Camping cabins near Waynesboro, Tennessee provide access to the Buffalo River, which flows 125 miles through the region's limestone and dolomite terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions between 65-80°F. Winter camping is available at several locations with reduced services and fewer visitors.
What to do
Buffalo River paddling: Crazy Horse Recreational Park offers on-site kayak and canoe rentals for exploring the Buffalo River. "Camp and Kayak. We love to come here for when we kayak the Buffalo. Plenty of open river front campsites and shuttles to or from the camp (depending on which route you take)," notes one visitor.
Cave exploration: Some cabins provide proximity to limestone caves in the area. "Yakkin' the Buffalo, Crazy Horse style. Primative Camping, kayaking & catching tagged small mouth bass was more than an experience! Perks was exploring a cave!!" explains a camper who stayed at Crazy Horse.
Golf and state park activities: David Crockett State Park Campground offers organized outdoor programs. "We visited this park in late June. The campground and park was immaculate! We had a great outdoor class to learn about snakes, hiked the trails, and enjoyed the falls," shares one visitor. The park is located 8 miles from a golf course.
Lake recreation: Access Tennessee River activities from cabins at Pickwick Landing State Park Campground. "Great area to camp. Right on Pickwick Lake with good views of river. The park staff is very active and have lots of activities planned year round," reports one reviewer.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Some cabins offer more secluded settings than others. At Crazy Horse Recreational Park, "There is a family side if you prefer a more quiet, kid-friendly atmosphere," explains one reviewer, while another notes, "Has a family side and another rowdy side across the river. Family side quiet time begins at 10 pm."
Level sites: Cabin campers appreciate concrete pads at David Crockett State Park. "Our first time RVing and this is where we stayed!! We really liked that the pads were concrete and level....took a lot of pressure off of the leveling process," notes a first-time RVer.
Shaded settings: Most cabins in the area provide tree coverage for summer heat relief. "The campground is sort of a double loop design, down hill, so makes for a good walk. Full hook up, cement pad, level sites and everyone would have shade if the leaves had come in," describes a visitor to David Crockett State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Morning deer sightings are common at some cabin locations. "Most mornings I can sit outside & watch the deer grazing as I have my coffee," shares a regular visitor to David Crockett State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: While summer is busiest, cabin amenities vary by season. J.P. Coleman State Park Campground offers year-round options. "Clean campground, bathrooms were clean with plenty of warm water. They have vending machine, washer/dryer on site," notes a reviewer.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between cabin locations. At Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, "The park does not have good TMobile or AT&T and other campers stated that Verizon is ok but not streamable," reports one visitor.
Bridge clearance issues: Some cabin areas have access limitations. "Most importantly, there is a special way to get into this park. They have a low bridge right outside of their park that prevents you from getting here the easy way. The bridge is at 12ft if I remember correctly, it is too low for most 5th wheels and many class As," warns a visitor about Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
Off-season availability: Winter cabin bookings require advance planning. "They do have a variety of types of sites, some are full hookup, some are not. The park looks like it is in the middle of expansion but not actively being worked on," explains a Thousand Trails Natchez Trace reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Fall Hollow Resort offers riverside tent sites for families preferring a more rustic experience near cabin accommodations. "I chose to check out the beach camping which places you right on the Big Swan River in several separate areas. You really have some of the best views and nicest places to sleep right here along the bends as you can hear the water trickling," shares one visitor.
Swimming options: Some cabin locations feature dedicated swimming areas. "The park has a pool, lots of activities, campfire rings, and it is a great way to just enjoy being at a campground," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
Wildlife education: Schedule nature programs during cabin stays for educational experiences. "We visited in late June. The campground and park was immaculate! We had a great outdoor class to learn about snakes, hiked the trails, and enjoyed the falls," explains a family at David Crockett State Park.
Creek access: Many families choose cabins near water features. "Campsite 23 is right next to the creek with a pull through site with gravel. It has a firepit/grill combo and a nice table! Has water and electrical hookups!" reports a visitor to David Crockett State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RVers recommend checking site grades before booking. "Campground is fairly hilly and our spot was far from level. It was the last spot available and I understand why!" notes a visitor to J.P. Coleman State Park.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some cabin campgrounds require careful navigation. "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.
Hookup variations: Full-hookup availability differs between locations. "We had full hookup with 30 amp service, though not all of the sites have sewer," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, while another notes, "They do have a variety of types of sites, some are full hookup, some are not."
