RV Parks In Burns, Tennessee

The standout is Montgomery Bell State Park, a 3,850-acre park right in Burns with 109 campsites, three lakes, and miles of trails. For full hookups and easy interstate access, the private parks along I-40 in nearby Dickson are your best bets: Dickson RV Park at exit 172, Tanbark Campground at exit 163, and Made in the Shade RV Park at exit 152 over in Only. Most RVers base at the state park for scenery or at an I-40 park for convenient overnighters, and the two are only about 15 minutes apart.

Yes, you have full-hookup options on both the public and private side. Montgomery Bell State Park has 47 water-and-electric sites, 40 of which add a sewer connection for true full hookup, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service. Dickson RV Park offers 51 full-hookup pull-through sites with 20/30/50-amp power. Tanbark and Made in the Shade also provide water and electric with full-hookup sites available. If full hookup is a must, the private I-40 parks are the surest bet, while the state park mixes full-hookup, electric-only, and tent sites.

Expect honest Middle-Tennessee pricing rather than resort rates. Montgomery Bell State Park sits in the mid-range for a public park, with full-hookup sites costing more than water-and-electric or tent sites, plus a non-refundable five-dollar advance reservation fee per site. Private parks along I-40 generally run a little higher than the state park for a full-hookup site but add pull-through convenience and quick interstate access. Midweek stays at the private parks are usually easier to book and cheaper than peak weekends, so flexible travelers can save real money here.

Montgomery Bell State Park takes reservations up to one year in advance through tnstateparks.com or by calling 888-867-2757, and there is a five-dollar advance reservation fee per site. Summer weekends and fall-color weekends book weeks to months ahead because Burns is an easy drive from Nashville, so plan early for those. The private I-40 parks like Dickson RV Park are more forgiving; midweek you can often grab a site on short notice, though holiday weekends still get tight. For peak season, the rule of thumb is reserve as early as you reasonably can.

Fall is our favorite season here. From late September through October you get mild days, low humidity, and good oak-hickory color, though weekends draw Nashville day-trippers so book ahead. Spring is green and pleasant but wet, with May being the rainiest month at around six inches, so expect muddy trails. Summer is hot and muggy with highs near 88 degrees, but it is when the Lake Acorn swim beach and boat rentals run. Winter is quiet and cold; the private parks stay open while the state-park campground may close seasonally.

Yes, with some planning. Most of the electric sites at Montgomery Bell State Park accommodate rigs up to about 60 feet, so big rigs are genuinely welcome there. Dickson RV Park is all pull-through, which is great for maneuvering, but it caps RV length around 38 feet. Tanbark Campground takes larger rigs up to roughly 65 feet, though some campers report tight turns when towing a vehicle, so go slow. For the easiest big-rig experience with full hookups, the state park electric sites and the pull-throughs at Dickson RV Park are your best combination.

True free boondocking is limited in this part of Middle Tennessee, since the land around Burns is mostly state park and private property rather than national forest. Montgomery Bell does offer backcountry and group camping along its overnight trail, but those are reservation-based rather than first-come. The private I-40 parks will take walk-ins when they are not full, which is the closest thing to a reliable no-reservation option. If you want genuine dispersed camping, you will generally need to head to one of Tennessee national forests farther east rather than staying right around Burns.

Plenty for a multi-day stay. The park spreads across 3,850 acres with about 20 miles of hiking trails and roughly 23 miles of mountain-bike trails through forested hills. Three lakes, Acorn, Woodhaven, and Creech Hollow, are open for fishing and non-motorized boating, and you can rent kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats from Broken Paddle Outfitters on Lake Acorn. There is a free swim beach open Memorial Day through Labor Day, an 18-hole Tennessee Golf Trail course, and a full-service inn and cabins if guests in your group prefer a roof over a tent.

Check before you go. As of 2026 the Four Mile Creek campground at Montgomery Bell was closed for renovation, which is why we always recommend calling ahead to confirm the campground status before towing in. You can reach Tennessee State Parks central reservations at 888-867-2757 or check tnstateparks.com for current openings. If the state-park campground is closed during your trip, the private parks along I-40 in Dickson are a short drive away and stay open year-round, so you still have good full-hookup options nearby.

Burns is about 40 miles west of Nashville, a straight shot down I-40 that takes well under an hour with a rig. That makes it a great base if you want to camp in genuine quiet and still visit downtown Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, or the airport for fly-and-rent trips. Nashville International (BNA) is the nearest major airport at roughly 40 miles east. Many RVers use Dickson County as their peaceful home base while day-tripping into the city, getting the best of both the woods and Music City.

Head to Dickson, about six miles from Burns, for your supply runs. Dickson is the commercial hub for the county and has the fuel stations, propane refill, grocery stores, and RV-friendly stops you will want before settling in at the state park. Burns itself is a small town with limited services, so we would not count on filling propane or doing a big grocery run there. Top off your tanks and stock the rig in Dickson on your way in, especially if you are headed to Montgomery Bell where the nearest stores are a short drive back out.

Yes, pets are generally welcome at both Montgomery Bell State Park and the private parks around Dickson, though leash rules apply. Tennessee State Parks require pets to be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and never left unattended at your site, and pets are not allowed in park buildings or on the swim beach. The private I-40 parks are typically pet-friendly too, but rules on breeds and number of pets vary, so confirm directly when you book. The miles of trails at Montgomery Bell make it a good destination for camping with a dog.

The maximum stay for camping at Montgomery Bell is 14 consecutive days for most of the year, which keeps it a park for travelers and short trips rather than long-term living. From December 1 through the end of February the limit extends to 28 days for winter campers. After reaching the maximum, your camping party must leave the park for three consecutive nights before returning. This is standard across Tennessee State Parks and is worth knowing if you are planning a longer regional tour and want to use Burns as one of several stops.

It comes down to what you value most. Choose Montgomery Bell State Park for scenery, trails, lakes, golf, and a real outdoor setting, accepting that some sites are electric-only and the campground occasionally closes for work. Choose a private park like Dickson RV Park for guaranteed full hookups, pull-through sites, and fast I-40 access when you mostly need a comfortable overnight base. Because the two are only about 15 minutes apart, plenty of RVers split the difference, basing at a private park for hookups while spending their days hiking and paddling at the state park.

The standout is Montgomery Bell State Park, a 3,850-acre park right in Burns with 109 campsites, three lakes, and miles of trails. For full hookups and easy interstate access, the private parks along I-40 in nearby Dickson are your best bets: Dickson RV Park at exit 172, Tanbark Campground at exit 163, and Made in the Shade RV Park at exit 152 over in Only. Most RVers base at the state park for scenery or at an I-40 park for convenient overnighters, and the two are only about 15 minutes apart.

Yes, you have full-hookup options on both the public and private side. Montgomery Bell State Park has 47 water-and-electric sites, 40 of which add a sewer connection for true full hookup, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service. Dickson RV Park offers 51 full-hookup pull-through sites with 20/30/50-amp power. Tanbark and Made in the Shade also provide water and electric with full-hookup sites available. If full hookup is a must, the private I-40 parks are the surest bet, while the state park mixes full-hookup, electric-only, and tent sites.

Expect honest Middle-Tennessee pricing rather than resort rates. Montgomery Bell State Park sits in the mid-range for a public park, with full-hookup sites costing more than water-and-electric or tent sites, plus a non-refundable five-dollar advance reservation fee per site. Private parks along I-40 generally run a little higher than the state park for a full-hookup site but add pull-through convenience and quick interstate access. Midweek stays at the private parks are usually easier to book and cheaper than peak weekends, so flexible travelers can save real money here.

Montgomery Bell State Park takes reservations up to one year in advance through tnstateparks.com or by calling 888-867-2757, and there is a five-dollar advance reservation fee per site. Summer weekends and fall-color weekends book weeks to months ahead because Burns is an easy drive from Nashville, so plan early for those. The private I-40 parks like Dickson RV Park are more forgiving; midweek you can often grab a site on short notice, though holiday weekends still get tight. For peak season, the rule of thumb is reserve as early as you reasonably can.

Fall is our favorite season here. From late September through October you get mild days, low humidity, and good oak-hickory color, though weekends draw Nashville day-trippers so book ahead. Spring is green and pleasant but wet, with May being the rainiest month at around six inches, so expect muddy trails. Summer is hot and muggy with highs near 88 degrees, but it is when the Lake Acorn swim beach and boat rentals run. Winter is quiet and cold; the private parks stay open while the state-park campground may close seasonally.

Yes, with some planning. Most of the electric sites at Montgomery Bell State Park accommodate rigs up to about 60 feet, so big rigs are genuinely welcome there. Dickson RV Park is all pull-through, which is great for maneuvering, but it caps RV length around 38 feet. Tanbark Campground takes larger rigs up to roughly 65 feet, though some campers report tight turns when towing a vehicle, so go slow. For the easiest big-rig experience with full hookups, the state park electric sites and the pull-throughs at Dickson RV Park are your best combination.

True free boondocking is limited in this part of Middle Tennessee, since the land around Burns is mostly state park and private property rather than national forest. Montgomery Bell does offer backcountry and group camping along its overnight trail, but those are reservation-based rather than first-come. The private I-40 parks will take walk-ins when they are not full, which is the closest thing to a reliable no-reservation option. If you want genuine dispersed camping, you will generally need to head to one of Tennessee national forests farther east rather than staying right around Burns.

Plenty for a multi-day stay. The park spreads across 3,850 acres with about 20 miles of hiking trails and roughly 23 miles of mountain-bike trails through forested hills. Three lakes, Acorn, Woodhaven, and Creech Hollow, are open for fishing and non-motorized boating, and you can rent kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats from Broken Paddle Outfitters on Lake Acorn. There is a free swim beach open Memorial Day through Labor Day, an 18-hole Tennessee Golf Trail course, and a full-service inn and cabins if guests in your group prefer a roof over a tent.

Check before you go. As of 2026 the Four Mile Creek campground at Montgomery Bell was closed for renovation, which is why we always recommend calling ahead to confirm the campground status before towing in. You can reach Tennessee State Parks central reservations at 888-867-2757 or check tnstateparks.com for current openings. If the state-park campground is closed during your trip, the private parks along I-40 in Dickson are a short drive away and stay open year-round, so you still have good full-hookup options nearby.

Burns is about 40 miles west of Nashville, a straight shot down I-40 that takes well under an hour with a rig. That makes it a great base if you want to camp in genuine quiet and still visit downtown Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, or the airport for fly-and-rent trips. Nashville International (BNA) is the nearest major airport at roughly 40 miles east. Many RVers use Dickson County as their peaceful home base while day-tripping into the city, getting the best of both the woods and Music City.

Head to Dickson, about six miles from Burns, for your supply runs. Dickson is the commercial hub for the county and has the fuel stations, propane refill, grocery stores, and RV-friendly stops you will want before settling in at the state park. Burns itself is a small town with limited services, so we would not count on filling propane or doing a big grocery run there. Top off your tanks and stock the rig in Dickson on your way in, especially if you are headed to Montgomery Bell where the nearest stores are a short drive back out.

Yes, pets are generally welcome at both Montgomery Bell State Park and the private parks around Dickson, though leash rules apply. Tennessee State Parks require pets to be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and never left unattended at your site, and pets are not allowed in park buildings or on the swim beach. The private I-40 parks are typically pet-friendly too, but rules on breeds and number of pets vary, so confirm directly when you book. The miles of trails at Montgomery Bell make it a good destination for camping with a dog.

The maximum stay for camping at Montgomery Bell is 14 consecutive days for most of the year, which keeps it a park for travelers and short trips rather than long-term living. From December 1 through the end of February the limit extends to 28 days for winter campers. After reaching the maximum, your camping party must leave the park for three consecutive nights before returning. This is standard across Tennessee State Parks and is worth knowing if you are planning a longer regional tour and want to use Burns as one of several stops.

It comes down to what you value most. Choose Montgomery Bell State Park for scenery, trails, lakes, golf, and a real outdoor setting, accepting that some sites are electric-only and the campground occasionally closes for work. Choose a private park like Dickson RV Park for guaranteed full hookups, pull-through sites, and fast I-40 access when you mostly need a comfortable overnight base. Because the two are only about 15 minutes apart, plenty of RVers split the difference, basing at a private park for hookups while spending their days hiking and paddling at the state park.

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Burns.