Cumberland Mountain State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Situated above the breathtaking Cumberland Plateau, Cumberland Mountain State Park is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Featuring 1,720 acres of gorgeous lakes, rolling meadows, mountains, and glistening streams, new RV lovers and experienced travelers alike will be in awe of the stunning scenery that this park has to offer. Located just outside of Crossville, Tennessee, the park is a perfect place for your next RV vacation. You will enjoy endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in a captivating mountain landscape. From hiking and golfing to biking and birding, Cumberland Mountain State Park offers a huge variety of outdoor fun.
The mountain views of Cumberland Mountain State Park are jaw-dropping, with the southern edge of the Crab Mountains five miles to the east. You will love taking in the mountain air while being surrounded by creeks, rivers, and a man-made lake. There are herons, ducks and belted kingfishers you can see while at the lakeshore. History buffs can also check out an original Homesteader's house that is set up as it was in the Great Depression. Once you park your camper at Cumberland Mountain State Park you can wander off onto the many trails around the park. Pioneer Loop is a natural surface easy trail, while the Overnight Trail is a more challenging trek.
Cumberland Mountain State Park is the perfect place for an RV road trip no matter when you visit. The 145 campsites and 28 cabins are available for you to call home any time of the year and will offer you some of the best amenities within the Tennesse State Park System. Peak season at Cumberland Mountain State Park runs from April until October.
RV Rentals in Cumberland Mountain State Park
Transportation
Driving
Cumberland Mountain State Park is easily accessible by RV or car since it is located 10 miles from Crossville, TN, off of Highway 127. Local roads will take you throughout the park, from the park office and restaurant to the campground and hiking trails. There are no driving restrictions for RVs or trailers in the park, so getting around will be easy, whether you are in your rig or another vehicle.
While there is a camp store that offers some basic supplies, it will be in your best interest to stop at Crossville (around five miles away), Fairfield Glade (around 14 miles away), or Monterey (around 28 miles away) if you need groceries or to visit any amenities.
Parking
There are several places to park your RV and trailer within Cumberland Mountain State Park thanks to the five lots that are located throughout the park. You'll find plenty of spots at the Park Office, Byrd Lake, recreation areas, and near the hiking trails. Of course, you are also able to park at the campground if you are staying overnight and then walk around the park.
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Cumberland Mountain State Park
Campsites in Cumberland Mountain State Park
Reservations camping
Crossville / I-40 KOA
Located only a five-minute drive from Cumberland Mountain State Park, the Crossville / I-40 KOA is an excellent RV camping choice for those who want to stay outside of the park. Crossville is a great place for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and many other exciting outdoor activities, or you can relax and soak up the beauty of nature.
Crossville KOA gives you access to sites for RVs up to 70 feet, 50-amp sites with full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a dog park, and a pool. This spot is also one of the best areas in the nation for enjoying quality golfing, so remember to pack your clubs. The campground also contains log cabins and suites, so there is an accommodation type for everyone.
The Crossville / I-40 KOA is open all year round and reservations are recommended in order to guarantee that you have a place to stay.
Backcountry Camping
If you are feeling adventurous you should consider getting off the grid and staying at the backcountry camping area within Cumberland Mountain State Park. Located on the six-mile-long Overnight Trail, the camping area requires quite a trek to get there, and you should be prepared to cross many small waterways and over a swinging bridge.
Don't expect any amenities out here off the beaten path - the campground is completely primitive as a large area sheltered by overhanging trees. Fires are allowed in the backcountry camping area, however, they can only be made with wood found on the grounds of the park or heat-treated wood. Like the RV campground, the backcountry campground is available for reservations up to 12 months in advance of your visit.
Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground
Cumberland Mountain State Park has a fantastic campground suitable for RV travelers of all rig sizes. There are 145 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents from March to December, with some sites being able to hold rigs up to a massive 111 feet in length.
Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground is a little different from the norm and features marked areas instead of the standard loop. There are five different areas within the campground that contain similar features, but there are some outliers. Area One stands out from the rest since sites here feature electric, water, and sewer hookups. All of the camping areas have showers and restrooms facilities, but if you are looking for an ADA-accessible site you should avoid Area Four.
Each site has a paved or gravel pad, a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Other amenities within the campground include a centralized camp store and dump station. Reservations are available up to 12 months in advance, and you can stay up to 14 days at a time.
Cabins
Thinking about kicking back in a cabin during your visit to Cumberland Mountain State Park? The park is well-equipped for this more luxurious form of accommodation thanks to the 28 cabins that are available for reservation all year round.
There are plenty of different cabin layouts and choices suitable for groups of up to 16 people, all of which come equipped with a kitchen and cooking utensils. The most common choice for visitors are one of the many rustic cabins. These cabins come with either one or two bedrooms and can sleep up to four people. If you have a larger group you should consider staying in one of three timber lodge cabins. Suitable for groups up to 10 people, these cabins also feature central heat and air conditioning. If you are wanting a cabin with a bathroom you can stay at the Mill House cabin, which is suitable for up to 16 guests.
All of the cabins at Cumberland Mountain State Park can be reserved up to a year in advance.
Seasonal activities in Cumberland Mountain State Park
Off-Season
The Homestead House Museum
Cumberland Mountain State Park offers a 1930's Homestead House for you to explore during your RV adventure. Start out by learning the history of living in the 1930s in the area and enjoy a display of furnishings from this time. These displays and artifacts found in the Homestead House showcase the FDR New Deal program, allowing you to see first hand how living during that time helped shaped the future for the historical area. Tours of the museum are available all year round, but you will have to pay a small fee to the non-profit organization that maintains this important local historical building.
Biking
Cumberland Mountain State Park is a wonderful place to bring your bike since it is home to the first dedicated mountain bike trail in Cumberland County. After you park your RV you can cycle down this nearly two-mile beginner trail, which is geared to help those new to the sport develop their skills. This trail is exclusively for mountain biking only and does not allow hiking, so you won't have to worry about any wandering folk getting in your way. Helmets are required on the trail at all times.
Hiking
Don't forget to pack those good hiking shoes before your trip since there are six amazing hiking trails to choose from at Cumberland Mountain State Park. The trails vary in difficulty, but there will be a trail suitable for everyone. For those looking for an easy hike, try the Pioneer Short Loop. This is a nearly two-mile trail that will take you through amazing scenery along the shores of Byrd Lake. If it's a more difficult trail you crave, check out the Overnight Trail, a six-mile trail that will take you through gorgeous hills near Threemile Creek.
In-Season
Boating
The man-made Byrd Lake is a hub of activity during the summer months with boaters of all shapes and sizes exploring the gorgeous waterway. You are allowed to bring boats with electric motors onto the lake, but one of the most popular boating activities is to go paddling. There are plenty of great nooks to explore along the edge of the lake and its snake-like formation will give you many hours of fun exploration. If you don't have your own watercraft, there are some available for rent from the boat dock, which is open from Memorial Day until late October. Please note that watercraft can only be rented on the weekends.
Swimming
Cumberland Mountain State Park has an Olympic-sized swimming pool to help cool you off from the Tennessee heat. Ranging from three-feet deep at the shallow end to 13 feet at the deep end, all swimmers will be able to find their comfort zone while splashing about. For visitors traveling with little ones, there is also a wading pool so they don't have to miss out on all of the fun. If you are interested in doing some lap swimming you can head to the swimming lane and follow the black line.
Golfing
Cumberland Mountain State Park is a great place to bring your clubs and tee off. The park is home to the very sought-after Jack Nicklaus-designed Bear Trace course. With 72 layout features that mix elevation changes with natural features, this course has a great chance of becoming one of your favorites. Incorporating the region's natural resources and layered flagstone, the 393-yard par-four seventh hole captivates some of the best beauty the park has to offer. The Bear Trace course also contains a driving range if you want to work on your game and offers club and pull cart rentals.
