The best camping near Rock Island State Park Tennessee

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rock Island State Park Tennessee adventure.

100% (8 reviews)
100% (8 reviews)

Set up camp and explore the rugged beauty of Rock Island.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Rock Island State Park Tennessee

98%
(570)

The Falls at Sewanee Creek

11 sites · Lodging, Tents45 acres · Tracy City, TN
45 private acres on our homestead for you to roam. Seven eclectic sites to choose from ranging from primitive camping to a lovely log cabin. All except the log cabin lovingly built by the owner, loaded with creative touches. Featuring: * Two gorgeous waterfalls. Each of our stay-sites are located within about 100-150 yards of Fifty-foot tall Miller’s Falls. * A large cave at the end of a short, but rugged hike. * A fairy Village filled with Hollow Oak Tree Fairy homes. The trees glow after dark. Magical. * Three acres for group camping centered on a well-equipped, covered outdoor kitchen. * Peaceful Meditation Retreats at the Outdoor Kitchen under brain-wave enhancing satellite dishes. * Certified Hypnotherapy Disclaimer: The flow of the waterfall is subject to fluctuations in temperature, seasonal droughts, & rain fall. The most favorable seasons for waterfall flow are fall, winter & early spring. We came to this magical place to found a self-reliant, homesteading eco-community when I retired from corporate life in 2006. It's called the Village on Sewanee Creek, named for the creek 800 feet below the bluff where we are located. I traveled the world as a senior executive for Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, Papa Johns, Blockbuster, 7-Eleven and other retail franchises, making the world safe for Pizza, Ice Cream, Pancakes Video Rentals and American convenience. And I was ready for something more fufilling. I scouted for a place of exquisite natural beauty and I found it here. I bought way too much land just before the real estate bust and learned how to turn a nice fortune into a very small one. I faced challenges and had lots of fun. Now I want to share our experience. It's the Village 2.0 for guests. Or not. Life in the city is OK as long as you can get away frequently. I'm convinced if you love nature and the outdoors, this is the best place to celebrate it.
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$39
 / night
100%
(1111)

Belle and Beau Acres

18 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Baxter, TN
Whether you're looking for peace, relaxation, or riverside adventure, Belle and Beau Acres hits the mark for any nature enthusiast. Location, location! BBA has taken the guess work out of rustic camping. Consistently ranked as a Best of Tennessee Hipcamp and situated in a convenient spot for Upper Cumberland waterfalls, hiking, kayaking, lake life and more. A short list of what to expect on site includes: PRIVACY - ADVENTURE - GETAWAY Quick response time/Clear communication Spacious, shady, leaf-bed campsites 360 degree views of relaxing nature 27 Foot Waterfall (365 days of flow except during severe drought) Rock shelter under Ledge Waterfall Two shallow lazy rivers for soaking Hiking trails onsite Multiple spring-fed creeks Countless water cascades for exploring Star gazing over wide pastures Old forests for ample shade and hammock hanging Cellular reception at campsites (usually at least 1 bar) HUNTING SEASONS: WE RECOMMEND WEARING ORANGE BETWEEN October 26 - January 5. No hunting allowed on the property! Please read the site descriptions carefully to match your style of camping with the appropriate campsite. BBA guests frequently camp with a tent, vehicle, smaller camper, hammock tent, roof top tent, pop-up camper and similar styles depending on their selection. Most of the photos in this listing are taken onsite. Please keep in mind this is primitive and wild Tennessee landscape that may also contain poisonous plants and wildlife in or around campsites. Access to fresh water fun is a short down-hill hike for all guests, with the exception of our hike-in campsites which are positioned alongside the river. Each spot has been strategically selected to provide as much privacy as possible, and comfortably accommodates groups with two vehicles. We provide a rock fire pit and heavy duty cast iron grill grate. You provide everything else, including drinking water and personal toilet waste bags if you plan to use our system. The hike-in sites come with extra seating. Every guest must be included on your reservation, and adult guests may be required to provide identification. Thank you! COMMUNITY COMFORT STATION: There is a comfort station with an outdoor shower stall for hanging your own solar shower bag. The comfort station also includes a changing room which doubles as a private place to use your portable camping toilet. A toilet seat and bucket system is provided but guests will need to use their own waste disposal bags, available at most camping supply stores. The backside of the comfort station has a rain barrel (not potable) collection system for extinguishing fires. OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS: Fall 2024 update, we have been making improvements and current road conditions are great! Due to the primitive nature of our location, all reservations should expect hilly terrain and potential bumpy or soggy road access, especially after heavy rain. We ask all guests to help us minimize impacts by driving with care. We do not recommend vehicles with low ground clearance or low profile tires. An important note, guests always have the choice to park their vehicles at the entrance. We close road access December-March and guests are required to hike in from the entrance of the property, less than a mile distance total. When the road is open in Spring or unusually wet seasons, we recommend AWD or 4WD as a precaution. Belle and Beau Acres is a farm homestead with a personal campground, conveniently located less than five minutes from I40. Expect nothing short of 360 degree views of relaxing nature, privacy, and spontaneous adventure when recreating at this agritourism location. Central to the most beautiful middle Tennessee destinations, BBA is the perfect home base for day excursions to at least 10 nearby state parks and lakes. Conveniently located on the Eastern Highland Rim between Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga in the lower Appalachian mountains, this area sits at the Upper Cumberland Plateau and is part of Tennessee's largest micropolitan area of Cookeville. Visit popular nearby attractions such as Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, Fancher Falls, Greeter Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole, Rock Island, Center Hill Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, Caney Fork River, Standing Stone State Park, Virgin Falls, Rock Island, Cordell Hull, and Edgar Evins State Park. The choices are endless! The Klein family purchased their home in 2015 after grieving the sudden loss of a beloved family member and realizing that life is truly too short. They traded their bustling city life for a more permanent connection to nature. This small family of four lives at the entrance of their 33 acre old ranch, hosting primitive camping and leaning into a homesteading lifestyle. It wasn't until the family started shaping the land for their personal use until they realized the abundant beauty that surrounds the home. Hidden away and inaccessible were gorgeous rocky cliffs, rivers and even a waterfall! Hipcamp has provided an opportunity for them to carefully share this experience with others. On the land, they enjoy cooling off in the spring water, growing organic food, foraging for wild edibles, hiking, and exploring their onsite rivers and natural springs. Your host Christine is creative and loves working in her onsite fiber studio while her husband David is often found tending to his young fruit and nut orchard and organic crops. Their son Elliott and daughter Freya are both students at Tennessee Tech University. David, Elliott, and Freya also enjoy playing music together professionally in their band My Heart Your Heart.
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$40
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98%
(468)

Hammock’Sway Off Grid & Private

29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents37 acres · Spencer, TN
Get Lost or Find Yourself. Sway Camping is a private, Off Grid camping experience in Rock Island TN. Situated between Isha Yoga center, Fall Creek Falls, and Rock Island state park, this property is something special. Each campsite offers a private space perfect for getting away, or large enough for family and groups. Pet Friendly property with lots of room to be a part of nature along the beautiful Rocky River. Camp along the river or up in your own private forest. One of the darkets skies around so be ready for some stargazing at night by the fire. This is a property I purchased in 2018 to create a camping experience that reflected the image of camping as a kid. This isn’t a "hotel without walls." This is real camping. No phone signal. No electric wires. Just nature and beauty in a quiet environment. Get lost or find yourself relaxing along the Rocky River. Stay in a hammock, a tent, camper, RV, or one of our cabins. Privacy and freedom is what we are about. Pet friendly camping that should be shared, but please don't tell everyone you know. Only your favorite people.. Then come camp!
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$35
 / night
97%
(268)

Greeter Falls Campground

66 sites · RVs, Tents24 acres · Altamont, TN
Greeter Falls Campground is open for business! We want to welcome all you happy campers to our timberland escape. Greeter Falls Campground is located less than a half mile from the Greeter Falls Trailhead, adjacent to the 16,000 acre Savage Gulf State Park offering over 50 miles of well-marked trails for every skill level. The .08 mile Greeter Falls Trail loop connects you to three awe inspiring waterfalls as well as the nearby Blue Hole swimming area. We offer many recreational options to help you enjoy the area including Primitive Tent spots, furnished Yurts (Bell Tents) and RV/Travel Trailer sites (each with electrical and water hook-ups). Unlike many RV camps where sites are over-packed into a cramped trailer park setting, all our sites are ensconced within sparsely inhabited raw timberland; with less than 3 sites per acre versus an average of 10-15 nationally. Currently we offer over 50 campsites: 25 RV Sites: - 12 Premium RV and Travel Trailer Sites - FHU with Septic and/or "Pull Thru". - 11 Regular RV Sites with standard electric/water hook ups - 2 Premium RV Sites with Small Private Dog Parks 8 Furnished Yurts (Glamping) Sites– on Wooden Platforms with Porches: - 4 11' x 11' Square Military Style Command Tents - 4 16' x 16' Square Military Style Squad Tents 17 Primitive Tent Sites: - 5 Primitive Tent Spots – Solo/Duo - 5 Primitive Tent Spots – Group/Family - 4 Primitive Tent Spots - Deluxe Group/Family with Water/Power - 3 Deluxe Group/Family Tent Spots on Main Campus with wooden platforms Come to Greeter Falls Campground to Retreat, Relax, Be Refreshed & Get Renewed Here is some useful information: • If you have any questions or need additional information, please Call: Our Camp Hostess at 1-800-MTN-CAMP (800-686-2267) Or by Email: Camp@GreeterFalls.com • Greeter Falls Campground Website: Greeter: https://greeterfalls.com • Greeter Falls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greeterfalls/?hl=en • Directions Via Google/Apple Maps: Greeter Falls Campground. 180 Greeter Falls Road North, Altamont TN 37301 Thanks. We Look forward to seeing you soon!
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$26.10
 / night
100%
(283)

Beech Hollow Hideout

2 sites · Lodging100 acres · Dowelltown, TN
Peaceful healing property. We do organic gardening and have animals that you can visit with as well. I have a sculpture studio and art gallery that you can come check out. We've been living off the grid for over 30 years. Come visit us and learn about our way of life! Enjoy complete privacy in a cozy forest retreat hut in a beautiful hollow in Middle Tennessee. Accommodates 2. Pretty steep 200 yd uphill hike to hut. Perfect for relationship getaway, spiritual retreat, or writing - planning intensive. Nationally-known spelunking (Indian Grave Point Cave) within 1/2 mile. 3 miles from Center Hill Lake. Hiking trails. Experience our alternative lifestyle with owner built solar log home, organic gardens and sculpture studio. Guests must arrive before dark to ensure finding correct address (GPS errs a last moment) and to facilitate hike up to hut. Potable water, trash disposal, and a toilet are available on site. Pets are permitted, as well as campfires (outside of burn bans). Guests love staying here: "Wow! This place is amazing, beautiful, peaceful, relaxing, and super cozy on cold nights. I can not recommend this place enough. William is a gracious host. He made sure I had enough wood for the wood stove and spring water to drink. If you are anywhere close and want a totally unique experience check this place out."
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$60
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97%
(235)

Elk Head Overlook

4 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Pelham, TN
**Please note the address is 9665 SR 50, Pelham, TN 37301** The best part about this site are the views! Relax on the side of the Cumberland Plateau while overlooking Burroughs Cove and the Elk River. Need firewood? Please let us know at least 48 hours prior to arrival and we can coordinate to have it delivered to your campsite before you arrive, enough wood for the night (and then some) $35. Specific Details: **Please note the address is 9665 SR 50, Pelham, TN 37301** You can see the sites from the main road, different maps (Google/Apple/etc.) show slight variations such as 9665 SR-50 or 9665 TN-50. If you find yourself on a gravel road for more than 50ft, STOP and verify the address. There is an electrical box at each end of the graveled parking area (Sites 1 and 2) with 20- and 30-amp plugs, plus 110v. If the power is not working, please check the panel and turn on/reset the breakers, many of our guests turn them off when departing. If you are at Site #2 and the steps above do not work, please check/do the same at the Site #1 panel (it is the master power source). Water is NOT available on site. NOTE: Depending on the time of year (warmer months only) a water container with a limited amount of NON-POTABLE water is on site for your use. Please plan on filling your water reservoir(s) PRIOR to arriving at the site. There is an outhouse for all guests, and picnic tables and fire rings for Sites 1 and 2. We are located just minutes away from The Caverns, South Cumberland State Park, Bigfoot Adventures, and many other outdoor attractions and hiking opportunities. The graveled camping area is fairly close to SR-50 so please expect to hear some road noise, more so in the winter months. The entrance/driveway is on a small incline, if you are traveling with a light vehicle and a heavy camper, its best to maintain a slow and steady speed to the camp site (for almost everyone, this is not an issue). If you are towing a camper, we recommend the total length of the vehicle and the trailer not exceeding 30ft, longer set ups can (and have been used) without issue. However, there is not a significant place to "turn around" at the sites and novice drivers (not used to backing out of tight spots with long rigs) may find this very challenging. Need firewood? Please let us know at least 48 hours prior to arrival and we will attempt to coordinate having it delivered to your campsite before you arrive, enough wood for the night (and then some) $35. This is a 3rd party service and not always available, please be proactive and plan accordingly. There is a double gate that is usually closed, and latched so it stays closed, it is not "locked". The site is self-serve (not manned), Site #1 is to the left, Site #2 is to the right, and Site #3 is down the path past the outhouse at the bottom of the path. It is recommended that campers set up early for Site 3 (still daylight) to get an idea of the layout. Parking for Site #3 is by the shed at the main entrance and power is not available at the site.
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$37.05
 / night
94%
(147)

Wild Meadows atop Rutherford County

5 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Lascassas, TN
25 years ago, we camped this spot and dreamed of building a house here. The view was so captivating. Needless to say, we’ve been here 20+yrs and still camping our land. Now we are sharing the beautiful landscape and remote feel that's so close to so much to see and do. We love where we are and we think you will too. Oh and I should also mention, you must love dogs. We have 3 plus 2 cats and chickens. Isolated or wide open. 1 tent or group camping. No electricity or water hookups. Free Access to water hose. We do not allow recreational motorized vehicles, firearms or bows. This is a peaceful serene getaway. We also have Airbnb rentals that consist of our home, that's also listed as "Wild Meadows atop Rutherford County", a travel trailer referred to as "Wildwood 17' Western RV and an RV listed as "Boutique RV at Wild Meadows". See trees, birds, lightning bugs and gorgeous views of Rutherford county. 5 min. from water. Swim, bike, fish, walk or run. Boating 15 min. from Percy priest lake. 10 min. from Cedars of Lebanon state park. 5 min. from Murfreesboro. 15 min. from downtown Murfreesboro. On the city square, there's live music first Friday every month. Fantastic farmers market sat mornings in the summer, starting in May. Checkout “Quarter Spring Farm” goat soap booth. Tell Heather hello for us. Her lemongrass and clove soap are my favorites. 30 min. from Nashville. 5 min. from Greenway walking trails. 20 min. from shopping. Hundreds of restaurants within a 20 min. radius. Championship soccer park 10 min. Sports com 15 min./workout or Olympic size pool w/slides and fantastic playground with Amazing handicap baseball field. Historic: Stones River Battlefield 20 min. Oakland’s Mansion 20 min. Sam Davis Home 20 min. Home of Middle Tennessee State University(MTSU)20min
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$22.40
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(20)

On The Rocks Campsite

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Watertown, TN
We are a 4 Season campsite, offering a fan and shaded areas in the summer, and a small fireplace electric heater in the cooler months. Brand name Bell 16 foot round tent built on sturdy cedar deck on top of a cluster of large limestone rocks in beautiful grove of mostly Maple and Oak trees. My oldest son Ben, and I built this campsite this year from both our visions, and tried to make it a truly magical setting. Ben was also featured in two episodes of Building Off The Grid, on the Discovery Channel, so he put quite a bit of expertise and knowledge into our site. Also features cedar outhouse with composting toilet, cedar bridges built across rocks, as well as hammock area, picnic table and gas grill. Firepit has Adirondack chairs, natural log seating and several more folding chairs, pillows and outdoor blankets stored in waterproof chest. Tent features a queen size bed, adult size folding cot stored under bed, adult size sleeping pad, 2 upholstered chairs set up as reading/relaxing nook, coffee maker, fan and Yeti battery pack for electrical and charging needs. We will provide drinking water and extra water for washing up. We supply all linens and dishware needs. First Aid Kit is provided, but we are just a short walk through the woods if you need anything. Nestled on 1 acre of our 10 acre hobby farm, which includes Peacocks, chickens, 4 cats, 5 Collies and a Weimaraner named Maggie, as well as a couple of goats, including a very friendly dwarf goat named Pickles. You may also see wildlife, such as deer and turkey, strolling down the meadow on the lower part of your site. Strands of lighting and battery candles provide a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in the evenings. Fire pit area features large metal ice bucket, with coolers available if you need one. For additional fees we can provide you with firewood, fresh eggs, homemade breads, cookies, and ask us about some home cooked meals which will be available this fall.
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$100
 / night

The best camping near Rock Island State Park Tennessee guide

Overview

About

At the confluence of three rivers, Rock Island State Park offers a breezy getaway in the heart of Tennessee. Visitors can explore 883 acres of natural wonders that include the two-stepped cascades of Great Falls and Twin Falls, as well as the sheer walls and churning waters of the Caney Fork Gorge. Nine hiking trails lead visitors around the park and through verdant forest and limestone gorges, while a natural sand beach on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake is popular for swimming and boating. The park has two campgrounds—the main campground has 50 sites with RV hookups, while the tent-only campground has 10 sites.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Booking ahead is recommended. Both campsites can be easily reserved online and can be made up to one year in advance. 
  2. To avoid wasting money, be sure of your dates before booking. A non-refundable reservation fee is applied to advance bookings.
  3. Note that the tent-only campground is closed over the winter months, typically from early November through mid-March.

When to go

With sunny summers and mild winters, Rock Island State Park is a great destination for campers year-round. The spring and summer do get busy, however, so bookings should be made as far in advance as possible. During this time, you can expect temperatures in the 70s and 80s, while winter cools down all the way down to the 40s and 50s. If you don’t mind the chill, winter offers the advantage of far fewer visitors and a more peaceful experience.

Know before you go

  • Bringing untreated wood into the park is prohibited. Heat-treated firewood is sold onsite when available.
  • Swimmers should be cautious in the water as no lifeguards are on duty.
  • A valid Tennessee fishing license is required for anyone wishing to fish.
  • Before your visit, check the park's website for information on the status of the gorge. At times, unsafe conditions force the gorge to close.

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