Rocky Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Rocky Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway is open year-round. Its 19 campsites welcome both tent campers and RVs. About half the sites have back-in parking and half have pull-through parking. All but a few driveways can accommodate even the largest of RVs.
Pull-through parking campsite at Rocky Springs Campground
FEES AND RESERVATIONS
The Rocky Springs Campground offers FREE, no-frills camping on a first come, first served basis. If there is no sign of occupation, the campsite is yours. The only way to secure the site is to put down some type of equipment.
The campground will fill up on the weekends during the spring and fall seasons. If you plan to arrive on a Friday or Saturday, arrive as early as possible. Since many people are just staying the night and continuing down the Natchez Trace Parkway in the morning, there is often a large turnover each day.
Campsite at the Rocky Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway
TERRAIN
Campsites at Rocky Springs are relatively flat and partially to fully shaded. There are no tent pads, and you can pretty much put your tent anywhere you’d like.
Tent campers at Rocky Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway
AMENITIES
RVs are welcome at Rocky Springs Campground, but keep in mind that there are no water or electric hook-ups. Furthermore, while there are restrooms within the campground, there are no showers and no hot water. However, it’s free to camp here, so there’s no room to complain.
The two restrooms were closed during my fall 2021 visit, one for maintenance and one that looks like it is run down and closed for good. If you find this to be the case during your visit, the restroom at the Rocky Springs Visitor Center near the entrance to the park is usually open. Campsites closest to the campground entrance are the closest to the Visitor Center restroom. Everyone else has a long walk.
All campsites have a paved driveway for parking, a picnic table, a standard grill, and what can act as a fire pit but is really a grill for wheel-chair bound visitors. These are deep sided and suck for campfires since you won’t be able to see the flames from your chair. Usually these are placed at campsites reserved for disabled visitors, but I guess the National Park Service got such a good deal on them that they decided to put them at every site.
Typical campsite amenities at the Rocky Springs Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway
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Last updated on December 10, 2021
