Tennessee RV Camping and Campgrounds

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Recreational Vehicle Camping In Tennessee

RV camping in the three sections of Tennessee offers great scenery, solitude, and wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities for the whole family. From RV resorts, to basic service public campgrounds,there is something for everyone in Tennessee. Free dispersed camping (boondocking is available in USDA National Forest lands in Tennessee.

Free camping ideas follow Tennessee RV camping resources.

Tennessee Resources for RV Camping Information

Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding the best RV parks an campgrounds in Tennessee.

National Park Service - NPS information about camping at National Park Service administered lands in Tennessee.
US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds in National Forest lands in Tennessee.
US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about COE lakes and camping opportunities in Tennessee.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about camping at National Wildlife Refuges in Tennessee.

Tennessee State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do. Includes campgrounds.
State Parks - Information about RV camping in state parks in Tennessee.
Tennessee State Forests - Information about state forests and camping and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

TVA Campgrounds - The Tennessee Valley Authority operates 11 campgrounds with hundreds of campsites. Many campsites offer full hookups. Seasonal use.

Camping Reservations - Tennessee Federal Campground Reservations.

Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
Historical Weather - Know what to pack. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

RV Dumps Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Tennessee.

Sanidumps.com - Tennessee RV dump stations listed by town.

RV Camping pages with more information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites

USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

We recommend the Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This Tennessee topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of research tools to find RV camping sites all across Tennessee.

Tennessee Free RV Camping List

Free camping is permitted in the USDA National Forests in Tennessee. Click the above links for more information.

NASHVILLE

On the E side of I-240 at Nashville exit, on Old Summer Rd, is Jack's Bar-B-Q Rib Shack. Jack will give permission to stay overnight behind his building in a large, well-lit parking lot. Any size RV
Natchez Trace Parkway has 1 free campground in TN, Meriwether Lewis, located at Milepost 385.9, about 70 mi S of Nashville. Water, hiking, picnic tables, toilets. Any size RV.
TAZEWELL - A great overnight spot is a huge parking lot on the west side of US 25E about 20 miles south of Tazewell, TN. This highway parallels I-75 and is little used. The parking area overlooks a large valley. The misty sunrises there are incredible.

More Free RV Camping Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Tennessee. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Tennessee due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission
RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Tennessee. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.

RV Camping Information You Can Use

Public lands offer great RV camping in Tennessee. State, Federal, and private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available at State and National Forests. Use the links to the public lands websites above for specific information about camping and public lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble finding the best campsites.