Best Campgrounds near South Carthage, TN

Looking for the best campgrounds near South Carthage, TN? South Carthage is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in South Carthage, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near South Carthage, Tennessee (133)

    1. Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Lancaster, TN
    13 miles
    Website

    "I'm from New England and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. The first time I went camping at Edgar Evans, I had no idea what was going on!"

    "The park is a gorgeous property with a lake and hiking trails. There are ADA sights. The hills are steep and some of the sights have angle ramps."

    2. Defeated Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    Carthage, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 774-3141

    $25 - $100 / night

    "Sites 51 and 52 are a shared pull through site, so if you book one of them, you will more than likely have people you don't know backed up right close next to you."

    "Our site was atop a hill overlooking Cordell Hull Lake. The place was nearly full capacity yet quiet. Sites are spread out nicely, many are lakeside or have lake views."

    3. Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Lebanon, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 443-2769

    $25 - $30 / night

    "The campground at Cedars of Lebanon State Park deserves 5 stars for their proximity to Nashville, the large paved pads for campers, the peaceful woods, and their overall cleanliness."

    "We hiked some of the 2 mile running trail and then veered off to explore the CCC original looking covered bench which overlooks a currently dry stream bed."

    4. COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground

    15 Reviews
    Granville, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 678-4718

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Our site was right on the creek and very near the beach. We went for an evening swim and we had a picturesque view of the sun setting over the mountains."

    "And it was adequate but situated on an inlet with mucky water. We took a walk and found an empty site (45) with breathtaking views. We asked to switch and they were happy to oblige."

    5. Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake

    21 Reviews
    Silver Point, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 858-4845

    $24 - $50 / night

    ". 2nd the layout is more tent friendly (to me) with walk in sites with some nice views."

    "It was okay, but not good for anyone who cannot handle a lot of stairs. 2) There was a lot of boat traffic on the lake, even late into the night."

    6. Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas — Center Hill Lake

    10 Reviews
    Lancaster, TN
    12 miles
    +1 (931) 858-3125

    $8 / night

    "We recently moved from Idaho to Tennessee, we booked two spots at Long Branch to stay for two weeks."

    "There are steps down to the river.  Many sites have plenty of shade especially the ones in the small loop. I will be coming back here for sure."

    7. Defeated Creek Marina Campground

    4 Reviews
    Carthage, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 774-3141

    8. Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Castalian Springs, TN
    24 miles
    Website

    "There is a flat trail next to the lake that my two year old loves to run up and down, playgrounds, and a story trail."

    "Easy hiking trails with little to moderate inclines and terrain. Around 5-7 miles of trails, plenty of camping sites. I always see wildlife when i visit this park."

    9. Holleman's Bend Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Granville, TN
    11 miles

    "Cute little town nearby, decent service when we were expecting none, and a cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you’ll hear fish splashing all night."

    10. Old Mill Camp and General Store

    22 Reviews
    Bloomington Springs, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 268-0045

    "I would stay away from the pull through sites by the bathroom if You prefer privacy."

    "If you arrive early and are wanting to fully hike down to the waters it is a must to arrive early and by the time you finish enjoying activities driving is not something that sounds appealing."

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Recent Reviews near South Carthage, TN

846 Reviews of 133 South Carthage Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Two Rivers Campground

    Nashville

    Two rivers is a nice park friendly people clean and well maintained.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Seven Points

    Great COE Campground

    Best camp hosts ever. Very friendly, kind and helpful. Great views. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric at every site. Dump station. Discount for America the Beautiful pass. You need to book your reservations on recreation.gov

  • Michele R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Morning View Farms

    Weekend getaway

    I could not say enough enough wonderful things about our stay. Our host was amazing, the nature was peaceful, serene, and everything we needed for a relaxing time away from home.

  • greg S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Floating Mill - Center Hill Lake

    Beware of host

    My family has camped here for years with no issues and we usually stay for at least 3 days if not longer at a time. On holidays we usually stay for a week or more at a time. The last 3 times we've camped there the host were horrible. They police you from the time you check in til you leave. They are very discriminating depending on who you know at the campgrounds. They charge some people to visit and not others. If you have kids they better walk the line during thier time there or they will threaten to have you leave. They have treated my family like we were second class as best. Talked to us like we were ignorant.  Not there to help at all. On a power trip for being the host. When you spend your hard earned money and time to relax and spend time with family and friends you shouldnt have to be harassed and watched over to the point you cant enjoy yourslves for your vacation. Not an enjoyable experience at all. We will not be back until they are no longer the host. Never been treated like that by host.

  • J
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Willow Grove Campground

    Very pleased

    This campground is typical Corp of Engineers campground. This place is very well kept. It has a boat ramp small beach area and is surrounded by water on 3 sides. Water is accessible from multiple points, getting down to the water is easy its a decent climb coming back. This site is not shaded especially in the evening. Picnic table could stand to be repaired or replaced but still very usable.

  • Cassondra P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Elm Hill RV Resort

    Beautiful Campground

    We stopped here for a quick overnight stop on our way back home

    It is definetly a park that they are stacked in close and open sky’s with not a lot of shade

    Everything was very clean and in great working order

    Kids loved swimming in the pool

    The water around is clear and beautiful

    We had a very lovely sunset as we walked around park

  • L
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Poole Knobs

    Bottom of my COE campgrounds

    First of all, I love COE campgrounds. They are usually clean, scenic, and have lots of space between campsites. Poole Knobs has all of that, but the bathrooms were ridiculously hard to get to. If you get a site along the lake, expect a long walk and then an arduous climb to the bathroom and showers or hop in your vehicle and drive there. Whoever laid out the design of this campground had obviously ever camped.

  • Alisha L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    COE Cordell Hull Lake Salt Lick Creek Campground

    Salt Lick Creek

    Overall, we enjoyed our experience. It's a nice campground. The site was small and we prefer more space and seclusion since we travel with dogs. We stayed in site 94, which was on the water and nicely shaded. There was no cell service. Our camper has a wifi booster so we were able to boost the signal to our phones from the nearby bathhouse that had wifi. The campground is very remote, but it doesn't feel remote because of how busy and open it feels.

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    The Narrows

    Very clean campground.

    This is a very nice, clean campground. Bathrooms are clean as well. Very nice view of Barren River lake too. I did not use it but there is a nice sand beach for swimming. Camphost is very nice.


Guide to South Carthage

Camping near South Carthage, Tennessee, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly campground or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, have well-maintained trails. One visitor noted, "The hiking trails were well maintained but vary in difficulty," making it suitable for all skill levels.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Rock Island State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, "This is a great state park with great hiking and beautiful waterfalls," highlighting the natural beauty and fishing opportunities.
  • Kayaking: For water lovers, Edgar Evins State Park Campground offers kayaking on the nearby lake. One reviewer mentioned, "Kayaking is great! Put in below Center Hill dam," making it a fun activity for adventurers.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness at the sites. A visitor at Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse was quite adequate, clean and hot showers," which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds, such as Henry Horton State Park Campground, offer roomy sites. One camper noted, "The campground was very neat... Bathhouse was clean," emphasizing the spaciousness and upkeep.
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave provide plenty of activities for kids. A parent shared, "The events and activities scheduled throughout the day was great at keeping the kids busy."

What you should know:

  • Crowded during peak season: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during holidays. A reviewer at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The park is a top visited park in TN - it’s crowded."
  • Site selection matters: Choosing the right site is crucial. A camper at Edgar Evins State Park Campground advised, "I definitely recommend either scouting out a site before booking or researching well which site would be a good fit."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Rock Island State Park Campground noted, "Most of the sites are small," which can be a downside for larger groups.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for activities: Make sure to check what activities are available. A family at Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground enjoyed, "There are so many trails, playgrounds, and bike/walk friendly roads."
  • Bring your own firewood: Some campgrounds do not sell firewood on-site. A camper at Bledsoe Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Firewood is for sale inside the park," so plan accordingly.
  • Check bathroom facilities: Make sure to know where the bathrooms are located. A camper at Henry Horton State Park Campground noted, "The bathroom is super far away," which could be a concern for families with young kids.

Tips from RVers:

  • Leveling your RV: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. A visitor at Rock Island State Park Campground shared, "The only issue we had was leveling our camper," so be prepared for that.
  • Big rig friendly options: Look for campgrounds that accommodate larger RVs. A camper at Nashville KOA mentioned, "Easy to get in and out with a big rig," which is helpful for those traveling in larger vehicles.
  • Check for amenities: Make sure the campground has the amenities you need. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave noted, "Staff was friendly, sites were clean, and good activities for the kids," which can make a big difference in your stay.

Camping near South Carthage, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near South Carthage, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, South Carthage, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 133 campgrounds and RV parks near South Carthage, TN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near South Carthage, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Carthage, TN is Edgar Evins State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Carthage, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near South Carthage, TN.

What parks are near South Carthage, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near South Carthage, TN that allow camping, notably Stillhouse Hollow Lake and Center Hill Lake.