8 Amazing Campgrounds near Nashville, TN (+ Map)

Are you looking for an escape from the city and enjoy the best campgrounds near Nashville TN? We have you covered!

Below are some of our hand-picked favorite places to go camping near Nashville.

We have included merely state parks for this guide now but will continue to add to it as we have the chance to explore some independent campgrounds over time!

If you have a place you go camping in Nashville, or nearby, please leave a comment and let us know! Thanks!

Camping near Nashville – Map

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Best Campgrounds near Nashville TN

1. South Cumberland State Park

Distance from Nashville: 1.5 hours (91 miles)
Location: 7608, 11745 US-41, Monteagle, TN 37356
Reservations needed? Yes

Located about 1.5 hours from Nashville, you will have the opportunity (and accessibility) to camp at one of the most famous state parks in Tennessee, South Cumberland State Park.

South Cumberland is located in a wooded location and is the perfect place for campers as it has over 30,000 acres surrounded by forest and plenty of wildlife.

The visitors center is open daily from 8 am until 4 pm and the staff is knowledgeable and can help show you where the campsites are located as well as maps of the park and more useful information.

Aside from hiking, you will have the option to take to the 90 miles of hiking trails in South Cumberland State Park, picnicking, swimming at a small lake, and more.  This is definitely one of the most popular places to go camping near Nashville. 

This is Tennessee’s second-largest state park and you will find 12 waterfalls inside as well as several mind-blowing overlooks. 

One of the nation’s most popular trails, the Fiery Gizzard Trail, is also located in South Cumberland. It is one of the best weekend trips from Nashville!

At South Cumberland, you will find a campground at Foster Falls that has 26 campsites that are perfect for small trailers or tents. This is the only site in the park where guests can park a car and camp next to it.

There are no water or electric hookups but you will find heated showers and bathrooms available to guests.  No gas generators are available.

You will also find backcountry camping and primitive camping available at South Cumberland. The 90 miles of trails contain 93 campsites in total.

Check South Cumberland State Park’s website to learn more and reserve yourself a site.

2. Henry Horton State Park

Distance from Nashville: 1 hour (51 miles)
Location: 4209 Nashville HWY. Chapel Hill, TN 37034
Reservations needed? Yes

Located merely one hour away from Nashville is Henry Horton State Park, a diverse ecosystem where you can camp to take advantage of the trails, nature, and golf course.

The park offers spots for any type of camper and you’ll find 10 tent campgrounds and primitive and backcountry campsites.  There are eight cabins to escape to and you’ll find 56 spots for RVs there. 

Inside of Henry Horton State Park, there is the beautiful Duck River where you can fish and spot wildlife year-round.  There is also an 18-hole golf course.

Some of the amenities you will have here are wifi, a renovated camp store, and firewood for purchase.  There is also a bathroom/shower facility. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash. 

Check out Henry Horton State Park’s website for additional information.

3. Edgar Evins State Park

Distance from Nashville: 1 hour (63.5 miles)
Location: 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Rd, Silver Point, TN 38582, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

If you drive only one hour away from Nashville, you will have the opportunity to go camping at one of the most beautiful reservoirs in Tennessee. It is one of the best things to do near Nashville!

Edgar Evins State Park offers around 60 campsites and trailer sites that have access to drinking water and electricity.  In addition, each of them has a wooden platform and all the basic amenities you need for a comfortable stay.

The state park also boasts hiking and kayaking activities; it is also a birdwatcher’s paradise – with several wintering bald eagles, different owl species, and hawks. 

In the park, you can also find primitive setups for camping, and even Wrangler Sites for campers with horses. 

Check out Edgar Evins State Park’s website for additional information.

4. Bledsoe Creek State Park

Distance from Nashville: 41 minutes (36.8 miles)
Location: 400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

For novice campers and those who also want to bring the kids with them, Bledsoe Creek State Park is one of the best places to go camping near Nashville!

The Tennessee state park is located very near to Nashville only 45 minutes away and it offers 57 campsites, including tents and 58 RV campsites, all of which have access to water and electricity. 

A bit further from the campsites, you can also find two bathhouses with toilets and hot shower stalls. For lakeside camping lovers, the park offers 8 primitive tent-only sites right on the shoreline where you can hang a hammock and entertain each other next to the fire.

Bledsoe Creek State Park is also a perfect place to go hiking and wildlife watching.  It also has plenty of playgrounds and areas for children to keep occupied.

Check out Bledsoe Creek State Park’s website for additional information.

5. Cedars of Lebanon State Park

Distance from Nashville: 35 minutes (32.5 miles)
Location: 328 Cedar Forest Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

Beautiful Cedars of Lebanon State Park offers campers and 87 drive-up RV campsites (and tent sites, too) which have a spacious area and are comfortably located in a shaded area. It also has wifi readily available for guests to use.

The state park is located approximately 40 minutes away from Nashville where you can relax and enjoy natural spots like unique rock gardens and wonderful cedar glades.

Near the campsites, you can find tables for picnicking, grill extensions, and also access to the heated shower rooms and restrooms (located in the central bathhouse).  

For those that love hiking, the state park area offers many hiking trails where you will find butterfly gardens, caves, and creeks. 

Check out the Cedars of Lebanon State Park website for additional information.

6. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park

Distance from Nashville: 1 hour (63.9 miles)
Location: 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester, TN 37355, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

The fascinating Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park has a more than 2000 years old stone fort and building that was once a ceremonial place for Native Americans. It is located only one hour away from Nashville. 

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers its visitors 51 RV and tent campsites and all of them have access to water and electricity, a picnic table, a grill, and paved platforms. There are also two restroom facilities, and one of them has hot shower stalls.

Don’t forget to bring your tent if you have one… as well as warm clothing, mosquito cream, sunscreen, a water jug, battery, and hiking shoes if you plan to take to the trails.

Check out Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park’s website for additional information.

7. Fall Creek Falls State Park

Distance from Nashville: 2 hours (129 miles)
Location: 2009 Village Camp Rd, Spencer, TN 38585, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

At Fall Creek Falls State Park, it is possible to see one of the highest and most mesmerizing waterfalls in this part of the United States.

It is one of the most beautiful parks for camping near Nashville and the facility offers an impressive 222 campsites that are located in five different parts of Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Ninety-two of the campsites are connected to the sewer and have access to electrical hookups and water. There are sites for RVs that are 65 feet in length and you can also purchase ice and firewood. The campground is also ADA accessible.

If you want to enjoy wild camping in a tent, then the park offers 16 primitive campsites without access to electricity and water.

Check out Fall Creek Falls State Park’s website for additional information.

8. Montgomery Bell State Park

Distance from Nashville: 40 minutes (35 mi)
Address: 1020 Jackson Hill Rd, Burns, TN 37029, United States
Reservations needed? Yes

Less than an hour away from Nashville, this campground has something for everyone to enjoy. There are various activities and types of lodging available.

At Montgomery Bell State Park, you can find campsites with water, electricity, and sewage to accommodate campers as well as tent-only sites.

In addition to campsites, there are cabins and lodge rooms available for rent. Animals on leashes are welcome at the park and campgrounds.

Montgomery Bell State Park offers a wide variety of activities including an on-site golf course! It’s a great place to escape the city and some time outdoors golfing, boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, or birdwatching.

Also, check out the ranger-led events going on at the park, like canoe floats, full moon lantern tours, archery classes, and star gazing!

Check out Montgomery Bell State Park’s website for additional information.

We hope that you found one of these campgrounds near Nashville, TN for your upcoming trip! Let us know your favorite place to go camping near Nashville in the comments!

More Tennessee Travel Resources

• Tennessee bucket list destinations
• 2 days in Nashville
• Things to do in Nashville
• Nashville in winter
• Weekend getaways from Nashville

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Megan Starr

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has lived all around the world (including Germany, Finland, Norway, etc) but her heart always finds its way back to Virginia. This blog is to help encourage travelers to explore the great state of VA… and its wonderful neighbors! Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, the New York Times, and more. She has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries… and wholeheartedly believes that Brunswick Stew is probably the greatest food to ever exist.