Around Christmas time we upgraded our camper and bought a MiniLite. We absolutely love it and said that if we upgraded, we were going to make a point to use it and we’ve been three times already since Christmas. Our plan is to go at least once a month during the Spring, Summer, and Fall months and then for New Year’s every year.
We recently got back from a trip to Bledsoe Creek State Park in Gallatin, TN. It’s only 45 minutes from our house and we only had a couple days to camp, so this was the perfect weekend getaway. You’d never know you’re just 10 minutes to the store or restaurants with this wooded, state park retreat.
Bledsoe Creek State Park is rich in history. It was once a prime hunting ground for the Cherokee, Creek, Shawnee and Chickamauga Native American tribes. Once English settlers arrived to the area, the once great herds of animals were dispersed, never to return. The area is home to a wealth of Native American history along with various historical sites nearby. The Bledsoe Creek territory became a Tennessee State Park in 1973.
The park features 57 campsites. There are more than six miles of scenic hiking trails. The trails meander through the forest and along the lakeshore of the park. One mile of these trails is paved making it accessible to persons with disabilities. The trails are open year round. Bledsoe Creek offers two boat launch ramps, one for registered campers only and the other open for the general public. Other activities include fishing at Old Hickory Lake, picnic facilities (the largest able to accommodate up to 150 people) and park programs which provide entertainment for all ages and change annually.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring as well as a grill and lantern holder. For great camping, try the sites on the lake. Some of our favorite sites at Bledsoe Creek are: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57. These sites usually go first, so be sure to book well in advance if you plan to make a trip to Bledsoe Creek to camp. We stayed at site #52 this past trip and loved the pull through site and the grassy area that gave the kids lots of room to run and play. It’s also a great site to hang your Eno’s, and is just across the cul-de-sac from the water. Forty-three campsites have 50/30 amp service, and 14 have 30 amp service available. Water for each site and a dump station are available year-round. There are also 8 primitive waterfront sites available. These waterfront sites have beautiful views of the lake. Each site is drive-in, has a grill, picnic table, and a fire pit. There is ample room to put up to four tents and plenty of trees for hammocks. Each site accommodates up to eight people. Campers have access to potable water, but no electricity. It is a very short walk to the bathhouse and only steps away from our popular Shoreline Trail and a fishing area. Additional amenities within the campground include a couple very clean bathhouses, a playground for the little people, covered pavilions, horseshoe pits, laundry mat, and more.
We cannot wait to get back to Bledsoe Creek State Park to camp! Where are you camping this year? See where we love to camp + lots of helpful camping tips HERE. You can also shop our favorite camping supplies and must haves HERE.
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