Campgrounds near Tennessee Ridge offer full-service options within driving distance of Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The region sits at approximately 400-500 feet elevation with humidity levels reaching 70-80% during summer months. Access roads vary significantly in quality, with some campgrounds requiring navigation through rural terrain that narrows considerably after leaving main highways.
What to do
Fishing opportunities at Kentucky Lake: Birmingham Point Campground provides direct lake access with excellent fishing spots. "The swimming beach and beautiful views" make this a popular choice for water activities according to Erin P., who notes that while boating and fishing are excellent, "being able to hike and ride a bike which is limited here."
River swimming and cliff jumping: At Piney River Resort, the clear river creates natural recreation areas. "The water is crystal clear and cold. We sat in beach chairs and let the current wash over us. The swimming hole was great! We loved watching the younger crowd jump off the cliff into the water," shares Elizabeth S., who also mentions "fishing and kayaking too!"
Visit nearby wildlife refuges: From Eagles Nest RV Park, campers can access "Kentucky Lake, Land Between The Lakes, Paris Landing State Park and the Big Sandy National Wildlife Refuge" according to Andy S. The park's location makes it convenient for exploring multiple conservation areas within a short drive.
What campers like
Concrete pads with full hookups: Eagles Nest RV Park features "all concrete pads with full service utility kiosks. Each campsite has plenty of room and comes with its own patio and cable TV connection," notes Andy S., highlighting amenities not commonly found at other area campgrounds.
Quiet riverside camping: Campers consistently praise the peaceful environment at Piney River Resort. Dawn C. calls it "the quietest campground we've ever stayed at," while Tony D. appreciates "the wonderful sounds of silence" along with "level cement pad, pavilion with lights and ceiling fan."
Family-friendly atmosphere: RJourney Clarksville RV Resort offers family amenities including a pool and playground. Drew S. describes it as a "Clean Spacious Family Friendly RV Park" where "the sites were large and level." Roy T. adds that the grounds were "well maintained" with staff that was "friendly."
What you should know
Rural road access challenges: Accessing some campgrounds requires careful navigation on narrow country roads. At Piney River Resort, Pat&Amanda D. warn about "the drive in from the highway was very scary on narrow, windy roads with dropoffs on the side" and recommend smaller RVs since they "couldn't get level and couldn't put our slides out."
Variable cell coverage: Mobile reception differs between campgrounds. Lindsay L. at Piney River Resort reports "AT&T has about 1 bar up on the hill sites. We have an antenna that boosts our signal and has given us 2-3 bars which is totally usable."
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant traffic noise. At Clarksville RV Resort by Rjourney, MickandKarla W. note this "CG has the most interstate noise of any we've stayed" despite trying different site locations, stating "the first time we were closer to the interstate and this time we were at the front of the CG. It did not matter."
Tips for camping with families
Look for river recreation options: Families particularly enjoy the Piney River for supervised water activities. Ashlee B. shares, "Our girls enjoyed swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Paved sites, fire ring, fire wood for sale, very clean campground, and only 45 mins to Nashville."
Seasonal activities vary: Plan your visit according to season for optimal family experiences. During cooler months, campgrounds like Little Eagle RV Park offer different advantages. Tanya A. noted "We stayed in November and weather was cool. Nice because it's on the lake."
Consider noise factors for young children: When traveling with small children, select sites away from roads. Kerry M. at RJourney Clarksville RV Resort warns that "the beeping and metallic booming started at 6 AM sharp" from the "heavy construction equipment operations site across the road."
Tips from RVers
Level sites for bigger rigs: RVers should research site specifics before booking. At Birdsong Resort and Marina, the "pull through sites" are mentioned by Cheryl Ann G., who appreciated the "quiet, family oriented, helpful staff" aspects of the campground.
Hookup configurations: Check for placement of utilities before arrival. MickandKarla W. found at Clarksville RV Resort by Rjourney that "The utilities are centered on the gravel pad and it was nice to have two sewer holes as our rig has two black tanks."
Site length considerations: Confirm site length accommodates both tow vehicle and trailer. At Birmingham Point Campground, MickandKarla W. warn "We would not recommended trying to anything longer than a 38' rig into the site due to the turn to get out" and note the 50-foot length estimate on the website may be technically correct but challenging to navigate.
