If you’re rolling toward Nashville, with dreams of the Grand Ole Opry and the neon glow of Broadway filling your head, the last thing you want to worry about is where you’re going to empty your tanks. Music City is fantastic, but it’s a bustling, growing metropolis, and finding an easy, big-rig-friendly dump station right in the heart of it all can be a tall order. That’s why I’ve got a secret weapon just a few minutes east of downtown: Anderson Road Campground. This isn’t some cramped private park wedged between a highway and a shopping center. This is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or COE, campground, and it sits right on the shores of the beautiful J. Percy Priest Lake. It’s the perfect blend of city access and lakeside serenity.
The location is really what makes this spot a winner. You can spend your day exploring Nashville, soaking in the history and the music, and then retreat back to your rig parked under a canopy of shady trees, with the water just a short walk away. Percy Priest Lake is a massive recreational hub for the area, drawing boaters, kayakers, and swimmers all season long. The campground even has access to a nearby day-use area with a beach. It’s the kind of place where you can take care of your RV chores and then reward yourself with a swim or a quiet evening listening to the cicadas instead of the sound of interstate traffic. For me, that’s what RVing is all about, finding those spots that give you the best of both worlds. You’re close enough to feel the energy of the city, but far enough away to actually relax and unwind.
Now, if you’ve ever stayed at a COE park before, you know what to expect. They are generally very well-designed, clean, and organized. Anderson Road is no exception. You’ll pull in and find a gatehouse, clear signage pointing you where to go, and facilities that are built with RVs in mind. The roads are typically wide enough to maneuver without holding your breath, and the dump station is made to be functional. It’s there to serve the registered campers in the park, so like any popular campground, you might find a small line on a Sunday morning or the day after a holiday weekend. My trick is to either get it done early in the morning before everyone else starts packing up, or just wait until the afternoon rush has cleared out. There’s no point in getting stressed. You’re at the lake, after all.
One of the most critical things to know about Anderson Road, and many COE parks for that matter, is that it operates on a seasonal schedule. You cannot just assume it’s open year-round. They typically run from the spring through the early fall and then shut down for the winter. This is a rookie mistake I’ve seen people make time and time again. They’ll read a blog post from the summer and just show up in November, only to find a locked gate. So, before you even think about heading that way, get online or on the phone and confirm their operating dates for the current year. It’ll save you a huge detour and a lot of frustration. Also, be aware that there’s often a small visitor fee to enter the park, even if you’re just passing through, so have a little cash or a card ready.
The amenities here are what really make it a great reset spot, especially if you’ve been on the road for a while or doing some boondocking. They have a proper dump station, so you can easily empty both your black and grey water tanks. There’s also potable drinking water available, which is perfect for filling up your fresh tank before you head out on your next adventure. But the real game-changers are the showers and laundry facilities. After a long haul or a few days off-grid, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, better than a long, hot shower and the ability to do a few loads of laundry. It makes you feel human again. Most of the campsites also offer electric hookups, which is great for recharging your batteries and running the air conditioner on a hot Tennessee day. You’ll also find the standard campground comforts like restrooms and trash disposal. Just be aware that you won’t find propane or fuel on-site, so you’ll need to plan to take care of that in the Nashville metro area.
As far as value goes, COE parks are consistently one of the best deals in the RV world. The nightly camping fees are incredibly reasonable for what you get, a clean site in a prime location. The specific fee for just using the dump station isn’t always clearly advertised, so this is another reason to call ahead. But even with a small entry fee, the cost is well worth the convenience and the quality of the facilities. It’s a far better value proposition than many of the private parks that are closer to the city and charge a premium for a patch of gravel.
So, here’s my final word on Anderson Road Campground. It’s a fantastic, high-value option for any RVer visiting the Nashville area. It offers that perfect combination of urban exploration and natural relaxation. The dump station is reliable, and the added perks of showers and laundry make it a perfect place to hit the reset button. Just be hyper-aware of its seasonal operation. Double-check those dates before you go. And try to time your visit to the dump station to avoid the weekend checkout rush. If you keep those tips in mind, you’ll find that Anderson Road is one of the smartest stops you can make on your Music City tour.
4010 Anderson Rd, Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 361-1980
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
recreation.gov/camping/anderson-road/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71009