Facilities

The campground offers 150 family sites and one large, group shelter, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Also within the site is a boat ramp, playground and visitor center.

Natural Features

Cordell Hull Lake is situated among rolling hills wooded with a mixture of shady maple, hickory, oak, beech and chestnut trees. Summer temperatures range from the 60s to the 90s.

Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail, squirrels, rabbits, and a wide variety of waterfowl are commonly seen throughout the area.

Recreation

The 12,000-acre lake stretches 72 miles upstream and has 381 miles of shoreline, offering recreational activities for just about any type of visitor.

Anglers enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad and crappie. Boating, sailing, water skiing, and jet skiing are popular activities on the water.

Many miles of hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails surround the lake. The 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail has a trailhead in nearby Defeated Creek Park. Other trails in the area include the Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Bear Wheels Trail.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Electric
  • Management
  • Group Standard Electric
  • Group Shelter Electric
  • Overnight
  • Day

Important Dates

Date Range
Description
April 9th 2025 - September 9th 2025
Friends of Cordell Hull Lake have Salt Lick Creek Campground Mugs available at booth for $15

Activities

  • Swimming Site
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Birding
  • Canoeing
  • Boating
  • Evening Programs
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Kayaking
  • Photography
  • Paddle Boating
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Wilderness
  • Water Activities
  • Paddling
  • Motor Boat
  • Non-Motorized Boating

Amenities

  • Basketball Courts
  • Beach Access
  • Boat Ramp
  • Boat Trailer Parking
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Educational Programs
  • Entrance Station
  • Firewood
  • Flush Toilets
  • Grills
  • Host
  • Lake Access
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Parking Area
  • Paved Parking
  • Paved Pathways
  • Paved Roads
  • Pets Allowed
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playgroiund
  • Playground
  • Recycling
  • Shade
  • Showers
  • Volleyball Courts
  • Washer & Dryer
  • Water Hookups
  • Water Spigot
  • Waterfront Sites

Nearby Attractions

The historic town of Granville, TN is a 45-minute drive from the campground. Visitors enjoy celebrating the town's Heritage Day in May. Events include the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival, antique car and tractor shows, and Confederate Civil War living history presentations.

Getting Here

Latitude
36° 19' 22.0001" N
Longitude
85° 48' 31.0000" W
From Carthage, go 4 miles west on SR-25, then north on SR-80, then east on SR-85 to Gladice. Turn right on Smith Bend Road and follow signs.

Need to Know

  • The use of an America the Beautiful discount pass (Access or Senior) requires the card holder to be present upon checkin, have the reservation in their name, and present a valid ID. Failure to do so will result in full payment until the discount card hold becomes present. At this point a refund will be approriately processed.

  • Camping at one or more campsites at any one water resource project for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive-day period is prohibited.

  • Cellular connectivity is extremely limited. Public Wi-Fi is available only at the third restroom. Please plan accordingly. 

  • Pets are prohibited in beach area and restrooms due to health department restrictions.

  • Only two tents allowed per site. Only one wheeled camping unit allowed to each site. One wheeled camping unit and one tent is allowed. 

  • Only licensed vehicles are permitted. Each campsite is provided two parking hangtags. Additional vehicles, or visitors to campers are charged $3 fee per vehicle.

  • Maximum vehicle lengths (camping unit) were calculated based on two vehicles on site. If the driveway was wide enough to park the two vehicles side by side 20 feet was subtracted from the total site length. If the driveway could only accommodate one vehicle‘s width 40 feet was subtracted from the total site length. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Cellular connectivity is extremely limited. Public Wi-Fi is available in the vicinity of the boat ramp parking lot and Restroom #4. 

  • Friends of Cordell Hull Lake are offering heat treated firewood this season. Firewood being on hand is not a guarantee. 

    • Contact Information

    520 Salt Lick Park Lane
    Gainesboro, TN 38562-5372

    For campground inquiries, please call: 931-678-4718

    Additional Information