Best Campgrounds near Spencer, TN

Spencer, Tennessee is situated in a region rich with camping opportunities, particularly centered around Fall Creek Falls State Park, which contains Tennessee's largest and most visited state park. The area encompasses multiple established campgrounds with varied accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers over 200 sites with water and electric hookups, while nearby Rock Island State Park provides year-round camping options where the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers meet. Smaller private operations like Hammock Sway and Deer Creek Properties supplement these larger parks, offering both traditional camping and glamping experiences within proximity to natural attractions.

Road conditions throughout the region remain generally accessible for most vehicles, though some smaller campgrounds may have limited parking or narrower access roads. The camping season extends year-round at the state parks, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures and impressive waterfall views after seasonal rains. Summer months bring higher humidity and larger crowds, particularly at waterfront areas and near swimming holes. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during weekends and peak summer months. One visitor noted, "The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it's a moderate hike down to the base. Sometimes the falls are just a small trickle and sometimes they are flowing, depending on rainfall amounts."

The region's campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural features and recreational opportunities. Many sites are well-spaced with wooded surroundings, providing a sense of privacy even when campgrounds are at capacity. According to one camper, "The sites are well spaced and wooded, so even if the campground is full, you don't feel overcrowded." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common throughout the area campgrounds. Hiking trails connect many of the camping areas to scenic waterfalls, including the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Most developed campgrounds offer clean bathhouses with hot showers, while facilities at smaller private campgrounds vary significantly. Visitors frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere, well-maintained trails, and abundance of recreational activities as highlights of camping in the Spencer area.

Best Camping Sites Near Spencer, Tennessee (160)

    1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Quiet spot with easy to access trails around the campgrounds for our two dogs. The roads into the park are fun with some winding roads."

    "Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."

    2. Rock Island State Park Campground

    50 Reviews
    Rock Island, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 686-2471

    "Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."

    "Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."

    3. Hammock Sway

    11 Reviews
    Beersheba Springs, TN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 259-8968

    $25 - $89 / night

    "This is a primitive camping experience in the pristine woods of Van Buren County, TN about 20 miles(30 minutes) outside of McMinnville, Tennessee. The campground borders the beautiful Rocky River."

    "Chris is very helpful, friendly and willing to show you around upon arriving. You will also be introduced to all his great dogs. After that you won’t be bothered unless you need help."

    4. Virgin Falls State Natural Area - Primitive

    7 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-3297

    $10 - $35 / night

    "The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go."

    "8 miles is pretty accurate of a round trip. It's a lot downhill until you get to the falls then you gotta hike all the way back out."

    5. Horseshoe Bend Marina

    6 Reviews
    Antioch, TN
    14 miles
    Website

    $75 / night

    "There were restrooms at the marina, which was close by.

    They have a game room tent with ping pong, cornhole, jenga, etc. and they host a movie night sometimes!"

    "Located on the Caney Fork River."

    6. Sunrise Campground - Long Term Only as of 2021

    2 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5400

    $30 / night

    "We woke up next to their cow farm and it made for a pleasant morning"

    7. Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Lancaster, TN
    31 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."

    8. Breiner's Place

    1 Review
    Spencer, TN
    6 miles
    +1 (417) 501-7819

    $16 - $17 / night

    9. Glamping at Deer Camp

    5 Reviews
    Dunlap, TN
    15 miles

    $109 - $139 / night

    "They put so much thought into every little detail, from the s’mores scented citronella candle next to the fire, to the coffee station, and everything in between."

    "Outside movie screen with hammock chairs. Quiet and peaceful. Will definitely go back. Owners did a great job!!!"

    10. Deer Creek Properties

    2 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (615) 425-8288

    $225 / night

    "Deer Creek properties is located in a secure gated community just minutes from fall Creek Falls State Park."

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Recent Reviews near Spencer, TN

1048 Reviews of 160 Spencer Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend, bc we participated in a dog event near by. At first we booked site B31. The tent pad was super small, there was no way for 2 bigger tents to fit. It's definitely better, if you have a camper. We changed to site A9 and that was much better. We had to set up the tents on concrete, which was awesome, because it rained all Saturday. The bathhouses were kinda outdated, but always clean. The park itself is ok. It's nothing spectacular there. The campsites directly on the water were very nice. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I don't think, I would camp here again. The park was very clean, it has just not really anything nature wise that would catch my interest.

  • 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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Rvino - The Broken Banjo

    Convenient and well maintained

    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.

    The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. They lead you to your site and stay to make sure you don't have any questions. Nice little store, well stocked with conveniences and RV needs, as well as souvenirs.

    Gravel roads and level pads. We stopped overnight and did not have to disconnect, as we were perfectly level. Heated swimming pool and splash pad at the entrance, with other "entertainment" for kids in the back of the park (giant chess board, putting green, playground, etc. next to the small lake)

    We were amazed to see park staff cleaning and picking up until 1900 at night. One was literally filling bags with pine cones from the road and sites.

    The "Premium" sites, such as site 2, has a concrete patio with wrought iron table and chairs, along with a fire-pit and grill.

  • Peyton P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    A few pull offs

    You can stay at either Hunter’s check campground or Davis Pond. If you want to stay at davis pond you have to get there before dark, and there is not access for vehicles to get into the campground so it’s just tents (no overlanding, unless you’re comfortable in the parking lot). I pulled off just off one of the trails and set up. It was quiet and private. Not buggy

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    Amazing site! See note on hook-ups

    This campground is great. The hosts/camp store workers are so nice. This site is big and has easy walk-in access to water for swimming or fishing. **Only weird thing is the hookups are on the opposite side of the site. Take a 50 ft water hose and a 30 amp extension - ours was 50 ft but I think a 30 ft would work. **

  • Tucker K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Not as quiet as I thought

    There’s some good spots in the backcountry if you can find them, but be prepared to search quite a bit. The roads are pretty dense not many places to pull off. Night time is great but gunshots started at 6:30 at a nearby gun range and dirt bikes started hitting the roads not much later.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Harrison Bay, Resort Quality, State Park Prices

    Excellent, well maintained site. Several loops, with many sites on the lake. I saw some campers in fishing kayaks come right up to the shore and hop out at their campsite.


Guide to Spencer

Spencer, Tennessee offers camping options near the Cumberland Plateau at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet. The region features limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and multiple waterways that create a diverse camping landscape. Weather patterns can change quickly, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees possible in fall evenings compared to daytime highs.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides access to multiple waterfalls beyond the main attraction. "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 (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," notes Myke C.

Kayak the confluences: Rock Island State Park Campground sits where two rivers meet, creating diverse paddling conditions. "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy," reports Lori H., who stayed at nearby Horseshoe Bend Marina.

Off-grid disconnection: Hammock Sway offers a true escape with minimal infrastructure. "From the open hilly land that we chose as our site (plenty of solar power!), to the pine forests and incredible creek, this is by far our favorite campground on the East side of the States," writes Kayla N. "We were able to filter creek water to drink (Berkey), we had plenty of space/privacy, and the eggs were fresh and perfect with breakfast."

What campers like

Platform camping at Edgar Evins State Park Campground: The unique elevated camping platforms address the park's sloped terrain. "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," writes Shelly S. "The campground is unique and in some cases, if your pulling/parking an RV, challenging! First campground I've ever been to that you park on a deck."

Primitive hiking options at Virgin Falls State Natural Area: The backcountry sites require physical effort but reward with solitude. "I hiked out to the Caney Fork River Campsite with the Nashville Backpacking Meetup. The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go. The site is less than half a mile away from the falls, and has really easy access to the river for water," reports Joshua C.

Clear night skies: The region's minimal light pollution creates stargazing opportunities. "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," reports Joseph M. about Fall Creek Falls. Similarly, at Hammock Sway, a visitor notes it provides "freedom and true disconnect from society."

What you should know

Site selection matters: Fall Creek Falls has distinct camping areas with varying experiences. "Campground A & B are great for families with kids. C & D are more quiet. Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," advises Richard F. One camper warns about Area C: "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Spencer, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Spencer, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Spencer, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spencer, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 145 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Spencer, TN.

What parks are near Spencer, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Spencer, TN that allow camping, notably Center Hill Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake.