If boring and peaceful is what you want, this is the place.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences. This spot was among my favorites.

Camping- The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water.

The water area here is slightly different than some of the other areas I visited on the lake. Looks like it'd be great for just jumping in and lots of shallows for kids.

Grounds- The grounds here were very well kept.

I rated this one five stars based on kid activities. However, if you don't have kids, it might not be the one for you.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences. This spot was among my favorites.

Camping- The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water.

Grounds- The grounds here were very well kept. This campground has a nice playground and an official roped off swimming area, despite the really ominous 'people have died here' sign.

A great campground for families near Nashville and on the lake.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences. This spot was among my favorites.

Camping- The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water.

Grounds- The grounds here were very well kept.

My fave thing here was the trails. There are some really great wooded trails you can take. I saw so many deer and turkeys I finally quit taking pics of them. There's also a really nice paved trail around the lake for the kids or handicapped folks. I saw some great wildlife here too. Be sure to check out my video of the monster snapping turtle that probably wanted to eat me.

There are also some really neat cliff areas on the lake. If you're brave enough and don't mind bending the rules, it's a pretty cool climb down.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences.

Camping- The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more.

Grounds- The grounds here were ok.

If the other better spots are booked, this one is ok. If not, go to a better campground on the lake.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences.

If all you want is a spot to drop your boat in the water and be around a bunch of other people, this is your place. Otherwise, there are much nicer places on this lake to visit and stay at.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences. This spot was my absolute favorite!

Camping- The camping is really nice. If you're traveling with a family and need lots of variety for them close to the campsite, this is the spot to pick.

Think how awesome it'd be to fish for supper right from the tent almost.

Grounds- The grounds here were very well kept.

When I camp, I want either water or trails. This one had magnificent trails. Not too long, so good for the family. If you want longer, you can just do loops. The best thing about these trails were the open depressions and crevices in the ground. It's like a natural playground for adults and kids alike. I loved it!

Check out the photo of the map for even more activities. This would actually make a nice spot for reunions.

I made a tour of campgrounds and lake recreation spots near Nashville TN during an extended trip where I had to be there to keynote some conferences. This spot was among my favorites.

Camping- The camping is normal. Nothing special, but perfectly adequate. All you need and nothing more. The spots are beautiful though. Right on the water.

Think how awesome it'd be to fish for supper right from the tent almost.

Grounds- The grounds here were very well kept. There's a great short fitness trail that's well marked and great for a small getaway.

There are also some great spots to get on the lake that are more private than the area around the campground and boat ramp.

A really great place to visit if you want a taste of Florida away from all the Disney-esque tourist spots.

This park is like stepping back in time. Enjoy it and relax!

If you've ever wanted to camp by the beach, listen to the surf at night, and play in the water during the day, then this is the place for you.

You don't have to be a diver to experience the underwater beauty. Snorkeling will get you there just fine as well.

I've been here several times- alone, with tour groups, on my honeymoon- and will certainly go back.

If you go, be sure to rent a canoe and paddle up to the headsprings. On the way back down to the docks, just float beside the canoe instead of sitting in it.

It'll be one of the best days of your life!

I spent an entire summer here doing dive medicine research and enjoyed all aspects of the area. The camping is awesome although really hot in the summer (think tropical!). There are plenty of amenities, eateries, stores, and nightlife nearby. Plenty of outdoorsy adventure as well.

You can explore the ocean, gulf, and mangroves within only a mile of each other.

You don't have to be a diver to experience the water excitement either. Many of the sites can be seen and enjoyed via snorkeling as well.

I highly recommend Key Largo as a necessary stop for your bucket list and also a kicking off point for further adventures deeper into the Keys.

I've been here several times, and it's one of my favorite places for toprope climbing in the area. If you're not a climber, the views are still worth the drive. While here, be sure to visit nearby Mt. Airy for some old school Andy Griffith sightseeing.

I've been camping out at this resort since I was a wee kid in short pants tooling around on my bike.

Like most camping resorts in this area, it has pretty much anything you'd want. You can still go out and enjoy the Myrtle Beach area sights and sounds, but, if you don't want to, you'd never have to leave the park.

I've been visiting this park for years. I used to live a few miles away and would hit the trails often, but I also have family in the area, so I visit often when I'm there near them.

In the winter, you can enjoy the trails and the winter beauty and expanded views with no leaves on the trees.

In the summer, though, the fun really begins. Me and the kids will usually head out for a hike to get all sweaty. Then we jump in the creek and waterfalls on the way back down. To cap it off, we jump in the lake for a final swim and lots of jumping off the diving platform into the deeper water.

You can't go wrong with a visit to this park.

As to camping, you can go with tents, car, or RV's. They have quite a few cabins available as well.

I grew up near here, and Huntington Beach was our go to spot for primitive camping and a place to escape the tourists.

You can do full hook up or primitive camping here. I've done both with church groups, the family, and solo.

This is a pretty awesome place with no shortage of things to do…

• a castle to explore
• the beach
• a walk to the fishing jettys
• go flounder gigging
• fishing
• crabbing
• alligator watching
• biking
• and more

And, I saved the best for last…if you go out walking late at night, you can catch the big gators warming themselves on the road by moonlight. Just don't get too close. They're pretty fast.

Campground Review

Me and my 10yo hit up this park for a stay while road tripping through the northeast for my speaking tour. We spent quite a bit of time in CT State Parks on this trip, and this was one of the best. Like most states, CT has quite a few really nice ones and others that seem to have been forgotten by the park system.

Kettletown has everything you could want in a state park visit…

Swimming area

Fishing area

Hiking

Woods

Camping, both primitive and hook up

We enjoyed playing there, especially chasing the Canadian Geese by the lake. We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer. I promise your stay will be more fun that way.

Product Review

CRKT Chance in Hell 18" Machete- https://www.crkt.com/shop/survival-knives/chanceinhell-machete-18.html

Be sure to watch the video for us using the machete- https://youtu.be/5kEg93Aqi5w

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. Today, while we were at the park, we tested and reviewed the Chance in Hell 18" Machete from CRKT. My son and I both played with, I mean, USED the machete in a serious adult fashion while there.

We both approve and absolutely love this machete. As a former Marine and longtime outdoorsman, I've used a wide variety of really crappy machetes over the years ranging from off-the-shelf ones to military issue. I found that most would not hold an edge, were flimsy, and often broke with a modicum of use. Not so with this one.

I anticipate this beast of a machete, a Ken Onion design by the way, to last me a good long while. As a matter of fact, I think more of these will make excellent gifts for my boys in the future.

It's solidly built and chops wood as well as a hatchet. Even with one swipe, my son was able to make quick cuts to kindling wood and branches. We also tried it on soft ferns to see if it would cut or just bend them over. Quick swipes and the soft ferns were gone.

Aside from being a great camping and adventuring tool, if the zombie apocalypse ever occurs (fingers crossed!), this machete will make an excellent zombie-killin' tool.

The size is perfect for carrying but long enough to do some damage.

Me and my 10yo visisted Locust Lake on our road trip for my Northeast speaking tour. We both loved it!

We're both really big water rats and couldn't wait to get the kayaks into the water. While we were there, the entire place was covered in fig, which made it seem even cooler for us.

If you're looking for a spot to stop for minute to stretch your legs by the water, spend a day playing on the water, or even stay for a while to relax, you'll find it all here.

If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be. Even if your adventuring has nothing to do with the AT, and you want some great north Georgia camping, it's still a great spot.

There are quite a few campgrounds in the area to choose from and this is among the best. I've camped here, swam here, explored the beach here, worked here, gotten to know many of the staff, and even hosted a triathlon here. You just can't beat Pirateland in summer or winter. If you don't want to camp in a tent, they have quite a few trailers and cabins for rent that are pretty nice. If you don't have a bike, you can even rent a golf cart and roll your way around. If you bring a kayak, there are some great salt marsh areas to check out as well.

You can't beat this area for great non-glamorous camping. It gives you just what you need- a spot to set up a tent and so many nearby adventures that you really don't need to be there except to sleep and refuel. In addition to Foster Falls, which can get somewhat crowded in the summer, there are some really great smaller falls and swimming holes nearby. Stop in at the S Cumberland State Park to pick up a map and information.