SP Park Rating – Cumberland Mountain State Park (Crossville, TN)

September 30, 2010 by libertatemamo 1 Comment

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   We were very happy with the sites here. The main loops (2, 3 & 5) have large, flat, concrete pads with 30 AMP+water, a nice sitting area with picnic table, fire-pit and grill. The other loops (1 & 4) have more shaded, slightly smaller sites but still very nice. Loop 1 has some full hook-up, loop 4 is more primitive (15 AMP or no hookup). The coolest little touch…each site has its own (very own) little garbage bin which is emptied daily. Quite the fancy get-up!
2. Facilities = 4/5
   Very decent facilities. There’s hot showers and flush toilets, and they’re spotlessly clean (at least in our loop #5). The surrounding park has picnic areas, boating, fishing, dump station and even an on-site local restaurant where they serve a dish of the day (locally caught catfish is on Friday’s). Only ding…no laundry on-site.
3. Location = 4.5/5
   Excellent location here. You’re just a few miles from Crossville which is a very decent sized-town, yet you’re right in the middle of Cumberland Mountain and the forest. There’s lots of hiking trails right in the park, as well as boating and fishing on Byrd Lake.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Another great park for doggie as with all state parks. Lots of space to hike, play and go in the water.

Overall Rating = 4.5
BONUS ALERT = Wooded & relaxed campground in the midst of Cumberland Plateau 

Summary: This was a lovely little campground which we stumbled across on our way to the Smokeys. We initially only planned 2 days, but enjoyed the area and the people so much that we stayed a week. Sites are large, flat and nicely separated with water/electricity and the cute touch of individual garbage bins. The surrounding park is lovely with miles of hiking, a pretty lake and an old rock bridge. While we were in town a band of bluegrass players were camping in loop 3 so we had free music every night (how awesome is that!). Plus, Crossville had an Apple Festival and a Classic Car Rally. Our campground hosts (Skip and Opal) were the most inviting people we’d ever met and definitely made the experience all that much better. We’d come back in a heartbeat! 

 Extra Info:  Both AT&T phones and Verizon wireless worked. All sites first-come-first-serve. Selection of full hook-up, electricity/water and primitive. Sites are $20/night for 30AMP electric/water. Central dump and potable water.