Sitting along the shore of Old Hickory Lake within the places to camp around Old Hickory Recreation Area, Cages Bend is an Army Corps of Engineers campground that draws a mix of RV travelers and boaters from late April through mid-October. The entrance road runs tight along a tree line, and at least one reviewer notes the approach requires care for larger rigs. Sites vary between gravel and concrete pads, and the tree coverage across the grounds provides meaningful shade during summer heat.
Water access is a recurring theme in reviews. Several sites sit close enough to the lake to walk a kayak down to the water, and the campground includes a boat ramp for those trailering larger watercraft. A dedicated fishing platform gives anglers a fixed spot to work without launching. Deer, ducks, geese, and turtles have all been spotted on the grounds. The campground is open to rigs up to 50 feet, with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer available, plus a dump station on site.
Sites can fill quickly on weekends, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. The layout places sites close together, though the outer ring tends to offer more separation from neighbors. Bathrooms are consistently described as clean, with reliable hot water and good pressure. Verizon service has worked well for at least one recent visitor. At $30 to $35 per night, Michael K. describes it as a "Corp of Engineers campground with a view of Old Hickory Lake," which captures the character well. The campground suits RV travelers and paddlers who want lake access with full amenities close to campgrounds around Hendersonville and Gallatin.
Description
Overview
Cages Bend Campground is located on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, offering campers the opportunity to enjoy activities with a beautiful scenic backdrop. Water recreation is the major attraction for lake-goers, but with white-tailed deer, migratory song birds and waterfowl abundant in the area, birding and wildlife photography is popular as well.
Recreation
Swimming and sailing are popular ways to enjoy the lake, and anglers can find exceptional bank and boat fishing for catfish, crappie and bass.
Facilities
The campground offers a playground for families, a boat ramp for easy lake access, showers for comfort and a group picnic shelter for convenient entertaining. All sites have electric and water hookups and four sites meet accessibility standards. Laundry facilities are also onsite. Two docks are also available for fishing only, one is located inside the campground and the other is beside the boat ramp.
Natural Features
Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500 acre reservoir just northeast of the Nashville metropolitan area. Fed by the Cumberland River, it stretches for 97 miles, offering an ideal home for several birds and animals in its woodland habitat.
Nearby Attractions
Downtown Nashville, known as "the music city," is just over a thirty minute drive from the campground. Visitors looking for more pier fishing opportunities can explore nearby piers at Rockland, Sanders Ferry, Shutes Branch and Bledsoe Creek State Park. History buffs will appreciate a day trip to the Hermitage, an impressive National Historic Landmark where the seventh U.S. President, Andrew Jackson lived.
Charges & Cancellations
* Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates. * Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival date will also be charged the first nights use fee. * No-Shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee. * If your reservation is for 1 night, and you have been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10.00 serivce fee.
Fee Info
No refunds for recreation use fees may be made at the project.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Telephone lines are currently down at Cages Bend Campground. For assistance during this time, please visit the Cages Bend Gatehouse, or call the Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager's Office at (615) 822-4846 (M-F 7:30am-4:00pm)
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCages Bend is located in Tennessee near Hendersonville
Directions
From Nashville, TN, travel North on I-65 and take TN-386/Vietnam Veterans Blvd. Continue to exit 12, Big Station Camp Blvd. Turn right onto Big Station Camp Bldvd. Continue staight across Nashville Pike onto Cages Bend Road. Take Cages Bend Road to Benders Ferry Road. The recreation area will be ahead on the left.
Address
1125 BENDERS FERRY ROAD
Gallatin, TN 37066
Coordinates
36.304623 N
86.51677 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/31/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/31/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/31/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/31/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 22 min from Nashville, TN
- 55 min from Bowling Green, KY
- 58 min from Clarksville, TN
- 1 hr 52 min from Elizabethtown, KY



















