Embrace the Magic: How to Enjoy the Christmas Holidays While Camping
The Christmas holidays are a time of joy, togetherness, and tradition. While many people associate this special season with cozy firesides and twinkling lights, there’s
If you are planning a family camping trip in Tennessee you are in luck! There are many fantastic kid-friendly campground throughout this beautiful State that will provide the perfect family campsite! There are so many fantastic campgrounds it was difficult to narrow down to the very best for families, but we did come up with the top eight!
As parents ourselves, we know what’s important for a successful family camping trip.
CLEAN BATHROOMS – so important for tent campers who rely on clean, well-maintained bathrooms and showers! Even if you have a bathroom with your RV, its essential to have nice bathrooms when you are out and about exploring the parks.
KIDS’ AREAS & ACTIVITIES. While it isn’t essential to have organized activities for children, they are nice to have as an option. In addition – playgrounds and kid-friendly hiking trails are a must.
CAMPSITE PRIVACY. No one wants to drive a couple hours from home with all their camping gear to just be crammed into a campsite practically on top of their neighbors! We know we aren’t exactly back-packing into the wilderness, but bonus points for those campsites who have a measure of privacy so you can at least pretend you are miles away from society.
With these criteria in mind, here is our suggested list of best campgrounds for families – SORTED GEOGRAPHICALLY WEST TO EAST.
Location: 910 Riddick Road
Millington, TN 38053
Phone: 910-876-5215
The Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is conveniently located just 13 miles north of Memphis, TN and features over 12 thousand acres of forestland bordering the Mississippi River. This is a dense forested area with enormous trees – oaks, American beech, hickory, and sweet gum. Families will enjoy the variety of camping options – from 2-bedroom cabins to standard campsites to a group camp site for large camping groups.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is the ultimate destination for wildlife lovers! Children who enjoy spotting wildlife will be especially pleased here as there are plentiful deer, turkey, otter, beavers, foxes and even bobcats roaming the forests. In addition, there are over 200 species of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and birds of prey. If you are lucky, you may even spot the American Bald Eagle!
Finally, there is a Nature Center (open seasonally) that has exhibits of live snakes, turtles, salamanders, fish, and an indoor live butterfly garden along with a few other interesting hands-on exhibits.
| Facilities | Rental canoes, kayaks, & paddleboards Disc golf course Birding Boating 20 miles hiking trails 5 mile out-and-back bike trail Fishing (bass, bluegill, catfish) 8.5 miles of horse trails 6 picnic shelters/pavilions (30-100 people capacity) Bathhouse Dump station |
RV/Tent/Trailer Sites
| Campsites: | 49 |
| Site features: | Table, grill, electrical & water hookups. |
Cabins
| Cabins: | Six 2-bedroom |
| Site features | Can sleep up to 6 people 1 bed + 1 full-size pull out couch Fully equipped kitchen & all linens provided Firewood is supplied during wintertime |
Brent Moore
Location: 20 Cabin Lane
Henderson, TN 38340
Phone: 731-989-5141
Chickasaw State Park is named for the Chickasaw Indians who once inhabited West Tennessee and North Mississippi. This park is situated on some of the highest terrain in West Tennessee. Families can enjoy miles of easy to moderate hiking trails, bicycle friendly roads, as well as rental rowboats & peddle boats.
If you have horse-lovers in your family, they’ll want to check out the park stables that rent horses for guided trail rides. If you have your own horses, there are miles of horseback trails throughout the park to enjoy (please note that horses are not allowed on paved roads in the park).
| Facilities | Campground store Bath house Restroom facilities Dump Station Paddling Birding Interpretive Program Swimming Hiking Biking on roads and trails Fishing (bass, bream, catfish) Horseback riding (BYOH) |
RV Campground
| Campsites: | 53 |
| Site features: | Accommodates rigs up to 94 ft Water & 20/30/50-amp electric hook-ups 26 sites have sewer hook-ups Picnic table & grill |
Tent Campground
| Campsites: | 29 |
| Site features: | Picnic table & grill Water available Modern bathhouse nearby with hot showers & restrooms |
Wrangler Campground
| Campsites: | 32 |
| Site features | Designed for campers traveling with horses Water & electric hook-ups Bathhouse and restroom facilities |
Cabins
| Cabins: | 13 cabins |
| Site features | 7 cabins are one-bedroom – can accommodate up to 4 people 5 cabins are two-bedroom – can accommodate up to 6 people Kitchens have full sized appliances & cooking/serving utensils. Bed and bath linens provided. TV with satellite and telephones Picnic table, fire ring and grill on patio |
Location: 4209 Nashville HWY
Chapel Hill, TN 37034
Phone: 931-364-2222
Families looking for an outdoor recreation mecca will love Henry Horton State Park for their next camping trip. The park features the Buford Ellington championship golf course which is heavily treed and containing 37 bunkers. Duck River anglers will be able to catch bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and red-eye) as well as catfish and other species. Skeet shooters can test their skill on the Henry Horton Trap and Skeet Range which includes five skeet fields and two trap fields. There is also a lodge building with concessions along with gun & ammo rentals. (note: must be 18+ years of age or youth sportsman with valid ID)
| Facilities | Campsite store Drinking water Bath houses Playground Ballfields Archery Range Picnic Areas Golf Course Disc Golf Firewood for sale Biking Boating Fishing |
RV/Tent/Trailer Sites:
| Campsites: | 75 |
| Site features: | Limit of 6 people & 2 vehicles per site Max 2 tents or 1 RV & 1 tent per site Leashed Pets OK Wifi available |
Backcountry Campsites:
| Campsites: | 2 |
| Site features: | Located on the Adeline Wilhoite River Trail Loop Hike in only Primitive outhouse available Fire pit & seating Max 6 people per site No potable water Leave No Trace Camping |
Hammock Camping:
| Campsites: | 6 |
| Site features | Primitive campsites located behind RV camping Hike in only Max 6 people/hammocks per site Picnic table Grill/fire ring Wifi Leave No Trace Camping |
Standard Cabins
| Cabins: | 3 |
| Standard Cabin features: | Appliances, cooking utensils, linens, and towels. Picnic table & charcoal grill outside. Cribs available upon request. Central Heat/Air Full Kitchen Gas fireplace Phone 2 night minimum |
Rustic Cabins
| Cabins: | 5 |
| Rustic Cabin features: | Appliances, cooking utensils, linens, towels Full kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, window AC units, and phones. |
Gary Riley
Location: 82 Beach Road
Rock Island, TN 38581
Phone: 931-837-4770
Families with older children who enjoy hiking will find Rock Island State Park the perfect camping spot for a long weekend. The park is home to Caney Fork Gorge which sits below Great Falls Dam. Great Falls is a 30 foot horseshoe cascading waterfall and the Gorge contains scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools and limestone paths. Rock Island State Park is a wonderland for hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking and exploring. (Note: obey all park safety signage as rising water levels can be extremely dangerous)
| Facilities/Activities: | 883-acre park Boating Swimming Hiking 4 picnic pavilions (30-100 people each) 2 bathhouses with hot showers & accessible restrooms Dump stationWifi |
RVs & Trailers:
| Campsites: | 50 |
| Site features: | 20/30/50 amp electrical & water hookups Charcoal grill Fire ring Lantern hanger Picnic Table 4 sites have sewer hookups |
Tent Campsites:
| Campsites: | 10 |
| Site features: | 20 amp electrical, water hookups Lantern hanger Fire ring Charcoal grill Picnic table Most sites partially shaded and have grass surface. Tent only campsites are closed from Nov2 – March 15 yearly. |
Fred Moore
Location: 2009 Village Camp Road
Spencer, TN 38585
Phone: 423-881-5298
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s most popular state parks due to its many natural and man-made attractions. Throughout the park you’ll find cascades, gorges, waterfalls, and streams. The beauty of nature in the park is breathtaking for campers and visitors of all ages.
Families will especially enjoy the hikes around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. If your campers are up for it, there are even two long-distance overnight hiking trails. The park offers naturalist-led environmental programs especially designed for young children.
For golfers in the family, Fall Creek Falls Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole golf course along with pro shop where you can find golfing supplies, lessons, rental clubs and carts.
For older children, the Canopy Challenge Course is the star attraction. It features 75 wobbly bridges, rope swings, cargo nets, balance beams and zip lines – all with varying difficulty. Participants move through the course attached to a safety line.
| Facilities/Activities: | Rock climbing Canopy challenge course Interpretive programs Boating Swimming 56 miles of hiking trails 24 miles of mountain bike trails Bike rentals, boat rentals Fishing (on Fall Creek Lake 345 acres) Golf – 18 hole |
Tents, RVs & Trailers:
| Campsites: | 222 in five different areas of the park |
| Site features: | Picnic tables\ Grill Water, Electricity 6 bathhouses 92 sites have sewer connections |
Primitive Tent Campsites:
| Campsites: | 16 |
| Site features: | No water or electric |
Backcountry Camping:
| Campsites: | 16 |
| Site features: | Located in four different areas along the overnight backpacking trails |
Fisherman Cabins:
| Fisherman: | 20 |
| Cabin features: | Located directly on Fall Creek Lake. Ten are 2-story, 2 bedroom, 1.5 baths Ten are 1-story, 3 bedroom, 2 baths Full kitchens, dining area, living room, pot bell woodstove |
Landside Cabins:
| Landside: | 10 |
| Cabin features: | 2-bedrooms, gas fireplace, patio, picnic table, outdoor grill. |
Location: Cable Mill Road
Townsend, TN 37882
Phone: 877-444-6777
Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best ways to experience Tennessee’s abundant wildlife and breathtaking natural features. Cades Cove Campground is designed for car-camping families and RVers alike. There is a camp store for food and supplies as well as clean restrooms and drinking water (although NO showers).
Families will enjoy exploring the famous Cades Cove loop road – a scenic 11 mile drive through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park featuring mountain peaks, lush, rolling greens, and restored buildings like churches, log homes, cantilevered barns, and a working mill. In addition, you may be able to spot wildlife along the road such as white tail deer, coyote, elk, fox and black bears!
Families can also explore the area on bicycles, horseback rides, hayrides, and carriage rides (available for rent thru the camp store seasonally). Bring binoculars to spot wildlife as you explore (but be sure to keep your distance!)
NOTE: Cades Cove Loop Road is closed until 1 March 2020 for maintenance
Campground is open: March 6, 2020 – December 31, 2020
| Facilities/Activities: | Hiking Biking Camp store Bike rentals Interpretive programs Visitor Center Horse Rentals Dump station Amphitheater |
Tents, RVs & Trailers:
| Campsites: | 162 |
| Site features: | No hook-ups or showers Emergency phone available |
Location: 4857 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: 865-436-8372
Smokey Bear Campground is a privately owned campground part of the Good Sam RV Park & Resort Network and is located in the Northeast section of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Families will enjoy the heated pool and hot tub (seasonal), playground, and clean bathhouse. Pets are welcome here too. The campground consistently gets rave reviews for upkeep, cleanliness, and staff friendliness.
RV and tent sites aren’t too close together and most have nice tall trees keeping things shady. Nearby attractions include Ramsey Cascades and Hen Wallow Water Falls. There are also several highly-rated family restaurants within a few miles of camp if you don’t feel like campfire cooking!
| Facilities/Activities: | Bathhouse (wheelchair accessible) Laundry Clubhouse (seats up to 70) with full kitchen, Heat/Air Camping store Heated pool (seasonal) Hot tub (seasonal) Playground Book and DVD lending library Pet friendly |
RVs & Trailers:
| Campsites: | 46 |
| Site features: | Full hookup with water, sewer, electric, cable & wifi Pull through and back in sites available Picnic table Fire ring Shady and tidy sites |
Cabins:
| Cabins: | 6 |
| Cabin features: | Heat & A/C Charcoal grill Fire ring Picnic table Linens/Towels are NOT provided No smoking Cabins have initial soap, paper towels, TP, garbage bags Pets upon approval and fee |
pfly
Location: 10585-10711 TN 133
Shady Valley, TN 37688
Phone: 423-735-1500
The Christmas holidays are a time of joy, togetherness, and tradition. While many people associate this special season with cozy firesides and twinkling lights, there’s