Best Campgrounds in Tennessee
Curated guides to help you find the perfect camping destination in Tennessee. From RV resorts to backcountry wilderness.
Featured Campgrounds
Handpicked destinations that define the region
Cheatham Lock and Dam
The Cumberland River flows right past your campsite, offering prime fishing from the banks and easy access to the boat launch for water adventures. Hot showers await after days spent hiking scenic trails, playing volleyball, or watching kids explore the playground between riverside picnics.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This primitive basecamp sits in a pristine mountain valley where black bears roam and morning mist blankets historic homesteads along an 11-mile scenic loop. Groups gather around fire rings beneath towering peaks, then bike quiet roads at dawn or hike trails threading through centuries-old forests.
Center Hill Lake
Sparkling Center Hill Lake stretches before 40 full-hookup sites and 16 primitive tent spots, where spotless showers and attentive hosts create a welcoming basecamp for water adventures.
More Top Campgrounds in Tennessee
Discover 5 additional top-rated campgrounds in Tennessee
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Spacious campsites with spotless bathhouses and bear-proof lockers anchor your wilderness adventures in the heart of Big South Fork's rugged river gorges and sandstone bluffs.
Cordell Hull Lake
Cordell Hull Lake's expansive shoreline transforms this 155-site campground into a water sports paradise, where your boat slips directly from the full-service marina into crystal-clear waters teeming with bass and crappie.
Cherokee National Forest
Cherokee National Forest surrounds you with towering hardwoods and mountain ridges, while picnic tables and warm showers at your site let you embrace the wilderness without sacrificing comfort.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Surrounded by misty peaks in the Smokies' most treasured valley, this campground delivers an authentic backcountry experience while keeping flush toilets, drinking water, and a seasonal camp store stocked with firewood.
Cordell Hull Lake
Spacious, immaculate campsites sprawl along Cordell Hull Lake's shoreline, where families enjoy full hookups, hot showers, and a convenient boat ramp for easy lake access.
Camping Style
Find campgrounds in Tennessee that match how you love to camp
By Activity
Campgrounds in Tennessee with the best access to your favorite outdoor activities
Campground Locations
Showing top 8 campgrounds near Tennessee
About Camping in Tennessee
Camping in Tennessee offers an extraordinary blend of diverse landscapes, from the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the sparkling waters of the Cumberland Plateau's pristine lakes. The Volunteer State's campgrounds provide access to some of the Southeast's most spectacular natural scenery, including ancient mountain ranges, winding river gorges, and tranquil valley meadows where wildlife roams freely.
Best Time
Spring and fall represent Tennessee's prime camping seasons, with April through May and September through October offering comfortable temperatures, vibrant scenery, and manageable crowds. Spring brings wildflower explosions in the Smokies, with dogwoods and redbuds painting the forests white and pink, while fall delivers spectacular foliage from late September through early November as hardwoods transform into brilliant reds, oranges, and golds.
Why Camp Here
- Curated selection of top-rated campgrounds
- Verified reviews and sentiment analysis
- Diverse options for every camping style
- Local insights and seasonal recommendations
Plan Your Trips
Popular Activities
Tips & Recommendations
- 1Reserve campsites early for popular destinations, especially Great Smoky Mountains locations where sites fill up six months in advance for peak seasons.
- 2Download offline maps before arrival since cell service is unreliable in mountain areas and remote sections of the Cumberland Plateau.
- 3Pack layers regardless of season, as Tennessee weather can shift dramatically, particularly in mountainous regions where temperatures drop significantly at night even during summer.
- 4Bring rain gear and tarps since afternoon thunderstorms are common from spring through fall, and ensure your tent has a quality rainfly.
Tennessee Camping FAQ
Never Miss a Campsite in Tennessee
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