Renting an RV in Tennessee

The great state of Tennessee is well known for many things: its power in the music industry—namely in the cities of Nashville and Memphis, the natural splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains and charming historic towns like Gatlinburg, and, of course, its famous Nashville-style hot chicken. There’s something for everyone in Tennessee and a dedicated vacation to this state is worth seeing all there is that makes Tennessee Tennessee.

Consider traveling a little differently this year. Renting an RV in Tennessee is a game-changer and will forever transform the way you camp. So, pack up the family and hit the road to explore The Volunteer State like never before.

Why Renting an RV in Tennessee Is the Way to Go

If you’ve never traveled in an RV before, you’re probably curious: “how is this different from the trusty minivan?”

Well, for starters, the extra space is the first thing new RVers comment on. No more cramped seats overflowing with gear that keeps you from reclining and resting comfortably. Instead, enjoy luxurious furniture where everyone can spread out in comfort.

When you get to your campsite, no unloading tents in the rain or fumbling for stakes in the dark. Your hotel is on wheels and provides the same amenities as home, even in the middle of the woods. You’ll enjoy prime comfort as you take in the natural beauty of some of the most scenic camping sites around.

Look into booking your rental RV for your Tennessee trip today. Trust us, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

10 Terrific Places to See in Tennessee in Your Rental RV

Tennessee is an expansive state, from an east-to-west perspective. The result is a state with varying landscapes. In the east, you have forested mountain ranges. To the west, you have river towns along the Mississippi River delta. There’s so much to see and do across Tennessee that we’ve compiled a list of 10 must-see attractions during your RV road trip through The Volunteer State.

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Fall Creek Falls State Park

Cascading waterfalls abound at Fall Creek Falls State Park in eastern Tennessee. The crown jewel of the park (and its namesake) Fall Creek Falls clock in at 256 feet and are some of the tallest falls in the eastern U.S. Hike along the many trails available to view many natural features including gorges, lush hardwood forests, and uncompromised mountain landscapes. Park staff also offer a variety of events such as cave tours, boat tours, and guided hikes; so, be sure to take a look at their calendar during your visit to see what’s available.

Your RV is more than welcome at the park’s 222 campsites. Each site has water and electrical hookups and roughly half also have sewer connections. Have a big rig? No problem. These sites can accommodate vehicles up to 65 feet in length.

RVs near Falls Creek Falls

Learn more about Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Graceland

No visit to Tennessee is complete without a visit to the palace of The King. Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Memphis estate, now serves as a museum to Presley, one of the pioneers of Rock ‘n Roll. Go on a tour and view the exhibits to learn about Elvis’ Rockstar lifestyle, including viewing his plane and car collection. Graceland draws so many visitors nationally (and internationally) that it has its own RV park. Sites offer full hookup access with 30/50-amp electrical service. Also enjoy amenities that include a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, walking trails, and a camp store that keeps all the necessities in stock.  
RVs near Graceland

Learn more about Graceland.

Parthenon

No, you’re not in Greece. The Parthenon in the bustling music town of Nashville was built in 1897 to impress visitors during an expo. The replica is full-scale, with the detailed sculptures actually cast from the real ones in Europe. Inside, you can find a stellar art museum with galleries that continuously feature new work. You’ll have to head outside of Nashville for your campsite. The Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort is a highly rated option about 25 minutes to the east on the shores of the J Percy Priest Reservoir. More than 80 sites have full hookup access and you can easily get down to the lake for some fishing and swimming. Also, there is a waterpark and amusement park on-site for the young and young at heart.   
RVs near the Parthenon

Learn more about the Tennessee Parthenon.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smokies are not only the most popular natural attraction in Tennessee but also one of the most visited national parks in the country. Hikers of the famous Appalachian Trail are quite familiar with the densely forested mountains and abundant wildflowers which make for some incredible scenery. Visitors can, of course, enjoy tons of hiking and biking trails, but unique activities include visits to one of the park’s historic cemeteries, schoolhouses, barns, or 11 waterfalls.

There are 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs throughout the park. Be prepared, however, that there are no electrical or water hookups at these sites. You will, though, have access to restrooms and running water. Another important note: if you have more than six people in your party, you’ll need to go for a designated ‘group’ site. 
RVs near the Great Smokies

Learn more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Ruby Falls

Watching waterfalls feels therapeutic and mesmerizing, kind of like a roaring campfire. Now, imagine a waterfall underground. Ruby Falls is located 260 feet underground within Lookout Mountain near the town of Chattanooga and is one of the state’s most popular tourist sites. A lantern tour is offered which adds historical whimsy to your visit as you explore the cave just like Leo Lambert: the man who discovered the falls in 1928. Above ground, you can also enjoy 700 feet of heart-pounding zipline action. 

Raccoon Mountain Campground is close (13 minutes) to the falls and is a scenic place to spend the night. The campground offers 52 full hookup sites with 50-amp electrical service that can accommodate RV rigs up to 70 feet in length. Unique amenities include a fitness center and a dog park. Learn more about Ruby Falls.

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Shiloh National Military Park

An important but grim reminder of our nation’s history, Shiloh National Military Park pays homage to the nearly 24,000 casualties of this great battle during the Civil War. Attend a number of living history events put on by park staff and tour the interpretive centers to learn all about this battle’s historical impact. In addition, a visit to the Shiloh Indian Mounds will put you in touch with the lives of people who inhabited the land 800 years prior.

Battlefield Campground is just 10 minutes away, and, if you head across the river, you’ll find Green Acres RV Park. It offers full hookup access with up to 50-amp electrical, free Wi-Fi, and a shower and laundry facility. Plus, its saltwater pool will keep you and your companions comfortable and happy.
RVs near Shiloh Military Park

Learn more about Shiloh National Military Park.

Clingmans Dome

During your visit to the Smokies, you have got to make your way to Clingmans Dome. Sitting at 6,643 feet above sea level, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Tennessee. You can hop up in the observation tower and take in a full panoramic view of the Smokies. On a clear day, you can see as far as 100 miles. It can be quite a bit cooler up there, so bring an extra layer along. Since Clingmans Dome is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll just want to keep your campsite and take a few hours to go and check out the view.
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Learn more about Clingmans Dome.

Tuckaleechee Caverns

The Smokies are beautiful in and of themselves, but underneath, there exists an incredible underground world. The Tuckaleechee Caverns are more than 20 million years old and are quite the spectacle, even for the seasoned caver. Major features include the “Big Room,” which is so massive that a small football stadium could fit inside of it, and Silver Falls, a 210-foot subterranean waterfall.

The Little River and Big Meadow Campgrounds are just a few miles away from the caverns and are great options at which to spend the night. Both locations offer full hookup access and a wide array of amenities (too many to mention). No matter which one you choose, you’ll be bound to have a nice and comfortable stay. Learn more about Tuckaleechee Caverns.

RVs near Tuckaleechee Caverns

Burgess Falls State Park

Appreciate the power of a 250-foot waterfall at Burgess Falls State Park in Sparta. Hike one of the park’s trails (varying in difficulty from moderate to strenuous) to catch the best views of the river and falls system. For anglers, bass fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth below the dam is said to be excellent. A visit to the observation deck and its nearby butterfly garden is also definitely worthwhile.

Just two minutes from the entrance to the park, you’ll find the highly-rated Big Puckett’s Campground. The onsite cook-to-order restaurant is loved by travelers for its ‘down-home’ charm and comfort food. A trip through the general store is also a fun dose of nostalgia. For camping, you’ll have full hookup access and easy access to the park. 
RVs near Burgess Falls

Learn more about Burgess Falls State Park.

Rock Island State Park

In mid-Tennessee, Rock Island State Park is a great river-based park with incredible views. The three rivers that feed into the area have created steep, rocky overlooks as well as the much-photographed Great Falls. At Rock Island, there’s tons of boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing to be had. Keep an eye on the activity calendar as well for ranger-led fun like group kayak paddles and blacksmithing demonstrations.

RVs have to use the main campground and there are 50 sites available. For your convenience, sites are equipped with 50-amp electrical service and water hookups and a small number also have sewer hookups (ask ahead of time). Bathhouses, dump stations, and Wi-Fi are also provided. Learn more about Rock Island State Park.

RVs near Rock Island State Park

Campgrounds & RV Parks in Tennessee

The Volunteer State takes good care of its RV campers.

Nearly everywhere you look, you can find sites with water and electric (or full) hookups—even within the state parks themselves. As with any RV trip, it is a good idea to call ahead and reserve your spots, but it is clear that Tennessee is friendly for RV travel. If you’d like to take a more thorough look at your options, check out this list from Good Sam.

Things to Know About Renting an RV in Tennessee

Things to Note About Camping in Tennessee

Although Tennessee is considered a southern state, things can get pretty chilly in the winter. Freezing temps are not all that uncommon in the dead of winter. In the mountainous eastern region, snow is also a relatively common occurrence. Believe it or not, Tennessee has a ski resort near Gatlinburg. The important point to note here is that although RV travel can be enjoyable in the wintertime, keep close tabs on the weather as roads can become icy and dangerous.  

For firewood, the Tennessee State Park policy is that all wood must be heat-treated (typically sold within the park) or downed wood collected near your campsite. Good Sam has compiled a list of campgrounds in Tennessee you can check out here.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in Tennessee

If you are looking to get ‘away from it all’, dry camping, or “boondocking,” is your best RV option to isolate yourself. Boondocking means that there are no hookups available (e.g. sewer, electrical, water), and your RV is operating independently. Typically, this is not recommended for novice RVers, so we encourage you to do more research if you are interested in giving dry camping a try.

A great place to do this is on public land identified by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Unfortunately, Tennessee does not currently have any BLM sites suitable for dry camping in your RV. Although, some campgrounds will often let you dry camp if all of their hookup spots are taken and they have additional space. You can also check with some ‘big box stores’ that allow RV travelers to set up camp in their parking lots.