Tent camping near Westmoreland, Tennessee offers opportunities for lakeside and riverside experiences within a 20-mile radius. The region sits at the northern edge of Tennessee's Highland Rim geographical formation, with elevations averaging 600-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons provide milder conditions with overnight lows in the 50-60°F range.
What to do
Fishing access: Laguardo provides clean, maintained shorelines for fishing and kayaking. "I've only been here kayaking but it's nice and clean," notes one visitor at Laguardo.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds offer lake swimming areas with designated beach zones. At Old Hickory Beach, campers pay "$5 for beach access and no dogs in the beach area," according to reviews.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at local campgrounds provide excellent wildlife viewing. "There is wildlife everywhere. We saw so many Whitetail Deer... They would just come into the campground, feed and walk around. They didn't seem too worried or scared of us," shares a camper at Lone Branch.
Trail hiking: Several sites offer moderate hiking trails, typically 1-3 miles in length. The Narrows Boat Ramp features "a nature trail is a mile loop and has several benches along its route as well as scenic overlooks to the lake."
What campers like
Water proximity: Many campers appreciate sites positioned directly on water. At Long Hunter State Park Campground, "It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips. It is a great swimming spot with flat rocks to hang out on."
Low cost options: Holleman's Bend offers free camping with riverside views. A recent visitor described it as "a cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you'll hear fish splashing all night."
Nature immersion: Campers frequently mention the peaceful surroundings. "The nature trail is a good trail to try out your skills before attempting a more challenging trip. Basic Tennessee woodland and animals," notes a visitor about the primitive trails at Long Hunter State Park.
Accessibility: Multiple campsites can be reached via short walks from parking areas. A reviewer at Holleman's Bend Camping Area mentioned, "It seemed there may have been more campsites to the left of the parking area, up a hill that a small car came down, so seems pretty accessible."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months at multiple campgrounds. One camper at Long Hunter State Park noted, "it was the most ticks any of us had seen, including tiny seed ticks. We left with multiple bites, and were constantly picking them off each other and our gear."
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have poor or no phone reception. At Holleman's Bend, a camper mentioned "No Service (showed me how addicted i am). Other than that as described."
Fire regulations: Fire restrictions vary by location and season. While most backcountry sites permit fires, some areas like Tailwater Rec Area do not. Check with park offices before arrival.
Water sources: Not all campsites have reliable drinking water. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Short hikes for children: Select campgrounds with brief, manageable trails. "Even though 6 miles is quite the hike for a young Girl Scout Troop just to reach our Campsite it was beyond worth it!" shared a troop leader about Long Hunter State Park.
Playground access: Some recreation areas include playgrounds for children. The Narrows Boat Ramp features "a marina on site along side the boat ramp and a nice pavilion, playground, nature trail and restroom."
Food storage: Wildlife may approach campsites seeking food. A camper at Lone Branch noted squirrels "seemed pretty okay with humans... When we were eating, they were right there with us. It was a little annoying after awhile because I felt like we had to watch them so they wouldn't get into our food."
City proximity: For families wanting both outdoor experiences and urban activities, Camp Nashville Highland Rim offers a strategic location. "Due to city regulations, it can be difficult to find camping this close to the city. At Camp Nashville, you can make day trips to the city and come back to your cozy campsite after a day exploring the city!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Many sites near Westmoreland offer basic or no hookups. Tailwater Rec Area provides electric and water hookups but is "a little far from the town but overall good. Great staff and clean facilities for the most part."
Access roads: Several campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger RVs. Nat Caldwell Park 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."
Parking surfaces: RV parking areas vary in quality and levelness. At Old Hickory Beach, the camping area is "Sorta out of the way and past an industrial area, not exactly picturesque, but gets the job done."
