Jefferson Springs

3 reviews

Jefferson Springs

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Jefferson Springs Recreation Area site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Jefferson Springs Recreation Area site

Get Directions

Jefferson Springs

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

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 3 reviews

Most mentioned

clean

"Reviewers consistently gave Jefferson Springs 5-star ratings, describing it as well-kept, clean, affordable and “fun.” Overall feedback is very positive but brief, with little detailed information beyond general praise."

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Best Time to Camp at Jefferson Springs

Jefferson Springs enjoys Tennessee's temperate embrace, offering an extended season of outdoor possibilities that stretches generously across the calendar. The mild climate creates ideal conditions for casting a line into the lake's waters, paddling quiet coves, exploring forest trails on foot or horseback, and observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Whether you're launching a boat on a warm summer morning, hiking through fall colors, or enjoying a crisp spring picnic, the area's welcoming weather supports year-round recreation and hunting opportunities.

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 Jefferson Springs

Nestled in the rolling hills just 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, Jefferson Springs Recreation Area beckons visitors to discover a lakeside sanctuary where Tennessee's natural beauty meets endless adventure. This versatile destination on J. Percy Priest Lake seamlessly blends water sports, woodland trails, and open grasslands with facilities that welcome everyone from solo paddlers to family reunions of 100 guests in the spacious group shelter.

The facility is described as a recreation area on J. Percy Priest Lake with a day-use group shelter; specific campsite types (tent, RV, primitive, cabins, glamping) are not specified in the source material.

Historical SignificanceWhen the J. Percy Priest Dam rose to completion in 1968, it marked a pioneering moment in Corps of Engineers history as one of the first projects to embrace recreation as a core mission alongside flood control and water management. Today, that forward-thinking vision continues to welcome thousands who enjoy the lake's offerings. Just beyond the shoreline, the Cedar Glades Natural Area preserves a living treasure: the Tennessee coneflower, a native botanical gem that thrives in this unique ecosystem alongside other species found nowhere else on Earth.

Weather and SeasonsJefferson Springs enjoys Tennessee's temperate embrace, offering an extended season of outdoor possibilities that stretches generously across the calendar. The mild climate creates ideal conditions for casting a line into the lake's waters, paddling quiet coves, exploring forest trails on foot or horseback, and observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Whether you're launching a boat on a warm summer morning, hiking through fall colors, or enjoying a crisp spring picnic, the area's welcoming weather supports year-round recreation and hunting opportunities.

Natural Features and SceneryThe 42-mile expanse of J. Percy Priest Lake unfolds across 14,200 surface acres of shimmering water, creating a liquid centerpiece surrounded by an impressive 19,087 acres of diverse grasslands and woodlands. At Jefferson Springs, the lake's edge meets these wild spaces in perfect harmony, offering visitors a front-row seat to Tennessee's ecological richness. The adjacent Cedar Glades Natural Area stands as a botanical sanctuary where the rare Tennessee coneflower blooms among limestone outcrops, while the surrounding forests and meadows pulse with wildlife moving through their daily rhythms—deer grazing at dawn, songbirds flitting through the canopy, and waterfowl gliding across the lake's surface.

Geological RegionSet within the characteristic rolling hills of middle Tennessee's Highland Rim, the recreation area sits adjacent to the ecologically significant Cedar Glades Natural Area, where ancient limestone formations create unique habitat conditions

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

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Groups

Alarge group shelter is available for day use and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

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.

Activities you can enjoy

J. Percy Priest Lake and the surrounding woodlands and grasslands offer a variety of outdoor recreation, with a temperate climate and a relatively long recreation season. Activities explicitly mentioned include fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Hiking is available in the surrounding woods and grasslands adjacent to the lake and recreation area.

Fishing

Fishing on J. Percy Priest Lake includes largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass and white bass; other species mentioned include catfish, bluegill, bream and trout.

Boating

The lake provides boating and canoeing opportunities on J. Percy Priest Lake.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing is highlighted by the adjacent Cedar Glades Natural Area, home to numerous wildlife and plant species including the Tennessee coneflower.

Water Sports

Boating, canoeing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Jefferson Springs

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 62%

Wind: 9.1 mph

Overcast

Weather History

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLakeside on J. Percy Priest Lake (impounded by J. Percy Priest Dam; 14,200 surface acres).

Campground Map

Jefferson Springs

Driving directionsFrom downtown Nashville, TN, take I-24 east to Sam Ridley Parkway. Turn left onto Jefferson Pike and the Recreation Area will be on the left.

Accessible from I-24 east via Sam Ridley Parkway and Jefferson Pike (directions from downtown Nashville provided).

Nearby places

Nashville — about 10 miles

Nearby supplies

Downtown Nashville (~10 miles)

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Jefferson Springs has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently gave Jefferson Springs 5-star ratings, describing it as well-kept, clean, affordable and “fun.” Overall feedback is very positive but brief, with little detailed information beyond general praise.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the campground's cleanliness and upkeep and note that it is very affordable. One reviewer specifically called it “fun,” and the group site (JS loop) received positive mention.

Based on 3 reviews