Edgar Evins State Park, located in Tennessee’s Eastern Highland Rim, rises approximately 50 miles east of Nashville and provides spectacular views and a recreational haven for all of its visitors. The 6,000-acre park sits alongside Center Hill Lake, one of Tennessee’s most beautiful reservoirs.
Center Hill Lake provides the park with a picturesque backdrop for most of the park’s activities. The privately-owned marina and gift shop are open year-round. Visitors can rent boats at the marina as well as purchase fishing equipment, gas, and other boating needs. The marina also has a seasonally-operated restaurant on-site. The water facilities along with the other rentable venues and pavilions make this park a desirable Tennessee destination.
Edgar Evins is part of Tennessee’s "Go Green With Us" program, an initiative to use sustainable materials and minimize the human impact within the park’s boundaries. From the unique wooden camping platforms to the wildlife habitat and butterfly gardens, the park works hard to keep the ecosystem beautiful and the facilities running as efficiently as possible. In addition, the park strives to combat invasive pests that threaten Tennessee’s forests by using only certified heat-treated wood inside the park’s boundaries.
You can choose from RV and tent sites with electrical and water hookups, primitive campsites, and cabins when you stay at the park. Edgar Evins State Park is a must-see for your next RV road trip.
Edgar Evins State Park is located less than 64 miles east of Nashville and Murfreesboro and can easily be found just off the I-40. The town of Gordonsville is only approximately 15 miles from the park, and if you need any supplies or something at the drop of a hat, you are likely to find it there. RVers with larger rigs traveling along the I-40 from Nashville won't encounter any restricting objects or obstacles along the way.
The terrain inside of the park is hilly but doesn’t pose a problem to RVs. Please adhere to the max trailer capacity and trailer recommendations when booking your RV site. Once you've arrived, it's best to park your RV at your campsite or in the parking lot if you are a day visitor and continue around the park on foot or by bicycle to the activities available.
You won't have to worry about finding parking here. There is plenty of parking throughout the park at the Visitor Center, boat ramps, marina, and the beginning of several of the hikes.
The Edgar Evins campground, located alongside the banks of Center Hill Lake, is one of the more unique campgrounds in the state. Instead of a paved camp pad, each campsite sits atop a reinforced wooden platform. Some of the campsites stretch over the lake, providing a spectacular view for campers. All 60 of the tent and RV campsites have 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric service, water connections, a picnic table, grill, and a fire ring.
Most sites accommodate rigs up to 33 feet in length, and a select few hold vehicles up to 40 feet. The campground has three bathhouses, a dump station, and a community fire circle. Leashed pets are welcome and should not be left unattended. The campground operates year-round, but be aware of seasonal operations that limit the park from operating to capacity. Quiet time begins at 10 PM and remains in effect through sunrise.
If you are looking for something more adventurous and rugged, reserve one of the camps primitive campsites. These eight hike-in only sites can be found a little to the left of the RV and tent campsites, and have some spectacular views of the lake. This makes the steep walk to the campsite all the more worth it. You will need to park your car and hike to your campsite with whatever you need and make sure to bring all your trash back with you and throw it away at the facilities near the car park. Again, you are more than welcome to bring along your furry friends along on your camping adventure.
Center Hill Reservoir is open year-round providing fishing fun for people of all ages and skill levels. To fish, you will need a valid Tennessee fishing license. Visitors can buy a license and purchase fishing supplies at the marina. Common lake species include three types of bass as well as, walleye, catfish, crappie, and trout. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also try kayak fishing, which can be a very peaceful experience out on the water.
Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy 12 miles of hiking trails located within the park. Most of the trails range from moderate to strenuous, so know your trail conditions as well as your expected route before heading out for a hike. The longest hike combines two trails into one: the 5.5-mile Merritt Ridge Loop Trail and the 2.5-mile Millennium Loop Trail; both routes require hikers to register before leaving. Grab a park map for more details on the trails.
Water activities and boating are favorite pastimes at Edgar Evins State Park. You can bring your own boat and explore the lake, accessing the water from one of the three boat ramps. The marina also offers seasonal boat rentals from smaller watercraft like jet skis and bass boats to larger watercraft like pontoon and houseboats. Visitors can also take a pontoon boat tour during the warmer months. The marina is privately owned and operated, and people interested in boat activities should contact the marina for more information. You can also bring along your kayak or canoe on your RV road trip and explore the Canary Fork River at your own speed.
Edgar Evins State Park has 36 cabins for you to choose from when you stay here. Each cabin is fully fitted with all the necessary accessories and supplies for you to make this place your home away from home. This includes linen, air conditioning, central heating, and cooking equipment.
There are six communal cabin blocks that overlook a communal pool for cabins guests. Each block has a double BBQ grill for visitors to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are five blocks with six one-bedroom cabins and a block with four one-bedroom bedroom cabins. Each cabin can sleep up to six people with its two double beds and a sleeper couch. Pets are allowed in specific pet-friendly cabins, at a nightly extra fee. The cabins are open year-round.
Visitors who love butterflies should set aside time to visit the Butterfly Pavilions. This section of 2,000 square feet used to be covered in grass but has been planted with native plants that attract butterflies. The Butterfly Pavilions, located next to the Visitor Center, is an area where native Tennessee plants attract over 35 different species of butterflies throughout the year. This is the ideal place to take photographs and see different species of butterflies. Pick up a butterfly species checklist at the Visitor Center, and see how many species you can find!
If you are interested in birdwatching and plan on visiting the park between the spring and fall, bring your binoculars with you in your campervan. The observation tower, located at the Visitor Center, is the perfect place to look over the trees and watch for birds. Each year the park observes over 150 species of birds including songbirds like summer and scarlet tanagers, osprey, bald eagles, and waterfowl. Make sure to also bring a camera with you to snap some stunning photos and share them with friends and family after your visit to the park.
The park hosts several annual events throughout the year. In addition to these events, interpretive programs suitable for all ages are scheduled during the summer months. Subject matter rotates, but programs are typically centered around local flora and fauna as well as the history of the area. This is an exciting way to learn about the outdoors and the park's history with the family. Please contact the park to see what’s happening when you plan on visiting, as programs change often.
