Can you reserve a site at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?

Yes, Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?

Yes, pets are allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas.

Are campfires allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?

Campfires are allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas, Tennessee — 21 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping is a unique camping experience at designated areas across Center Hill's 415 miles of shoreline. Primitive camping offers a unique rustic lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by road.

Campers are advised that these areas are remote, primitive sites. Cellular service may be non-existant or limited. Water or electric including restroom facilities of any kind are not availabile. Campers desiring on-site attendant, security, and law enforcement services are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where such services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping.

Recreation

Primitive camping

Center Hill Lake is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise filled with camping, fishing, boating, and hiking experiences. Center Hill Lake is known for its fishing opportunities and host a lot of fishing tournaments.

Facilities

No water, electric, or restroom facilities. Sites have signage and a fire pit.

Natural Features

Lake view rustic camping experience surrounded by mature hardwood trees. Fishing and boating only a few steps from your designated camping site.

Nearby Attractions

Edgar Evins State Park, minutes from Center Hill Dam, sits on the shores of the lake. An observation tower at the Visitor Center offers a spectacular view of Center Hill Lake and the surrounding hillsides.

Burgess Falls State Park is a 35-minute drive from the dam. Here, the Falling Water River drops approximately 250 feet, creating numerous breathtaking waterfalls. Hiking trails and overlooks help visitors enjoy the scenery. The large Native Butterfly Garden is a popular attraction within the park.

Rock Island State Park is approximately one hour from the dam. Rock Island is located near the confluences of three rivers that make up Center Hill Lake; the Caney Fork, the Collins, and Rocky Rivers.

The facts

21 bookable sites
Up to 10 people per site
Loops: Big Hurricane - Site 1, Britch Creek - Site 2, Cane Hollow - Site 3C, Cane Hollow -Site 3A, Cane Hollow -Site 3B, Cherry Creek - Site 4, Crowder Cove - Site 5, Davies Island East - Site 6, Davies Island North - Site 8, Davies Island West -Site 7, Eagle Creek -Site 9, East Shore - Site 10, Falling Water - Site 11, Fancher Falls -Site 12, Irwin Hollow -Site 13, Pedigo Point - Site 14, Pine Creek -Site 15, Sink Creek - Site 16, South Shore -Site 17, Squirrel Tail - Site 19, White County Access -Site 20

Site types

21 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

21 campsites at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Check-in 02:30 PM · Check-out 03:30 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Access	Water	Max rig	People
Big Hurricane - Site 1	Big Hurricane - Site 1	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Britch Creek - Site 2	Britch Creek - Site 2	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Cane Hollow - Site 3C	Cane Hollow - Site 3C	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Drive In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Cane Hollow -Site 3A	Cane Hollow -Site 3A	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Drive In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Cane Hollow -Site 3B	Cane Hollow -Site 3B	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Drive In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Cherry Creek - Site 4	Cherry Creek - Site 4	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Crowder Cove - Site 5	Crowder Cove - Site 5	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Davies Island East - Site 6	Davies Island East - Site 6	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Davies Island North - Site 8	Davies Island North - Site 8	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Davies Island West -Site 7	Davies Island West -Site 7	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Eagle Creek -Site 9	Eagle Creek -Site 9	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
East Shore - Site 10	East Shore - Site 10	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Falling Water - Site 11	Falling Water - Site 11	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Fancher Falls -Site 12	Fancher Falls -Site 12	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Irwin Hollow -Site 13	Irwin Hollow -Site 13	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Pedigo Point - Site 14	Pedigo Point - Site 14	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Pine Creek -Site 15	Pine Creek -Site 15	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Sink Creek - Site 16	Sink Creek - Site 16	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
South Shore -Site 17	South Shore -Site 17	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
Squirrel Tail - Site 19	Squirrel Tail - Site 19	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Boat In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾
White County Access -Site 20	White County Access -Site 20	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	—	Drive In	Lakefront	—	10	🐾

Getting there

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

36.10234, -85.82983 · 36°6'8.4"N 85°49'47.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 48°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	48	52	61	71	79	86	89	89	83	72	61	51
Low °F	29	31	38	47	57	65	68	67	61	50	40	33
Precip in	4.8	5.1	5.3	4.8	4.8	5.2	5.4	3.9	4.0	3.5	4.0	5.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Can you reserve a site at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?: Yes, Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas have?: 21 sites.
Are pets allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?: Yes, pets are allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas.
Does Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas?: Campfires are allowed at Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas

Long Branch (Center Hill Lake) 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Floating Mill Park 5.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hurricane Bridge 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ragland Bottom 10.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater Rec Area 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Defeated Creek Park 14.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Salt Lick Creek 15.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wartrace CK Rec Area 18.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roaring River Park 22.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dale Hollow Damsite 36.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jefferson Springs 36.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Laguardo 36.7 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas