This Tennessee State Park Has Unique Camping Platforms Right Over A Dazzling Lake

Tennessee is home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in the US. It welcomed over 12 million visitors in 2024, with nature lovers drawn to craggy peaks, spectacular views, and verdant forests. But Tennessee has many gorgeous landscapes beyond the incredibly popular Smokies, and offers truly unique campgrounds. One is in Edgar Evins State Park, where visitors can camp on wooden platforms suspended over the sloping lakeshore. 

The platforms are surrounded by forest, giving visitors privacy and shade, but glimpses through the trees provide picturesque views of sparkling Center Hill Lake. Each deck site has a picnic table, grill, and fire ring, with plenty of space to park an RV or pitch a tent. One delighted visitor reviewing the park on Google said, "Edgar Evins may be the most lux state park for tent camping!" and calls the sturdy decks "a treat." (Worried about bugs? Check out these genius hacks for keeping bugs away while camping!) 

Primitive campsites and cabins are also available for those who don't manage to bag a platform. Staying overnight will allow you to experience one of the best places to stargaze in Tennessee, thanks to the lack of light pollution. So the park dazzles by night, but what about by day?

The park stretches across 6,000 hilly acres in central Tennessee, and visitors will find heaps of recreational opportunities. Being on Center Lake, boating and fishing are popular. There are three boat launch ramps, and you can bring your own or rent from the Marina. For those looking to cast a line and catch dinner, you have a chance to snag bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, and trout. Bass fishing is best in spring and fall, though summer nights host plenty of hopefuls too.

In the hilly forests along the shoreline, hiking is a popular activity. Families with young kids should try the Storybook Trail, a 0.4-mile loop that has nature storybook displays for them to follow. If you're into birdwatching, don't miss the 1.35-mile Highland Rim Nature Trail. It offers hikers a chance to spot the rare cerulean warbler among many species and, in spring, the wildflowers add a burst of color. For a longer trek, combine the Millennium and Merrit Ridge loops, which have some steep climbs and panoramic views over the lake.

The campground makes an excellent base for exploring the local area. It's just 30 minutes away from Cookeville, one of Tennessee's most beautiful college towns, where you can discover a thriving arts and food scene. Drive 30 minutes in the other direction and you'll come upon Lebanon, a trendy city full of colorful murals and a boutique-lined Main Street.