The best waterside campgrounds near Nashville, Tennessee

Pitch your tent or park your camper by the water—Nashville delivers over 1,100 waterside camping spots, starting at just $15 a night. Expect river bends, fishing docks, and quiet creeks within easy reach. The average stay runs $45, but you’ll spot deals if you hunt. Top picks like Camp Nashville Highland Rim (254 reviews), Lionsgate Campground (105 reviews), and Sacred Dog Ranch (90 reviews) are favorites for easy water access and laid-back vibes. Bring your pup, light a campfire, and don’t forget your swimsuit—swimming, horseback riding, and wildlife watching are all on the menu. Toilets are standard, so you won’t be roughing it too hard. Nashville’s waterside campsites put you right where you want to be: close to the action, but with just enough quiet to hear the frogs at night.

97% (1.2K) • 480 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Nashville

Big East Fork Valley

1. Big East Fork Valley

89%

(28)

19mi from Nashville · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Located in a quiet, pristine valley, adjacent to the Natchez Trace State Park twenty miles southwest of Nashville, Tennessee, on 5000 acres of forested land. Miles of hiking trails. Big East Fork is a preserved natural space dedicated to connecting people to Tennessee's beautiful wilderness. Ten private parcels were cobbled together, originally built as private residences and farmstead. All houses are available for rent and camping sites are located near by. Twenty miles of hiking trails wind throughout the forest, leading campers by the lake, creeks, and seasonal and perennial small waterfalls. Wildlife residents include hawks, turkeys, coyotes, beavers, and deer. Showers are available at Big East Fork Retreat. See bigeastfork.com.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

from

$60

/ night

J Percy Priest Lake

2. J Percy Priest Lake

100%

(13)

Park 9.4mi from Nashville · 181 sites

Fondly referred to as “Percy Priest” by Nashvillians, J Percy Priest Lake offers locals and visitors camping, beautiful scenery, and the chance for plenty of adventure. Those wanting to visit for a day will find biking and hiking trails with lake views, and plenty of day use shelters for a chance to chill and grill. You can get on the water in any way you choose—boats, kayaks, jet skis, and water skis are all welcome. You’ll be wowed by the lush green trees and sunny skies so much you’ll find yourself booking a campsite in one of their cushy campgrounds for a night under the stars. On top of all the adventure Mama Nature provides at Percy Priest, you can swing down to Music City; Nashville is only 15 miles away, where you can tour the Grand Ole Opry or grab a drink on Broadway. With access to this much adventure and the city of Nashville, you might just become a local yourself!

Old Hickory Lake

3. Old Hickory Lake

100%

(2)

Park 11mi from Nashville · 100 sites

Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at Old Hickory Lake.

Montgomery Bell State Park

4. Montgomery Bell State Park

92%

(6)

State park 28mi from Nashville · 41 sites

Three lakes and many miles of trails make this park the ideal setting for adventure.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Cordell Hull Lake

5. Cordell Hull Lake

100%

(3)

Park 48mi from Nashville · 300 sites

Whether you are a creature of the land or water, Cordell Hull Lake is a wonderful place to burn off some steam and soak in some outdoor, lakefront goodness. Boating and fishing are great ways to spend the days around here, with 321 miles of shoreline waiting to be explored. Or you can choose between the many miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails that surround the lake to scope out the abundant wildlife and find that peace and solitude you’ve been looking for. Nights can be spent stargazing at either the primitive or developed campgrounds, depending on what kind of experience you seek. Here's you’ve got many ways to take in all that Mother Nature has to offer. Not too shabby, right?

Pitch your tent or park your camper by the water—Nashville delivers over 1,100 waterside camping spots, starting at just $15 a night. Expect river bends, fishing docks, and quiet creeks within easy reach. The average stay runs $45, but you’ll spot deals if you hunt. Top picks like Camp Nashville Highland Rim (254 reviews), Lionsgate Campground (105 reviews), and Sacred Dog Ranch (90 reviews) are favorites for easy water access and laid-back vibes. Bring your pup, light a campfire, and don’t forget your swimsuit—swimming, horseback riding, and wildlife watching are all on the menu. Toilets are standard, so you won’t be roughing it too hard. Nashville’s waterside campsites put you right where you want to be: close to the action, but with just enough quiet to hear the frogs at night.

97% (1.2K) • 480 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Nashville

Big East Fork Valley

1. Big East Fork Valley

89%

(28)

19mi from Nashville · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Located in a quiet, pristine valley, adjacent to the Natchez Trace State Park twenty miles southwest of Nashville, Tennessee, on 5000 acres of forested land. Miles of hiking trails. Big East Fork is a preserved natural space dedicated to connecting people to Tennessee's beautiful wilderness. Ten private parcels were cobbled together, originally built as private residences and farmstead. All houses are available for rent and camping sites are located near by. Twenty miles of hiking trails wind throughout the forest, leading campers by the lake, creeks, and seasonal and perennial small waterfalls. Wildlife residents include hawks, turkeys, coyotes, beavers, and deer. Showers are available at Big East Fork Retreat. See bigeastfork.com.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

from

$60

/ night

J Percy Priest Lake

2. J Percy Priest Lake

100%

(13)

Park 9.4mi from Nashville · 181 sites

Fondly referred to as “Percy Priest” by Nashvillians, J Percy Priest Lake offers locals and visitors camping, beautiful scenery, and the chance for plenty of adventure. Those wanting to visit for a day will find biking and hiking trails with lake views, and plenty of day use shelters for a chance to chill and grill. You can get on the water in any way you choose—boats, kayaks, jet skis, and water skis are all welcome. You’ll be wowed by the lush green trees and sunny skies so much you’ll find yourself booking a campsite in one of their cushy campgrounds for a night under the stars. On top of all the adventure Mama Nature provides at Percy Priest, you can swing down to Music City; Nashville is only 15 miles away, where you can tour the Grand Ole Opry or grab a drink on Broadway. With access to this much adventure and the city of Nashville, you might just become a local yourself!

Old Hickory Lake

3. Old Hickory Lake

100%

(2)

Park 11mi from Nashville · 100 sites

Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at Old Hickory Lake.

Montgomery Bell State Park

4. Montgomery Bell State Park

92%

(6)

State park 28mi from Nashville · 41 sites

Three lakes and many miles of trails make this park the ideal setting for adventure.

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Cordell Hull Lake

5. Cordell Hull Lake

100%

(3)

Park 48mi from Nashville · 300 sites

Whether you are a creature of the land or water, Cordell Hull Lake is a wonderful place to burn off some steam and soak in some outdoor, lakefront goodness. Boating and fishing are great ways to spend the days around here, with 321 miles of shoreline waiting to be explored. Or you can choose between the many miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails that surround the lake to scope out the abundant wildlife and find that peace and solitude you’ve been looking for. Nights can be spent stargazing at either the primitive or developed campgrounds, depending on what kind of experience you seek. Here's you’ve got many ways to take in all that Mother Nature has to offer. Not too shabby, right?