Summer Camping Spots in Tennessee

Given Tennessee’s abundant scenic beauty in its national parks, state parks and natural areas, there are so many great places to camp in Tennessee. Whether you’re looking to set up camp in East Tennessee with the Appalachian and Great Smoky Mountains as your backdrop or wish to cast a line near your lakeside campsite near Nashville or Memphis, you can be sure Tennessee’s campgrounds offer amazing amenities and hospitality to make your camping trip a great one.

RV Camping

RV camping in Tennessee is easy to find at Tennessee State Parks. Additional RV camping that offers great amenities and incredible views include Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge and Blue Bank Resort in Hornbeak located on the banks of Reelfoot Lake. Land Between the Lakes in Dover offers RV camping, plus the opportunity for you to learn about pioneer life at the Homeplace 1850s farm as well as spot wildlife like elf, bison and more.

Tent Camping

You’ll find great tent camping in Tennessee State Parks as well. Big Hill Pond State Park east of Memphis, Bledsoe Creek State Park, Henry Horton State Park and Savage Gulf State Park all provide tent camping in primitive, paved and backcountry sites. Some of the best camping in Tennessee can also be found at Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park in East Tennessee, Memphis Graceland RV Park and Campground and Lionsgate Campground in Bon Aqua, about 42 miles near Nashville. 

Camping in East Tennessee 

Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains

You’ll find luxury camping at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains, located 5 miles near Pigeon Forge. Enjoy organic bath products, on-site dining with seasonal and locally sourced produce, complimentary activities like yoga, live music and more, fire pits and s’mores, and private bathrooms in many of the tent suites.

Soaring Eagle Campground – Lenoir City

The family-owned and operated Soaring Eagle Campground is located in Lenoir City, Tennessee, about 28 miles near Knoxville. The primitive campsites connect you with nature as you enjoy beautiful views of Clinch River. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit. There’s also lakeside camping available in Soaring Eagle’s cove, off the Clinch River on Watts Bar Lake. Enjoy the onsite store, boat dock, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoe rentals. A bathhouse and laundry facilities are also available. 

Greenbrier Campground - Gatlinburg

Located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg won the 2024 Campspot Awards’ Top Mid-Size Campground in the U.S., Top Campground in the U.S. for Fishing and was named the 2nd Overall Campground in the U.S. Greenbrier offers 120 full hookup campsites, river frontage sites and wooded campsites. Jump in one of the best swimming holes in Tennessee as the Little Pigeon River runs around the campground. Enjoy a private beach, trout fishing and more. 

Camping in Middle Tennessee/around Nashville

Loretta Lynn’s Campground - Hurricane Mills

Find respite in nature at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and the many places to camp. You’ll find 200 tent camping spots plus 125 30amp water and electric campsites in the Lower Campground. The area includes a 10,000 square-foot pavilion, in-ground pool, Hurricane Creek, playground and a bath house.

Circle E Guest Ranch – Belvidere 

Horse owners will love the spacious campgrounds at Circle E Guest Ranch in Belvidere, a camping area about 104 miles south near Nashville. Enjoy amazing horse riding trails all day and then come back to one of the 240 campsites available. Some sites have 30amp, some with 50amp and some with electric, water and sewer. Primitive camping is also available.

Cages Bend Campground 

Have the ultimate lake vacation by camping at Cages Bend Campground in Gallatin, located 30 miles near Nashville. Located on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, Cages Bend offers easy lake access via boat ramp, a playground, group picnic shelter and showers. Laundry facilities are also on site. Two fishing docks are available and all sites have electric and water hookups.

Camping in West Tennessee

Serendipity Resort & Campground – Brownsville

Relax and unwind at Serendipity Resort & Campground in Brownsville, about 58 miles near Memphis. The 12 tent sites are equipped with electrical outlets and convenient water spigots. Serendipity also offers cabins, glamping yurts outfitted with heat and air conditioning, two queen beds, a deck, firepit, charcoal grill and picnic table as well as RV sites. Play the 18-hole disc golf course, kayak, paddle board, paddle boat, fish, hike trails and take a dip in the swimming pool.  

Reelfoot Lake State Park – Hornbeak

Located on the beautiful Reelfoot Lake, Reelfoot Lake State Park offers paved tent campsites at the South Campground that includes three bathhouses with restrooms. Two bathhouses have hot showers and one has a washer, dryer and dish washing area. There’s also a pavilion, boat launching ramp area, fish cleaning house, privately owned bait shops with fishing supplies, boat rentals and interpretive programs during the summer months. For a more secluded stay, check out one of the 10 primitive tent-only campsites at the Airpark North Campground. 

Birdsong Resort, Marina & Lakeside RV & Tent Campground - Camden

Take the family on a nature retreat at Birdsong Resort, Marina & Lakeside RV & Tent Campground in Camden on the banks of Kentucky Lake’s scenic Tennessee River. You’ll love your lakeside weekend at Birdsong which includes a swimming pool, full-service marina, rentals for boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoons and a free laundry mat among other amenities. The primitive tent sites include bathhouses with restrooms and hot showers. Pick up your pool pass at the office for a day at the pool, or set out on the lake for incredible boat day memories.

Find even more camping spots in Tennessee in the following articles:

Things to Do and See While RV Traveling in Tennessee

10 Stargazing & Camping Destinations in Tennessee

Winter Hiking & Camping in Tennessee’s State Parks

Glamping Spots to Enjoy Tennessee in Comfort