Pickwick Landing State Park Campground: Your Tennessee Lakeside Escape

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For Tennesseans eager to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that the Volunteer State proudly offers, Pickwick Landing State Park Campground in Counce is an exceptional choice. Nestled on the serene shores of Pickwick Lake, this campground is more than just a place to set up camp; it's a gateway to endless aquatic adventures, peaceful forest strolls, and memorable family moments. Whether you're a seasoned RV enthusiast, a dedicated tent camper, or someone looking for a refreshing escape from the daily grind, Pickwick Landing State Park Campground provides a diverse and inviting environment. Known for its expansive lake, lush woodlands, and a wide array of amenities, it's designed to cater to various interests, ensuring every visit is packed with relaxation and outdoor fun. This destination truly encapsulates the essence of a Tennessee lakeside retreat, offering a perfect blend of tranquility and engaging activities right in our own backyard.

Location and Accessibility

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground is conveniently located at 855 Hardin Dock Rd, Counce, TN 38326, USA. This prime address places it strategically within Hardin County, making it a highly accessible destination for many residents across Tennessee. Counce, a charming community, offers a sense of escape while still being reasonably connected for travel convenience. The park's proximity to Pickwick Lake means that visitors have immediate access to one of Tennessee's most popular bodies of water, renowned for fishing, boating, and swimming. The roads leading to the campground are generally well-maintained, accommodating both cars and larger RVs. While the campground itself provides a feeling of being immersed in nature, it's not so remote that essential supplies or nearby attractions are out of reach. This balance of natural seclusion and straightforward accessibility is a significant advantage for Tennesseans planning weekend getaways or extended vacations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey to their outdoor adventure.

Services Offered

Spacious Camping Sites: The campground offers numerous sites, including 48 wooded sites in the main campground, designed to accommodate both RVs and tents. Many sites are notably spacious, providing privacy and room to spread out.
Water and Electric Hookups: Most sites are equipped with water and electrical hookups, a significant convenience for RV campers. While sewer hookups are not universally available at individual sites, a dump station is conveniently located within the park.
Primitive Camping Area: For those seeking a more rustic experience, Pickwick Landing State Park also features a primitive campground (Bruton Branch Recreation Area) on the north side of Pickwick Lake with 33 sites, some right on the lake, though these typically lack electric hookups. Note that Bruton Branch utilizes untreated well water.
Clean Bathhouses: Central to a comfortable camping experience are the well-maintained bathhouses, which include clean restrooms and showers. While some facilities might show their age, they are generally kept tidy and functional.
Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite is typically furnished with a picnic table and a fire ring or grill, perfect for outdoor dining and enjoying traditional campfires.
On-site Marina: The park boasts a full-service marina on the Tennessee River, offering boat launches, boat rentals (including kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and pontoon boats), and docks.
Access to Lodge Amenities: Campers have access to various amenities located at The Lodge at Pickwick Landing, including an on-site restaurant, gift shop, and often shared access to outdoor pools (indoor pool may have maintenance closures, check ahead).
Public Swimming Beaches: There are three public swimming beaches within the park, providing safe and enjoyable spots for swimming on Pickwick Lake.
Dump Station: A sanitary dump station is available for RV campers to dispose of waste, essential for those without full hookups at their site.
Park Office/Check-in Booth: A park office or check-in booth is available for visitor assistance, maps, and often the purchase of essential camping supplies like firewood and ice.
Pet-Friendly Options: While pets are generally allowed in Tennessee State Parks, specific rules and restrictions apply, so it's always best to confirm directly with the park regarding their pet policy for campgrounds.

Features / Highlights

Direct Lake Access: A significant highlight is the immediate and easy access to Pickwick Lake, renowned for its exceptional fishing (especially smallmouth bass and catfish), boating, and other water sports.
Spacious and Wooded Sites: Many campers praise the generous size and natural, wooded settings of the campsites, offering privacy and a genuine feeling of being in nature. This provides excellent shade during warmer months.
Variety of Water Activities: Beyond just fishing, visitors can enjoy swimming at designated beaches, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and pontoon boating, all easily accessible from the park's marina.
Hiking Opportunities: The park offers several easy hiking trails, including a scenic loop that provides enjoyable walks through the hardwood forest and along the river, suitable for all ages.
Golf Course: For golf enthusiasts, Pickwick Landing State Park features a challenging 18-hole golf course, a favorite among locals and destination golfers alike.
Disc Golf Course: A fun and challenging disc golf course is also available, offering another recreational activity for visitors.
Birding Opportunities: The diverse habitat makes it an excellent spot for birdwatching, especially during winter, with numerous species of water birds and songbirds.
Proximity to Shiloh National Military Park: History buffs will appreciate the campground's close proximity to Shiloh National Military Park, offering a meaningful historical excursion.
Resort Park Amenities: The distinction of being a "resort park" means that campers can enjoy additional amenities like a lodge with a restaurant, gift shop, and sometimes pool access (confirm availability for campers).
Beautiful Sunsets: Many campers highlight the stunning sunsets over Pickwick Lake, providing a picturesque backdrop for evening relaxation.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The overall environment, with its range of activities and open spaces, makes it an ideal destination for families seeking quality outdoor time together.

Contact Information

Address: 855 Hardin Dock Rd, Counce, TN 38326, USA

Phone: (731) 689-3129

Mobile Phone: +1 731-689-3129 (Note: This is often the same main park phone number, as direct mobile lines for specific campground staff are rare. It's best to use the primary park number.)

For reservations and the most up-to-date information, including seasonal hours, specific site availability, or any alerts regarding park facilities, it is highly recommended to visit the official Tennessee State Parks website for Pickwick Landing State Park or call the park directly.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground is an ideal destination for Tennessee locals, offering an accessible and incredibly diverse outdoor experience right within the state's borders. Its strategic location in Counce, on the beautiful Pickwick Lake, means that a tranquil yet activity-filled getaway is never too far away for residents across Tennessee. The convenience of driving to a premier state park without the hassle of long-distance travel allows for more frequent visits and extended stays, truly making it feel like a cherished local retreat. For families, the spacious, shaded campsites, coupled with the myriad of activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and even golf, provide endless opportunities for children and adults alike to create lasting memories in a safe and engaging environment. The availability of both electric/water hookup sites for RVs and more primitive options ensures that a wide range of camping preferences are catered to, making it suitable for both experienced outdoor enthusiasts and those new to camping. Furthermore, the added amenities of a state resort park, such as the lodge, restaurant, and marina, elevate the experience beyond typical camping, offering touches of comfort and convenience. By choosing Pickwick Landing State Park Campground, Tennesseans not only embrace the stunning natural beauty and recreational richness of their home state but also support the continued preservation and enhancement of these vital public spaces. It's a genuine Tennessee treasure, waiting for you to explore and enjoy.

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground Photos

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Pickwick Landing State Park Campground Location

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground

Tennessee Hardin County Counce Hardin Dock Road

855 Hardin Dock Rd, Counce, TN 38326, USA

Pickwick Landing State Park Campground Reviews

If you like short hiking in the woods and water, this is a great place! Spacious sites. No check-in, just prepay and park! Was a little busy when we arrived on the weekend, but cleared out on Sunday. Note, do not let them assign you to site 36, for any size rig! Bad site, big incline, no good spot to “set up” outside. We were lucky to find spot 40, had auto jacks maxed out, but it worked! And large spaces between neighbors. Water and electric worked well. All good for the price especially!
Jun 02, 2025 · Kelly McAbee
We have a 2wk stay here, and so far, it's been lovely! We are on site 24, it's extremely spacious and pretty much private. We are sitting on quite the incline. Our tongue is sitting on the ground, and we're still not level. There isn't a host in this part, which is fine with us. We have electricity and water hookup. There's a bath house that is centrally located with showers. There's a primitive campground, marina, boat ramp, and cabins available. I see that there is also an inn and restaurant just past the marina as well. Not much for trails.
Oct 20, 2023 · Jemry Marie
Well-maintained campsites with plenty of space between. Great beginner level easy to walk trails with unexpected surprises such as a marked cistern, friendly small wildlife, and even a geocache site scattered along the well-marked paths. Clean, heated, bathrooms and showers. Friendly staff who cheerfully went out of their way to see that we were settled in well. Thank you!
Nov 07, 2020 · Amy Murphy
We're in site #13 with a back-in decline. The pad is asphalt what's left of it. We can see that most sites are downhill making it difficult to level a camper. Never had the water connection at the door of the camper, but we made it work. Just awkward trying to put out my mat under the awning. So far it's been pretty quiet. The wind must be blowing away from the campground because we don't smell the pulpwood plant up the road. 🤗
Mar 11, 2024 · Tona Morgan
This camp site old and not maintained. Sites have water and power, no sewer. It's about a 1 mile hike to the marina. Not a bad hike. There nothing else to do unless you have a car. There is no wifi, however we good cell reception. If you come here bring leveling blocks, sites are NOTreal level. We were at site two and the water and power were in reach. However some sites the water is on the wrong side, it's on the passenger side. Power was okay. Bring two water hoses. On the plus side, it was quite and relaxing.
Oct 12, 2021 · Mike Dunphy