Pick up your RV rental in Monterey and pull into one of the RV sites at the Belle Ridge Campground, which lies on the southern edge of town. There are 50 full hookup RV sites to select from and a laundromat, as well as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and miles of hiking trails to explore. A 15-minute drive southeast of Monterey will take you to the Davy Crockett Campground, a family-friendly RV destination that also has 50 RV sites with full hookups. There’s a saltwater pool where you can cool off during the summer months, not to mention an indoor hot tub and a pond that’s accessible to guests for catch-and-release fishing. Also nearby is the Deer Run RV Resort in Crossville, which is set across 200 acres on the Cumberland Plateau. Aside from its RV sites, there’s also a five-acre fishing lake, a children’s playground, and a swimming pool, as well as a convenience store and golf cart rentals. You can also make the 20-minute drive into Cookeville where there’s a Walmart where you may be able to set up for a night or two with the manager’s permission.

Park your RV rental near Monterey and head to the Monterey Depot Museum, which details the town’s railway history and the people that made it all possible. Learn about the Native Americans who once followed herds of buffalo across the land and the coal mining industry that resulted in the modern-day settlement. The museum is set within a charming old railway building and features an engaging selection of old photographs and artifacts for visitors to peruse. For one of the best views in the area, make the short drive outside of town to the Bee Rock Overlook, which can be accessed along an easy trail. It offers sweeping panoramas across the Cumberland Plateau while also being a local hub for rock climbing. It’s the perfect place to stop for a picnic and a quick stretch of the legs if you’re traveling along the road to Sparta or heading south to explore the history of Bon Air at the DeRossett Railroad Section House Museum. Monterey also makes a good base for visiting Nashville, which is renowned for its associations with country music. Just a 90-minute drive will see you at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum or settling in for a live music performance at the Grand Ole Opry. But Nashville’s not only about music, with an excellent choice of family-friendly attractions that include the Adventure Science Center and the Tennessee State Museum. Monterey has a supermarket where you can shop for groceries, as well as a couple of eateries for dining out. There is also a gas station if you want to fill up your campervan rental in Monterey. Whether you’re visiting Putnam County for its recreational pursuits or proximity to Nashville, book an RV in Monterey and start planning your next adventure.