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7 Best Tent Camping Sites in Tennessee 

Tennessee has some of the best camping, hiking, and water experiences in the U.S. Learn where to camp with this useful adventure guide!

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Tennessee is a fantastic location for tourists and campers alike. It’s centrally located capital, Nashville, is the heart of the global country-music scene, meaning that many people flock from all around the world to see the music city capital. And with its miles of rolling hills, mountains and farm grounds, camping in the sixteenth state is bound to give you the country experience as well. Many of the campsites we will look at even encourage you to bring along your own musical instruments, so you can join in with a sing-along around the campsite. 

From the Appalachian Mountain system dominating the eastern part of the state to the Mississippi river flanking the western border, the natural landscapes in Tennessee really are a sight to behold. However, despite some of the amazing natural features, Tennessee isn’t the most dramatic state you can camp in. Despite the stunning waterfalls, rocky mountains, and miles of rivers, we think that there’s something even more attractive and special about camping in Tennessee. 

Did you know that one of Tennessee’s major industries is agriculture? What we think makes Tennessee such a quaint and attractive state to camp in are some of the alternative options such as rafting and rock climbing, which can be more difficult to find in other states. There’s also the agricultural lands. These include little family-run farmyards, where you can watch the sunset over the peaceful rolling hills, backcountry campsites nestled amongst stunning state parks, and unique isolated locations. That’s why we’ve compiled for you our top 7 small campgrounds, to show you our approach for the best tent camping in Tennessee. 

1. Eastern Highland Rim Adventure

Just one hour from Nashville, located in the lower Appalachian’s at the Upper Cumberland Plateau, this campsite is where primitive camping gets a new makeover. This family-run campsite surrounds you with 360-degree views of relaxing forests, spring-fed creeks and streams, a ledge waterfall with a 20-foot drop, and a rock shelter formation. You are also within close reach of some incredible hiking opportunities, like the Appalachian Trail.

This campsite has marketed itself perfectly to the person visiting from the city. One of the things that these people search for when getting out into nature, is to finally be able to stargaze, a long way away from the pollution and smog of the city. The Eastern Highland Rim Adventure campground has wide open pastures for stargazing, meaning you can truly be humbled by the magnitude of nature. 

There are also many activities to be enjoyed at this campsite. You can go fishing in the nearby Centre Hill Lake for largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, spotted bass, and the list goes on. You can also head off on one of the designated miles of trails in the family’s acreage and beyond. They keep a couple of well-maintained hiking trails that go past natural destinations such as a ledge waterfall with a natural oak shelter, creek exploring and cascades.

You can also go canoeing and kayaking nearby, and swimming in spring-fed creeks and waterfalls. This is a perfect option for those well versed in new camping trends: there are many places where you can put up your camping hammock, and they even provide a “comfort station” with an outdoor shower stall where you can hang your solar shower bag, a changing room and a rain barrel which you can use to refill your portable shower. 

 

Pros: 

  • 2 sites
  • Restrooms and showering facilities 
  • Only two small campsites, so you can avoid the crowds, and really get in touch with nature
  • Kitchen facilities
  • 25% off on weeknights
  • Rock fire pit

 

Cons: 

  • No wifi
  • No picnic tables
  • No RV sites

 

Tennessee landscape.

One of the best times to go hiking in Tennessee is in the fall when the leaves are changing and it’s not too hot.

Note: Want to make sure you don’t get lost in the great outdoors? Discover the best handheld GPS devices for camping here!

2. Lakeside Pigs Pears and Fishing Campground

Located right on the border with Mississippi, the Lakeside Pigs Pears and Fishing Campground is another great option for those looking for a city break, especially if you’re traveling from Mississippi. What better way to catch a break from the city than staying on a working farm? In the camping area, you’ll be sleeping near to pigs, chickens, mini cows, a mini donkey, and ducks. In their orchards, they also grow persimmon, mulberries, pear trees and chestnuts.

There are also some great, easy fishing opportunities, in the campground’s three-acre pond where you can catch crappie, bass, bream, and catfish. In different spots, you can either choose to go fly fishing and wading or off the dock or boat fishing. This backcountry camping experience offers biking around the property, hiking around the 17-acre farm and further afield for rivers and streams, and swimming in their 3-acre pond. 

This campsite certainly isn’t the luxury option, without basic amenities like showers, but what more can you expect when you’re stating on a farm? We’d recommend this as a great spot for family camping. This is because families thrive in a farmyard experience, you can use this as an opportunity to educate your young ones. Especially seeing as the campground and farmyard owners offer learning opportunities about permaculture, trees and animal husbandry.

What a great way to teach your kids how farms work, as they go and pick their fresh eggs in the morning. There’s also even easy access to fishing for the kids, making this the ideal family getaway spot. You’re certainly not getting the luxury of an RV park with a swimming pool, but we think that it’s a benefit that this will feel entirely different to RV camping. Go for it: get off the grid!

 

Pros: 

  • Family-friendly
  • Bathrooms

 

Cons: 

  • No showers
  • No Wi-Fi
  • No picnic tables 
  • No fire ring

 

3. Fall Creek Falls Campground

This campground is located in the Fall Creek Falls State Park, which is centered on the upper Crane Creek Gorge in Van Buren and Bledsoe counties. This 26,000-acre state park is famous for its unique geological formations and stunning waterfalls: we think it’s one of the most beautiful Tennessee state parks.

This campsite is located as close as you’re going to get to Fall Creek Falls. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the east of the United States. The falls are breathtaking and cascade down layers of rock and strata. There are also many other waterfalls to be viewed within this monumental park, such as Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. 

The Fall Creek Falls Campground is your best option for seeing this incredible landscape, especially if you’re backpacking. However, this does come at a price, many others flock to these natural phenomena too. With 268 sites, this campsite might feel a little bit busy with not a huge amount of primacy, and you may have to book in advance.

However, with the instant access to Fall Creek Falls, and all the other activities offered near the campground, this may be a sacrifice you’re willing to make as a backpacker. These activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, paddling, swimming and wildlife watching. This is a fantastic option for those who want their surroundings to be wilder than their campsite. 

 

Pros: 

  • Bathrooms and showers
  • Right next to Fall Creek Falls

 

Cons: 

  • 268 sites so it can become quite busy
  • No Wi-Fi (this could be a pro!)

 

Strumming a guitar.

As the birthplace of country music, you might want to bring along your guitar for a little campfire music session.

 

4. Mountain Soul Camping

Do you want to de-stress and relax in a hammock while you listen to the calming sound of a waterfall dropping nearby? Or relax and swim in crystal clear streams? The Mountain Soul camping might be just the spot for you. Located just minutes away from the Great Smoky Mountains (and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) and Cherokee National Forest, this campsite offers you the best in remote, zen camping experiences.

Whether you’re the only person hiking along a remote mountain biking rail, or building your own shelter in the wood and learning some survival skill, this is the perfect spot to reconnect with nature. Mountain Soul Camping has some lovely hammocks, set up right by the waterfall, so you can lie hanging between two trees and destress, reading your book to the sound of the water crashing on the rocks nearby. 

As the name suggests, this campsite won’t just offer you mountains, it also comes with a soul. This campsite welcomes musicians and encourages them to bring their instrument, for a campfire singalong. There is also a great deal of live music nearby in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and nearby you can also escape on a moonshine or wine trail. There are only 6 sites here, each with up to 7 guests, so you can guarantee that your stay will feel intimate and not crowded.

There are also a huge number of activities that can be done at the campsite or nearby: biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, snow-sports, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, whitewater rafting, and wildlife watching. The hosts here are also really exceptional, they often drive guests up to the mountains to see the views, or take them to fruit picking sessions in the evening. For a peaceful, soulful stay, in the middle of tranquil nature, look no further. 

 

Pros: 

  • Bathrooms and showers
  • Kitchen facilities available
  • Small sites so privacy is ensured
  • Few tent sites

 

Cons: 

  • No Wi-Fi
  • Bring mosquito repellent
  • Few tent sites

 

5. Tent Camping on Buffalo River

This 16.5-acre site offers a creativity retreat center, named Camp Wonder Wander, and a lovely little farm nestled beds the Buffalo River. Located in the foothills of the Appalachia hills, surrounded by rolling hills and farm country, this is a great way to become really situated in the local landscape and to understand the area’s agricultural life.

This is a perfect site for tent camping, with the campsite about three stories up from the river bed, meaning you can easily climb up the hill after a long day swimming and kayaking and sleep in a safe sheltered location, far above the high watermark. There’s even a pulley system so you can bring your equipment and kit up form the riverbank, and safely store it before the next day’s adventure. If you want a glamping experience, you could even stay in their lovely quaint treehouse!

There are a few options for backcountry tent camping here, including densely forested locations, which is perfect for hammock camping, and for hikers. Some locations are nearer to the animal inhabitants of the farm: rabbits, hens, camp cats and donkeys. You can also get involved in creative workshops, from collaging to pottery and purchase delicious fresh produce from the farm. One great feature of this campsite is how isolated it feels.

Vehicles aren’t allowed on the campsite: you have to park at the edge of the retreat and walk through five wooded acres. The campsite also doesn’t accept more than 12 campers at a time, so this is a fantastic option if you really want to be out in the sticks, away from the stressful sounds of roads and the city, and able to look up without interruption into the peaceful starry night’s sky before you sleep. 

 

Pros: 

  • Isolated and peaceful
  • Creative classes and access to the farm and their produce
  • Kayaking and canoeing right in Buffalo River, right next to the campsite
  • Wi-Fi

 

Cons: 

 

Two men canoeing.

Filled with some of the best rivers and lakes in the southeast, Tennessee is perfect for kayaking and canoeing.

 

6. Maclellan Island on the Tennesse River

This is one of our favorite options for camping in Tennessee and is an excellent example of a novelty camping spot. Located on Maclellan Island, a unique and stunning 18.8-acre wildlife sanctuary, in the middle of the Tennessee River, you’d think that booking this tiny island all for yourself would leave you totally out in the sticks. But this couldn’t be further from the truth! Even with the tranquility and exclusivity of sleeping on your own, private wildlife-sanctuary-island, you’re still right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga!

This is an excellent option for those looking for a convenient, but unique and edgy, city-break camping experience, which feels like a backcountry campsite. However, this experience really is what you and your group make of it. There’s only one site, for up to 30 people, and you can only book this island as one group. There’s also no shower, kitchen or portable water facilities. Furthermore, you have to access the island with your own boat, or a rented canoe. So, if you’re a group looking for a unique adventure for a celebration or a family getaway, we’d recommend hiring canoes for a few days and calling this island your home. Seeing as it goes from only $25 per night, what have you got to lose?

You can only access the island via boat, so despite the central location, you’ll get the adventure experience you’ve been looking for. Especially with the amazingly diverse ecosystem and wildlife viewing opportunities on the island. On the water’s edge you can see geese, muskrats, and kingfishers, and sometimes great-blue heron, nestling osprey, and migrating warblers; in the forest, you might sight possums, foxes, owls, raccoons, turkeys, and woodpeckers. You’ll probably also wake up to the dulcet tones of the songbirds resonating from the trees. If that doesn’t sound like the most tranquil urban camping trip, without any of the fuss of heading to a backcountry site, we don’t know what does!

 

Pros: 

  • In the heart of Downtown Chattanooga
  • Your group will have their own, private island 
  • Cheap
  • Wildlife viewing 

 

Cons: 

  • No shower, no running water
  • Only accessible by boat 
  • No hookups      

 

7. Overmountain Shelter in Roan Mountain

This is one of the most famous and iconic backpacking destinations in the whole of the state. If you’re planning a long trip around the state, and are picking up many parks and natural locations and campgrounds this is a sight you cannot afford to miss. Although it’s not technically a ‘tent camping site’, we couldn’t resist mentioning it.

Situated in the Appalachian Trail, and known affectionately by hikers as ‘the barn’, this structure operates as an Overmountain Shelter. This can sleep up to 30 people, and is a charming, although rustic, backcountry dwelling. If you’re backpacking on your own in Tennessee, places such as ‘the barn’, and other similar dwellings like the rustic Roan High Knob Shelter (the highest shelter on the Appalachian trail), are a fantastic way to meet other cool hikers, who are just as adventurous as you are. 

 

Pros: 

  • Embrace the adventure
  • Meet other awesome backpacks

 

Cons: 

  • Primitive, limited amenities
  • No Wi-Fi
  • Difficult to access

 

Final Verdict:

As you can see, we’ve chosen to show you the best tent camping in Tennessee through our eyes. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury camping experience, or for a full hookup or RV camping, then this isn’t the advice for you. What makes these campsites unique is that they’re really rooted in the land of the state. Either active family-run farmyards, backcountry camping in remote areas of state parks, or private little group escapes on an island reserved entirely for you: these options show you the best of camping in Tennessee.

The reason for this is that you’re not going to understand Tennessee’s southern charm and hospitality from one of the larger, swankier, more overpopulated campsites. These smaller campsites, although they might not be open year-round or come with the most extensive list of amenities, capture the charm and heart of the state. Imagine sitting around a campfire, listening to people play country music, after a long day canoeing or swimming in the river, on a family-owned farm. You can’t get more of a Tennessee camping experience than that! 

 

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Living Life on the Edge: Embracing Adrenaline-Fueled Moments

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Life is an adventure, a journey filled with countless opportunities for thrill and excitement. For some, the idea of living life on the edge, embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is an exhilarating concept that fuels their passion for adventure. This article delves into the world of adrenaline-chasing, highlighting the benefits and experiences of such a lifestyle.

Kitesurfing: Riding the waves of excitement

The first step to living on the edge is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Kitesurfing, a water sport combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, and paragliding elements, is an excellent example of an adrenaline-fueled activity. The activity entails utilizing a sizable maneuverable kite to capture the force of the wind, enabling the rider to traverse the water on a board specifically designed for kiteboarding. There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of soaring through the air, feeling the breeze caress your cheeks, and mastering the art of maneuvering a kite. Kitesurfing is a remarkable adventure that captures the spirit of embracing excitement and pushing boundaries.

The psychological thrill

In addition to the excitement of the tangible experience, embracing a daring lifestyle offers a mental rush that is just as stimulating. Engaging in these activities provides an exhilarating experience that stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s innate pain relievers. This results in a profound sense of joy and an overwhelming feeling of invulnerability. The thrill of this frenzy can become habit-forming, compelling thrill-seekers to pursue fresh and increasingly demanding adventures consistently. 

The benefits of embracing the edge

Embracing a daring lifestyle goes beyond pursuing excitement; it presents many advantages. Participating in thrilling adventures can enhance physical well-being, as numerous pursuits demand robustness, stamina, and skill. Furthermore, they have the potential to enhance one’s emotional well-being by offering a means to alleviate tension and unease. Engaging in these activities demands concentration, which can effectively alleviate mental clutter, resulting in a serene state once the surge of excitement diminishes.

The balance of risk and reward

While living life on the edge can be exhilarating, it’s important to remember the balance of risk and reward. Adrenaline-fueled activities often involve a certain level of risk, and it’s essential to approach them with a healthy respect for safety. Proper training, equipment, and precautions can help mitigate these risks, allowing you to enjoy the thrill without unnecessary danger. 

Always research your activities and location. This understanding can help you decide if the risk is acceptable and if you have the skills and equipment. Check and maintain your gear, and never sacrifice safety. Finally, embracing adventure with a responsible and safety-conscious mentality lets you enjoy high-risk activities without risking injury.

Living life on the edge embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is a lifestyle choice that offers a unique blend of thrill, excitement, and personal growth. Whether kitesurfing across the waves, scaling a mountain, or skydiving from a plane, these activities provide an escape from the mundane, a chance to challenge oneself, and an opportunity to experience life at its most vibrant. So, step out of your comfort zone, embrace the adrenaline, and start living on the edge. After all, life is not meant to be lived in the slow lane; rather, it’s about experiencing every thrilling moment it offers.

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Renewable Energy Farms That Make Beautiful Hiking Trails

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Wind farms and solar panels are not just alternative means to get our natural resources. They have now combined with another industry and are making some unexpected news. 

The tourism industry has marked renewable energy farms as hiking trails, and hikers are here for it. You can read more about renewable energy sites. Although you might not think of hiking on a wind farm as beautiful as hiking along a famous mountain trail, you might just be in for a surprise. 

Let’s discuss the benefits that renewable energy farms have as hiking trails. 

Why are Renewable Energy Farms Important? 

Renewable energy farms are important for the future of civilization. These farms provide an alternative to our natural resources, such as wind and energy. 

The most important benefit of renewable energy is that it doesn’t produce any greenhouse emissions and reduces the air pollution other traditional processes create when providing natural resources. 

These farms also allow for the creation of the country’s own resources without having to import natural resources from another country and save their limited natural resources. 

Here are some of the reasons why energy farms are important: 

  • Allows for sustainable rural development 

This will allow landowners to make an extra income by generating energy. 

  • Test new technologies 

Providing the opportunity to test technologies to find new ways to create renewable energy. 

  • Improving the effect of climate change 

Climate change has left the environment filled with toxic pollutants, which has led people to become sick and breathe in harmful air. 

Renewable energy can change this by lessening the number of pollutants that are released into the atmosphere and providing much safer, cleaner, breathable air. 

  • This leads to job creation 

Job creation within the renewable energy farms industry is plentiful as there is a need for skilled workers such as construction, maintenance and manufacturing to build the necessary infrastructure that is needed to generate these wind and solar farms. 

The Benefits of Renewable Energy Farms As Hiking Trails 

Renewable energy farms have many benefits for both the environment and people who love spending their time outdoors. 

Embracing the Use of Green Technology 

Since wind farms and solar plants are located in areas that are unpopulated, they make for great hiking trails. 

By visiting these sites, people get to experience green technology, and by integrating them into recreational spaces, people can visit these sites and embrace green technology by seeing how they work and the positive effects that it has on the environment. 

The more people embrace the shift to green technology, the easier it will be to use it. 

Energy Farms Offer A Unique Experience For Visitors 

Visiting energy farms means you will have a unique experience while there. You will get to see how these large devices work and how they replace the basic resources needed to survive. 

Tours can give visitors more information on the background of the construction of devices, their environmental impact and why it is important for us to switch to sustainable energy resources. 

Visitors Get to Enjoy Natural Beauty 

The sites for these renewable energy farms are often located in areas that are surrounded by natural beauty, such as large landscapes. 

Natural pathways can be used as hiking trails without the need for carving out new roads and damaging the ecosystem. 

Visitors can even discover native plant life and explore the natural wonders that are located at these energy farms, as they are often placed where no infrastructure has been built on the property before. 

Providing Health and Wellness Benefits 

Hiking has many health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving fitness, and helping aid mental well-being. 

Energy Farms have Community Benefits and Increase the Economy 

These hiking trails can help boost economic sales, bringing tourists to the community. This will give the local people the opportunity to expand their businesses. 

This can also help increase employment within the community as these sites will be visited frequently and lead to new business openings to cater to tourists. 

Conclusion

Renewable energy farms greatly benefit both the economy and the people who want to spend their time on them. These farms are especially important for transitioning from natural resources to newer energy resource power plants. 

From learning how to embrace green technology to getting health and wellness benefits to enjoying nature’s natural beauty and finding job opportunities within the market. 

Spending time on these renewable energy farms can be educational and recreational for anyone who visits them. To find more renewable energy farm hiking trails, you can visit https://outsidebozeman.com

 

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Top Recommendations for RV Window Maintenance

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Much like other sections of your RV, the windows sometimes need a bit of maintenance. It is essential to clean off dirt and insect smudges and also make sure they are adequately sealed to avoid leaks and water harm.

If you have a broken RV window, then you may want to consult Van Isle Glass. However, if you wish to know more about simple measures to ensure your RV windows stay spotless and secure, you are in the right spot! Continue reading below.

Polish Your Windshield Using Ultra-Fine #0000 Steel Wool

Numerous RV enthusiasts have praised the use of the finest grade of steel wool #0000 for removing stubborn bugs and water marks from their windshields. Before proceeding, first test the #0000 steel wool on a small portion of your windshield. Apply it with light, circular motions. Sweep away any remaining steel wool bits with a microfiber towel. Next, spritz the surface with a residue-free glass cleaner and wipe it down with a separate cloth.

Steel wool is also great when used with a spray lubricant for cleaning tires, maintaining grills, starting campfires, and repelling mice. A gentler alternative is cleansing dish pads. These pads are versatile, suitable for cleaning various materials such as wood, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, painted areas, and glass.

Apply a Sealant to Avoid Leaks

Silicone sealant is effective in stopping leaks in areas like your windshield, RV windows, sunroof, and vents. It penetrates tiny gaps, creating a robust waterproof barrier. Ensure the surfaces are clean before application and do not have old caulk, dirt, oil, and other residues.

Furthermore, clear away any standing water on windows to prevent hard water stains. Make sure the inside of your windows stay dry to avoid condensation and mold build-up. If there is significant condensation on your windows, consider getting a small dehumidifier.

Use Tools to Access Difficult Regions

Using cleaners with long handles can prevent you from straining to clean those distant parts of your windshield. Windshield cleaning tools often feature a lengthy, swiveling triangular head that is ideal for getting into corners and spots difficult to access manually.

Opt for a Residue-Free Glass Cleaner

A high-quality glass cleaner will maintain the clarity of your windows and windshield. A great glass cleaner performs well on both standard and tinted windows, making sure to remove streaks or leftover residue. Another option is a natural concoction of half vinegar and half water, with a touch of lemon essential oil.

Steer Clear of Cleaning RV Windows in Bright Sunlight

A sunny afternoon may feel perfect for washing your RV windows, but the warmth can speed up the drying of the cleaner, resulting in streaks or spots. It is advisable to tackle your RV window cleaning during early morning, late evening, or when stationed in a shaded area for the best outcome.

Endnote

Keeping your RV windows clean and clear is not only about aesthetics, but is also vital for safety. The subtleties in cleaning, like steering clear of the sun and using the appropriate products, play a key role. Adhering to these guidelines will help you maintain a pristine view during your various journeys.

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