Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Highway 56 Overlook
Blue Herron
Map of Primitive Sites Available on Center Hill Lake in 2021
Primitive Camping Guide
Sunset

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

13 total sites

Tent Sites

13 sites

About Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping is a unique camping experience at designated areas across Center Hill's 415 miles of shoreline. Primitive camping offers a unique rustic lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by road.   Campers are advised that these areas are remote, primitive sites. Cellular service may be non-existant or limited. Water or electric including restroom facilities of any kind are not availabile. Campers desiring on-site attendant, security, and law enforcement services are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where such services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping.

Number of accommodations: 13

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

13 Sites Available

Site
Price
Big Hurricane - Site 1, Loop: Big Hurricane - Site 1 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Crowder Cove - Site 5, Loop: Crowder Cove - Site 5 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Davies Island East - Site 6, Loop: Davies Island East - Site 6 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Davies Island North - Site 8, Loop: Davies Island North - Site 8 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Davies Island West -Site 7, Loop: Davies Island West -Site 7 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Eagle Creek -Site 9, Loop: Eagle Creek -Site 9 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
East Shore - Site 10, Loop: East Shore - Site 10 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Falling Water - Site 11, Loop: Falling Water - Site 11 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Pedigo Point - Site 14, Loop: Pedigo Point - Site 14 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Pine Creek -Site 15, Loop: Pine Creek -Site 15 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
South Shore -Site 17, Loop: South Shore -Site 17 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Squirrel Tail - Site 19, Loop: Squirrel Tail - Site 19 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
White County Access -Site 20, Loop: White County Access -Site 20 Tent
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (33)

What Guests Are Saying

Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas offers beautiful views, especially from the Smith County Access Camp, making it a great spot for kayaking and exploring. However, some campsites are difficult to find and suffer from litter and overgrowth, impacting the overall experience. While many enjoy the secluded nature of the sites, improvements in maintenance and clearer signage could enhance future visits.

Review Summary

3.4
33 reviews
5
33.3%
11
4
27.3%
9
3
9.1%
3
2
9.1%
3
1
21.2%
7

William S

Verified

July 25, 2025 Stayed at: Falling Water - Site 11, Loop: Falling Water - Site 11

3

Site was very difficult to find. The sign is not visible from the water. The site itself is decent.

Sarah C

Verified

July 14, 2025 Stayed at: White County Access -Site 20, Loop: White County Access -Site 20

1

We have used this camping spot in the past and loved every minute of it. This year however when we arrived somebody was already in our spot!

Jason J

Verified

June 27, 2025 Stayed at: Falling Water - Site 11, Loop: Falling Water - Site 11

1

Never could find it. No signs or nothing. I wasn't going to climb the cliff side to guess. a sign or some kind or description would be nice. The description also says on the right, but the map shows on the left, so no idea. We gave up 30 min before dark and went home.

Jennifer R

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: Davies Island West -Site 7, Loop: Davies Island West -Site 7

2

Be aware that this site gets extremely muddy. It’s nice in the early morning but, that quickly changes once boats start to go by. We beached 3 houseboats and never used the site at all. The bank isn’t very safe going up to. The water behind the houseboats we very muddy. Of course we should have known. Although we had a good time with our boating friends and just stayed off the land and on the boat , We won’t use this site again

Jennifer R

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: Davies Island West -Site 7, Loop: Davies Island West -Site 7

1

Could not access. Underwater.

Dalton E

Verified

January 17, 2025 Stayed at: White County Access -Site 20, Loop: White County Access -Site 20

5

I was not able to experience the campsite, as I was in a car accident on the way. I still feel like it deserves feedback. The reservation process was very easy and, when I had a question about it, the Corps of Engineers rep was very helpful. I look forward to trying again soon.

Matthew A

Verified

December 5, 2024 Stayed at: Pedigo Point - Site 14, Loop: Pedigo Point - Site 14

5

Awesome site. Loved it.

Dana R

Verified

November 24, 2024 Stayed at: Pine Creek -Site 15, Loop: Pine Creek -Site 15

1

This campsite is not legitimate. The directions require you to go through a locked gate and past a backyard shooting range. Very unsafe. We did not find the campsite because of the restrictions. My refund request was refused, even with reasoning of the site being inaccessible and un safe.

Tomas D

Verified

November 16, 2024 Stayed at: South Shore -Site 17, Loop: South Shore -Site 17

4

Would be 5 stars if trash was better looked after. Seems to be a place that locals go for a lunch spot. Luckily a trash bag was on site, so I cleaned up a bit the place with that.
Very primitive, just what I was looking for.
Water was only 100 ft away at the most.

Zeke R

Verified

July 1, 2024 Stayed at: Davies Island East - Site 6, Loop: Davies Island East - Site 6

5

Pleasant camp site. Been here a couple times, and it's decently easy to access by boat and is pretty cozy.

Location Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Address:
158 Resource Lane
Lancaster, TN, 38569
United States

Highway access

The campground is located near US Highway 70, offering access to the area. Interstate 40 is approximately 20 miles to the north, providing additional access.

Elevation: 166 feet

Distance to downtown

5 mi drive to downtown Lancaster (about 10 min)

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 8, 2026

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Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers