Pickett State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Pickett State Park, officially known as Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, includes 1,000 acres of area inside the 19,200-acre Pickett State Forest in north-central Tennessee. The park memorializes the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers' efforts who constructed much of the facilities that still stand today. Picturesque Arch Lake, a 12-acre body of water, was built by the CCC during the early stages of development, and it has been a consistent draw that brings visitors every year. Pickett State Park is one of 89 worldwide sites recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. The designation notifies visitors that they are in one of the few environments where artificial ambient light does not exist and the night skies are just as they were when pioneers first started crossing the continent. Visitors approach the park from the south through Jamestown, TN, or the north via Monticello, KY, both of which are within 30 miles.
Spring 34-74 F
Summer 59-84 F
Fall 33-78 F
Winter 25-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Pickett State Park
Motorhomes and travel trailers come in many sizes and can heighten your stay at Pickett State Park. To find an RV to rent near the park’s area, check out the options available on RVshare.
Pickett State Park Campground
Pickett State Park Campground offers 27 back-in campsites. The sites are on a first-come-first-served basis, so arrive early to ensure your spot. Campers are asked to limit campfires and lights during dark hours to protect the park's Dark Sky designation. Beautiful forests cover the hillsides surrounding the park, and the memory of the stars reflected in 12-acre Arch Lake stays with guests forever. Pickett State Park is open year-round accommodating summer hikers and winter cross-country skiers alike.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 amp
Sewer Hookup: No, but a dump station is on the site
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers
Fee: $16 per night
Maple Hill RV Campground
Maple Hill RV Campground offers 22 RV campsites, 11 of which are pull-throughs. The pull-through sites are 65 feet in length, and the back-ins are 45 feet long. Cable TV is piped into each site. The campground maintains a playground where children can work out their excess energy, and a dog walk is provided by the campground as well.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 and 50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Warm showers, restrooms with flush toilets, laundry, fire rings, picnic tables
Fee: $35 per night
Black House Mountain ATV Campground
Black House Mountain ATV Campground offers 10 RV back-in campsites. Each of the sites is 30 feet wide, allowing campers to extend all their slide-outs. Campsites are 70-80 feet in length, so visitors can maintain the connection between their trailer and towing rig if they wish. Recreation trails, including hiking, bicycling, and ATV trails, are available for campground guests.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 and 50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers
Fee: $45 per night
True West Campground, Stables, and Mercantile
Since 2011, True West Campground, Stables, and Mercantile have enjoyed a five-star status among RV campgrounds. Their customer service is exemplary, and the campground offers 33 RV sites, seven of which provide full hookups. For equestrians who bring their horses along, two large barns with 64 stalls are available to house the animals. A 60-foot round pen lets guests exercise their four-legged friends, and trails outside the campground allow visitors to ride the full day if they wish. Two stocked fishing ponds are maintained by campground staff. The campground provides easy access to the Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area where guests can hike, bike, or even ride the specially designed ATV courses.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers
Fee: $32 to $35 per night
What to Do at
Pickett State Park
Inside Pickett State Park
The view of the night sky at Pickett State Park is magnificent. Many summer visitors remain outside the full night to watch shooting stars blaze from horizon to horizon against the star backdrop of the Milky Way. During daylight hours, guests find the time to sunbathe at the swimming beach on Arch Lake's shores or take a quick dip in its tranquil waters. Miles of hiking trails that venture into the forests outside the park beckon hikers and bicyclists. Arch Lake is stocked with trout throughout the summer.
Outside Pickett State Park
Whether you are a food connoisseur, a history buff, or a shopping maniac, you will find a great experience outside Pickett State Park. The area offers restaurants of various cuisines, including Mexican and American. There are ample shopping opportunities found at gift shops, outdoor shops, and department stores that carry multiple types of goods. The region's natural wonders, such as its waterfalls and green-shouldered mountains, are supplemented with the manmade museums that tell the area’s story.
Restaurants
Campfire Coffee
If you stayed up all night to watch the heavens in Pickett State Park and still have a day ahead of you, stop by Campfire Coffee. Begin your day with coffee made from freshly roasted beans and any of the additions you choose.
Type: Coffee Shop
Location: 108 East Central Avenue, Jamestown, TN 38556
Vegas Steakhouse and Lounge
Sometimes a steak is the only meal that will satisfy a deep hunger. When that happens, you can drive 36 miles south to find the Vegas Steakhouse and Lounge to try their royal prime rib meal and discover how a steak should taste. All their steaks are hand-cut to create the most incredible flavor possible.
Type: Steakhouse
Location: 3152 North Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555
El Cazador
To find a great Mexican restaurant, drop by El Cazador. Here, you can find complete Mexican meals featuring some of the best homemade tortillas produced anywhere. Try their beef burrito for a tasty meal.
Type: Mexican
Location: 1455 East Highway 90 Bypass, Monticello, KY 42633
Shopping
Cumberland Mountain Outdoor Sports
With the many hiking and biking opportunities available at Pickett State Park, you may want to improve or repair your current equipment. If so, stop by Cumberland Mountain Outdoor Sports. Whether you need backpacks, hiking boots, bicycle repair kits, or anything else that is on your list, this store carries it.
Location: 2 South Washington Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501
Walmart Supercenter
There is a Walmart Supercenter near Pickett State Park that can provide nearly everything you need on a camping trip. Come to this superstore to get all the items on your list, including groceries, games, and even night goggles.
Location: 175 Walmart Plaza Drive, Monticello, KY 42633
Sightseeing
Cummins Falls State Park
Visit Cummins Falls State Park to see an impressive 75-foot waterfall under which you can stand during a hot summer day. The park is day-use only and is a favorite swimming hole for locals.
Location: 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501
Cookeville Depot Museum
To understand the importance of railroads in the central-northern area of Tennessee in the early 20th century, visit the Cookeville Depot Museum. This museum houses many Central Tennessee Railroad artifacts. The museum's outside area features a park that displays a 1913 Baldwin steam engine, a 1920 red caboose next to a 1960 caboose, and two-track cars.
Location: 116 West Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
Sparta Drive-In Theater
Experience a bit of nostalgia by taking your family to a movie at the Sparta Drive-In Theater. These outdoor theaters were once commonly found all over the United States, and a stop here will allow your family to take in a uniquely American experience.
Location: 220 Roberts Mathews Highway, Sparta, TN 38583
How to Get to
Pickett State Park
The most straightforward approach to Pickett State Park is through Jamestown, TN. To get to the park from Jamestown, take Tennessee Highway 154 North (TN-154 N) for 12 miles to the park entrance.
Entering Pickett State Park
Pickett State Park is a day-use area that is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day
Pickett State Park Entry fee : $0.0
You’ll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Pickett State Park. If you don’t have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickett State Park
Pickett State Park is home to a diverse selection of wildlife. Some species inhabiting the area include salamanders, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and unique birds like eastern phoebes and northern rough-winged swallows.
Pets are welcome at Pickett State Park, although there is a $10 fee per night per pet in cabins. All pets must be quiet, leashed or crated, and controlled at all times. Owners must also have proof of vaccinations.
The campground at Pickett State Park contains 27 back-in RV campsites. The RV sites include water and 30-amp electrical hookups. There are no sewer hookups, but the campground features an RV dump station.
The climate at Pickett State Park is mostly moderate. The temperatures hover between 24 and 47 degrees during winter and 60 and 84 during summer. There's steady rainfall throughout the year and significant snowfall in January and February.
Any time between May and September will be an excellent time to visit the park. These months will offer warm weather to enjoy activities like hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and stargazing.