Swimming, hiking, falling asleep to the sound of crickets, sitting around the campfire, playing flashlight tag and simply being still in nature. That is what camping is about! It’s the perfect time to reconnect with your family, rediscover your adventurous side and enjoy the simple things in life, like dirt!
I am by no means a savvy camper, but I know my way around a campfire. I fell in love with camping when I was 14 years old and have gotten the chance to head out into the woods a few times as an adult. While tent camping hits my joints differently than it did in the 90’s, I still love it and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful parks around Nashville that offer up some amazing camping experiences.
If you’re feeling inspired to go camping with little ones in tow, scroll down to browse my list of family-friendly campgrounds that are within a one-hour drive of Nashville and 100% mom approved!
Family-Friendly Campgrounds Near Nashville
Henry Horton State Park
Location: 4209 Nashville Hwy, Chapel Hill, TN 37034
Distance from Nashville: 51 miles South of Nashville
Camping Options: Tent camping, primitive tent camping, drive-up RV campsites with water and electric hookups, drive-in primitive sites without hookups, and primitive hammock-only campsites.
Activities: Birding, golfing, paddling, hiking, disc golf, trap and skeet shooting, and mountain biking.
Highlights: Henry Horton sits along the famous Duck River lined with beautiful forests and offers scenic riverside views. The park offers guided river floats, a fun education center, playground with splash pad and bee apiary. Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger packet in the Visitor Center and start exploring! Check out their on-site family-friendly restaurant featuring local, fresh ingredients.
Cedar Creek Campground
Location: 9264 Saundersville Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Distance from Nashville: 22 miles Northeast of Nashville
Camping Options: RV campsites with water and electric hookups, Tent camping.
Activities: Sailing, swimming, fishing, and birding.
Highlights: Cedar Creek sits on Old Hickory Lake boasting a beautiful shoreline and a beach for swimming! Laundry facilities and hot showers available. Great playground for kids.
Bledsoe Creek State Park
Location: 400 Zieglers Fort Rd, Gallatin, TN 37066
Distance from Nashville: 35 miles Northeast of Nashville
Camping Options: Tent camping, RV campsites with water and electric hookups, Hammock-only primitive campsites.
Activities: Birding, camping, fishing, hiking, paddling.
Highlights: The park offers a quiet lakeside setting with forested areas, wildlife viewing, and easy access to the water. Each paved campsite is equipped with fire rings, grills, and picnic tables.
Seven Points Campground
Location: 1810 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Distance from Nashville: 15 miles East of Nashville
Camping Options: RV and Tent camping
Activities: Beach swimming, hiking, fishing, camping, boating, kayaking, canoeing
Highlights: If your family prefers/requires a more “comfortable” camping experience Seven Points is the place for you! It has several amenities for a comfortable stay including drinking water, a dump station, flush toilets, laundry facilities and hot showers.
Bells Bend
Location: 4187 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37218
Distance from Nashville: 17 miles West of Nashville
Camping Options: Tent camping
Activities: Hiking, birding/wildlife, tent camping
Highlights: Bells Bend is a primitive campground with only 10 campsites (a.k.a. You will be “roughing it”). Recommended for seasoned campers and older children/teens who have experience with camping and intermediate hikers.
Montgomery Bell State Park
Location: 1020 Jackson Hill Rd, Burns, TN 37029
Distance from Nashville: 35 miles West of Nashville
Camping Options: Tent camping, RV camping, primitive camping with backcountry shelters available (no tents allowed).
Activities: Birding, hiking, boating, biking, camping, paddling, fishing, golfing.
Highlights: One of the most beautiful parks in the state with beautiful, serene lakes and dense forests. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails, relax on the shores of Lake Acorn, or tee off at one of nine Tennessee Golf Trail golf courses. While tent and RV campsites are comfortable, Montgomery Bell also offers a lodge and cabins for overnight stays. There is also a wonderful on-site restaurant with a great kids menu.
Two Rivers Campground
Location: 2616 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
Distance from Nashville: 11 miles Northeast of Nashville
Camping Options: Modern RV camping
Activities: Live entertainment, RV camping, swimming, game room
Highlights: Just two miles away from Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills Mall sits Two Rivers Campground, the ultimate in family-friendly camping experiences offering countless amenities to keep your stay comfy, and your kids happy! You will find a well-stocked store featuring groceries, RV supplies, and a gift shop along with a swimming pool, playground, and dog park. Shuttle service to downtown Nashville is also available.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Location: 328 Cedar Forest Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090
Distance from Nashville: 31 miles East of Nashville
Camping Options: Tent and RV camping
Activities: Disc golf, horseback riding, hunting, birding, camping, hiking, splash pad available in the summer, cultural center, camp store, butterfly garden, and various sports fields.
Highlights: Cedars of Lebanon is one of the more unique Tennessee state parks because of its incredibly unique natural ecosystem and nineteen different plant species not found anywhere else. Don’t miss Jackson Cave, an underground cave system known for its massive 30-foot wide entrance and underground lake!
Long Hunter State Park
Location: 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076
Distance from Nashville: 23 miles East of Nashville
Camping Options: Two primitive campsites for tent and hammock camping and three large primitive group camping areas (6-mile hike is required to reach the sites).
Activities: Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, birding and boating.
Highlights: Long Hunter State Park sits on J. Percy Priest lake with access to swimming, fishing and boating. The campgrounds are primitive allowing only tent and hammock camping. Great for older kids/teens and adventurous families! I personally would not recommend this campground for first-time campers or little ones.
Old Stone Fort State Park
Location: 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester, TN 37355
Distance from Nashville: 65 miles Southeast of Nashville
Camping Options: RV and tent campsites with water and electric hookups
Activities: Museum on site, birding, camping, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing, waterfalls, playground.
Highlights: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is home to an ancient Native American enclosure mound site dating back between 100 BCE to 500 CE. The ancient purpose of this mound is a mystery, but will add intrigue to your visit! And don’t miss the cascading waterfalls, a natural beauty!
Piney River Resort
Location: 6869 Piney River Rd N, Bon Aqua, TN 37025
Distance from Nashville: 52 miles West of Nashville
Camping Options: RV camping, tent camping, tiny homes, and glamping tents
Activities: Community bonfires, swimming pool, splash pad, pickleball, game room, and dog park. Check their calendar for upcoming events on the campground. Offsite activities, like hiking and fishing, can be reserved through resort partners.
Highlights: This one is for my glampers! Piney River offers luxury tents and tiny homes for folks who enjoy camping, but prefer a “home away from home.” Totally charming and family-friendly.
Star Struck Farms
Location: 10471 TN-109, Lebanon, TN 37087
Distance from Nashville: 35 miles Northeast of Nashville
Camping Options: Tiny House, charming A-frame cabins, or a converted horse stall suite.
Activities: Live entertainment, tractor rides, playground, and special events.
Highlights: Calling this camping may be a stretch, but it’s definitely a unique glamping experience the whole family will love! This equestrian farm was once owned by Reba McEntire and has been converted into an incredible hospitality gem, offering rustic charm and modern comfort. Stay in one of the converted horse stalls (kids love these!), one of their A-frame glampers or a tiny home. Whichever you choose, your stay will certainly be a memorable, and a delicious country breakfast is always included.
Responsible Recreation Reminders
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, camping comes with certain responsibilities to make sure our beautiful landscapes stay protected and you stay safe. Here are a few ways to maintain the beauty of our land and have a memorable camping experience.
Don’t just “wing it.”
You have to have a plan before you head out no matter what style of camping your family prefers. Research your campground to make sure it has everything your family requires along with activities everyone can enjoy.
Leave no trace.
This is actually an old boy scout rule my dad drilled into me as a kid. When you pack up and head out, your campsite should look the same, if not better, than you found it. Everything you bring into the park must be taken with you or disposed of in the appropriate containers.
Respect Wildlife
There is nothing more exciting than unexpectedly coming up close and personal with wildlife. It is important to remember that we are visitors in their home, not vice versa so remember to keep a safe distance and never attempt to feed or pet wildlife you encounter.
Practice Fire Safety
While this might seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised how quickly campfires can become a problem because of simple mistakes or missteps. A couple of easy rules to remember: keep your fire small, keep it within the provided fire rings, and stay with your fire until it is completely out.
You can find the full list of reminders and safety tips here!
