Fishing from a lakeside site at J. Percy Priest Lake draws many campers to Poole Knobs, an Army Corps of Engineers campground on the eastern edge of the reservoir outside La Vergne. The campground has a dedicated boat ramp for registered campers, and several sites sit close enough to the water that anglers can fish from the bank without going far. Sites along the outer loop have electric and water hookups, while a primitive area occupies the center strip with shared water spigots near each restroom block.
The layout divides into two distinct zones, and the difference matters depending on your setup. Hookup sites on the outer loop run parallel to the lakeshore, many as pull-throughs, which makes positioning an RV easier. Reviewers note that sites higher up the hillside, though farther from the water, often have open sightlines across the lake. Bob R. describes the campground as "very quiet, heavily treed," with a camp host staff that has drawn consistent praise across multiple seasons. Site 48 comes up by name as a favorite for its water access and tree cover along the road edge.
One practical issue comes up repeatedly: the restrooms and showers are clustered on the upper level near the primitive area, meaning campers on the outer hookup loop face either a long uphill walk or a drive to reach them. The bathrooms themselves are consistently described as clean, but the distance is a real inconvenience if your site is at the far end of the lower loop. Leveling can also be a factor on some sites, particularly for tent campers, so bring leveling blocks if you're in an RV.
Poole Knobs runs from May 1 through October 31, with reservations available. The access road passes through a residential neighborhood before reaching the campground entrance, where a dump station sits near the gate. RVs up to 40 feet are accommodated. Firewood is available on-site, and pets are permitted. The town of Smyrna is a short drive away for resupply. Campers wanting a different configuration on the same lake can look at Four Corners Resort and Marina to the west.
Description
Overview
Poole Knobs Campground is a lakeside oasis in the green hills of Tennessee, providing campers with countless recreational activities on the lake and in the surrounding woods and grasslands.
Recreation
The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from, including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass, and white bass. Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream and trout provide excellent opportunities for younger anglers.
Facilities
Poole Knobs Campground offers 87 shady and spacious campsites, along with one larger group camping site. The campground features drinking water, a dump station, flush toilets and hot showers, creating a comfortable camping experience. A boat ramp is provided, allowing guests to take advantage of the vast, sparkling lake. The group campsite can accommodate up to 40 campers, making it an ideal spot for family parties.
Natural Features
J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers lakes to have recreation as part of its mission. The dam, completed in 1968, impounds 42 miles, with 14,200 surface acres of water. In soothing contrast to the sparkling waters of the lake are the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands. A highlight of the region, the Cedar Glades Natural Area, is home to countless wildlife and plant species, including the Tennessee coneflower.
Nearby Attractions
J. Percy Priest Lake is conveniently located about ten miles east of downtown Nashville, offering visitors countless cultural activities in addition to the conveniences of a metro area.
Charges & Cancellations
There is a $10.00 transaction fee for all cancelled reservations.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPoole Knobs is located in Tennessee near La Vergne
Directions
From downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east to I-24 east. After 15 miles take exit 66B and turn right onto Sam Ridley Parkway. Turn right onto Highway 41 north, and after about 1.5 miles turn right onto Fergus Road. Make another right onto Jones Mill Road and follow the signs to the campground after 4 miles.
Address
493 JONES MILL ROAD
Lavergne, TN 37086
Coordinates
36.0508333 N
86.5102778 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/22/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 7/25/26- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 user
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/22/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 user
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 30 min from Nashville, TN
- 1 hr 11 min from Clarksville, TN
- 1 hr 18 min from Bowling Green, KY
- 1 hr 52 min from Huntsville, AL
