Nathan Bedford Forrest Camping
Warning Alert
Campgrounds, Baseball Field, and Volleyball Court Closed for Renovations
Due to structural renovations, the Happy Hollow and Lakefront Campgrounds, the baseball field, and the volleyball court are closed. We anticipate a reopening of all areas in early 2027. Please watch our alerts and our social media accounts for the most updated information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the park office.
GPS Information
To get the most direct route to our Park Office when using GPS, please use the park address - 1825 Pilot Knob Road Eva, TN 38333. If you use the park name, it sends you to the back gate which is the long route, depending on your starting point, and there is no cell phone reception.
Camping at Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park is located in West Tennessee along the shores of Kentucky Lake. The park offers a scenic setting with wooded hills, lake views, and access to miles of hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy fishing, birding, hiking, and spending time on the water during their stay.
Camping options include tent and RV campsites at Happy Hollow Campground with water and electric hookups, as well as primitive lakeside camping at the Lakefront Campground. The park also offers group camping and backcountry shelters available by permit.
Nathan Bedford Forrest Happy Hollow Campground
Happy Hollow camping area has a number of campsites equipped with water and electrical hookups. Each site also includes a table and grill.
This area is near a playground and has a central bathhouse with hot showers. A dump station for self-contained trailer rigs is available.
Nathan Bedford Forrest Lakefront Campground
The Lakefront Campground is a primitive camping area alongside Kentucky Lake.
Water is available, but not at each site, and there is a central restroom.
Backcountry Camping
There are five backcountry shelters for backcountry hikers. Reservations and a permit are required prior to setting out on your hike. Please call the park office for more info.
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Chester Hollow Shelter 1
Distance to shelter: 2.95 miles
Water: Water may be filtered from the creek at the base of the hill where the shelter is located, but it is highly recommended to bring your own.Located on the Chester Hollow Trail, this shelter sits atop a very steep hill. The trail elevation rises 150 feet in under one-quarter of a mile. Consult with a ranger if you are not confident of your ability to complete such an ascent.
There is room for two tents and an eight-person limit.
There is a fire ring at the site for visitor use.
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Chester Hollow Shelter 2
Distance to Shelter: 2.95 miles
Water: There is no water available at this site. You must pack what you need.Visitors will hike in from the Pilot Knob trailhead.
The shelter is fully enclosed and provides ample room for two hikers and gear. The shelter is 8'x10'.
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Red Rock Shelter
Distance to shelter: 4.50 miles
Water: The nearest creek is 5/8th of a mile away. It is highly recommended to pack water.Visitors will hike in from the Pilot Knob trailhead. There is a 14-person limit and room for five tents. There is a fire ring.
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Campground Road Loop Backcountry Shelter 1
Distance to shelter: 3.75 miles
Water: There is no water available. You must pack in what you need.Visitors will hike in from the Pilot Knob trailhead, where this shelter has a beautiful view of the lake. It sits atop the ridges of the Campground Road Trail, overlooking Kentucky Lake.
The shelter is fully enclosed and provides ample room for two hikers and gear. The shelter is 8'x10'.
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Campground Road Loop Shelter 2
Distance to shelter: 4.00 miles
Water: There is no water available. You must pack in what you need.Visitors will hike in from the Pilot Knob trailhead to reach this primitive site, which has a beautiful view of the lake. It sits atop the ridges of the Campground Road Trail, overlooking Kentucky Lake.
The shelter is fully enclosed and provides ample room for two hikers and gear. The shelter is 8'x10'.
Group Campground
The Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Group Campground offers the ideal setting for groups seeking a unique outdoor experience in a private camp. This primitive group tent-camping area is located in a large, open field with access to the park’s trail system as well as a perennial stream. This campground is frequented by deer, turkey, butterflies, and more. It has an authentic feel of getting back to nature.
Water may be collected on-site, but it must be treated before use. A grill and central fire ring offer areas for cooking and gathering for evening campfire stories. Parking is available for twenty cars.
Campsite capacity is fifty people; however, arrangements for larger capacity groups may be made in advance by calling the park office.
Firewood Policy
Tennessee State Parks asks that ALL campfires be made with heat-treated wood or downed wood collected inside the park, near the campsite. Please refrain from bringing untreated wood into the park.
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