Percy Priest Lake provides several tent campsites near Gladeville, Tennessee with varying levels of access. Most sites sit on elevated terrain with oak-hickory forests and limestone outcroppings. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, making water access important for campers during peak months.
What to do
Swimming access: Long Hunter State Park Campground offers direct water access at multiple sites. "My fave thing here was the trails. There are some really great wooded trails you can take. I saw so many deer and turkeys I finally quit taking pics of them," notes camper DrDavid P.
Wildlife viewing: The primitive camping areas surrounding Gladeville feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "One great thing about this campground is that there is wildlife everywhere. We saw so many Whitetail Deer, it was amazing. They would just come into the campground, feed and walk around," reports Melani T. about camping at Lone Branch.
Kayaking: Laguardo recreation area provides boat-in camping options and water sports. A visitor noted, "I've only been here kayaking but it's nice and clean," making it ideal for paddlers seeking water-based camping.
What campers like
Backpacking practice: First-time backpackers appreciate Long Hunter State Park for skills development. "Pack distribution and what you need, no major climbs. This is a good trail to try out your skills before attempting a more challenging trip," explains Shelly S.
Island camping: Cook - J. Percy Priest Reservoir offers unique boat-in island camping opportunities. Camper Charlotte B. reports, "Boated in and camped on an island," though she cautions about potential noise from other campers.
Trail accessibility: Multiple trail options exist for various skill levels. At Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, one camper explains, "Turnhole Campsite is a short or long hike from the Maple Springs parking area. Sal Hollow Trail would be the long trail, twisty, turny and moderately challenging. Buffalo Trail is a straight hike in."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most primitive tent sites require self-sufficiency. At Turnhole Backcountry Campsite, "water is hard to come by here, and hiking it in may be your best bet. The river is at least 1/2 mile away, through extremely dense brush, and the banks are not easy to access."
Ferry access considerations: Some areas require monitoring transportation access. For Turnhole, "The Green River Ferry seems to be non-operational a lot. Call the hotline the day of your drive in to see which route you should take: 270-758-2166."
Campsite amenities: Smith Springs provides basic amenities for campers. "The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water," reports DrDavid P.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Families report successful trips with younger campers. Sasha R. mentions taking "a young Girl Scout Troop just to reach our Campsite it was beyond worth it!" at Long Hunter State Park despite the 6-mile hike.
Navigation challenges: Some recreation areas require careful planning. At Nat Caldwell Park, a visitor notes it "was not what I expected. It is a very small recreation area, no boat ramp, no facilities except a porta pot (it was clean) and a pavilion with nice size grill."
Accessible trails: Look for paved paths for kids and those needing more accessible options. One camper at Long Hunter State Park notes, "There's also a really nice paved trail around the lake for the kids or handicapped folks."
Tips for RVers
City proximity camping: Camp Nashville Highland Rim provides tent camping with city access options. Jake C. explains, "At Camp Nashville, you can make day trips to the city and come back to your cozy campsite after a day exploring the city!"
Parking considerations: Many tent campsites near Gladeville have limited vehicle access. At Long Hunter State Park, all supplies must be carried in on hiking trails to reach primitive sites, requiring careful planning for equipment.
Local shopping access: Some campgrounds offer proximity to supplies. At J. Percy Priest Lake, James C. appreciates the grounds are "Easy to get to, ample room between campers, close to local shopping."
