Campground

Defeated Creek Park

Cordell Hull Lake · CARTHAGE · Tennessee — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Books out fast — 1 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Defeated Creek Park campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USACE

Weekend availability at Defeated Creek Park

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 9:44 PM PT

Sold out 1 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Limited
    21/150 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    4/141 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Limited
    1/150 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Limited
    5/150 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Limited
    2/149 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Defeated Creek Park?

as of September 18

Weekends book out well ahead here — 1 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Defeated Creek Park and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Open
Oct 10Sold out
Oct 24Open
Nov 7Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 14Open
Nov 4Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
158
Electric sites
158
Water hookups
158
Sewer hookups
62
Pull-through
30
Group Shelter ElectricGroup Standard ElectricStandard Electric

About this campground

Overview Defeated Creek Park Campground sits along the banks of Cordell Hull Lake on the Cumberland River System, just seven miles from Carthage, Tennessee. The lake was named after Cordell Hull, a politician that was born in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. Hull is best known for being the longest running secretary of state in American history, serving for 11 years. Click here for a virtual tour of the Cordell Hull Lake facilities. Recreation The 12,000-acre lake stretches 72 miles upstream and boasts 381 miles of shoreline, offering countless recreational activities for visitors. Anglers enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad and crappie. Boating, sailing, water skiing and jet skiing are popular activities on the water, and boat ramps and a marina provide easy lake access. Miles of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails surround the lake. The 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail has a trailhead within the campground. Other trails in the area include the Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Bear Wheels Trail.Facilities The campground offers 155 sites for tents and RVs, all with electric hookups. Two large group day-use shelters are also available on a first come first serve basis or for reservation in the day use area, both shelters have water and electric hookups. A boat ramp, playground, beach, and tennis and volleyball courts are all provided, making the area perfect for families or larger parties. A marina is located adjacent to the campground. Natural Features Cordell Hull Lake is situated among rolling hills covered in a mix of shady maple, hickory, oak, beech and chestnut trees. Summer temperatures range from the 60s to the 90s. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrels, rabbits and a wide variety of waterfowl are commonly seen throughout the area. Nearby Attractions The historic town of Granville, Tennessee, is 25 miles from the campground. Visitors enjoy celebrating the town's Heritage Day annually in May. Events include the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival, antique car and tractor shows and Civil War living history presentations.

Getting there

From Carthage, Tennessee, take SR-25 west for 4 miles. Turn north on SR-80, then east on SR-85. Follow signs to campground.

Elevation
530 ft
Contact
615-774-3141

Activities

  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BOATING
  • BIKING
  • KAYAKING
  • SWIMMING SITE
  • AMPHITHEATER
  • EVENING PROGRAMS
  • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  • TUBING
  • SWIMMING
  • WILDERNESS
  • PADDLING
  • HIKING
  • MOUNTAIN BIKING
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
  • PADDLE BOATING
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • STAR GAZING
  • WATER ACCESS
  • WATER SKIING
  • WATER ACTIVITIES

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Defeated Creek Park

Popular Tennessee campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Defeated Creek Park around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Defeated Creek Park opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.