RV camping near McMinnville, Tennessee offers varied terrain at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,800 feet, with the Cumberland Plateau providing distinctive camping opportunities. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during day, dropping to 65-70°F at night, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with periodic rainfall. Local campgrounds provide access to waterfalls, hiking trails, and fishing spots within short driving distances.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Greeter Falls trailhead sits adjacent to Greeter Falls Campground, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. "Very clean bath house and grounds. Friendly staff inside small camp store. Spacious sites. Walk or drive to Greeter Falls trailhead for a beautiful waterfall hike," notes Jennifer U.
Disc golf: Free course within a short drive of camping areas. "They seem to be adding things… disc golf maybe. Great park with clean facilities," says Frank A. about Bigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground, where outdoor activities extend beyond standard camping.
Fishing: Multiple options for anglers at nearby lakes and rivers. "Had a blast fishing in the ponds," mentions Frank A. about Bigfoot Adventure. At Twin Creeks RV Resort, "Boat ramp just down from campsites. Pretty good fishing," according to Gary.
Zip lining: Adventure options near select campgrounds. "Live music, zip lines & frizby golf. Beautiful farm with waterfalls & lots of nearby hiking trails," reports Timothy T. about Bigfoot Adventure RV Park, which offers varied recreation beyond typical camping.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers note well-maintained bathhouses at RV parks near McMinnville. At Paradise on the Mountain RV Park, "The bathrooms are spectacular and sparkling clean. They have a hand built fireplace under a large overhang near the office," writes Jessica D.
Helpful hosts: Staff responsiveness stands out to visitors. At R&R RV Campground, one camper noted, "The owner's hospitality makes up for that! There a few pull throughs sites that have full hookup then a row of electric & water sites." Elizabeth L. appreciates that the owner "doesn't mind a blow up pool as long as it isn't in the grass."
River access: Water proximity enhances camping experiences. "We absolutely loved our stay here! The most stunning views of the river gorge!" reports Audra R. about River Life RV Resort.
Privacy options: Some primitive sites offer seclusion. "We really enjoyed camping on Chris's property, it was isolated (no cell service) and private just like we wanted! Our dogs had a fun time in the river," writes Christin about Hammock Sway.
What you should know
Site sizes vary: Check measurements before booking. At Greeter Falls Campground, Karlie advises, "Be sure to check the site measurements. Our only complaint was the site size & distance to our neighbor. We stayed at primitive site 1. Flat area for your tent, then a slight slope towards the walkway."
Road conditions: Access to some campsites requires planning. At Hammock Sway, "bit of a rough drive in, but Chris gave us detailed instructions through the road/onto the property and we had no issues in my hatchback getting in or out," reports Christin.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Some campgrounds offer minimal facilities. "This is a primitive camping experience in the pristine woods of Van Buren County, TN about 20 miles(30 minutes) outside of McMinnville, Tennessee," explains Jeremy H. about Hammock Sway.
Highway noise concerns: Interstate proximity affects some parks. At Rvino - The Broken Banjo (formerly Manchester KOA), MickandKarla W. mention, "the only caveat that there's quite a bit of highway noise from the interstate. However, the noise did not overweigh our satisfaction."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly spaces: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Paradise on the Mountain RV Park, "There is an adorable playground for the kids. Rumor says there is possibly a splash pad coming soon," notes Jessica D.
Scavenger hunts: Activities designed for children at select parks. Elizabeth L. mentions about R&R RV Campground: "There's also a scavenger hunt he put out that's super fun!"
Animal encounters: Farm settings add appeal for children. At Rvino - The Broken Banjo, "They have glamping cabins, teepees, and a covered wagon with nice patio decor. There's also a swimming pool, pickleball court, catch& release pond plus other amenities," according to MickandKarla W.
Tent site selection: Consider family needs when booking. At Hammock Sway, Ray G. notes, "Very beautiful wooded area with tons of privacy and plenty of room for everyone. There's about 40 acres to walk around with an amazing river to walk along."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Surface conditions vary across parks. At Paradise on the Mountain RV Park, Thomas H. reports, "Our rv sites were gravel, required some leveling, had FHUs. 50/30/20 amp service, water and sewer of course. All worked great, no issues."
Utilities placement: Hookup locations differ between parks. At Twin Creeks RV Resort, "Electric and water hookups are on left side of campsite," notes Gary, while Thomas H. mentions that at Bigfoot Adventure, "I unhooked and had just enough room to park off to the side in front of my camper."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and WiFi quality vary. At Paradise on the Mountain, "It's close to restaurants and shopping, and many places to hike. The staff is amazing and everyone is so friendly," reports Jason W., while mentioning it's "Close to the interstate, but not too noisy."
Navigation challenges: GPS may not be reliable for all parks. About Hammock Sway, Jeremy H. advises, "I did struggle to find the campsite since Rocky River Road wasn't marked with a road sign, but I use paper maps, so this might not be an issue for someone with GPS in their car or on their phone."
