Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Center Hill Lake - COE/Long Branch
Overview
Located just below the massive Center Hill Dam, Long Branch Campground offers a serene escape in the heart of Middle Tennessee. This Army Corps of Engineers facility is widely renowned for its prime position along the banks of the cold Caney Fork River. RVers visit this destination to experience some of the region's most productive trout fishing while enjoying the quiet, natural beauty and the misty atmosphere created by the dam's tailwaters.
Location & Surroundings
The park is nestled in a lush valley where the air stays remarkably cool thanks to the rushing waters released from the dam. The surrounding terrain is characterized by steep, forested hills and the Caney Fork River, which provides a refreshing backdrop for every campsite. Located in Lancaster, Tennessee, the park feels secluded from the hustle of city life yet remains easily accessible for travelers coming from Nashville or Cookeville via Interstate 40.
Amenities & Park Features
Long Branch provides well-maintained sites that cater specifically to the needs of modern RVers. Most sites feature water and electric hookups with both 30 and 50-amp service available. Essential park features include:
- A modern shower house and clean restroom facilities
- An on-site dump station and easy-access trash collection
- A convenient boat ramp for immediate river access
The spacious gravel pads are designed to accommodate a variety of rig sizes, including many larger motorhomes and fifth wheels.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
While the river is the main draw for many, the nearby Center Hill Lake offers thousands of acres for boating, jet skiing, and swimming above the dam. Nature enthusiasts often visit Edgar Evins State Park just up the road for its extensive hiking trail system and unique bird-watching opportunities. For those looking for a unique local experience, the Buffalo Valley area offers charming local dining and several professional canoe rental services for paddling downstream.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for dedicated anglers seeking easy access to world-class fly fishing and river wade fishing. It also serves as a wonderful retreat for families who prefer a quiet, nature-focused environment over a busy commercial resort. If you enjoy riverside camping and a slower pace of life surrounded by timber and water, Long Branch is a perfect choice for your next Tennessee RV adventure.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Michelle Ford
This place was awesome! Very pretty, and peaceful. Upkeep was great as they came and mowed at least once a week, and the facilities to include laundry and bathroom were very clean. I would absolutely stay here again and will recommend it!
chris crigler
Great campground, it was clean and well maintained. I would have loved to have stayed longer we will be back.
Jennifer Sensiba
The cold water from behind the dam makes beautiful fog in the summer. Great campsite with hookups, too.
McVeycations
This is a beautifully maintained COE campground right on the Caney Fork River. What's awesome about this campground is that you have easy river access and easy Center Hill lake access with a boat dock (with no launch fee) right up a small hill. There were plenty of campers with kayaks, boats, and paddleboards. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever stayed in a place where I saw more kayaks! Unfortunately, while we stayed there, they ran the generators from the dam all day and night and the river was the highest many people had ever seen. Which left little areas for bank fishing the river (which seemed like the most popular activity). With that said, if you #1 goal is to fish, keep an eye on the weather forecast and the previous weeks worth of rain. If its rained a ton, plan to have the river quite high. Pro's: 1) Beautiful, spacious sites, and clean sites. 2) Easy access in and out of the campground. 3) Caney River access from the campground itself, with easy access to the other side of the Caney on the other side and Center Hill lake up a small hill with a boat launch. 4) Drivable distance to some awesome hikes. Cummins Falls & Burgess Falls are both can't miss hikes. 5) Dump station on site. 6) Within easy driving distance of Cookeville, TN should you need anything of major importance. 7) Volunteers were there the last day planting trees and cleaning up the grounds. 8) Looked like they had laundry on site, although we didn't use. 9) Late check out times! Didn't have to check out till approx 2:30pm Con's: 1) Check to see if dam is running generators which raise the water level significantly. 2) Dump station is quite tight. We wouldn't be able to fit with our 46' Fifth Wheel, and ended up using our honey wagon to make the transfers. 3) Steep entry/exit on the road leading to the campground, but assuming you sized your tow vehicle appropriately, this really shouldn't be an issue. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Would have preferred FHU sites, but beggars can't be choosers :) Would happily stay here again in the future!
David Parker
Love this camp ground, dump station could use some fixing.