7 RV Campgrounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway

Jun 22, 2022 | Best Campgrounds, Campgrounds

7 RV Campgrounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway

By Madeleine Balestrier

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a relic from the past that follows the footsteps of the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations. The 444-mile scenic drive links Tennessee’s Appalachian foothills, a small section of Alabama’s countryside, and the lower Mississippi River. 

The parkway, which is designated as a Scenic Byway and All-American Road, is popular for roadtripping, hiking, horseback riding, birding, camping, and biking. It’s known as one of the best biking roads in the U.S.

Although you can drive the parkway year-round, the best time to visit is during spring and fall. In the spring, you’ll drive through corridors of blooming wildflowers and trees. In the fall, the hickory, oak, and maple trees lend themselves to beautiful foliage. 

Here are seven RV campgrounds along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

an airstream trailer is parked in a wooded campground
Meriwether Lewis Campground in Hohenwald, Tennessee. | Photo: Joe Hendricks

Meriwether Lewis Campground, Hohenwald, Tennessee

  • Number of Sites: 32
  • Pad Type: Asphalt
  • Reservations: First come, first served
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Meriwether Lewis Campground is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and located near Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a free dry camping location close to the Northern entrance of the parkway. It offers drinkable water, flush toilets, cell phone service, and big rig access. There are large, shady sites as well as access to recreational trails. You’ll find wineries, historic sites, and the city of Nashville nearby. 

a campground with several cars and trailers parked amidst trees and greenery
Bush Creek Park in Waterloo, Alabama. | Photo: Wandering Pulse

Bush Creek Campground, Waterloo, Alabama

  • Number of Sites: 10
  • Pad Type: Gravel
  • Reservations: First come, first served
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Although Alabama is only a short stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway, Bush Creek Park in Waterloo is worth the stay. 

“Beautiful area right on the Tennessee River,” says a Campendium reviewer. “Quite far from any civilization or grocery store, but well worth the stay. Would be a nice spot to stop if you were traveling the Natchez Trace.”

It’s a 50-acre park with free sites for primitive camping along the Tennessee River, with a maximum stay limit of 30 days. There are full-service restrooms and a dump station. The park also includes a boat launch, picnic pavilions, and a disc golf course. 

Piney Grove Campground, New Site, Mississippi

  • Number of Sites: 141
  • Pad Type: Mixed
  • Reservations: Yes
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Piney Grove Campground sits on Bay Springs Lake in Northeastern Mississippi. This water recreation area is part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, one of the world’s most extensive man-made waterway systems. It’s also an Army Corps of Engineers campground. 

Related 11 Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds to Add to Your Bucket List

For a fee, you can have access to 20-, 30-, and 50-amp hookups, water, a dump station, full-service restrooms, and laundry. Piney Grove Campground is also big rig friendly. Recreationally, the grounds offer boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, beaches, and a playground.

an rv is parked at a campsite near a lake surrounded by trees
Davis Lake Campground in New Houlka, Mississippi. | Photo: RV-Therapy

Davis Lake Campground, New Houlka, Mississippi

  • Number of Sites: 26
  • Pad Type: Asphalt
  • Reservations: Yes
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Davis Lake Campground is a U.S. Forest Service-managed campground located within 4 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s a quiet area situated on 20 acres of lake with waterfront sites perfectly situated for sunrise and sunset.

The facilities include water and electric hookups, a group site, full-service restrooms, and a dump station. The recreation area also offers boating, bass fishing, swimming, hiking, and birding. Blue Herons are a staple of this area.

Nearby you’ll find convenience stores, historical sites, and the Tanglefoot Trail

a silver airstream trailer is parked on a road surrounded by trees and fallen leaves
Jeff Busby Campground in Ackerman, Mississippi. | Photo: WatsonsWander

Jeff Busby Campground, Ackerman, Mississippi

  • Number of Sites: 18
  • Pad Type: Asphalt
  • Reservations: First come, first served
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Tucked away in the woods below Little Mountain is Jeff Busby Campground, a popular destination along the parkway. 

“We drove the Trace from south to north and this campground was a perfect day’s drive from Natchez, Mississippi—allowing for some short stops along the way at some of the points of interest,” says a 5-star Campendium review. 

This NPS campground offers free primitive camping. It also has flush toilets, access to water, and a variety of RV sites, including big rig friendly, pull-through, and back-in sites. Beyond the grounds are hiking trails, Little Mountain, and scenic overlooks. 

Rocky Springs Campground, Hermanville, Mississippi

  • Number of Sites: 22
  • Pad Type: Asphalt
  • Reservations: First come, first served
  • Tent Camping: Yes

Another staple along the Natchez Trace Parkway is Rocky Springs Campground. Located at Mile 54 of the Mississippi section, this is an ideal stop as you begin or end your journey. 

Similar to Jeff Busby Campground, this is a free NPS-managed campground that only offers primitive camping. It also has flushable toilets and picnic tables. 

The draw of Rocky Springs Campground is its surrounding landscape and history. When you wander through Hermanville, Mississippi, you’ll have an appreciation for the past. The aged town is protected by the natural landscape and offers direct access to Old Natchez Trace Trail, Owens Creek Waterfall, and Rocky Springs Trail. 

an airstream is parked at a campsite surrounded by greenery
Wendy Oaks RV Resort in Florence, Mississippi. | Photo: WendyOaksRVResort

Wendy Oaks RV Resort, Florence, Mississippi

  • Number of Sites: 36
  • Pad Type: Mixed
  • Reservations: Yes
  • Tent Camping: No

Located off of Highway 49, family-owned Wendy Oaks RV Resort is the ideal place to lay over before starting the Natchez Trace Parkway or heading home from the 444-mile journey. 

“Just a wonderful little campground, with everything you need,” says a Campendium reviewer. “Full hookups, pull-through site, and really good WiFi in the campground.”

The RV resort also has full-service restrooms, WiFi, laundry, and a dump station, and it offers big rig and pull-through access. Wendy Oaks RV Resort also features a lake and nearby recreational trails. 


The Natchez Trace Parkway winds through beautifully unassuming areas of the U.S. where history and idyllic landscapes merge. Drive slowly, immerse yourself in the experience, and consider these tips before you embark on a trip along the Natchez Trace Parkway:

  • Plan to stay in campgrounds during your road trip because dispersed camping isn’t allowed along the parkway. 
  • Prepare a backup plan for accommodation as many campgrounds are first-come, first-served. 
  • Download maps beforehand because cell phone coverage can be weak in areas. 
  • Be alert for bicyclists. This is a heavily-trafficked bike route.
  • Pay attention to wildlife along the road.
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