NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 2, 2021) – Just because the winter months are here, doesn’t mean preparation for the upcoming recreation season stops! The 2022 recreational camping and fee schedule is live on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s webpage. Recreation enthusiasts can find up-to-date information about site amenities such as: electric hookups, fees, dates of operation, visitor fees and contact numbers for all 25 campgrounds within the district.
The Nashville District’s recreation area is comprised of ten lakes within the Cumberland River basin: Lake Barkley, Center Hill Lake, Cheatham Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, Dale Hollow Lake, J. Percy Priest Lake, Old Hickory Lake, Lake Cumberland, Laurel River Lake, and Martins Fork Lake.
Boasting more than 19 million visitors throughout 2020, lakes in the Nashville District were some of the most popular in the nation: ranking as the fourth most visited district in USACE.
When asked about what makes the Nashville District’s recreation areas so unique, Center Hill Lake Park Ranger Ashley Webster says, “Our campgrounds are adjacent to a lake; many federal, state, and private campgrounds do not have this amenity or proximity.”
Frequent Dale Hollow visitor April McKaskle chooses to visit Dale Hollow because it reminded her of Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Texas. She recalls, “It’s [Lake Amistad] the most beautiful lake in the world,” and adds Dale Hollow, “has water breath-taking views and some of the coldest water to relax in when the Tennessee heat hits.” Reminiscing on prior vacations, McKaskle says, “We love Dale Hollow. So many families and friends have made memories there. The cabins are beautiful and so well priced for all you get.”
Visiting the district’s public camping areas provides an affordable option for the upcoming recreation season. Depending on the recreation area, prices start as low as $12. But if visitors are looking to secure their camping season, Webster suggests, “Make reservations as soon as the six-month reservation window is available for the start of their stay.” She adds, “There is not a one- or two-day window or walk in sites, so planning ahead prior to arrival is vital to ensure a campsite is available.”
Webster offers these pro-tips when planning to visit:
- Be respectful and mindful of the campgrounds’ check out times.
- Make sure all your contact information is correct to communicate any problems, road navigation alerts, events, and/or campground status.
- Read the Rules and Reservation policies.
- Become familiar with the campground’s specific “Need to Know” items found under Facility Information.
- Pay with a debit/credit card to purchase a pass, pay fees, or make/modify a reservation.
Visitors can use their smartphones to make or manage reservations. The free app, “Recreation.gov” is available for download in the Apple and Android app stores. The schedule also includes links for each campground on www.recreation.gov, which provides more in-depth information about the facilities and allows users to make online reservations (180 days in advance). Telephone reservations can also be made toll free at 1-877-444-6777.
(For more news, updates, and information follow the Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)