Tailwater Rec Area
Cordell Hull Lake — lakeside
Location: CARTHAGE, TN, TN
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 3 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: May through October
Tailwater Recreation Area is located just below Cordell Hull Lake and Dam on the Cumberland River System, outside the town of Carthage, TN. The lake itself was named after one of America’s outstanding statesmen and one of Tennessee’s finest volunteers. Hull was born in a log cabin in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/tailwater-rec-area to be notified when sites open up.
Tailwater Rec Area offers a quiet escape below Cordell Hull Lake and Dam on the Cumberland River with excellent fishing access and multiple water activities including boating and wildlife viewing.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagle, Osprey, White-tailed Deer, Common Raccoon, and Eastern Box Turtle are research-grade verified in the area.
Insider tips for Tailwater Rec Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with limited sites (1 tent site) Multiple fishing spots with easy access near the tailwater Very few cell service spots make this ideal for digital detox
Skip Tailwater Rec Area if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at sites. You require high-season amenities outside May-October window. You expect year-round availability — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Tailwater Rec Area: May-October — Official seasonal operations window.
Nearby campgrounds: Defeated Creek Park (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 Tailwater Rec Area
Cell signal at Tailwater Rec Area (CARTHAGE, TN): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 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.
Tailwater Recreation Area is located just below Cordell Hull Lake and Dam on the Cumberland River System, outside the town of Carthage, TN. The lake itself was named after one of America’s outstanding statesmen and one of Tennessee’s finest volunteers. Hull was born in a log cabin in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains.
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 limited sites (1 tent site)
Multiple fishing spots with easy access near the tailwater
Very few cell service spots make this ideal for digital detox
Official seasonal operations window
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 I-40, take Exit 258, travel north on HWY 53/25, turn right on SR-26 and travel for 2 miles. Turn right on Corps Lane and follow signs into recreation area.
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Tailwater Rec Area cost per night?+
What season is Tailwater Rec Area open?+
Does Tailwater Rec Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Tailwater Rec Area?+
How do I make reservations at Tailwater Rec Area?+
What is the cell service like at Tailwater Rec Area?+
What season is Tailwater Rec Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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