Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers year-round camping opportunities near Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee. The area encompasses 170,000 acres of forest and wetlands straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border. Campgrounds in this region sit between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley at elevations ranging from 350 to 400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F, while winter nights often drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Piney Campground provides direct lake access for anglers of all experience levels. "Nice campground with electric hookups. One central dump station and multiple areas with community water spigots," notes Rob T. of Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Piney Campground. "Great for boating/lake trip."
Historical explorations: Visit nearby Fort Donelson National Historic Site. Hannah S. reports, "Great place to start and stay for your Land Between the Lakes adventure. Lakeside, gravel spots with good views and nice clean facilities. Located in LBL and near Paris Landing SP, Fort Donelson NHS, and everything that LBL has to offer."
Off-season activities: Winter camping offers quieter experiences with fewer crowds. "We visited at the end of the season. The campground was right next to the marina and an overpass allows you to cross over to the other side where the lodge and golf course are," explains Shelly S. about Paris Landing State Park Campground.
What campers like
Lakefront camping: At Boswell Landing, campers appreciate the direct water access. "This site is amazing! We were able to spread out our tents for a group site and we had the perfect set up! We were 100ft. from the lake and had so many trees to use for our hammocks," notes Brooklyn L. from Boswell Landing Campground.
Shaded sites: Many camping areas offer tree cover for protection from summer heat. At Montgomery Bell State Park, Lexi S. observed, "They are spread out far enough that you don't feel like you are in one another space. However, they are all together in the center of the RV camping loop."
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance keeps amenities functional. "The bathhouse was really nice, felt new and was very clean. The staff and park rangers were very nice," says Shana D., who stayed at Paris Landing State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare for spotty connectivity. "Verizon had spotty signal at best," reports Ian O. about his stay at Loretta Lynn's Ranch.
Campsite reservations: Book early to secure waterfront locations. "If it's not a long weekend and they're not full, I would highly recommend the location for the hiking and the remoteness. When it's full, it's just too crowded," advises Jody A. about Montgomery Bell State Park Campground.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for wind off the lakes in cooler months. "The views are nice, but the lake/river effect wind coming in during winter is punishing and forces you inside most of the time," warns Rich S. from Piney Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Families appreciate the recreational options at Land Between The Lakes. "Big campground, with nice bathhouses, and boat ramp. Sites are a little close together but nice. A pavilion and basketball court plus several playgrounds throughout," notes Shelly S. about Montgomery Bell State Park Campground.
Water activities: Shallow areas provide safe swimming zones for children. "Water was warm and calm being off the main lake. Piney cove is pretty shallow and we could walk out into the water a good 30-40ft before getting too deep," writes Chris R.
Bike-friendly roads: Children can safely ride within campground boundaries. "Great place to camp with great bike trails and everything you need. Little crowded and you will need to reserve out 3-4 weeks to get an electric spot," advises Ronnie S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra equipment for setting up. "The sites are level, but are not picked up routinely; we had to clean our site of discarded bottle caps, hygiene items, etc. when we arrived," notes Rich S. about his experience at Piney Campground.
Hookup access: Check site diagrams for utility positioning. "The site I had was a little awkward backing into and the water hookup was on the wrong side for my camper," reports Nathan R. about Montgomery Bell State Park.
Size limitations: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. "We took our 3 young kids during monsoon season and the staff where amazing and getting the kids out and into nature," shares Amy P. about her family's glamping trip near Tennessee Ridge at Montgomery Bell State Park.