Vacationers invited to go camping in Cumberland River basin

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 2, 2015) – Vacationers are invited to go camping this recreation season at one of 25 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District campgrounds conveniently located at eight lakes within the Cumberland River basin.

“With comfortable accommodations, recreation opportunities and picturesque campsites with lake views, it’s a great place to spend a vacation or weekend,” said Mark Klimaszewski, a natural resources specialist with the Nashville District.

A camper kayaks by a campsite on the shoreline April 1, 2015 at Defeated Creek Campground in Defeated, Tenn. All 25 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District campgrounds will be open by May 2015. (Photo by Leon Roberts)
A camper kayaks by a campsite on the shoreline April 1, 2015 at Defeated Creek Campground in Defeated, Tenn. All 25 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District campgrounds will be open by May 2015. (Photo by Leon Roberts)

Klimaszewski said winter is giving way to milder temperatures this spring and so it’s a very comfortable time right now to go camping at a Corps campground.

He said outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding on Corps trails are popular in April and early May when temperatures are cooler.  The bank fishing near campsites and easy access for boaters to secluded coves is also a plus for anglers.

The Nashville District’s campgrounds are located on the shoreline of Lake Barkley in western Kentucky; Cheatham Lake, Old Hickory Lake, J. Percy Priest Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, and Center Hill Lake in Tennessee; Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee and Kentucky; and Lake Cumberland in south central Kentucky.

Campgrounds open in staggered fashion beginning in March and close for the season as late as November.  Defeated Creek Campground at Cordell Hull Lake opened March 18.  Canal Campground at Lake Barkley opened March 27.  Lock A Campground at Cheatham Lake and Seven Points Campground at J. Percy Priest Lake opened April 1.  Kendall Campground at Lake Cumberland opens April 3.  Eight more campgrounds open later in April and 12 more begin operating in May.

A complete list of Nashville District campgrounds is available on the district’s webpage.  The list includes information about electric hookups, fees, dates of operation, visitor fees and contact numbers.  It also includes links for each campground on www.recreation.gov, which provides more in-depth information about the facilities and allows users to make online reservations (180 days in advance).  Telephone reservations can also be made toll free at 1-877-444-6777.

Park Ranger Jamie Summers, a natural resources specialist at Cordell Hull Lake in middle Tennessee, said that April and May are great months to visit the Nashville District lakes, go camping, and to take advantage of the cooler temperatures.

“I just think it’s a good chance to capitalize before the crowds really get here and take advantage of more choices, good fishing, just a great time to be outside, Summers said.

During the off season the Corps of Engineers works to make improvements at the campgrounds, which includes painting and refurbishing buildings, trimming trees, removing hazards, performing electrical work and maintaining the campsites and amenities.  The result is a wonderful camping experience at all 25 Nashville District campgrounds because of the well-kept facilities and the great customer service, Summers said.

Officials also want campers to be aware that there were 18 fatalities at Nashville District lakes during the 2014 recreation season.  Eleven of these fatalities were related to boating accidents, six to drowning while swimming, and one to falling from the bank.  Only one of the victims wore a life jacket.

The campgrounds are close to water and Summers advises campers to keep safety in mind.  He recommends that campers wear life jackets when boating or recreating in the water, to swim in designated areas, and for parents to keep watch over their children.  It’s also a great idea to be respectful of other campers and to accompany children to the public use facilities in the campgrounds, he added.

“We just encourage people to use caution and respect the water,” Summers said.  “We’re open for business and ready for everyone to just come on out and safely have fun at a Corps campground.”

(Important water safety resources are available at the district’s website.  For more news, updates and information follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps)