Best Camping near Nashville, Tennessee

Stretching out in every direction from the thumping country music scene that defines Nashville, the quiet countryside beckons to outdoor explorers. Walk the quaint streets of historic Franklin, twenty miles south of Nashville; or hike to the Upper Cumberland region to find waterfalls around every bend.

Take the ultra-steep trolley ride up to Lookout Mountain, overlooking Chattanooga. Up top, you can explore the deep caves of Ruby Falls, which houses the largest underground waterfall in America; or wander the dramatic cliffs of Rock City. Better yet, go for broke and jump off the edge on the wings of an experienced hang glider. You can soar up to 4,000 feet for breathtaking views of Lookout Valley, and a tandem flight with an instructor requires no prior experience.

Big Hill Pond State Park in Pocahontas, Tennessee, is potentially one of the cooler, less-discovered hiking spots. A little more than 4,000 acres of forests and swamps surround Travis McNatt Lake. Along the western portion of the Tennessee River Trail, you can fish, canoe, or duck into Loretta Lynn’s plantation home and museum.