Fall Creek Falls State Park sits within the eastern portion of the Cumberland Plateau, where elevations range from 800 to 1,900 feet. Camping options near Sparta, Tennessee extend beyond the luxury glamping scene with traditional tent and RV sites offering access to the region's limestone caves, forested gorges, and multiple waterfalls. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 30s, making heated accommodations a practical necessity for cold-weather visitors exploring this rugged terrain.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: At Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, trails lead to multiple cascades. "So many trails, so little time. One of the best hiking parks I've ever been to. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all. Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall, swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," notes Myke C.
Fishing opportunities: The fishing at Edgar Evins State Park Campground provides a different experience than Rock Island. Situated on Center Hill Lake, the campground features unique platform sites. "My first time camping in our camper, on platforms. Loved it! Very informative pontoon boat tour with a Park Ranger. Great lunch at the marina too," shares Rosa B.
Archaeological exploration: Discover Native American history at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, where the Duck River features several waterfall breaks. "The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike. All the park rangers we encountered were very friendly and helpful," writes Michael P.
Kayaking and tubing: The Barren Fork River at Smooth Rapids Campground provides calm water recreation. "Smooth Rapids is a kayak and tubing outfitter, so you can take a float down the river, and they have a shuttle that will drop you off. We took a river tube and a paddle and it was awesome," says Nate H.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground offers well-spaced sites in a forested setting. "Beautiful area and spacious sites. Will come again," notes Jake W., while another camper adds, "Area 1 was especially nice and shaded. It was quiet, clean, and so easy to enjoy."
Unique platform camping: The elevated camping platforms at Edgar Evins State Park create a distinctive experience. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if your walking from one level to the next, which if you need the showerhouse, you will be on certain tiers," explains Shelly S., while another camper notes, "We love the platform sites that are so spacious and private. Easy access to dump station and bath houses."
Stargazing conditions: The dark skies at Fall Creek Falls provide ideal conditions for viewing stars. "Wonderful hiking experience for beginners, plenty of beautiful scenery. Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," shares Joseph M.
Private lake access: Holpps Pine Ridge Lake Campground offers a quieter alternative to larger parks. "We were able to book lakefront sites less than a week in advance and still had empty sites on the lake on both sides of us. We were able to paddle all over the lake in our Kayaks as well as float/swim in the water without worrying about much wake," explains Nate H.
What you should know
Seasonal water releases: At Rock Island State Park Campground, water levels change with dam releases. "Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases," advises Christy E. The park features tent-only sites in a separate loop with "many trees for hammocks."
Site selection matters: Not all campsites are equally desirable. "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," notes Richard F. at Fall Creek Falls. Similarly, at Edgar Evins, a camper warns, "Pick your site wisely though I noticed some sites sitting in water."
Campground layouts: Some parks have multiple, distinctly different camping areas. At Rock Island, "Three distinctly different areas: tent only section, cabin area, and the main campground. I didn't see the inside of the cabins, but they looked very luxurious from the outside," reports Lee D.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, Edgar Evins offers primitive sites. "We camped in the primitive camping section which has a parking area up top and you hike with your equipment down some stairs into a wooded area with about 7 primitive campsites. We could see and hear the lake from our campsite," explains Emily W.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Cedars of Lebanon State Park Campground provides family-friendly water recreation. "Beautiful park with tons to do. The campgrounds are easily accessible and roomy. It is probably lots of fun in the summer with the huge beach," shares Betheny. The park also features a pool for supervised swimming.
Beginner-friendly camping: Cumberland Mountain State Park caters well to new campers. "A Great Place for New Campers! We love to camp at Fall Creek Falls State Park and think this would be a great park for novice campers due to the fact that the facilities are very nice. Modern bathhouses located in each camping area, swimming pool, golf course and restaurant make roughing it easier," explains Sandra V.
Halloween festivities: Several parks offer special seasonal activities. "Their halloween weekend is a great time of fun for the kids!" shares Justin L. about Cedars of Lebanon. Similarly, Crossville I-40 KOA hosts organized trick-or-treating between campsites and provides hot chocolate.
Kid-friendly attractions: Beyond natural features, some parks offer additional amenities. "Took my kids swimming here last weekend. We got a day use pass pass $5 per adult. Kids under 6 are free to get in so all my kids were free. The kids had the best time," explains Drew E. about Spacious Skies Belle Ridge.
Tips from RVers
Site elevation considerations: At Cumberland Mountain State Park, leveling can be challenging. "Sites in my section were pretty steep as in on a big hill so us tenters get quite a workout going up to the bathhouse! Not to mention, was very difficult to fit two tents and vehicles at the site since the ONLY level spot was the gravel drive," notes Terri D.
Narrow access roads: Some campgrounds have tight entry points. "The entrance and exit is very narrow and steep even for our Sprinter motorhome, let alone something larger. Would not advise it!" warns Ron & Shirley H. about Smooth Rapids Campground.
Big rig accommodations: Larger RVs require careful site selection. "While there are only a few spots that will accommodate a rig this large, it's worth the time to haunt the reservation system and snag one. The road to the park is winding but we had no issues. Nice big sites with picnic area and fire ring," shares Cheryl C. about Rock Island State Park.
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer the same utility connections. "I didn't realize this when I reserved. They have great dump station but prefer to have that taken care of before we pull out," notes Betheny about Rock Island, while another camper points out, "To my surprise I opened the electric pedestal, and there was only 50 amp service. I'm set up for 30 amp, so I had to use an adapter."
