If you’re looking for a rustic camping experience in unspoiled nature, but don’t want to lose the modern amenities because you’re traveling with children, Tennessee is your place. Home to a variety of family-oriented campgrounds with long histories and endless accolades, you’ll find something for the whole family to enjoy at these five great campgrounds in the state.
This 140-acre campground is owned by Malcolm, Barbara, and Greg Johnson. The Johnsons purchased the land in 1994 to make the area a family-friendly campground. They sure succeeded. The Tennessee Campground Association has awarded them with the “Tennessee Campground of the Year” award in years past, as well as several other accolades. Amenities include a climate-controlled bathhouse, laundry area, water park, playground, and a fenced in dog park for your four-legged friends!
This campground features 310 full hookup sites and 70 pull-through sites, each of them with a picnic table. You’ll find bathhouses with AC/heating, laundry rooms, a game room, a basketball court, two swimming pools, a lazy river, and so much more. There are also plenty of neighboring attractions like great restaurants, in case you’re looking for a nice sit-down meal. This site feels like a secluded camping experience, but you’ll have access to modern conveniences—perfect for those with small children!
The North Campground at this recreational park is the family area. From 10 p.m. until 8 a.m., it’s quiet time—great news for those with little kids looking to get to bed at a reasonable hour. There is a half mile of riverside camping with both primitive and 30 amp electrical/water sites. For primitive camping, it’s only $7 a person per night, and kids under 12 stay free! Check out their canoe rentals for an adventurous day on the water.
Situated in West Tennessee on 1,400 acres of land, Chickasaw State Park has a variety of camping options. There are 13 cabins, designed to sleep six people, outfitted with fireplaces and tucked away among beautiful pines. There are also 52 RV sites and 29 tent sites. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, bathhouses, and a playground.
The main campground area at Rock Island has 50 sites RVs and trailers, and 10 sites for tent-only camping. The tent-only campsites feature lantern hangers, fire rings, charcoal grills, and picnic tables. Activities at the state park include boating and swimming in Center Hill Lake, birding, picnicking, hiking, and more. For those looking to use Center Hill Lake for boating purposes: Be sure to check the conditions online before you head out. During active spill periods at the Great Falls Dam, guests are not permitted to access certain areas.
