Sometimes the best RV spots are the ones you find by taking a slight detour off the beaten path. While thousands of travelers barrel down I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga every day, many of them fly right past Manchester, Tennessee, without a second thought. But for those in the know, a quiet little haven called Cedar Point Campground awaits. Nestled along the shores of the Normandy TVA Reservoir, this campground offers a peaceful, scenic respite from the highway, complete with a convenient on-site dump station for its campers. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for breaking up a long drive, allowing you to handle your tank maintenance in a serene setting rather than a noisy, chaotic truck stop.
Manchester might be a small town, but it has a big claim to fame. Every June, this quiet community transforms into the epicenter of the music world as it hosts the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. A massive crowd of 80,000 people descends on the area, and the surrounding farms become a temporary city of RVs of every imaginable size and shape. If you plan on being in the area during the festival, this campground could be a strategic and relatively calm base of operations, but you’ll need to book far in advance. The rest of the year, Manchester reverts to its charming, tranquil self. For RVers who appreciate history and nature, a visit to the nearby Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park is a must. It’s less than ten miles from the campground and features incredible 2,000-year-old earthworks built by Native Americans, as well as beautiful waterfalls along the Duck River. It’s a fascinating place to hike and explore, offering a deep connection to the region’s ancient past.
Understanding the dynamics of a campground that operates as a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is helpful. These parks, like Cedar Point, often have a more rustic, nature-focused feel than a commercial RV resort. You can expect to check in at a small camp store or office, where you’ll likely get a gate code for after-hours access. The staff are usually friendly locals who can give you tips about the area. The dump station itself is typically a simple, single-lane concrete pad. It’s functional and gets the job done. The crowds here are generally modest, which means you rarely have to wait in line. The one major exception, of course, is during Bonnaroo week. If you’re in the vicinity during the festival, be prepared for the entire area to be buzzing with activity. Access for non-campers to the dump station might be limited during this peak time, so it would be essential to call ahead.
The amenities at Cedar Point are what you would expect from a solid, traditional campground. The sites, around 50 of them, are equipped with standard 30/50 amp electric hookups and water spigots. The showers and restrooms are basic but are kept clean and functional. Having large trash dumpsters on-site is always a convenience, especially at the end of a stay when you’re looking to purge all the accumulated waste from your trip. The campground is very pet-friendly, with plenty of grassy areas for your four-legged companion to enjoy, though standard leash rules are in effect. It’s important to remember what’s not here. You won’t find a camp store stocked with RV supplies, a propane filling station, or any on-site repair services. It’s a good practice to make sure you’ve fueled up and grabbed any necessary supplies in the town of Manchester before you settle into your campsite for the night.
The cost and value proposition is one of the big draws for TVA campgrounds. While specific prices for Cedar Point aren’t posted online, similar sites in the region typically fall into a very affordable range of $18 to $30 per night. For that price, you get a campsite in a beautiful, waterfront setting and the use of the dump station is included. It’s an incredible value, especially when you consider the peace and quiet you get in return. The best way to get the most current information is to give their office a direct call. You can confirm the nightly rates and, crucially, ask if they offer a dump-only service for a fee if you’re not planning to camp overnight.
Here are a few tips to ensure your visit goes off without a hitch. If your travel plans coincide with the Bonnaroo festival in June, you absolutely must make reservations well in advance, as sites sell out incredibly fast. Secondly, a little piece of advice for camping in the humid Tennessee summer: always have a good supply of your preferred holding tank deodorizer. The combination of heat and humidity can amplify odors, and a quality tank treatment makes a world of difference for everyone’s comfort. Finally, I highly recommend you take advantage of the campground’s location on the Normandy Reservoir. It feeds into the Duck River, which is a wonderfully scenic place for a paddle. Pairing your practical dump stop with a relaxing afternoon of kayaking or canoeing is the perfect way to turn a chore into a memorable part of your journey.
In short, Cedar Point Campground is a hidden gem for RVers traveling through the Mid-South. It offers a perfect blend of lakeside serenity, easy access from a major interstate, and proximity to unique local attractions like Bonnaroo and Old Stone Fort. It’s a no-hassle, no-frills stop that delivers exactly what many of us are looking for: a clean, quiet, and affordable place to rest and reset. Just be sure to verify the rates and be aware of the potential for seasonal crowd surges. Once you do, you can confidently add this lovely spot to your Tennessee travel itinerary and enjoy a peaceful break from the road.
1659 Cedar Point Rd, Manchester, TN 37355
(931) 857-3705
Cost: Price not available
Category: Campground
Has Water
camprrm.com/parks/tennessee/tva-easements/cedar-point-campground