Nashville East / Lebanon KOA

Camp in an RV near Lebanon and make the short drive southwest to Percy Priest Lake, which was created following the construction of a dam in the 1960s. It’s a hub for fishing, boating, and relaxation, with numerous parks along the shore where you can get out on the water. Head to the Cook Day Use Area to take advantage of its swimming beach and nature trail or listen to live music on the floating patio in the Elm Hill Recreation Area. On the eastern shore of the lake is the Long Hunter State Park where you can hike, mountain bike, or explore its Native American archaeological site. Directly south of Nashville East / Lebanon KOA is the Cedars of Lebanon State Park, which sprawls across 900 acres and is renowned for its cedar glades. This unique ecosystem has adapted to the thin soil layers of the region, with thick stands of red cedar framing the groves that reminded early settlers of the Biblical Lebanese cedar forests. Stretch your legs on the eight miles of hiking trails that wind through the park, including the short Cedar Glades Trail with its interpretive signs and the Limestone Sinks Trail. If you’re after a longer hike, opt for the five-mile Hidden Springs Trail that loops through the cedar glades and a dense stand of mixed red cedar and oak-hickory forest. Camping at Nashville East / Lebanon KOA is also a good base for visiting the Edgar Evins State Park, which lies around 40 minutes’ drive to the east. It comprises about 6,000 acres of rolling hills along the shores of Center Hill Reservoir and is named after a prominent local businessman and senator who played a vital role in the dam’s construction. Aside from a full-service dock for getting out on the water, the park also features numerous hiking trails that include the Highland Rim Trail, the Dunham Cemetery Trail, and the Millennium Trail that passes the remains of early-20th-century homesteads.