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Bear Waller Gap Hiking Trail is adjacent to the campground is 6-6.5 miles one way

Defeated Creek Park

Open

Open for the 2026 season. The campground operates from mid-March through early November, with reservations available on Recreation.gov. Stay limit is 14 consecutive nights per 30-day period.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 21 at 5:09PM CDT until July 22 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN

5:09 PM — July 22nd, 12:00 AM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 510 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN TENNESSEE THIS WATCH INCLUDES 27 COUNTIES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE CANNON CHEATHAM CLAY CUMBERLAND DAVIDSON DE KALB DICKSON FENTRESS HICKMAN HOUSTON HUMPHREYS JACKSON MACON MONTGOMERY OVERTON PERRY PICKETT PUTNAM ROBERTSON RUTHERFORD SMITH STEWART SUMNER TROUSDALE WHITE WILLIAMSON WILSON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALLARDT, ASHLAND CITY, BRENTWOOD, BYRDSTOWN, CARTHAGE, CELINA, CENTERVILLE, CLARKSVILLE, COOKEVILLE, CROSSVILLE, DICKSON, DOVER, ERIN, FRANKLIN, GAINESBORO, GALLATIN, GOODLETTSVILLE, GORDONSVILLE, HARTSVILLE, HENDERSONVILLE, JAMESTOWN, KINGSTON SPRINGS, LA VERGNE, LAFAYETTE, LEBANON, LINDEN, LIVINGSTON, LOBELVILLE, MCEWEN, MOUNT JULIET, MURFREESBORO, NASHVILLE, NEW JOHNSONVILLE, PEGRAM, SMITHVILLE, SMYRNA, SOUTH CARTHAGE, SPARTA, SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE RIDGE, WAVERLY, AND WOODBURY.

Flood Watch issued July 21 at 12:59PM CDT until July 22 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Nashville TN

12:59 PM — July 22nd, 7:00 AM

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...A portion of Middle Tennessee, including the following counties, Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, De Kalb, Dickson, Fentress, Giles, Hickman, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson and Wilson. * WHEN...From 6 PM CDT this evening through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms with locally torrential downpours will develop across Middle Tennessee this evening producing rainfall totals greater than 2 inches which could cause flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 6:42AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Nashville TN

6:42 AM — 8:00 PM

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110. * WHERE...Middle Tennessee. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

About

Defeated Creek Park Campground occupies a scenic stretch of shoreline along Cordell Hull Lake, part of the Cumberland River system managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 12,000-acre reservoir stretches 72 miles upstream with 381 miles of shoreline, offering excellent fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie along with water skiing, jet skiing, and sailing. The campground provides 155 campsites spread across several loops, all equipped with electric hookups and many with water connections. Both back-in and pull-through sites are available, with some accommodating RVs up to 99 feet. Facilities include bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, a dump station, and laundry. Public WiFi is available near Honeysuckle Loop and Bathhouse 3. A boat ramp provides direct lake access, with a full-service marina adjacent to the campground. Beyond water activities, the 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail begins at the campground for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A beach, playground, and tennis and volleyball courts round out the recreation options. The historic town of Granville is 25 miles away, known for its Heritage Day celebration and bluegrass festival each May.

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.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi Yes
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups Yes
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store
Price $36 - $50

Vehicle

Max RV Length 151ft
Max Trailer Length 151ft
Big Rig Friendly Yes
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (615) 774-3141

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Bear Waller Gap Hiking Trail is adjacent to the campground is 6-6.5 miles one way
Fishing Cleaning Station located in Day Use area
Boat ramp for campers only
Campground Host Entrance Booth
One of several playgrounds in Defeated Creek Campground for campers.
Defeated Creek Campground Map
9 miles of Mountain Biking Trails are available adjacent to the campground
Host Entrance Booth

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