Defeated Creek Park
Cordell Hull Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: CARTHAGE, TN, TN
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$36 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (1493 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/defeated-creek-park to be notified when sites open up.
Defeated Creek Park offers scenic lakefront camping along Cordell Hull Lake with a 4.7/5 rating from 774 reviews. Campers praise the beautiful, quiet setting with stunning sunset views, especially from west-side sites overlooking the mountains and lake.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, White-tailed Deer, Common Raccoons, Eastern Gray Squirrels, American Kestrels, Double-crested Cormorants, Summer Tanagers, Eastern Box Turtles, and North American Racers present in the area.
Insider tips for Defeated Creek Park: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Request west-side sites for exceptional sunset views over the lake and mountains. Use picnic shelter #P001 for family gatherings; verified as spacious and well-located.
Skip Defeated Creek Park if: You need water or sewer hookups — only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups.. You want year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only.. You're visiting outside May-October — campground is closed..
Best time to visit Defeated Creek Park: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Tailwater Rec Area (CARTHAGE, TN), Salt Lick Creek (Gainesboro, TN), Wartrace Ck Rec Area (Gainesboro, TN), Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas (Lancaster, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Defeated Creek Park
Cell signal at Defeated Creek Park (CARTHAGE, TN): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Request west-side sites for exceptional sunset views over the lake and mountains.
Use picnic shelter #P001 for family gatherings; verified as spacious and well-located.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cordell Hull Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cordell Hull Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Defeated Creek Park cost per night?+
What season is Defeated Creek Park open?+
Does Defeated Creek Park have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Defeated Creek Park?+
How do I make reservations at Defeated Creek Park?+
What is the cell service like at Defeated Creek Park?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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