Smith Springs

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From downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east 5 miles to exit 219. Turn right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, then left on Smith Springs Road. The recreation area is on the left after about 2 miles.

Quick Facts

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Season

Temperate climate wi...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Smith 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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Best Time to Camp at Smith Springs

Middle Tennessee's temperate climate blesses Smith Springs with an extended recreation season that stretches comfortably across multiple seasons. The moderate weather creates ideal conditions for year-round exploration, whether you're casting a line on crisp spring mornings, seeking shade beneath summer canopies, hiking through fall's golden display, or enjoying milder winter days on the trails.

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
  • Operating Season: Temperate climate with a relatively long recreation season (no specific open/close dates provided).

About Smith Springs

Nestled along the scenic shores of J. Percy Priest Lake, Smith Springs Recreation Area beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its diverse blend of water and land adventures. Whether you're launching a boat, exploring trails on foot or horseback, or settling in at the spacious group shelter for a lakeside picnic, this gem offers a gateway to 14,200 acres of shimmering water bordered by pristine woodlands and the ecologically rare Cedar Glades Natural Area.
Smith Springs Recreation Area is presented as a lakeside day-use recreation area with facilities for group day events.
Historical SignificanceThe story of J. Percy Priest Lake began in 1968 when the Corps of Engineers completed the dam, marking a progressive era in reservoir design. Unlike many flood control projects of its time, this lake was purposefully conceived with recreation as a core mission, representing a forward-thinking approach that recognized the value of public outdoor spaces and has since welcomed generations of visitors to its shores.
Weather and SeasonsMiddle Tennessee's temperate climate blesses Smith Springs with an extended recreation season that stretches comfortably across multiple seasons. The moderate weather creates ideal conditions for year-round exploration, whether you're casting a line on crisp spring mornings, seeking shade beneath summer canopies, hiking through fall's golden display, or enjoying milder winter days on the trails.
Natural Features and SceneryJ. Percy Priest Lake stretches an impressive 42 miles through the landscape, its 14,200 surface acres forming a liquid ribbon through nearly 20,000 acres of diverse terrain. The real treasure lies in the contrasts: sun-dappled waters give way to rolling grasslands and dense woodlands, while the adjacent Cedar Glades Natural Area preserves a fragile limestone ecosystem. Here, the rare Tennessee coneflower blooms alongside dozens of specialized species that have adapted to these ancient glades, creating a living museum of biodiversity just steps from your picnic blanket.
Geological RegionSet within the gentle Hills of Middle Tennessee, Smith Springs occupies a unique geological crossroads where limestone bedrock shapes both landscape and life. The proximity to Cedar Glades Natural Area reveals the ancient bones of the region—exposed limestone formations that create harsh, desert-like conditions supporting plant communities found nowhere else on earth, a stark and beautiful contrast to the lush lake environment.
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Campsite details

Sites SizeLarge group shelter (day use); limited parking for 12 vehicles
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesLarge day-use group shelter accommodates up to 50 guests; parking is limited and suitable for only 12 vehicles.

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site
Group shelter: up to 50 guests
Groups
  • Large group shelter provided for day use, accommodates up to 50 guests
  • parking suitable for 12 vehicles.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Open and Closed SeasonTemperate climate with a relatively long recreation season (no specific open/close dates provided).
Cancellation PolicyLarge group shelter for day use; can accommodate up to 50 guests. Limited parking suitable for 12 vehicles.

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

The lakeside setting and surrounding woodlands and grasslands support a wide range of outdoor recreation including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. A paved fitness trail (Anderson Road Fitness Trail) of a little over a mile winds through the nearby cedar glade area.
Hiking
Hiking opportunities in the surrounding woods and grasslands; Anderson Road Fitness Trail is a paved trail a little over a mile through the cedar glade beside the lake.
Fishing
Fishing on J. Percy Priest Lake with species listed as largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, striped bass, Cherokee bass, white bass, catfish, bluegill, bream and trout.
Boating
Boating and canoeing on J. Percy Priest Lake are offered as primary recreational activities.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing in the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands and within the Cedar Glades Natural Area, which supports numerous wildlife and plant species including the Tennessee coneflower.
Water Sports
Boating and canoeing on J. Percy Priest Lake.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather at Smith Springs

36
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 9 mph
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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLakeside on J. Percy Priest Lake.

Campground Map

From downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east 5 miles to exit 219. Turn right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, then left on Smith Springs Road. The recreation area is on the left after about 2 miles.
Driving directionsFrom downtown Nashville, take I-40 east 5 miles to exit 219. Turn right on Stewarts Ferry Pike, then left on Smith Springs Road. The recreation area is on the left after about 2 miles.
Accessible via I-40 east from downtown Nashville to exit 219, then Stewarts Ferry Pike and Smith Springs Road.
Nearby places
Downtown Nashville — about 10 miles west

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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