Center Hill Lake dominates the camping landscape around Silver Point, Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 615 to 685 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where freezing temperatures are rare. Most campgrounds in the area sit on terrain featuring limestone formations with several requiring navigation of significant elevation changes to access waterfront sites.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Edgar Evins State Park offers access to multiple waterfall areas within 30 minutes driving distance. "Beautiful lake and limestone formations but that's about all we saw of the park," noted one visitor about the immediate surroundings, though many use it as a base for exploring nearby falls.
Trout fishing: Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas provide direct access to prime fishing spots. "Nice and quiet with a beautiful view of Caney Fork River. World class trout fishing," reports one camper who enjoyed the riverside location. The areas below the dam are particularly productive for rainbow and brown trout.
Swimming beaches: Defeated Creek Campground maintains a swimming area separate from the boat launch. "Private beach access and some playground areas," explains one visitor. The swimming areas feature roped-off sections with gradual entry points suitable for younger swimmers.
Hiking trails: Rock Island State Park contains several trail options of varying difficulty. "There are two hiking trails accessible from the campground. I hiked a short distance on the Bluff Trail until it became narrow and overgrown," shares one visitor. The Twin Falls area offers the most scenic hiking but requires a 10-15 minute drive from the main campground.
What campers like
Platform camping: Edgar Evins State Park features unique elevated wooden platforms for camping. "We love the platform sites that are so spacious and private. Easy access to dump station and bath houses. Almost all sites have view of water," explains one visitor. The platforms help manage the steep terrain while providing level spots for tents and RVs.
Quiet lakefront sites: Ragland Bottom offers spacious lakefront camping with good separation between sites. "Ragland Bottoms is such a fun place to camp! The campground is right on Center Hill lake, and the lake is really nice and clean! We stayed on site 10, and had the perfect lake front spot," reports one camper. Sites 1-15 are all lakefront with electricity and water but require advance booking.
Private primitive options: Belle and Beau Acres provides secluded camping on private land. "You have your choice of sites, either in the heavily wooded timber, in the field, or by the creek. We stayed in the timber and it was glorious! Lots of downed wood to burn, several level sites, lighting bugs for entertainment at night," shares one visitor. The property includes waterfalls and creek access via a short hike.
Clean facilities: Defeated Creek Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms despite high usage during peak season. "Very close stores and a boat rental and restaurant at the beginning of the park. Super nice staff and all around clean area," notes one camper. The campground also offers laundry facilities near the primitive camping area.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have poor or non-existent cell service. At Salt Lick Creek Campground, "There is absolutely no cell coverage for any carrier at the campground and about a 30 minute drive in any direction," warns one camper. Bring downloaded maps or physical guidebooks for navigation.
Fire ring placement: At Edgar Evins State Park, fire rings are positioned away from the camping platforms for safety. "The only thing that I didn't care for was the need for the fire pit to be off your footprint (obvious why) and the lakeside sites surprisingly did not have east access to the lake," notes one visitor. This arrangement can make evening campfires less convenient for cooking or warmth.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Floating Mill operates from May through September, while Rock Island State Park remains open year-round. "Fair warning, sites all seemed to be pretty small. My kids loved playing at the playground. The whole park was just really well kept," mentions a visitor who stayed during a cold snap in fall.
Limited amenities: Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas have minimal facilities. "No laundry at this campgrounds, internet is hit or miss if you don't have internet in your trailer," reports one camper. Most primitive sites feature only basic facilities like fire rings and vault toilets.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Old Mill Camp, "They have everything campsite are big, bathroom and showers are together located in the middle of the grounds. The staff is amazing!" notes one visitor with children. The campground also offers a general store with ice cream and sandwiches.
Swimming options: Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake provides separate swimming areas for day-use visitors and campers. "It also includes two swim areas which is nice. Bathrooms are good in campground standards!" reports a camper. The designated swim areas include shallow entry points suitable for children.
Site selection for kids: At Salt Lick Creek Campground, waterfront sites provide easier lake access but less privacy. "Great size sites with waterfront property and others totally wooded. Shower house had amazing water pressure. Very clean and quite considering that all 154 sites were full," shares one visitor. Sites away from the water typically offer more space and shade.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs during summer months. Rock Island State Park provides informative tours about local geology and wildlife. "We spent the weekend at the park in our 21' camper. Site 28 was fairly level, and had water and 30a power. My kids loved playing at the playground," explains a parent who visited with their family.
Tips from RVers
Platform considerations: At Edgar Evins State Park, the wooden platforms can present unique challenges. "Parking sites are on wooden platforms which was fine for our Winnebago Revel, but a bit weird for my daughter who was sleeping in a tent," explains one RVer. Larger RVs should check site dimensions carefully, as the platforms have specific size limitations.
Limited sewer hookups: Rock Island State Park has only 8 full-hookup sites out of 50 total. "Fair warning, sites all seemed to be pretty small. A few looked like they had sewer at them, but ours didn't," notes an RVer. The park maintains a clean dump station for those without sewer connections.
Access road challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads. "The drive in and out is rather steep but doable. The sites are great," reports one RVer about Ragland Bottom. Similarly, at Floating Mill, "The only downside was the driveways were a little tight, we especially had trouble on the way out."
Site leveling: Uneven terrain is common throughout the area. "Not all are completely level," notes one RVer about Rock Island State Park. "Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side." Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for sites on slopes or near the water.
