Best Dispersed Camping near Thompson's Station, TN
Meriwether Lewis Campground offers free dispersed camping approximately 30 miles southwest of Thompson's Station, Tennessee. Located along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, this National Park Service campground features 31 first-come, first-served sites arranged in two camping loops. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with pull-through and back-in sites on paved surfaces. According to reviews, the campground sits near a creek cascade with several hiking trails, including sections of the historic Natchez Trace.
Facilities include clean flush toilets, drinking water from fountains and spigots throughout the campground, fire rings with attached grills, picnic tables, and trash receptacles at each site. Several campers noted the ground can be rough and uneven for tent camping, making sleeping pads essential equipment. The campground permits stays up to 14 days and operates year-round. No electrical hookups, showers, or dump stations are available. Cell phone service is generally accessible throughout the area.
For those seeking water-based camping, Goose Island on J. Percy Priest Lake provides boat-in primitive camping northeast of Thompson's Station. This island requires watercraft access, typically a short quarter-mile paddle. Fires are permitted on the island, but no facilities exist___campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Wildlife encounters are common; visitors report raccoons approaching campsites after dark. Bug spray is strongly recommended at both locations, as mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects are prevalent, particularly during warmer months. The nearest supplies to Meriwether Lewis Campground are available in Hohenwald (8 miles) or Summertown (11 miles).