6 Places to Camp – Within 3 Hours of Nashville

Camping is one of our favorite ways to vacation as a family. We have some favorite places to camp and recently, I was asked if I would compile a list of our favorite campgrounds (within a short driving distance of Nashville, TN) for another family, and I wanted to share it with each of you as well.

• Townsend / Great Smokies KOA – this was the first campground we camped at as a family and what a special (and beautiful) place it is! All the river campsites are great – however, our favorites are sites 121, 122, and 123. You can read our full review HERE.

• Fort Mountain State Park – We recently went here for the first time (stayed on campsite #46 and loved it) and had such a great time! It’s about 3 hours from Nashville in Chatsworth, GA and is such a pretty park! There are two campgrounds in the state park – our favorite was the Lakeside Campground. Some favorite sites were: #46, 47, 49, 50, 62, 63, and 43.

• Montgomery Bell State Park – We usually camp here at least once a season. We have our favorite shady spots that are on the creek. When we camp there, we only reserve those spots because they’re our favorite. Our favorite campsites at Montgomery Bell State Park are: #108 and #113.
• Old Stone Fort State Park – We have camped here a couple of times and love how close it is to Nashville. This park has lots of shade and a great campground to bike ride in for the kids. A few of our favorite campsites: #33, 34, and 10.

• Cumberland Mountain State Park – We love East Tennessee. It’s some of the prettiest country you’ll see, which is why we love Cumberland Mountain so much. When we camp here, we take our kayaks with us and always enjoy using them on the lake. The campsites are a great size, lots of shade, and great for bike riding. We have camped here quite a few times and always keep it at the top of our list of favorites. Some of our favorite sites at this Tennessee state park are: #108, 109, 126, 17.

• Desoto State Park – A little gem just 2.5 hour from Nashville. Close to Chattanooga, but in Alabama. We love this Alabama state park and is one of our favorite places to camp.

Where are some of your favorite places to camp? We’re always looking for new places to go. You can also check out and shop some of our favorite camping items + must have’s HERE.