Manchester, Tennessee is known for being the location where the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival takes place. The city's usual population is a bit more than 11,000 people, but during the four-day Bonnaroo Festival, around 89,000 additional people flock to Manchester to experience a nonstop concert featuring more than 150 performing artists. On-site RV camping is an option at the 700-acre property where the festival takes place.
Other popular things to do in the Manchester area include visiting the local museums and parks. City park facilities include the Ada Wright Building, Fred Deadman Park, Dave King Park, Manchester Sports Park, Rotary Park Amphitheater, Little Duck River Greenway, and the Memorial Garden. If you are planning an outdoor gathering in Manchester, picnic shelters at some parks are available for rent. The Arrowheads/Aerospace Cultural Center offers exhibits geared toward children and adults for days when you want to escape the Tennessee heat.
It is approximately a 67-mile drive from Manchester to the 300-acre Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This botanical garden offers visitors the opportunity to participate in nature explorations, get educated at the nature center, observe the local native species at the arboretum’s wildlife sanctuary, hike or bike on the 10 miles of trails found on the property, and explore even further by traversing through the adjacent national parkland. Lookout Mountain is easily accessible from this attraction.
Area restaurants include pizza parlors, steakhouses, burger joints, coffee shops, sandwich shops, and the usual fast-food franchises. You can also enjoy visiting several local breweries and a winery during your visit to Manchester.
Campgrounds Near Manchester, Tennessee
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers 50 RV campsites with utilities that include water, electricity, and a dump station. The sites at this location have hard-surface pads and can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet long. This facility also offers restrooms and showers during the peak season but not during the off-season.
Anderson Road Campground is located about 60 miles northwest of Manchester near Nashville. It is worth making the trip to this facility if you enjoy lakeside camping with opportunities to go swimming, boating, or fishing. Other amenities at this RV park include a playground for the kids, multiple picnic areas, and a restroom.
Poole Knobs Campground is another lakeside facility offering your group the opportunity to go fishing and participate in fun water sports. Other recreational opportunities at this location include archery, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding. This campground has 87 RV campsites that can each accommodate up to eight guests.
State Parks Near Manchester, Tennessee
Experts believe that the old stone fort at the 400-acre Old Stone Fort State Park was constructed at least 1,500 years ago. Nowadays, park visitors can hike along a trail that meanders along the wall all the way to the entrance of the fort. Other attractions at this park include sparkling waterfalls and a museum with a welcome center and gift shop. Old Stone Fort State Park is located in Manchester and includes a campground with 51 sites to choose from.
If bass fishing is your thing, consider visiting Tims Ford State Park in the southern portion of Middle Tennessee. This state park is one of the best places to nab smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, and striped bass. The 10,000-acre lake is also great for swimming, kayaking, or boating. RV camping is available with a reservation at the three main campgrounds in the park. These campsites have electricity and water hookups, and an RV dump station available on the premises.
Consider heading out to the 30,845-acre South Cumberland State Park if you are interested in hiking or primitive backcountry camping. On hot days, you might want to take a refreshing swim in Fiery Gizzard Creek. Some of the most significant landmarks in this park include Foster Falls and the Grundy Forest. Hiking enthusiasts enjoy trekking the top-rated and extremely popular 12.5-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail through spectacular scenery that encompasses waterfalls, panoramic overlooks, vibrant woodlands, and dramatic gorges.
National Sites Near Manchester, Tennessee
Russell Cave National Monument is a pet-friendly park offering recreational and educational opportunities to visitors. The main attraction at this park is the historic cave and archeological site. Rangers at Russell Cave National Monument host a variety of educational programs. They frequently give talks on interesting topics, such as how to start fires and do flint knapping, so try to schedule your visit to include one of these presentations.
You might want to check out Little River Canyon National Preserve if you think it would be interesting to see one of the deepest canyon and gorge systems found anywhere in the eastern United States! Many remarkable fossils have been identified in this preserve, so be on the lookout during your visit. This national preserve is a fantastic place to go hiking, rappelling, or rock climbing from the park’s overlooks. If you plan to take a climbing trek, you will want to bring your own gear. Climbing gear rentals are scarce in the immediate area.
When you visit Obed Wild and Scenic River, start your adventure by checking out the film and exhibits available at the visitor center. This will give you the opportunity to learn about the river itself and all the events and programs that will be happening before you dive into your visit. This park is a fantastic place to go stargazing. In fact, it has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
National Forests Near Manchester, Tennessee
One of the most noteworthy attractions at the William B. Bankhead National Forest in northwestern Alabama is the Sipsey Fork River, which is known for being Alabama's only National Wild and Scenic River. This forest is also famous for its four recreation areas with diverse terrain, including woodlands, bluffs, canyons, waterfalls, and lakes.
Head to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to find dozens of excellent RV campgrounds and a broad variety of recreational opportunities. The RV-friendly campgrounds at Lake Sinclair, Lake Rabun, and Lake Russell offer amenities such as water hookups, electricity hookups, and RV dump stations. Some of the campgrounds at the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest require advanced reservations.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a fantastic spot to park your RV and enjoy an epic outdoor adventure. You can launch your boat at one of the recreation area's many boat ramps and go fishing or paddling at either Kentucky Lake or Barley Lake within the park. Camping facilities in the area include multiple developed campgrounds plus a few more primitive options. Be sure to check the program calendar and see which activities are planned during your stay. Depending on the timing of your visit, you might have a chance to stargaze at the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory or participate in a public auction.
