How much does camping cost at Poole Knobs?

Camping fees at Poole Knobs range from $24-$45/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Poole Knobs first-come first-served or reservation?

Poole Knobs accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Poole Knobs before I book?

Yes! Poole Knobs has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Poole Knobs?

Poole Knobs is open May 1st to September 29th annually.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Poole Knobs?

Yes, Poole Knobs has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Poole Knobs?

Fire policies at Poole Knobs: Campfires are allowed, but only with locally sourced or collected firewood due to quarantine rules.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Poole Knobs have?

Poole Knobs has 87 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Poole Knobs?

Yes, pets are allowed at Poole Knobs. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Poole Knobs?

Poole Knobs offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Poole Knobs?

Popular activities at Poole Knobs include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Poole Knobs

4.19

485 reviews

493 Jones Mill Road, LaVergne, TN, 37086, USA

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Tennessee

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

571 ft

Price

$24 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

87 campsites

Season

Poole Knobs Campgrou...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

571 ft

Price

$24 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

87 campsites

Season

Poole Knobs Campgrou...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Poole Knobs

$24.00 - $45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary depending on site type: Standard Electric ($36-$45), Standard Nonelectric ($24), Tent Only Electric ($28), Tent Only Nonelectric ($24-$28),...

Standard Site Fee$24.00

Hookup Site Fee$45.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

615-459-6948

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What Campers Say

4.19

Satisfactory

Based on 485 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsshadespaciouslake

"Reviews highlight a mix of positive and negative experiences. While many praise the natural beauty, spacious sites, and lake access, others criticize issues like steep and uneven campsites, poor bathroom accessibility, and rude staff."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

493 Jones Mill Road, LaVergne, TN, 37086, USA

Poole Knobs

493 Jones Mill Road, LaVergne, TN, 37086, USA

Nearby places

Nashville (10 miles, approximately 20 minutes driving)

Smyrna (5 miles, about 15 minutes driving)

Nearby supplies

Walmart and multiple supply centers in Smyrna (approximately 5 miles away) offer groceries, camping provisions, and fuel.

Driving directionsFrom downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east to I-24 east. After 15 miles take exit 66B and turn right onto Sam Ridley Parkway. Turn right onto Highway 41 north, and after about 1.5 miles turn right onto Fergus Road. Make another right onto Jones Mill Road and follow the signs to the campground after 4 miles.

The campground is located 4 miles off the main road and requires navigating through residential areas and narrow roads. Visitors have reported low hanging branches on Fergus Road, which can be problematic for larger vehicles.

Best Time to Camp at Poole Knobs

The campground operates May 1 through September 29. Summer brings the best conditions for lake activities, with daytime highs of 80-95°F and nights around 65-75°F. Humidity is high. Long daylight hours suit sunset boat cruises and fishing. Weekend crowds peak in summer. Visit on weekdays or early/late in the day to avoid the busiest times. Evenings cool down enough for comfortable campfires.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sep with warm weather and full lake recreation; some reviewers note high insects.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1st to September 29th annually.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Poole Knobs Campground is open from May 1st to September 29th annually.

About Poole Knobs

Poole Knobs Campground sits on the shores of J. Percy Priest Lake, a 42-mile reservoir covering 14,200 acres near LaVergne, Tennessee. The 87-site campground offers mix of tent, RV, primitive, and group sites at $24-45 per night, with showers, electric hookups, and boat access. Expect spacious, wooded sites with good privacy, but bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain.

The campground offers a mix of site types catering to various preferences, including standard electric, standard non-electric, tent-only, and a large group site.

Historical Significance

J. Percy Priest Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers reservoirs designed specifically for recreation, not just flood control. The dam and lake set a precedent for blending conservation with public outdoor access.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground operates May 1 through September 29. Summer brings the best conditions for lake activities, with daytime highs of 80-95°F and nights around 65-75°F. Humidity is high. Long daylight hours suit sunset boat cruises and fishing. Weekend crowds peak in summer. Visit on weekdays or early/late in the day to avoid the busiest times. Evenings cool down enough for comfortable campfires.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a wooded peninsula on J. Percy Priest Lake, surrounded by 19,087 acres of grasslands and forest. Dense tree cover provides shade and privacy across most sites. Waterfront sites offer direct lake views and fishing access. The terrain rolls with Tennessee's signature hills at 571 feet elevation. Deer are common at dawn. The nearby Cedar Glades Natural Area harbors rare ecosystems and the endangered Tennessee coneflower, though this is separate from the campground itself.

Geological RegionCradled within Tennessee's iconic rolling hills, Poole Knobs Campground overlooks the magnificent expanse of J. Percy Priest Lake—a 42-mile ribbon of sapphire water stretching across 14,200 surface acres. This aquatic jewel is surrounded by an impressive 19,087-acre mosaic of verdant grasslands and ancient woodlands, creating a diverse ecosystem where water meets land in perfect harmony. The gentle undulations of the landscape tell the story of millennia, offering visitors a chance to explore one of Middle Tennessee's most captivating natural playgrounds.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Check-out

Check-out is by 12:00 PM.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 nights within any 30-day rolling period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Two tents or one tent and one RV permitted per site
Multi-family sites double the tent/RV allowance.

Groups

The group site accommodates up to 40 campers and is ideal for family gatherings and parties.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground splits into loops with one group site (holds up to 40 campers) and 87 individual sites. Sites are well-spaced with trees between them. Terrain is uneven and sloped in places. Bathhouses are reportedly difficult to access from some sites.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are available on Recreation.gov and via its mobile application.

Walk-in AvailabilityA limited number of sites may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis outside of reservations.

Cancellation Policy$10 cancellation fee applies for all reservations canceled before the check-in date. Late cancellations for individual campsites incur a $10 fee plus forfeiture of the first night's fees, starting from midnight 1 day prior to check-in. No refunds for cancellations after the check-in date of the reservation.

AccessibilityThe grounds are not particularly accessible for people with physical limitations. A reviewer with mobility difficulties noted, "I was told I could ride my golf cart to the bathhouse and back, but it was otherwise restricted.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious, with the group campsite accommodating up to 40 campers.

PrivacyMany sites offer good privacy, surrounded by trees and wooded areas. "Beautifully spaced out sites with lots of foliage for privacy," noted one camper.

Total Campsites87 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose waterfront sites for lake access and sunsets. Avoid sites with steep slopes if leveling your RV is a concern.

Need help booking Poole Knobs?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

Poole Knobs Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, especially focused on the lake and its natural surroundings. Fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing are popular activities. While the nearby Poole Knobs Archery Trail offers a unique 0.3-mile archery practice course, some activities like swimming are limited due to the absence of a designated swimming area or beach.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSkunks frequently visit the area; proper food storage is essential. Falling tree limbs have caused significant damage in storms.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed, but only with locally sourced or collected firewood due to quarantine rules.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced during nighttime hours.

Emergency ServicesLaVergne Fire Department and Police Department (Approximately 5 miles); TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center (10 miles)

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available, but the campground lacks specific details about their locations or pickup schedules.

Water FeaturesThe campground is located on J. Percy Priest Lake. Many sites offer direct lake access or views.

Camp HostHosts and staff have mixed reviews. Some campers describe hosts as helpful and kind, while others report rude behavior.

Weather at Poole Knobs

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

485 reviews

Satisfactory

Poole Knobs is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight a mix of positive and negative experiences. While many praise the natural beauty, spacious sites, and lake access, others criticize issues like steep and uneven campsites, poor bathroom accessibility, and rude staff.

Review Summaries

Based on 485 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews frequently mention the spacious and well-shaded campsites, excellent lake views, and abundant recreational opportunities. "The lakefront site was perfect for fishing and relaxing,"...

Based on 485 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include steep and uneven campsites, inaccessible bathrooms, and instances of unprofessional staff behavior. "The bathrooms are inconveniently located, and the sites are far from...

Based on 485 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend arriving early to secure the best spots and bringing leveling equipment due to uneven terrain. "Leveling blocks are essential for RVs," suggested one reviewer.

Based on 485 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is only open seasonally from May to September. Summer is popular, but some campers noted high insect activity during this time.

Based on 485 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The view of the lake was breathtaking, but the steep hike to the bathroom was not," shared a camper. Another noted, "I loved the peace and quiet of the lake but wish the sites were more level."

Based on 485 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews mention that campsite #28 is prone to flooding, while sites #56-61 are recommended for their proximity to the lake.

Based on 485 reviews

Accessibility Features

A reviewer shared difficulty accessing facilities due to mobility restrictions, stating, "I was allowed to use my golf cart only for trips to the bathroom, which limited my experience."

Based on 485 reviews