Camping options near Summertown, Tennessee range from primitive tent sites to yurt camping facilities, all within the forested hills of southern Middle Tennessee. The region sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with mild spring and fall temperatures, though summer humidity can reach uncomfortable levels from June through August. Natural waterways including creeks and rivers create opportunities for various recreational activities during warmer months.
What to do
Hiking historic trails: David Crockett State Park Campground offers multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "We visited the park in late June. The campground and park was immaculate! Sites were level and easy to back in. We had a great outdoor class to learn about snakes, hiked the trails, and enjoyed the falls," notes a visitor.
Kayak the Buffalo River: At Crazy Horse Recreational Park, visitors can rent boats and enjoy time on the water. "Primative Camping, kayaking & catching tagged small mouth bass was more than an experience! Perks was exploring a cave!!" shares one camper.
Explore Amish communities: Near Heartstone Campground, visitors can experience local culture. According to a camper, "It's also near Amish communities where you can buy locally made and grown items. Nashville and Huntsville are both about an hour and a half away, depending which way on Hwy 65 you go."
Golfing: Montgomery Bell State Park offers an 18-hole golf course along with other recreational activities. As one visitor notes, "The park also offers a golf course which I didn't play due to the heat, but is on my list now that I've seen it."
What campers like
Creek access: Several campgrounds feature creek-side camping with water play opportunities. At David Crockett State Park Campground, "The clear creek to play in is gorgeous! The park had so much to offer. Lots of hiking trails, covered bridge, fishing lake w/boat & kayak rentals plus a beautiful waterfall that is great for sunsets!"
Shaded sites: Most campgrounds in the region feature mature trees providing cooling relief during hot summer days. A camper at Montgomery Bell State Park Campground describes, "The sites all seem to be well shaded and spaced sufficiently apart. Travel to and from the park is on good roads."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening offer opportunities for wildlife sightings. One visitor to Montgomery Bell noted, "Most mornings I can sit outside & watch the deer grazing as I have my coffee."
Off-grid experience: For those seeking a truly disconnected camping experience, primitive camping options allow for nature immersion. A visitor at Heartstone Campground shares, "It really is in the woods, complete with songbirds to wake you up and crickets to sing you to sleep. The creek makes a relaxing backdrop to your campfire time at night."
What you should know
Low bridge access: Some campgrounds have access limitations. Regarding Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, a camper warns, "There is a low bridge (11ft) that you need to pass under to get onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you can't fit, you have to take Napier road north several miles."
Seasonal availability: Most primitive camping areas have limited amenities during winter months. Reservations are recommended for peak season visits (April-October).
Connectivity challenges: Cell service is unreliable at most campgrounds. A visitor to Thousand Trails Natchez Trace notes, "I had absolutely no cell service through Verizon and my T-Mobile 5g internet had no reception either (even with a booster). Luckily, I was able to rely on my Starlink."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can affect camping conditions with limited shelter options at primitive sites. Overnight temperatures during winter months can drop below freezing.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Henry Horton State Park Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "We loved our stay at HHSP. Check-in was a breeze, setup was simple with a level site, and everyone there, from the park rangers to the camp store staff to the campground hosts, was friendly and helpful. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes," mentions a satisfied camper.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs that teach about local wildlife and ecology. At David Crockett State Park, one visitor enjoyed "a great outdoor class to learn about snakes."
Tent-only areas: For families seeking quieter surroundings, some campgrounds offer tent-specific sections. "The state park is absolutely gorgeous. We chose to stay in the tent only camping sites. They are spread out far enough that you don't feel like you are in one another space," explains one visitor to Montgomery Bell State Park.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming areas that provide safer alternatives to river swimming for children. "The swimming beach and pool areas offer refreshing alternatives to lake activities" during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Henry Horton State Park, a camper advises, "Some sites are level, some aren't. We ended up booking another site to stay another couple of days because we loved it so much."
Full hookup availability: Campers RV Park offers comprehensive services for RVs. "The pull thru sites have been widened and are more accommodating for larger RVs. They are working on adding a few more pull thru sites as well. The sites are gravel and mostly level. All sites are FHU."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups, so plan accordingly. David Crockett State Park provides sanitary dump facilities for RVs without sewer connections.
Road condition awareness: Access roads to some campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. "The roads throughout the park need some work, there are large pot holes that are difficult to avoid," warns a visitor to Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
