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The best camping near Rock Island State Park Tennessee

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rock Island adventure.

100% (8 reviews)
100% (8 reviews)

Set up camp and explore the rugged beauty of Rock Island.  

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Community favorites near Rock Island State Park Tennessee

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Rock Island State Park Tennessee

97%
(154)

Greeter Falls Campground

60 sites ¡ RVs, Tents24 acres ¡ Altamont, TN
Greeter Falls Campground is open for business! We want to welcome all you happy campers to our timberland escape. Greeter Falls Campground is located less than a half mile from the Greeter Falls Trailhead, adjacent to the 16,000 acre Savage Gulf State Park offering over 50 miles of well-marked trails for every skill level. The .08 mile Greeter Falls Trail loop connects you to three awe inspiring waterfalls as well as the nearby Blue Hole swimming area. We offer many recreational options to help you enjoy the area including Primitive Tent spots, furnished Yurts (Bell Tents) and RV/Travel Trailer sites (each with electrical and water hook-ups). Unlike many RV camps where sites are over-packed into a cramped trailer park setting, all our sites are ensconced within sparsely inhabited raw timberland; with less than 3 sites per acre versus an average of 10-15 nationally. Currently we offer over 50 campsites: 25 RV Sites: - 12 Premium RV and Travel Trailer Sites - FHU with Septic and/or "Pull Thru". - 11 Regular RV Sites with standard electric/water hook ups - 2 Premium RV Sites with Small Private Dog Parks 8 Furnished Yurts (Glamping) Sites– on Wooden Platforms with Porches: - 4 11' x 11' Square Military Style Command Tents - 4 16' x 16' Square Military Style Squad Tents 17 Primitive Tent Sites: - 5 Primitive Tent Spots – Solo/Duo - 5 Primitive Tent Spots – Group/Family - 4 Primitive Tent Spots - Deluxe Group/Family with Water/Power - 3 Deluxe Group/Family Tent Spots on Main Campus with wooden platforms Come to Greeter Falls Campground to Retreat, Relax, Be Refreshed & Get Renewed Here is some useful information: • If you have any questions or need additional information, please Call: Our Camp Hostess at 1-800-MTN-CAMP (800-686-2267) Or by Email: Camp@GreeterFalls.com • Greeter Falls Campground Website: Greeter: https://greeterfalls.com • Greeter Falls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greeterfalls/?hl=en • Directions Via Google/Apple Maps: Greeter Falls Campground. 180 Greeter Falls Road North, Altamont TN 37301 Thanks. We Look forward to seeing you soon!
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$20
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100%
(236)

Beech Hollow Hideout

2 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents100 acres ¡ Dowelltown, TN
Peaceful healing property. We do organic gardening and have animals that you can visit with as well. I have a sculpture studio and art gallery that you can come check out. We've been living off the grid for over 30 years. Come visit us and learn about our way of life! Enjoy complete privacy in a cozy forest retreat hut in a beautiful hollow in Middle Tennessee. Accommodates 2. Pretty steep 200 yd uphill hike to hut. Perfect for relationship getaway, spiritual retreat, or writing - planning intensive. Nationally-known spelunking (Indian Grave Point Cave) within 1/2 mile. 3 miles from Center Hill Lake. Hiking trails. Experience our alternative lifestyle with owner built solar log home, organic gardens and sculpture studio. Guests must arrive before dark to ensure finding correct address (GPS errs a last moment) and to facilitate hike up to hut. Potable water, trash disposal, and a toilet are available on site. Pets are permitted, as well as campfires (outside of burn bans). Guests love staying here: "Wow! This place is amazing, beautiful, peaceful, relaxing, and super cozy on cold nights. I can not recommend this place enough. William is a gracious host. He made sure I had enough wood for the wood stove and spring water to drink. If you are anywhere close and want a totally unique experience check this place out."
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$35
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100%
(967)

Belle and Beau Acres

17 sites ¡ RVs, Tents33 acres ¡ Baxter, TN
Whether you're looking for peace, relaxation, or riverside adventure, Belle and Beau Acres hits the mark for any nature enthusiast. Location, location! BBA has taken the guess work out of rustic camping. Consistently ranked as a Best of Tennessee Hipcamp and situated in a convenient spot for Upper Cumberland waterfalls, hiking, kayaking, lake life and more. A short list of what to expect on site includes: PRIVACY - ADVENTURE - GETAWAY Quick response time/last minute requests accepted Spacious, shady, leaf-bed campsites 360 degree views of relaxing nature 27 Foot Waterfall (365 days of flow) Rock shelter under Ledge Waterfall Two shallow lazy rivers for soaking Hiking trails onsite Multiple spring-fed creeks Countless water cascades for exploring Star gazing over wide pastures Old forests for ample shade and hammock hanging Cellular reception at campsites (usually at least 1 bar) Please read the site descriptions carefully to match your style of camping with the appropriate campsite. BBA guests frequently camp with a tent, vehicle, smaller camper, hammock tent, roof top tent, pop-up camper and similar styles depending on their selection. Most of the photos in this listing are taken onsite. Please keep in mind this is primitive and wild Tennessee landscape that may also contain poisonous plants and wildlife in or around campsites. Access to fresh water fun is a short down-hill hike for all guests, with the exception of our hike-in campsites which are positioned alongside the river. Each spot has been strategically selected to provide as much privacy as possible, and comfortably accommodates groups with two vehicles. We provide a rock fire pit and heavy duty cast iron grill grate. You provide everything else, including drinking water and personal toilet waste bags if you plan to use our system. The hike-in sites come with extra seating. Children ages 5 and younger are welcome to camp for free. Everyone else must be added as additional guests on your reservation. Thank you! COMMUNITY COMFORT STATION: There is a comfort station with an outdoor shower stall for hanging your own solar shower bag. The comfort station also includes a changing room which doubles as a private place to use your portable camping toilet. A toilet seat and bucket system is provided but guests will need to use their own waste disposal bags, available at most camping supply stores. The backside of the comfort station has a rain barrel (not potable) collection system for extinguishing fires. OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS: Due to the primitive nature of our location, all reservations should expect hilly terrain and potential bumpy or soggy road access, especially after heavy rain. We ask all guests to help us minimize impacts by driving with care. We do not recommend vehicles with low ground clearance, but we do leave this decision up to our guests. An important note, 4wd has not been needed and guests always have the choice to park their vehicles at the entrance. We close road access December-March and guests are required to hike in from the entrance of the property, less than a mile distance total. Belle and Beau Acres is a private homestead with an organized, personal campground, conveniently located less than five minutes from I40. Expect nothing short of 360 degree views of relaxing nature, privacy, and spontaneous adventure when staying at BBA. Central to the most beautiful middle Tennessee destinations, this location provides the perfect home base for day excursions to at least 10 nearby state parks and lakes. Conveniently located on the Eastern Highland Rim between Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga in the lower Appalachian mountains, this area sits at the Upper Cumberland Plateau and is part of Tennessee's largest micropolitan area of Cookeville. Visit popular nearby attractions such as Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, Fancher Falls, Greeter Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole, Rock Island, Center Hill Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Caney Fork River, Standing Stone State Park, Virgin Falls, Rock Island, Cordell Hull, and Edgar Evins State Park. The choices are endless! The Klein family purchased their home in 2015 after grieving the sudden loss of a beloved family member and realizing that life is truly too short. They traded their bustling city life for a more permanent connection to nature. This small family of four lives at the entrance of their 33 acre old ranch, hosting primitive camping and leaning into a homesteading lifestyle. It wasn't until the family started shaping the land for their personal use until they realized the abundant beauty that surrounds the home. Hidden away and inaccessible were gorgeous rocky cliffs, rivers and even a waterfall! Hipcamp has provided an opportunity for them to carefully share this experience with others. On the land, they enjoy cooling off in the spring water, growing organic food, foraging for wild edibles, hiking, and exploring their onsite rivers and natural springs. Your host Christine is creative and loves working in her onsite fiber studio while her husband David is often found tending to his young fruit and nut orchard and organic crops. Their son Elliott is a student at Tennessee Tech University and their daughter Freya is a student at Upperman High School. David, Elliott, and Freya enjoy playing music together professionally in their band My Heart Your Heart.
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$40
 / night
97%
(183)

Cumberland Mountain Vista

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents8 acres ¡ Altamont, TN
The best part about this site are the views! Relax on the side of the Cumberland Plateau while overlooking Burroughs Cove and the Elk River. There is an electrical box at each end of the graveled parking area (Sites 1 & 2) with 20 and 30 amp plugs. A water container with non-potable water is on site for your use. There is also an outhouse, picnic table, and a fire ring. We are located just minutes away from the The Caverns, South Cumberland State Park, Bigfoot Adventures, and many other attractions. The graveled camping area is fairly close to Hwy 50 so please expect to hear some road noise. Need firewood? Please let us know at least 48 hours prior to arrival and we can coordinate to have it delivered to your campsite before you arrive, enough wood for the night (and then some) $35.
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$39
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100%
(31)

Mountainview Rock Island rv/tent

1 site ¡ RV, Tent16 acres ¡ Rock Island, TN
Little Bone Cave campground is in the mountains of Tennessee with hiking trails and a beautiful view located on 16 acres. This campground adjoins Bone Cave State Natural Area located in Van Buren County. Big Bone Cave is a 400 acre natural area with trails and a cave that contained bones of a giant ground sloth discovered in 1811 and is maintained by Rock Island State Park. The cave is not currently open to the public. Rock Island State Park (swimming, fishing and hiking) is only 6 miles from the campground and Fall Creek Falls State Park (swimming, fishing, hiking and home of the Annual Mountaineer Folk Festival) is a beautiful 25 mile drive through the winding roads and mountains of Van Buren county. A public boat ramp maintained by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is two miles away to access the Caney Fork River. Come enjoy with friends and family. Campsite #1, "Valley View" is a Rv with 30 amp electric with sewer and water or it can be a primitive campsite that is a wide open space and is approximately 1-2 acres with a beautiful view overlooking the valley below. We do have electric, sewer and water 340 gl tank with a hose, a picnic table and a fire ring at this site. if you'd prefer, you can locate a spot of your choosing off the beaten path anywhere within our 16 acres (ask the hostess for details). We now have rv hook up with a 30 amp electric service, sewer and water available. We have wildlife such as bobcats, coyotes, deer, owls, snakes, turkeys and rumor has it, maybe even a bigfoot. I hope you come enjoy friends, family and nature to make this an incredible experience.
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$38
 / night
100%
(2)

Bear Bluff Retreat Center Hill Lake

6 sites ¡ RVs20 acres ¡ Walling, TN
Nested on a 20 acre wooded bluff overlooking Wright’s Bend on Center Hill Lake, Bear Bluff Retreat is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your vacation or special event. Offering three 1 bedroom cabins and three RV sites, you will find yourself in the perfect place to enjoy all that the surrounding area has to offer or just relax on the large event lawn overlooking the water and soak in the views.. White County is the waterfall mecca of Tennessee. The abundant rivers, waterfalls and lakes offer outdoor opportunities including kayaking, hiking, fishing, boating, sightseeing, bird watching and more. Launch points are located within a few miles of the property. At nearby Rock Island State Park the Caney Fork River and Collins River converge at a hydroelectric dam where it then flows north to the main body of the lake past Bear Bluff Retreat. The retreat is abutted by 15-20 acre wooded parcels on either side. The property across the river is a large farm located on the outskirts of Smithville, TN to the west. In addition to Rock Island State Park there are several State Parks nearby featuring waterfalls including Burgess Falls, Great Falls, Fall Creek Falls and Cumberland Caverns. The closet city is Sparta, TN which is about 17 miles to the east. McMinnville, TN is about 22 miles south. Cookeville, TN is about 27 miles north. All of these cities offer a variety of restaurant and shopping options. (See the list of shopping and dining locations in this book for specifics).
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$49
 / night
98%
(496)

The Falls at Sewanee Creek

11 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents45 acres ¡ Tracy City, TN
45 private acres on our homestead for you to roam. Seven eclectic sites to choose from ranging from primitive camping to a lovely log cabin. All except the log cabin lovingly built by the owner, loaded with creative touches. Featuring: * Two gorgeous waterfalls. Each of our stay-sites are located within about 100-150 yards of Fifty-foot tall Miller’s Falls. * A large cave at the end of a short, but rugged hike. * A fairy Village filled with Hollow Oak Tree Fairy homes. The trees glow after dark. Magical. * Three acres for group camping centered on a well-equipped, covered outdoor kitchen. * Peaceful Meditation Retreats at the Outdoor Kitchen under brain-wave enhancing satellite dishes. * Certified Hypnotherapy Disclaimer: The flow of the waterfall is subject to fluctuations in temperature, seasonal droughts, & rain fall. The most favorable seasons for waterfall flow are fall, winter & early spring. We came to this magical place to found a self-reliant, homesteading eco-community when I retired from corporate life in 2006. It's called the Village on Sewanee Creek, named for the creek 800 feet below the bluff where we are located. I traveled the world as a senior executive for Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, Papa Johns, Blockbuster, 7-Eleven and other retail franchises, making the world safe for Pizza, Ice Cream, Pancakes Video Rentals and American convenience. And I was ready for something more fufilling. I scouted for a place of exquisite natural beauty and I found it here. I bought way too much land just before the real estate bust and learned how to turn a nice fortune into a very small one. I faced challenges and had lots of fun. Now I want to share our experience. It's the Village 2.0 for guests. Or not. Life in the city is OK as long as you can get away frequently. I'm convinced if you love nature and the outdoors, this is the best place to celebrate it.
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$39
 / night
100%
(125)

Campsite on the Caney

2 sites ¡ RVs1 acre ¡ Sparta, TN
_1st Place for "Tennessee's Best Hipcamp to Visit in 2022"._ Campsite on the Caney is a full hook up RV campsite located right on the Caney Fork River. Our campsite only accommodates one guest at a time. When you book your dates, you will be the only guest on site and get the whole property to yourself. Our campsite offers privacy that you cannot get at a traditional campground. We provide electricity, septic, and water hookups for campers. We offer a private boat ramp/ driveway that leads to the water for launching boats, kayaks, swimming and easier fishing access. Our riverbank is a gradual, sandy slope that is perfect for swimming and kayaking in the summer months. The campsite offers a swing set, charcoal grill, picnic table, saucer swing, 2 kayaks with lifejackets, and firewood so campers can relax by the fire and enjoy watching the wildlife. INCLUDED WITH YOUR STAY: 2 kayaks and 2 paddles will be included during your entire stay. Please only use them at our campsite. NOTE: The river levels are controlled by the Great Falls Dam in Rock Island. During the months of October- early May, the water levels drop 20ft to prevent flooding. Note: Cell service is spotty for Verizon and very scarce for AT&T. We are just a few miles from Highway 111 and minutes from downtown Sparta. Surrounded by Fall Creek Falls State Park, Lost Creek Falls and Cave, Rock Island State park, Burgess Falls State Park, and Virgin Falls. Our campsite is minutes from Lost Creek Falls and Cave with a beautiful scenic drive through the back roads of White County. We have two amazing overlooks in White County: Welch's Point and Sunset Rock that pictures do not do justice! White County has more caves, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks per square mile than anywhere else in the United States. We are a bustling town with so much recreation, history, and culture that it has to be shared! Whether it's just a weekend getaway or weeks worth of adventure, guest get to feel what the "River Life" is all about!
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$76
 / night
98%
(23)

Smooth Rapids

7 sites ¡ RVs, Tents10 acres ¡ Mc Minnville, TN
Located at 245 Durham St in McMinnville, the property covers 8 acres with frontage on the Barren Fork River. There is river access directly behind Smooth Rapids Grill and a short walk from the campground. We sell fire wood. We have a climate controlled bathhouse on site with restrooms and hot showers. Tent sites 14,15,16,17, and 18 have regular 15 amp electrical hookups. The other tent sites are primitive. Travel Trailers and RVs will not fit in tent sites. Camper Vans or Small Pop Up Campers can use tent sites as long as the electrical consumption does not exceed 15 amps. All of RV sites have 30/50 amp electrical and water hookups. There is a dump station near the entrance to the campground for gray and black tanks. RV dump service is available for a fee if you would rather us handle that for you. Learn more about this land: There’s river frontage for fishing or kayaking. We have a full service restaurant on site. Plenty of trees for shade and hammocks. Minutes from Cumberland Caverns, Rock Island State Park, and ISHA. 50+ miles of Class 1 moving water in the county perfect for kayaking with shuttle service to access points available.
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$25
 / night
Booked 1 time

Seven Springs

3 sites ¡ RVs3 acres ¡ Smithville, TN
Your peaceful countryside retreat! Fully equipped RV sites with well water, 50amp electric, and sewage offers a serene getaway situated just 10-min from Center Hill Lake's Pates Ford Marina. Sip your morning coffee to the sounds of our rushing creek, watch the cows & horses graze & stargaze under a wide open sky. Come experience Seven Springs!
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$45
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Hammock’Sway Off Grid & Private

25 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents37 acres ¡ Spencer, TN
Get Lost or Find Yourself. Sway Camping is a private, Off Grid camping experience in Rock Island TN. Situated between Isha Yoga center, Fall Creek Falls, and Rock Island state park, this property is something special. Each campsite offers a private space perfect for getting away, or large enough for family and groups. Pet Friendly property with lots of room to be a part of nature along the beautiful Rocky River. Camp along the river or up in your own private forest. One of the darkets skies around so be ready for some stargazing at night by the fire. This is a property I purchased in 2018 to create a camping experience that reflected the image of camping as a kid. This isn’t a "hotel without walls." This is real camping. No phone signal. No electric wires. Just nature and beauty in a quiet environment. Get lost or find yourself relaxing along the Rocky River. Stay in a hammock, a tent, camper, RV, or one of our cabins. Privacy and freedom is what we are about. Pet friendly camping that should be shared, but please don't tell everyone you know. Only your favorite people.. Then come camp!
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$25
 / night
Booked 5 times

Hilltop Haven

1 site ¡ RV, Tent1 acre ¡ Sparta, TN
Primitive wooded, sloping .5 acre lot at the top of of Center Hill Lake. Drive down the winding foot hills on the paved rd or the 4 wheel drive recommended dirt to to a public but secluded boat ramp and swimming areas. Both Rds are less than 1 mile from property. The boat/swimming area is located directly across from Davies Island. A great kayaking trip is about a 5 1/2 mile paddle around Davies Island. Stop on one of the beaches on the island for lunch. Hikers would enjoy the trail walking at the water’s edge along the peninsula. Great places for fishing too.
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$25
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The best camping near Rock Island State Park Tennessee guide

Overview

About

At the confluence of three rivers, Rock Island State Park offers a breezy getaway in the heart of Tennessee. Visitors can explore 883 acres of natural wonders that include the two-stepped cascades of Great Falls and Twin Falls, as well as the sheer walls and churning waters of the Caney Fork Gorge. Nine hiking trails lead visitors around the park and through verdant forest and limestone gorges, while a natural sand beach on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake is popular for swimming and boating. The park has two campgrounds—the main campground has 50 sites with RV hookups, while the tent-only campground has 10 sites.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Booking ahead is recommended. Both campsites can be easily reserved online and can be made up to one year in advance. 
  2. To avoid wasting money, be sure of your dates before booking. A non-refundable reservation fee is applied to advance bookings.
  3. Note that the tent-only campground is closed over the winter months, typically from early November through mid-March.

When to go

With sunny summers and mild winters, Rock Island State Park is a great destination for campers year-round. The spring and summer do get busy, however, so bookings should be made as far in advance as possible. During this time, you can expect temperatures in the 70s and 80s, while winter cools down all the way down to the 40s and 50s. If you don’t mind the chill, winter offers the advantage of far fewer visitors and a more peaceful experience.

Know before you go

  • Bringing untreated wood into the park is prohibited. Heat-treated firewood is sold onsite when available.
  • Swimmers should be cautious in the water as no lifeguards are on duty.
  • A valid Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone wishing to fish.
  • Before your visit, check the park's website for information on the status of the gorge. At times, unsafe conditions force the gorge to close.

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