TENNESSEE STATE PARKS and ROUTES

[SLOtowngirl]

We have the month of September to spend in Tennessee and are interested in staying at state parks. We would love any suggestions of favorite parks and any routes that keep us off the interstate if possible. We are leaving from Asheville with plans to see Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga returning to NC.

Thanks for you help!

[SLOtowngirl]

Lots of suggestions, wish we could try them all. Great to hear from everyone! Thank you.

[jujububbajr]

Luv Campin wrote:
Henry Horton has been totally upgraded. All new electrical, plumbing and new roads and wider sites.

David Crockett is one of our favorites but does need a little updating. We're used to it though. Love to check out the Amish country in Lawrenceburg.

I live in Lawrenceburg 10 minutes from David Crockett. I talked to the campground hosts last weekend and they said the campground is slated to be updated in September 2016.

[padredw]

We will be staying at Davy Crockett SP in Lawrenceburg and in Panther Creek near Morristown next month. Also in Cumberland Gap National Park. All this on a trip that will also take us to Williamsburg, VA and Charlottesville, VA before we head back home.

In the past we have stayed at Montgomery Bell, Henry Horton, and Natchez Trace State Parks--these I remember off the top of my head. We may have stayed in others.

Only once did I get disappointed. After a long afternoon drive we arrived at Davy Crockett only to find that the governor had shut it down for the weekend in a budget struggle with the state legislature. I wrote a nice letter to the governor but never received a reply. So this will be our next time to visit Davy Crockett.

[Johno02]

Do you get the idea that we like our state?? With its parks and waters? If you don't agree, we don't want to hear it.

[Johno02]

Tims Ford is also close to Tullahoma and George Dickel if you like a better nip. They give tours also, and is a really beautiful site without all the bustle.

[Johno02]

One more very important thing while you are visiting. If there is a donation box at the state or COE campground you are visiting, be sure and put in a small bit if you enjoyed your stay. Remember, these parks are funded from government funds, and many are struggling to maintain the service and quality needed. The donation boxes provide a little extra locally for small necessities.

[ken56]

Tennessee is TVA (Tennessee valley authority) country. They run the hydro electric dams and most have campgrounds they operate which can be very nice to so so. Check their web site too. TN state parks are quite nice compared to some states I have been in. I am very happy about their upgrading a lot of them. I live close to Panther Creek SP and its as nice or better than some private CG's I have stayed at. Cumberland mountain is very nice too and the on site restaurant is really good. If you golf they also have a Jack Nicolas course, Bear Trace, that's top notch. I will say that most any SP you choose you will be happy with. Tims Ford is close to Lynchburg and Jack Daniels Distillery if you like a good nip. Have fun enjoying beautiful TN.

[SLOtowngirl]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Thank you, everyone, for all the suggestions. Now I've got a much better idea of some favorites to look at. We do include the COE parks, always a wonderful stay. I hadn't thought about the Cumberland Gap area so I'll look into that. Thanks so much. Love this forum for getting new ideas. ??

[Tarka]

Big South Fork National Recreation Area (BSF)
We stayed at Bandy Creek Campground this past weekend. Very nice facility and lots of hiking, biking, horseback riding there.
Recommended.

[Johno02]

Cumberland Mountain State Park
Crossville, Tenessee

[Johno02]

X2 on the COE campgrounds also. But again, some are a lot better than others. BTW we will probably drive over and check out Henry Horton again. Looks like a vast improvement from when we were originally there. And, its close enough for a easy day trip.

[Luv_Campin]

Henry Horton has been totally upgraded. All new electrical, plumbing and new roads and wider sites.

David Crockett is one of our favorites but does need a little updating. We're used to it though. Love to check out the Amish country in Lawrenceburg.

[linnemj]

I suggest you don't limit yourself to just TN State Parks. There are some wonderful COE parks in TN. One of our favorites in Seven Points COE - just east of Nashville.

[JaredWPhillips]

Johno02 wrote:
JaredWPhillips, has the campground at Henry Horton been upgraded?? Haven't been there in a number of years, although it is close to us and a good location to visit. When we were there last, there were not but two or three sites that would fit even a small Motorhome, the roads were terrible, and there was not a level site in the place. I had heard that it was being improved, hope to hear that it has been done. For the OP, there are a number of really great State Parks here in Tennessee, and many have been updated or recreated. I recomment both Natchez Trace (very close), and Montgomery Bell over at Dixon, X2 on all the others.

Didn't notice really; only been there once. I prefer the rustic campgrounds that aren't "perfect" and manicured. I had no complaints!

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