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Cascades at Waterloo

Hosted by Alice · Dodson Branch, Tennessee
12 sites · RV, Tent · 20 acres
100%
·
21 reviews
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Camping Enthusiasts—Your Adventure Awaits on Spring Creek! Welcome to your perfect nature escape—over a mile of stunning Spring Creek frontage with soaring limestone cliffs, shaded woodlands, and peaceful creekside camping spots. Whether you’re an avid angler, wildlife watcher, or someone who simply enjoys the sounds of rushing water and rustling leaves, this hidden gem offers a truly immersive back-to-nature experience. The Campsites Our primitive campsites are 'choose your own special spot', offering both wooded seclusion and sunny creekside views. Ideal for experienced backpacking campers, sites are walk in (no more than 1 mile). We encourage Leave No Trace principles—pack in, pack out, and respect the land. Creekside Activities Spend your days cooling off in natural swimming holes, floating peacefully down the creek, or casting a line for smallmouth and red eye bass. The area is teeming with wildlife—you may spot otters, mink, deer, and a variety of bird species from songbirds to eagles. In spring and early summer, wildflowers carpet the forest floor, adding a splash of color to your hikes. Nearby Attractions Just a short walk down the creek from your campsite, you'll find Waterloo Falls—a beautiful natural area featuring two scenic waterfalls, outdoor recreation, and event center. Guests are welcome to enjoy the area by adding a day-use fee to your reservation (details provided upon booking). Please note that Waterloo Falls occasionally closes for private events, so we recommend checking availability with us in advance if you'd like to include it in your adventure! Just 1 mile from the property is the Bend of the River Gun Range—perfect for shooting enthusiasts looking to sharpen their skills. For more conventional needs, Cookeville Center is a short 20-minute drive away, offering grocery stores, restaurants, and supply shops. You’ll be close enough for convenience, yet far enough to fully unplug and relax. Important Notes This is a primitive camping experience. No electricity, plumbing, or RV hookups. You must bring your own water, camp stove, and waste disposal supplies. This property is best suited for experienced campers who are comfortable with rugged, natural terrain. Come for the solitude. Stay for the soul-filling connection to nature.
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12 sites

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Tent-only sites

5 sites
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Cliff Site #1

100%
(11)
Tent site · Sleeps 4
Cliffside Campsite with Creek Views & Trails Nestled atop a scenic cliff with beautiful views of Spring Creek on both sides, this peaceful campsite is perfect for a nature escape. The site includes a picnic area with a table, two benches, a fire ring with a grill, and room for two tents. You’ll have parking for one vehicle nearby, with extra space available in the upper lot for a second car. A porta potty and trash bins are conveniently located close to the campsite. Enjoy direct access to walking trails on either side that lead down to the creek—ideal for a relaxing stroll or a bit of exploring. Come unwind and enjoy the sounds of nature! Please note: Due to the rugged terrain and steep drop-offs, we do not recommend this site for children under 12.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
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Creekside #1

100%
(9)
Tent site · Sleeps 6
Creekside #1 – Your Private Retreat on Spring Creek Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature at Creekside #1, a cozy campsite nestled along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek. The flat site offers ample room for your tent, along with your own fire pit and picnic table—perfect for cozy campfire evenings and outdoor meals under the stars. Just upstream lies the inviting "Monkey Bottom" swimming hole, ideal for a refreshing dip on warm days. Alternatively, step directly from your campsite to wade in the cool creek waters or enjoy a leisurely float downstream. Alternatively, 1000' feet down creek lies the picturesque Waterloo Falls, a must-see natural attraction. Guests receive a discount for visiting the falls, by adding it to your trip! Accessing the site involves a rugged scenic 1,000-foot walk from the drop-off area, with long-term parking available approximately 500 feet from the drop-off area. There are steep inclines along the trail. This site is best for back pack style camping. Nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundant wildlife—keep an eye out for herons, hawks, ospreys, eagles, and a symphony of songbirds. Anglers can cast a line for smallmouth and redeye bass in the clear creek waters. While another campsite is located 300–400 feet away, dense foliage and trees ensure privacy and seclusion. Amenities & Guidelines: 🔥 Private fire pit and picnic table 🐟 Excellent fishing opportunities 🐦 Rich birdwatching environment 🎯 Sharpen Your Shooting Skills: Just one mile away, Bend of the River Public Shooting Club offers skeet shooting, trap, and target practice. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a beginner, it's a great way to add some excitement to your stay 🌲 Firewood bundles available for purchase; feel free to collect fallen wood nearby (please do not cut live trees) 🚻 Porta-potty located at the drop-off area; if nature calls en route, please practice Leave No Trace principles and properly bag and dispose of waste Escape the hustle and bustle as you reconnect with nature at Creekside #1—a peaceful haven for campers seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
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/ night
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Dispersed Campsites

100%
(4)
Tent site · Sleeps 4
Dispersed Campsites– Spring Creek Escape for True Nature Lovers Camping enthusiasts—your adventure awaits! Tucked away on over a mile of scenic Spring Creek frontage, Dispersed Campsite #1 offers soaring cliff views, shaded forest paths, swimming holes, and wide-open skies for stargazing. Surrounded by wildflowers, rolling farmland, and abundant wildlife—from bass in the creek to otters, mink, and countless bird species—this primitive site is perfect for experienced campers craving solitude and immersion in nature. You will be walking in anywhere from 1500'-2500' along a rugged trail with steep inclines. It is recommended for back pack camping gear and suitable footwear. Once at your site, kick the boots off and explore the creek!
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
No picnic table
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/ night
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Creekside #2

100%
(1)
Tent site · Sleeps 2
Creekside #2 – Your Private Retreat on Spring Creek Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature at Creekside #1, a cozy campsite nestled along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek. The flat site offers ample room for your tent, along with your own fire pit and picnic table—perfect for cozy campfire evenings and outdoor meals under the stars. Just upstream lies the inviting "Monkey Bottom" swimming hole, ideal for a refreshing dip on warm days. Alternatively, step directly from your campsite to wade in the cool creek waters or enjoy a leisurely float downstream. Alternatively, 1000' feet down creek lies the picturesque Waterloo Falls, a must-see natural attraction. Guests receive a discount for visiting the falls, by adding it to your trip! Accessing the site involves a scenic and rugged 1,500-foot walk from the drop-off area, with long-term parking available approximately 500 feet from the drop-off area. The trail has steep inclines and is best for back pack style camping. Nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundant wildlife—keep an eye out for herons, hawks, ospreys, eagles, and a symphony of songbirds. Anglers can cast a line for smallmouth and redeye bass in the clear creek waters. While another campsite is located 300–400 feet away, dense foliage and trees ensure privacy and seclusion. Amenities & Guidelines: 🔥 Private fire pit and picnic table 🐟 Excellent fishing opportunities 🐦 Rich birdwatching environment 🎯 Sharpen Your Shooting Skills: Just one mile away, Bend of the River Public Shooting Club offers skeet shooting, trap, and target practice. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a beginner, it's a great way to add some excitement to your stay 🌲 Firewood bundles available for purchase; feel free to collect fallen wood nearby (please do not cut live trees) 🚻 Porta-potty located at the drop-off area; if nature calls en route, please practice Leave No Trace principles and properly bag and dispose of waste Escape the hustle and bustle as you reconnect with nature at Creekside #2—a peaceful haven for campers seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$35
/ night
for NaN guests
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Into the Woods

Booked 1 time
Tent site · Sleeps 2
Into the Woods is a peaceful, shaded campsite tucked deep in a forest grove of evergreens and tulip magnolias. With a soft forest floor underfoot, this secluded site stays naturally cool even during the hottest summer days, making it a refreshing retreat for hammock or small tent campers. Tall trees surround you in every direction, providing a canopy of green with gently shifting dappled sunlight. It’s a favorite for nature lovers who want a truly immersive forest experience. The campsite includes a picnic table, a designated fire ring, and an ample supply of firewood right at the site—no need to haul it in. Access the site via walking an unimproved road, or reach it on foot from the nearby Rim Trail, which connects to the creek and parking area. About a 1500' foot walk with some steep areas. Wake up to the sound of songbirds, spot woodpeckers tapping in the distance, and keep an eye out for deer or wild turkey that occasionally pass through. It’s quiet, calm, and completely surrounded by nature. For those seeking extra adventure: Take a short walk or drive to Waterloo Falls, where guests enjoy discounted day-use access to two stunning waterfalls and a swimming hole. Head across the creek to Bend of the River Gun Range for target practice (skeet shooting and clay pigeons available). Bring a fishing pole and try your luck with bass in the nearby creek. Note: No hookups or electricity. This is a rustic site for campers looking to truly unplug and get off-grid.
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
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$32
/ night
for NaN guests

RV/tent sites

1 site
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Boondocking

100%
(3)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 4 · Vehicles under 50 ft
The Cascades Boondocking Sites Nestled among rolling farm fields, The Cascades offers peaceful boondocking with breathtaking sunset views. Park in our gated 1-acre field—no hookups, just nature at its finest. Wander through nearby woods or take a short 5–10 minute walk to Spring Creek, where you can explore over a mile of serene waterway that winds along the Cascades Campground. For more adventure, a 15-minute walk takes you to Waterloo Falls, home to two stunning waterfalls—guests enjoy a discounted day pass to this scenic gem. Nature lovers will feel right at home with abundant birdwatching—spot hawks, eagles, ospreys, and a chorus of songbirds. Keep an eye out for creek critters like mink, beavers, bobcats, and deer. If needed, a porta potty is available at the lower campground entrance. Otherwise please bag and properly dispose of all waste to help us protect this beautiful land.
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$35
/ night
for NaN guests
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$28
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12 sites

Reviews

100% Recommend28 ratings · 21 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
Tent ·
Creekside #1
Great spot near the river near the waterfall. Being the off season we had the entire site to ourselves. Alice was quick to answer questions and provide details for parking and such.
J
Josh R.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2025
Nice Boondocking Area
Tent ·
Boondocking
Stayed one night in the dry camping area. Easy place to get to. Wonderful sounds of owls hooting and coyotes howling through the night. Bring about 3-4 inch of leveling blocks since the ground is has a slope to it. Ground is more level towards the street but gets steeper as you get closer to the trees.
C
Carlos R.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2025
Cliffside view is gorgeous
Tent ·
Cliff Site #1
Very nice site easy to access. There’s a gas station near by and it’s less than 20 minutes from Cookeville or Livingston. There’s also a Dollar General up the road. Great campsite for spur of the moment
E
Elijah T.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent ·
Creekside #1
10/10 well kept and friendly! We will be back! Spacious sites, we’ve already recommended to some of our friends!
B
Brittney H.
4 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Beautiful and awesome people
Dispersed Campsites
Loved camping here, so calm and beautiful, Alice was extremely nice and helpful very welcoming with everyone, beautiful place ,visit here!!
L
Laura U.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Creekside#2
Tent ·
Dispersed Campsites
Good places to set up a backpack tent.......I did however choose a campsite because it was so beautiful! Steep walk from the parking area to Creekside#2. Be prepared to carry all items. Worth the walk! I will be returning. Hostess is very attentive and firewood delivery is nice! Thalia again!
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Daniel L.
12 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Creekside #1
We loved it! Was very peaceful and enjoyed the view of the creek! Loved hearing all the birds and exploring the creek. The walk down from the parking lot is not bad at all definitely worth it! It was a tad tiring going back up when loading the car but We enjoyed it so much and will be back again next weekend!!
L
Lucy G.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent ·
Cliff Site #1
I really liked that it was a gated area and you had to have a code to get in wished the spot was closer to the water but I do understand I picked the one that you could drive up to and Park hostess was great responded quickly would recommend little noisy at night I live in that it was a great stay. You tube #chasingdreamsadventure
Avatar
Shirley S.
8 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Gorgeous Creek, So Peaceful!
16 ft car ·
Boondocking
The creek was beautiful!! Alice was so wonderful to stay with, very kind and communicative! There are spaces at the top of the hill for parking and then walking down! If you're going to drive into the creek sites, you'll definitely need 4WD and some clearance. Perfect sites for overlanding!
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Haley R.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Cliff Site #1
We had a wonderful time at Alice’s campsite! We did the cliff side camp spot and it was perfect and convenient as we could have our car right there! The land was beautiful and the campsite was well maintained! Alice was a wonderful host and even came out to bring us firewood last minute! She was always quick to respond and very informative!
M
Morgan A.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Indi 🖤 waterloo
Tent ·
Dispersed Campsites
Alice and Nathan are some of the coolest most hospitable people I’ve ever met. Their little slice of heaven is a place of power and they do a fantastic job tending and honoring it.
I
Indica M.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
23 ft Class C ·
Boondocking
alice is wonderful and makes everything very easy. I'll be staying again next year.
R
Rob N.
5 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Amazing campsite & wonderful host!
Tent · With pets ·
Creekside #1
We had such a wonderful experience staying at Alice’s campsite that we booked a second stay! Alice is a fantastic host—kind, welcoming, and quick to make sure everything is just right. The location is absolutely stunning, with the campsite right next to water and beautiful waterfalls. It’s incredibly peaceful, with mostly the soothing sounds of nature around you. We were initially a little concerned about the shooting range nearby, but it turned out to be no issue at all. The occasional shots are mostly in the mornings and very short-lived, so it didn’t affect our stay one bit. The only tip I’d give future campers is to definitely pack bug spray—being surrounded by nature means there are plenty of little critters around. Overall, this campsite was everything we hoped for and more. It’s quiet, scenic, and a perfect place to relax and recharge. We had an amazing time and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful getaway in nature!
K
Kate L.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent ·
Cliff Site #1
We camped for 3 days at the Waterloo site and it was so beautiful, right next to the river and close to the bathroom and shower. Alice was so nice and helpful, giving us hints as to where to hike and we rented tubes to just kick back on the creek. There site was absolutely beautiful. We decided to come back the following week to camp at the cliff site. We enjoyed Beaver hole and hunted for fossils, then didn't the evening under the stars. There is a beautiful look-out bench on the edge of a cliff overlooking the creek that is serene...I and definitely planning my trip for next year!
M
Maren W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent ·
Creekside #1
We absolutely love Waterloo, been going for a few years now and keep watching it grow, with new camp sites, creeks, and waterfalls to explore. We normally camp by the pavilion but next time we'll pick out a new spot. Took a ride with Alice and Nathan to see all the new land and camping areas and took a dip in the water at the Beaver Hole... We always have a blast. Alice and Nathan are wonderful people, great host. Definitely a place to book for a vacation!
J
Jamie F.
9 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Cliffside tent camping
Tent ·
Cliff Site #1
We had an absolute blast staying at the cliffside site. Plenty of room for the two of us, adequately shaded, with a beautiful view down to the river. We took the trail around the peninsula along the creek, and saw some pretty cool stuff! I counted at least 10 different species of mushroom, and countless vegitation and wildlife. We peeped the other camp sites on our hike, and want to try camping the dispersed sites too. The hosts were fantastic as always. They had a wood pile at the site for us when we arrived, on request. Having the port a potty near by was a plus, and it was clean, stocked, and even had a nice lamp hung for some light. Its a short walk to the waterfalls and those speak for themselves, just incredible. We will definitely be back!!
B
Banda P.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Creekside #2
Tent camping was AWESOME along the creek!! Beautiful dispersed campsites, gorgeous swimming hole and views!! Alice is a great host, very friendly and helpful. We will definitely be going back!!
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Rachel B.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Great campsite!
Tent ·
Creekside #1
We very much enjoyed Creekside 1 campsite. Short hike from the parking area and right next to the creek. Easy access for swimming or fishing. Plenty of room for tents.
J
Jeremy L.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2025
Tent ·
Dispersed Campsites
Alice was great! We were the only ones on the property and she made sure to stop by to check on us. We camped right beside a nice clear cool creek with a couple of small fish in it.
G
Gabrielle B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2025
Tent ·
Cliff Site #1
I had a blast camping at Cliff Site #1! We were able to park our car right next to the site and had a lovely trip. The porta potty and trash were right there and there was lots of firewood to be found around the area. The best part was wandering over to the waterfall area in the morning, where we met Alice and she gave us wristbands to enjoy the falls. Such a lovely area and what a treat to be able to explore the other camping area in the morning. Definitely will be back as it was a super easy drive from Nashville. Alice rocks!
L
Lauren L.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2025
Peaceful creekside spot.
Tent ·
Creekside #1
The site was very peaceful and quiet. No one close by to disturb u or even close enough to know they were there. Awesome fire pit with built in cooking grate. Site was level and wood chipped so it was great for the tent. Directly beside creek which was nice and shallow for us to wade and play in. Getting to the creek can be a little difficult. There is a little trail to get through the brush and then a small drop off. Manageable as long as u are careful. There is plenty of cut wood laying around that u can use for fires. The parking area is close to the site however, the rrail from the car to the site is VERY STEEP and rutted out. Thankfully the host happened to be going by when we arrived and helped us carry our stuff down with the off road golf cart (I don't know what they are called 🤷‍♀️ lol). Had to carry it all back out when we left though but its def manageable as long as u dont have too much stuff and are fit enough to do a little strenuous walking. Beautiful place and right down the creek from Waterloo falls . Definitely walkable or u can drive right across the road to it. Host is great, friendly and very helpful and kind. It was too cool on our trip to swim unfortunately BUT the kid and I did do some wading.
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Crystal N.
4 reviews

Location

Dodson Branch, Putnam County, Tennessee, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Alice D.

Joined in July 2023
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours

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      1. United States
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