Tailwater Rec Area

Star0
1 review
Tailwater Rec Area

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions
Tailwater Rec Area
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 1 reviews

Read all reviews


Best Time to Camp at Tailwater Rec Area

The recreation area welcomes visitors year-round, with summer bringing the most popular conditions for water activities as temperatures climb from pleasant 60s in the morning to warm 90s by afternoon—ideal for cooling off with a swim in the Cumberland River. The changing seasons paint the surrounding hardwood forests in brilliant colors, while spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking the interpretive trail and wildlife watching.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Tailwater Rec Area

    Nestled just below the impressive Cordell Hull Dam, Tailwater Recreation Area serves as your gateway to adventure on the Cumberland River near Carthage, Tennessee. This vibrant day-use destination combines excellent fishing and boating access with family-friendly amenities including a spacious group shelter, modern facilities, and an interpretive trail that winds through the scenic landscape. Whether you're launching your boat at sunrise, casting a line in the tailwaters, or enjoying a picnic while the kids explore the playground, this recreation area offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and convenient amenities.
    Described as a day-use recreation area located below Cordell Hull Lake and Dam with a single large group shelter. The information does not specify overnight camping options or campsite types.
    Historical SignificanceThe lake that defines this recreation area bears the name of one of Tennessee's most distinguished sons, Cordell Hull, who rose from humble beginnings in these very Cumberland Mountain foothills to become U.S. Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The legacy of the region's rich heritage lives on through community traditions like the annual Heritage Day celebration each May in nearby Granville, where visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic culture and history of this timeless corner of Middle Tennessee.
    Weather and SeasonsThe recreation area welcomes visitors year-round, with summer bringing the most popular conditions for water activities as temperatures climb from pleasant 60s in the morning to warm 90s by afternoon—ideal for cooling off with a swim in the Cumberland River. The changing seasons paint the surrounding hardwood forests in brilliant colors, while spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking the interpretive trail and wildlife watching.
    ElevationThe recreation area rests in the gentle embrace of the Cumberland Mountain foothills, where rolling hills cascade down to meet the waters of the Cumberland River, creating a landscape that's both dramatic and welcoming.
    Natural Features and SceneryThe Cumberland River flows powerfully past the recreation area, its waters transformed upstream into the sprawling 12,000-acre Cordell Hull Lake—a magnificent reservoir stretching 72 miles with an impressive 381 miles of intricate shoreline waiting to be explored. Ancient hardwood forests of maple, hickory, oak, beech, and chestnut blanket the rolling hills, creating a verdant canopy that shelters an abundance of wildlife. White-tailed deer emerge at dawn and dusk, wild turkeys strut through clearings, and the woods echo with the chatter of squirrels while waterfowl glide across quiet coves. This is nature at its most generous, offering both serene beauty and thrilling outdoor opportunities at every turn.
    Geological RegionSituated within the Cumberland River System where the ancient Cumberland Mountains begin their gentle descent into Middle Tennessee's rolling landscape, the recreation area occupies a transitional zone where mountain meets plateau, creating the distinctive topography of scenic hills and fertile valleys that surround the expansive Cordell Hull Lake.
    Advertisement

    Campsite details

    Total Campsites0 campsites
    Recommended CampsitesThis is a day-use area best suited for group gatherings, boating and fishing; amenities include one large group shelter, a boat ramp, an interpretive trail, a playground, flush toilets and drinking water.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Groups
    The site offers one large group shelter for day-use gatherings.
    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Site layoutDay-use layout featuring one large group shelter, a boat ramp, an interpretive trail, a playground, flush toilets and drinking water.

    Accomodation available

    GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Flush toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    The area supports a variety of day-use outdoor activities on and along the Cumberland River and Cordell Hull Lake, including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The lake offers extensive shoreline and open-water recreation.
    Hiking
    An interpretive trail is present at the site; the facility description also lists hiking among recreational activities.
    Fishing
    Anglers fish for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad, and crappie on the Cumberland River and Cordell Hull Lake.
    Swimming
    Swimming is listed as one of the recreational activities enjoyed at the lake.
    Boating
    Boating is popular below the dam and on Cordell Hull Lake; a boat ramp is provided. Activities mentioned include boating and sailing.
    Wildlife viewing
    Wildlife is abundant with commonly seen whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail, squirrels, rabbits, and various waterfowl.
    Water Sports
    Water skiing and jet skiing are mentioned as popular activities on the lake.
    Advertisement

    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards


    Weather at Tailwater Rec Area

    36
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 71%
    Wind: 9.9 mph
    Overcast

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
    Powered by AI weather analysis
    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresLocated directly along the Cumberland River below Cordell Hull Dam with access to Cordell Hull Lake via boat ramp.

    Campground Map

    Tailwater Rec Area
    Driving directionsFrom I-40, take Exit 258, travel north on HWY 53/25, turn right on SR-26 and travel for 2 miles. Turn right on Corps Lane and follow signs into recreation area.
    Accessible from I-40 via Exit 258; follow HWY 53/25 north, then SR-26, then Corps Lane as directed.
    Nearby places
    Granville, TN — approximately a 45-minute drive

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    0.0
    1 reviews
    Limited Reviews
    Limited Reviews
    Tailwater Rec Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
    Review Summaries

    No review summaries available for this campground yet.

    Check back later as we continuously analyze new reviews.


    Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

    0
    0 review
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5

    Magnifying Glass
    No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

    Last updated December 10, 2025
    Advertisement

    Nearby Campgrounds

    Campgrounds you may also like

    Popular campgrounds in Tennessee

    Campgrounds
    Cordell Hull Lake
    Tailwater Rec Area