Campground

Facilities

Anderson Road Campground offers 37 shady and spacious campsites. The campground features drinking water, a dump station, shower house and a boat ramp. Near the campground is a Day Use area that campers can access with their hangtags, where a swimming beach is provided, allowing guests to take advantage of the vast, sparkling lake. The Day Use also provides picnic tables, grills, a shelter and playground. Please note this area may be closed on the weekends due to high volume of visitors in the area.

Natural Features

J. Percy Priest Dam and Lake was one of the first Corps of Engineers lakes to have recreation as part of its mission. The dam, completed in 1968, impounds 42 miles, with 14,200 surface acres of water.

In soothing contrast to the sparkling waters of the lake are the adjacent 19,087 acres of grasslands and woodlands.

A highlight of the region, the Cedar Glades Natural Area, is home to countless wildlife and plant species, including the Tennessee coneflower.

Recreation

The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities to choose from, including fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.

Fishing opportunities abound at J. Percy Priest Lake, with a wide variety of species available, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and Cherokee bass. Other species such as catfish, bluegill, bream and trout provide excellent opportunities for younger anglers.

Anderson Road Fitness Trail is a paved trail winding a little over a mile through the cedar glade area beside the lake.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Nonelectric
  • Standard Electric
  • Management
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Boating

Amenities

  • Boat Ramp
  • Dump Station
  • Entrance Station
  • Flush Toilets
  • Parking Area
  • Playground
  • Showers
  • Swimming
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Fire Pit
  • BBQ
  • Picnic Table

Nearby Attractions

J. Percy Priest Lake is conveniently located about ten miles east of downtown Nashville, offering visitors plenty of cultural activities in addition to the conveniences of a metro area.

Getting Here

Latitude
36° 6' 22.0000" N
Longitude
86° 36' 14.0000" W
From downtown Nashville, TN, take I-40 east for 5 miles to exit 219. Turn right on Stewarts Ferry Pike and continue straight on Bell Road for 5 miles. Turn left on Smith Springs Road, then left on Anderson Road. The campground is ahead about 1 mile on the left or continue straight on Anderson Road to access the day use area and shelter.

Need to Know

  • No off-road vehicles permitted.
  • Two tents or one tent and one RV are permitted per campsite.
  • Two vehicles allowed per site.

  • $5 fee per vehicle for guests of campers.

  • Firewood quarantines are in effect. Firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect our forests by purchasing or collecting firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Click Here for more information.
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

  • Camping limit is 14 days in any 30-consecutive-day period on J. Percy Priest Lake. This rule applies to all campgrounds combined.

  • No drive-thrus on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

  • Wifi is NOT provided at this campground. 

  • STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/rec.

    • Contact Information

    4010 ANDERSON ROAD
    NASHVILLE, TN 37217

    For campground inquiries, please call: 615-361-1980

    Additional Information