Nashville Shores RV Resort: Camping on Percy Priest Lake
Nashville Shores RV Resort review: lakeside camping with Nashville nearby, plus what to know about the water, the heat, and traveling with dogs.
Not every trip begins with a list of places to see and things to do. Sometimes there’s a much more important reason to hit the road. Our trip to Nashville was one of those times. A dear friend of Richard’s had recently received a devastating diagnosis of an irreversible illness, and Richard wanted to spend some time with him. That was the purpose of the trip, plain and simple. I was along for moral support, and naturally, Simon and Prudence weren’t about to be left behind.
We needed somewhere comfortable to stay, preferably close to Nashville, where the dogs and I could enjoy a little downtime while Richard visited his friend.
That’s how we discovered Nashville Shores RV Resort.
Located on beautiful Percy Priest Lake, about 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, it looked like just the place. A waterfront setting, full hookups, and plenty of opportunities to relax outdoors. What more could we need?
Getting There Is Half the Fun. Sometimes.
Here's a tip you won't find on any RV checklist: be very careful where you pull off the side of the road.
We learned that one the hard way on our way to Nashville, when a simple roadside stop ended with us knocking the jacks right off Figment. We were in no particular hurry (as usual), taking our time driving through the mountain roads through Ellijay and noticed a long line of cars behind us. As we were pulling off the side of the road to let them by and just as the passenger tires crossed the white line, I noticed there was quite a steep drop off, and sure enough Figment slumped over and we heard a loud thud.
I said, in a half-joking manner, “Well, there went our jacks” and we laughed and just pulled right back on the road, determined to make it to Nashville in time to cook dinner on the Blackstone.
About ten miles down the road, a nice man in a pickup truck pulled up beside us honking his horn and flailing his arms while yelling, “Your jacks!!! You’re dragging your jacks!!” So we waited and found a nice solid surface to pull over again to find that we were indeed dragging our jacks down the road.
We deliberated a few minutes, starting with the idea of calling “Good Sam” again for roadside assistance and then it dawned on us that level was more of a matter of comfort than necessity. Richard reached in the storage, pulled out the trusty Strapinno straps and after a few minutes of bandaging Figment’s underbelly, we were back on our way to Nashville.
You'd think that would be enough excitement for one travel day. Figment disagreed. Somewhere down the road, the dreaded DEF countdown lit up the dash, which is the RV equivalent of your camper leaning over to whisper, "You have nine lives left." It’s another one of those “RV’er things you learn along the way.” (One of these days, I’ll make a list of them.) Anyway, the error message on the screen read, “Nine Starts Left” and moments later it was followed by the Check Engine Light lighting up.
But Figment kept rolling, and we rolled into Nashville Shores RV Resort, backed into site 39, and suddenly we were camped beside Percy Priest Lake. After that drive, it felt pretty darn good.
A Pretty Place to Land
Nashville Shores is a little different from the quiet state parks we typically seek out. It’s a full-fledged recreational resort, complete with a water park, lake activities, and plenty of families enjoying their summer vacations. There’s a definite buzz about the place, particularly in August, but the lake gives it a relaxed, outdoorsy feel that I really enjoyed.
We settled into site 39, right on the bank of Percy Priest Lake with a beautiful view. One of the advantages of traveling in a smaller motorhome is that we don’t require an enormous campsite, and getting situated is usually pretty straightforward.
With Richard spending time with his friend, my days were intentionally unhurried. Simon, Pru, and I had no particular agenda, which suited us just fine.
Sometimes it’s nice to have absolutely nothing on the schedule.
More Than Just a Campground
Although we chose Nashville Shores primarily for its location, I was surprised by how much there is to do here.
The resort is part of the larger Nashville Shores recreation area, home to a water park with slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and even a man-made beach where you can stretch out and soak up some sunshine.
It’s easy to imagine spending an entire day alternating between the water slides and a leisurely float around the lazy river. Personally, I think I’d be quite happy doing a little more floating than sliding.
And then there’s Percy Priest Lake itself. If you’d rather explore the lake than lounge beside it, there are canoe, kayak, and pontoon boat rentals available. You could easily spend an afternoon paddling along the shoreline or take a pontoon out for a relaxing day on the water.
We didn’t take advantage of those activities on this visit, but I certainly made a mental note for next time. I’d love to return, rent a couple of canoes, and spend some time exploring the lake. And I’m definitely not leaving without at least one lazy river ride.
For families, especially those traveling with children, I can see Nashville Shores being a destination all on its own rather than simply a place to park the camper.
A Great Place for Fido, Too
On top of all the great things for people to do, the Dog Park at Nashville Shores is pretty awesome too…it’s large and fenced and under a canopy of trees. SImon and Pru enjoyed their daily off-leash free time, even if it was a hundred degrees. We went early in the morning before the heat set in and they had a little time to sniff and explore without being tugged around on a leash.
A Good Place to Be, for All the Right Reasons.
Our visit wasn’t about seeing the sights or packing as many activities as possible into a few days .Richard had come to Nashville to be with his friend, and I was glad we could make that happen.
Meanwhile, Nashville Shores gave the dogs and me a pleasant place to spend our time. There was the lake to enjoy, plenty of summer activity to watch, and the comforts of Figment waiting whenever we wanted to retreat inside.
August in Tennessee can be brutally hot, and the daily high temp during our visit reached 102, so keeping Simon and Pru cool and comfortable was a priority. Fortunately, we had our own little air-conditioned haven. And fortunately for me, the Wifi was good and I also had a live show watching the heated argument of the couple we met from Denmark earlier in the day. God bless them, it was a darn good show that went on for about 3 hours and it was better than anything I could do otherwise.
Who Would Love Nashville Shores?
RVers who want to explore Nashville without staying downtown
Families who want plenty of activities nearby
Campers who love being near the water
Anyone looking for full-hookup sites
Dog owners who'd rather camp than book a hotel
If you're after a quiet, secluded Tennessee getaway, this likely wouldn't be my first pick. As a home base for Nashville, though, it makes a lot of sense.
Would We Return?
Absolutely!
In fact, I’d really like to come back when we have more time to enjoy everything Nashville Shores has to offer, and sometime when it’s not so Dadgum hot!
Next time, I’d make a point of getting out on Percy Priest Lake in a canoe, perhaps renting a pontoon for an afternoon, and spending some quality time doing absolutely nothing on that lazy river. The water park looks like a lot of fun, and I can easily see making a long weekend of it without ever venturing into Nashville.
Of course, the location is another big advantage. Being so close to downtown makes Nashville Shores a convenient home base for anyone wanting to explore Music City without staying in the middle of it.
Would I choose it for a quiet, secluded camping getaway? Probably not. There are other places better suited for that. But for a lakeside vacation with plenty to do, or simply a comfortable place to stay while visiting Nashville, it’s definitely worth considering.
Figment Road Verdict
🐾 Dog-friendly: Yes. Great fenced dog park.
🚐 Great for a smaller motorhome: Absolutely
🔌 Full hookups: Available
🌊 Setting: Percy Priest Lake on one side, Waterpark on the other.
🏙️ Nashville access: About 15 minutes from downtown.
💧 Drinking water: Bring your own.
❤️ Would we return? Yes, particularly for getting out on the lake and in that lazy river.
This wasn’t a trip filled with sightseeing, restaurant hopping, or grand adventures. It was about making time for someone who mattered, and Nashville Shores happened to be a lovely place for the rest of us to land.
Sometimes the reason for a journey is far more important than the destination.
And sometimes, along the way, you discover a place you’d love to come back to.
Until the next adventure…
Figment Road
dream. roam. repeat.
