Summer Camping in Tennessee

Discover the best summer camping across Tennessee. Experience the best of outdoor camping during the warmest months. Long days, starry nights, and endless adventure await.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: June through August

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Lillydale Campground And Day Use

Allons · Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Lake's crystal-clear waters lap against 112 campsites where swimmers, boaters, and anglers spend sun-drenched days exploring one of Tennessee's most stunning reservoirs.

4.7(524 reviews)

Ragland Bottom

Sparta · Center Hill Lake

The pristine shores of Center Hill Lake deliver endless summer days of waterskiing, swimming from the beach, and boating adventures right from your campsite.

4.7(768 reviews)

Lock A

Ashland City · Cheatham Lock and Dam

The Cumberland River flows right past your campsite, offering endless days of fishing, boating, and swimming in cool waters under the warm Tennessee sun.

4.7(772 reviews)

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About Summer Camping in Tennessee

Summer camping in Tennessee offers an extraordinary blend of lake recreation, mountain adventures, and river escapes that make the Volunteer State a premier warm-weather destination. From the crystalline waters of Dale Hollow Lake to the misty gorges of Big South Fork, Tennessee's diverse landscapes provide endless opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking under sunny skies.

Best Time

The prime summer camping season in Tennessee runs from late May through early September, with peak activity occurring during June, July, and August when temperatures are warmest and lake water is most inviting for swimming. June offers the advantage of longer days and slightly smaller crowds before school vacations begin, making it ideal for those seeking a more peaceful experience.

Season Highlights

Warm weather and long days
Swimming and water activities
Full amenities and services
Family-friendly activities

More Summer Camping in Tennessee

Discover 17 additional top-rated summer camping in Tennessee

Bandy Creek

Oneida · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Summer transforms this Big South Fork basecamp into a hub for gorge exploration, with trails leading to cascading waterfalls and swimming holes tucked beneath sandstone cliffs.

4.6(1180)

Dale Hollow Damsite

Celina · Dale Hollow Lake

The Obey River flows right past your campsite while Dale Hollow Lake stretches endlessly beyond, creating an aquatic playground where anglers reel in trophy catches and boaters cruise beneath summer sunsets.

4.6(372)

Long Branch

Lancaster · Center Hill Lake

The Caney Fork River flows just steps from your tent, offering cool mountain water releases from Center Hill Dam that create exceptional trout fishing and refreshing swimming holes throughout the hottest months.

4.6(608)

Chilhowee Campground

Benton · Cherokee National Forest

Summer brings McKamy Lake's swimming beach to life, where you can cool off between hikes on 25 miles of forest trails that lead to cascading Benton Falls.

4.6(705)

Defeated Creek Park

Carthage · Cordell Hull Lake

Cordell Hull Lake stretches before your campsite, inviting you to dive from the sandy beach, launch your boat at sunrise, or cast a line into crystal waters teeming with bass and crappie.

4.6(1297)

Harpeth River Bridge Campground (Tn)

Ashland City · Cheatham Lock and Dam

The Harpeth River flows right through camp, inviting paddlers to launch from the boat ramp while anglers cast for smallmouth bass from shaded banks. Summer brings warm, lazy days where kids splash in the shallows and families drift downstream on inner tubes beneath overhanging sycamores.

4.7(250)

Anderson Road Campground

Nashville · J Percy Priest Lake

Spend summer days launching your boat from the on-site ramp and swimming at the pristine beach just steps from your shaded campsite. The combination of crystal-clear lake access and tree-covered sites creates a cool retreat where you can water ski in the morning and grill your catch by evening.

4.5(327)

Cades Cove Group

Townsend · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summer transforms this Smoky Mountains valley into a wildlife theater where deer graze at dawn and black bears forage through meadows visible from your campsite.

4.5(713)

Cades Cove Group Campground

Gatlinburg · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summer temperatures bring white-tailed deer and wild turkeys into the open meadows at dawn, while the famous 11-mile loop road offers early morning wildlife encounters before the crowds arrive.

4.5(671)

Explore Summer Camping in Tennessee

Browse 20 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.

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Popular Activities

Swimming in pristine lakes and riversBoating and waterskiing on Dale Hollow and Center Hill LakesFishing for bass, trout, and catfishHiking scenic trails through forests and gorgesKayaking and canoeing on calm watersWildlife viewing and bird watching

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular lake campgrounds like Lillydale and Ragland Bottom well in advance—holiday weekends often book up 6 months ahead through Recreation.gov.
2Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as Tennessee summers can be hot and humid with temperatures reaching the 90s; a pop-up canopy provides valuable shade at open lakeside sites.
3Pack insect repellent for evening hours when mosquitoes are most active, particularly near water.
4If visiting mountain campgrounds like Bandy Creek, bring layers as temperatures can drop significantly at higher elevations even in summer.

20 campgrounds ranked

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Curated for Summer Camping in Tennessee

Summer Camping in Tennessee FAQ

We've ranked 20+ summer campgrounds in Tennessee based on weather, amenities, and user reviews. Top options include campgrounds with shade, water access, and good summer conditions.

June through August is prime summer camping season in Tennessee. June and September offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, while July and August are peak season.

For summer camping in Tennessee, bring sun protection, plenty of water, cooling gear, and light layers for cooler evenings. Bug spray is essential in many areas.

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