go camping on St. Patrick's day weekend and even though the site wasn't open for the season yet Grant allowed us to come stay anyway," notes Ashley D. about The Falls at Sewanee Creek's typical operating schedule.
Military restrictions: Some quality camping areas have access limitations. "This is a beautiful place about 15 minutes from my house. Unfortunately it's only open to military and DoD," cautions James M. about the Arnold AFB FamCamp, which has restricted public access despite excellent facilities.
Bathroom conditions: Shower facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bath houses could use some updating, but are adequate. I'm always happy when I can get a warm shower," comments Nancy R. about facility maintenance at some parks.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lookout Mountain offers dedicated children's areas. "The coolest aspect of this campground for me was the massive jumping pad they have, and I had to promise my kids we would take an overnight trip here just so they could use it!" shares Stephanie about special amenities for younger campers.
Playground access: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park provides family-friendly amenities. "It's a good family campground too. No big thrills and tourist attractions. You can 'unplug' and pry your kids away from the electronics," explains Shelly S., highlighting the park's focus on natural activities.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer reliable wildlife sightings for children to enjoy. "We almost had the campground to ourselves only one other camper came in close to us. It was so quiet and woodsy. We had deer in our site everyday," reports B M. about their family camping experience.
Educational opportunities: Archaeological and historical sites provide learning opportunities. "Be sure to enjoy the museum and the hiking trails. The ranger was especially nice," advises Nancy R. about incorporating educational elements into family camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Bigfoot Adventure RV Park offers convenient pull-through sites. "Very open and not hard to get RV into spots. Great experience for kids. Wonderful views and lots of open space to play in fields and walk," mentions Kayla L. about the Bigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures affect camping comfort. "Weekend on the water. Affordable.... could be a little better maintained. Overall pretty good for a weekend get a way," Jeff W. notes about seasonal conditions at local campgrounds.
Hookup reliability: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. "It's on its way to being amazing. Gave it 4 stars because we had to move a couple of times. The electricity didn't work where we wound up camping but didn't want to move anymore," cautions Arwen about infrastructure reliability at some sites.
Accessibility: Some campgrounds offer better access for larger rigs. "This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic. Gravel roads and level pads. We stopped overnight and did not have to disconnect, as we were perfectly level," explains Scotty W. about positioning considerations.
