Near Shiloh, Tennessee, campers find themselves surrounded by the rolling hills and dense forests of south-central Tennessee. The region sits at elevations between 450-650 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain that provides natural drainage for camping sites. Average summer temperatures reach 90°F with humidity levels above 70%, while spring and fall offer milder conditions more comfortable for outdoor activities.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4-mile loop trail at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers access to multiple cascades along the Duck River. "The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike," notes Michael P. The waterfalls remain accessible year-round with higher flows during spring months.
Pontoon boat tours: Educational ranger-led excursions at Edgar Evins State Park Campground provide insights into local ecology and history. "Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too!" shares Rosa B. Tours typically last 60-90 minutes and operate primarily on weekends during peak season.
Mountain biking: Technical trails through wooded areas at Arnold AFB FamCamp provide challenging terrain for cyclists. "It's definitely in the woods, mountain biking is amazin," writes Erin R. The trails remain less crowded than more popular state parks, offering a more secluded riding experience.
Kayaking: Direct water access from campsites at several locations allows for easy launching. "Great campground on the water and spacious sites. Water access at your campsite to swim or kayak," explains Clinton N. about Fairview Campground. Many parks offer kayak rentals starting at $15-20 per hour for those without personal equipment.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Whispering Oaks Campground receives positive feedback for its natural spacing. "Staff is very nice and responsive. Large field and playground for the kiddos. Swimming pool looked nice. Hookups worked just fine. All sites are shady with trees," notes Maggie C., though she cautions that "the sites are super close together."
Clean facilities: Henry Horton State Park Campground maintains high standards for restrooms and common areas. "Clean bath houses. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes. We loved it here and will definitely return," shares Laur H. Bathhouses are typically cleaned twice daily during peak season.
Shade coverage: Many campsites throughout the region offer tree cover for temperature regulation. "Super Shady (in the best way) - We love this place! The sites are level and there are plenty of shade trees to go around. Very quiet at night also. The showers are SUPER clean!!" comments Scott G. about one state park. Full shade sites can run 10-15°F cooler than exposed sites during summer months.
Unique platform camping: Some parks feature elevated camping structures that create distinctive experiences. "We were in site #50, which had no visibility to DISH west satellites," notes Ray & Terri F. about Edgar Evins State Park Campground. "The sites are all elevated platforms due to the steep slope to the lake, which we had not encountered before, but are very widely space."
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. "AT&T had 2 bars and 1 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 4 MB/s with it. Overall WiFi was problematic," explains Ray & Terri F. Consider bringing signal boosters if connectivity is essential.
Traffic noise at certain locations: Manchester KOA, now operating as Rvino - The Broken Banjo, sits near Interstate 24. "Our cabin (2 room) was up near entrance. Highway about 100 yards away so that was a issue. Not much you can do about that," reports Craig M. Sites furthest from the road experience less noise disruption.
Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Cedar Point Campground runs from April 1 to October 31, while other glamping sites near Shiloh may close during winter months. "We went over the 4th of July and were able to view fireworks from another campground across the lake," notes Michael T. about the timing benefits at Cedar Point.
Site selection considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "First campground I've ever been to that you park on a deck," mentions Shelly S. about Edgar Evins State Park. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if your walking from one level to the next."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rock Island State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "My kids loved playing at the playground. The whole park was just really well kept," shares Jon S. The playground areas are typically busiest between 10am-7pm during summer months.
Multiple recreational options: Fairview Campground provides varied activities for different age groups. "This campsite offers beautiful sites with close by eatery's with good food and entertainment. The 4th of July offers a really great firework display that is free to attend," notes StormvipxR Y. Many locations host scheduled weekend events during summer.
Educational opportunities: Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park combines recreation with learning. "This is a pretty cool place if you like history and waterfalls. It isn't very big and the hike around the stone fort isn't very long but it is interesting and the waterfall is very pretty," explains Alicia B., adding practical advice: "Buy your firewood before you arrive because they don't sell it."
Wildlife viewing: Deer and other animals frequently visit campsites. "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," shares B M. Early morning and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require additional equipment for proper stabilization. "Pick your site wisely though I noticed some sites sitting in water," cautions Shelly S. about certain areas. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended, especially for longer rigs.
Easy access pull-throughs: Cedar Point Campground offers convenience for larger vehicles. "Cedar point campground it's a little interesting getting to it but it is beautiful once you get there. There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps," explains Timothy T., adding "The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided."
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services. "We were escorted to one of their 'long' pull through sites with FHUs, site 27. What we first noticed was the large cement patio with table, chairs, bench, stand up barbecue, and fire pit," describes MickandKarla W. about Rvino - The Broken Banjo. Most full hookup sites require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons.
Road conditions: Approach some parks with caution in larger rigs. "Be wary of the speed bumps throughout the campground, they are closely spaced and rather abrupt, take them very slowly," advises Ray & Terri F. Some access roads include tight turns and low-hanging branches that may challenge taller vehicles.
