Featured amenities
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates13 total sites
Tent Sites
13 sites
About Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas
Number of accommodations: 13
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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13 Sites Available
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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.
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
Zeke R
VerifiedJuly 1, 2024 • Stayed at: Eagle Creek -Site 9, Loop: Eagle Creek -Site 9
Nice water view, plenty of space. People do roll their boats pretty close to the shoreline, so you will have some boat noise from fishers and the occasional early morning water skiier.
Aleksey B
VerifiedApril 1, 2024 • Stayed at: White County Access -Site 20, Loop: White County Access -Site 20
We booked this site last minute as there wasn’t anything else available. Very steep grade coming in and folks trying to access the boat ramp. A lot of trash everywhere and smells reaching the sleeping area.
Tiffany S
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2024 • Stayed at: East Shore - Site 10, Loop: East Shore - Site 10
Favorite site!
James A
VerifiedOctober 30, 2023 • Stayed at: East Shore - Site 10, Loop: East Shore - Site 10
Great location and clean, well kept
Amy L
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2023 • Stayed at: South Shore -Site 17, Loop: South Shore -Site 17
We love staying at South Shore campsite. We were there in July and noticed someone had left and old canopy frame near the trail leading up to the campsite. Sadly, it was still there when we returned on our most recent visit in September. We hauled off the old tent but could not load the frame that was left lying by the shore. Does anyone ever come by to maintenance such weed eat tent placement areas or check up on the campgrounds to ensure cleanliness for the next visitors? If you do not have anyone to inspect these areas, it would definitely be something that is needed. I work for the State and I was a little disappointed to realize that funding may not be allocated to upkeep these beautiful areas to those who love the outdoors. If you ever receive funding to add a position for this type of maintenance, please contact me. We could definitely do better to preserve our spaces!
Laurie N
VerifiedNovember 27, 2022 • Stayed at: Davies Island West -Site 7, Loop: Davies Island West -Site 7
This was an amazing experience. A little cold this time of year. We didn't get any deer but still a great experience. Alot of critters on this island.
Daniel P
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2022 • Stayed at: Davies Island East - Site 6, Loop: Davies Island East - Site 6
We had a great time, the view here is nice.
Jonathan J
VerifiedAugust 19, 2022 • Stayed at: East Shore - Site 10, Loop: East Shore - Site 10
The view was wonderful. The wildlife was very active. We saw hummingbirds, turkeys, racoons, opossums, turtles, and one coyote. The onsite privy was an unexpected bonus for a primitive campsite. But could definitely use a good power washing :) All in all it was a wonderful experience for our little family. Can't wait to go back.
Alex B
VerifiedJuly 11, 2022 • Stayed at: Pedigo Point - Site 14, Loop: Pedigo Point - Site 14
This was my first trip to a primitive site on Centerhill Lake. What an amazing location! Pedigo point has got to be one of the best primitive sites on the lake (planning on finding out for sure). From views, to tree cover for shade and privacy to swimming location quality we couldn’t have asked for better. It’s close to safe boat ramps and in a good spot to explore the area such as Davies Island where there are three other primitive sites. I will say the site was pretty trashed out when we got there but we hauled off several garbage bags full in our canoe leaving the site significantly cleaner and better kept. There was a 55gallon drum that we simply couldn’t haul off. It’s a little ways up the trail that leads away from the camp inland. Overall I would give the site 5 out of 5 stars.
Jessikah G
VerifiedJune 29, 2022 • Stayed at: White County Access -Site 20, Loop: White County Access -Site 20
What the description of white county access neglects to tell you is that it is on a cliff side. You drive down an extremely steep washed out road on the cliff. And right by the campsite is what they consider a boat ramp. It isn't paved, it looks like a trail or small road, but they consider it a boat ramp. So you have to deal with people pulling up to the "boat ramp" at all hours of the day and night. Also, those same people think your campsite is a parking lot. It's not, we called the number where we reserved the site. People using the "boat ramp" have to park on the side of the "boat ramp". But random people drive up and turn around or ask questions while you're camping. You will have lots of sketchy visitors drive up at all hours. 9pm, midnight, 5 o'clock in the morning. It doesn't matter, they're pulling up. We won't camp at this location again. My truck and small trailer with our kayaks almost didn't make it back up the steep washed out road on the cliff side. We lost a couple things out of the truck, but I wasn't going to try to go back and get them and get stuck or hydroplane on loose gravel and fish tail off the cliff. (we hydroplaned on loose gravel a lot while trying to get up to leave.) I wouldn't recommend or go back to that site myself, but hey if you like visitors at midnight or 5am go for it. 👍🏼
Location Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas
Address:
158 Resource Lane
Lancaster, TN, 38569
United States
Directions to primitive camp sites start at the nearest USACE facility.
The GPS coordinate "Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas" is for Center Hill Dam. 36°05'52.3"N 85°49'32.4"W or 36.097869, -85.825653
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
5 mi drive to downtown Lancaster (about 10 min)
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 8, 2026