Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park is an RV campsite encompassed by water on two sides near Cumberland City, Tennessee. It is on Elk Harbor Reservoir and the Cumberland River. The two closest cities beside Cumberland are Erin and Dover, both of which are within 20 minutes of the park. The property is known by its visitors as a place to participate in diverse activities such as annual kayaking races and corn hole tournaments, live musical performances, weekly Texas Hold'em or bingo games, karaoke nights, and daily specials at the on-site restaurant. Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park is next to the Cross Creeks National Wildlife Preserve, a property dedicated to waterfowl where people occasionally hunt or fish.
Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park is on the edge of Elk Creek near Cumberland City, Tennessee. The Cumberland River also runs near the north and east of the property. Erin and Dover are two other nearby cities; Erin is about 10-12 minutes from the RV park, while Dover is about 20. The campsite itself is a mostly open area with grass and scattered trees on the banks of the creek. The immediate surroundings of the 11.5-acre RV property consist of trees. The Cross Creeks National Wildlife Preserve is next to the RV park.
65 total units can be rented at the Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park. 55 of these are strictly for RV camping, while the other 10 can be used for tents. The RV sites have gravel and include full hookups consisting of 30/50 amp capabilities, water, and sewer, as well as fire rings and picnic tables. A few rows of trees placed towards the back of the RV sites can provide some shade for any guests staying at those units. The tent units are described by Leo, one of the owners, as being "primitive" because they do not have any of the aforementioned amenities.
The main office is located at the front of the property and doubles as a store where guests can purchase bait and tackle. Groceries such as canned goods, pasta, candy, ice cream, condiments, paper plates, and plastic utensils are also sold at the store. Furthermore, RV supplies like motor oil, antifreeze, and STP fuel treatment are provided. Visitors can eat at the on-site restaurant, which serves food like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders. A daily special is put on each day as well; spaghetti or ribeye steak are a couple of examples. Additionally, a laundry facility with four coin-operated washers and dryers is on the property, along with a bathroom and shower for guest use. A small pavilion is the site of weekly live musical performances, and another larger pavilion is a space for guests to commune. Kayak and canoe rentals are also provided on the property since many visitors like to spend time on the water. The RV park has six kayaks and two canoes. Finally, Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park has a community fire ring with an area to barbecue, a horseshoe pit, and a small playground.
Creeks National Wildlife Preserve is next to Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park. Leo says it is a common place for visitors to hunt and fish. While the wildlife preserve is closed from November 15 to March 15 due to bird migration and quartering, guests can access Elk Creek during the summer months. According to Leo, Stewart County, Tennessee, is also a prominent Civil War site. Visitors can visit Fort Donaldson and the Surrender House, where the commander of Fort Donaldson surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. If guests are hungry, they can eat at the on-site Elk Harbor restaurant. Regarding other places to eat, Leo recommends El Paso Restaurant, Dover Grille, and Jen's Place, all located in Erin or Dover.
Leo, one of the property's owners, wants visitors to "feel like family" while staying at Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park. He says he and his wife Nettie try to get to know their guests and interact with them while respecting their privacy. He comments that they "hate to see [guests] go sometimes." They try to make their visitors feel at home by hosting a series of activities at the RV park. For example, Texas Hold'em is played on Wednesdays. Thursday is meat bingo night, where guests can win bags of meat from the restaurant instead of money. A ribeye special is each Friday along with karaoke, and Leo wants to implement a live band on Saturdays where visitors can participate with the other musicians. The property holds an annual kayak race each July, and annual corn hole tournaments are also hosted. In addition to the previously mentioned kayak and canoe rentals, a boat launch is found about three miles down the road for guests to take their boats. Leo further explains that a barbecue for the fire department's families is usually held twice a year at the property. They do this because Leo is a retired firefighter who worked for the department. A wedding was once held at Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park, and Leo remarks that family reunions have occurred at the park as well. He says there is a "hodge-podge of different things we can do" at the establishment.
When guests have reviewed Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park, Leo notes that they tend to comment on the "family atmosphere and friendly place." They also praise the restaurant's food and the park's cleanliness. One guest said, "Amazing people/owners. Wonderful food. Clean and very natural. The water for kayaking is about 100 yards down the hill. I would recommend this place to anyone passing through or to just escape the urban life for a week or two." Another visitor said, "These folks are so nice. They make sure you have everything you need. They are working hard to make this a place that is comfortable and enjoyable. The sites are large and level. We've been here three different times this summer and will come again."
Regarding the policies at Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park, only two dogs per site are allowed, and they must be cleaned up after and stay on a leash at all times. Quiet time begins at 11:00 PM.
Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park is open year-round, and its busiest season of operation is during the fall. Leo says most visitors arrive at the campsite to stay somewhere while they work in Erin, Dover, Clarkston, or Nashville. Some of them also visit family or friends there. He affirms that many guests are recurring. Leo notes that the RV park is unique for the cafe's food and the trees surrounding the campground. When thinking about what has contributed to the property's success, he believes it is because of his and the staff's efforts to keep the park mowed and clean and trim the trees. According to him, the majority of visitors find out about Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park through internet searches.
Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park originally started operation in the 1960s. Leo and Nettie, the current owners of the park, acquired the property in 2017 following Leo's retirement from the Immokalee Fire District in Florida. They traveled the country, choosing Elk Harbor in the end.
Since owning the RV park, Leo and Nettie have incorporated a restaurant, a store, and have done a variety of upgrades throughout the park, such as pavilions and playgrounds. They strive to always add "new and exciting" things, and Leo would like to host a Bluegrass festival in the future.
1572 Cumberland City Rd
Cumberland City, Tennessee 37050
United States
Campground
Leo and Jeannette (Nettie) Rogers
