Basic Information
On April 6th of 2023, we arrived at Meriwether Lewis Campground near Hohenwald, TN after driving the full length of the Natchez Trace and stayed for two weeks.
Meriwether Lewis Campground is a free campground with water spigots, trash services, restrooms, fire rings and cement parking spaces; mostly pull-through. There are no areas for dumping, no showers and no water or electric hookups. There is moderate cell signal depending on where you park in the campground (we usually maintained 2 bars at our site).
The Meriwether Lewis Campground is surrounded by beautiful dogwood trees and walking trails galore. The site is deep off into the woods, so there are no traffic noises. The max stay duration is two weeks, dogs are allowed and there are quiet time hours; so no running your generator at night. There is a campground host present, and park rangers visit daily. The campground is overall very clean and peaceful.
Hohenwald, TN is the nearest small town that we regularly visited in our stay. They have a Tractor Supply, gas stations, some fast food joints, dollar stores, a Walmart and some local grocery stores. They also have a small local library with free Wi-Fi. The drive into town from the campground is about fifteen minutes. Everyone in town was warm and friendly. If you go by the Tractor Supply earlier in the morning, you may find someone in the parking lot selling eggs and other farm fresh treats.
Things to Do at Meriwether Lewis Campground
Things to Do: Walking Trails
Meriwether Lewis Campground has at least four trails (by my count) for you to enjoy. There is a very short D.A.R. historic trail near Merriweather Lewis’ gravesite, the Meriwether Lewis Loop Trail, Swan Creek Trail and Old Trace Trail. We walked all of these trails in our stay, with Swan Creek Trail being my personal favorite. Expect mild elevation gains, plenty of creeks to cross and an overall very secluded feeling. There are generally not many people on these trails.
Things to Do: Historic Site
The campground is named for Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. His memorial grave as well as the foundation of the Grinder House where he met his end are located here. You can also see the replica of the Grinder House and walk in for a short history exhibit.
If you don’t know the story of Meriwether Lewis’ unfortunate passing; it’s a story filled with mystery that historians still haven’t figured out to this day. If you enjoy the darker side of history, I encourage you to take a dive into the strange tale during your stay.
Things to Do: Natchez Trace Historic Markers
With Meriwether Lewis Campground being located at the end of the Natchez Trace, there are many historic markers you can visit while cruising the iconic, scenic drive. There are a plethora of nearby parks, waterfalls, walking trails and tidbits of history to explore on the north end of the Trace. Among our favorite areas to visit on the Trace were Jackson Falls and Fall Hallow.
How to Dry Camp at Meriwether Lewis Campground
With only some resources available, dry camping for the full two weeks at Meriwether Lewis Campground can be a bit challenging if you don’t have the right tools. I highly recommend having a Portable Tote Tank so you can empty your tanks and bring the waste to the nearest dump station without moving your camper. Be sure to also have plenty of Water Jugs handy for refilling your white water tank, as there are no water hookups; only spigots. To read more about the tote tank and water jugs, you can read my review here.
The nearest dump stations available to Meriwether Lewis Campground is David Crockett Campground (about 30 minutes away).
Mary Hill
I’m Mary Hill, the creator of Old South Paw. My husband, Matthew and I moved into a 13ft Scamp Trailer with our dog, Koda in March 2023. I am still on the road with my tiny family today and happy to share my experiences with you.