Tennessee / Smith County

Defeated Creek Park

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically opens mid-March and operates through late October. Limited to 14 consecutive nights per 30-day period.

About

Defeated Creek Park Campground sits along the banks of Cordell Hull Lake on the Cumberland River System, just seven miles from Carthage, Tennessee. This Army Corps of Engineers facility offers 155 campsites, all equipped with electric hookups, accommodating both tents and RVs. The 12,000-acre lake stretches 72 miles upstream with 381 miles of shoreline, providing extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, water skiing, and other water sports. The campground features a boat ramp and adjacent marina for easy lake access. On-site amenities include a swimming beach, playground, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and two large group day-use shelters with water and electric hookups. The 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail begins within the campground, offering hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities. Additional trails in the area include the Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Bear Wheels Trail. Cordell Hull Lake is known for excellent fishing, with anglers targeting white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad, and crappie. The lake is situated among rolling hills covered in maple, hickory, oak, beech, and chestnut trees, with abundant wildlife including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and various waterfowl. The historic town of Granville is 25 miles away, hosting Heritage Day celebrations each May with bluegrass festivals and Civil War living history presentations.

Directions

From Carthage, Tennessee, take SR-25 west for 4 miles. Turn north on SR-80, then east on SR-85. Follow signs to campground.

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