Army Corps of Engineers · Tennessee
Defeated Creek Park
Army Corps of Engineers · Tennessee, United States
- Sites
- 158
- Hookups
- 151 electric, 158 with water
- Season
- March 18 to November 8
- Max RV length
- 120 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Laundry
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 531 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Cordell Hull Lake
- Nearest town
- CARTHAGE
- Address
- 140 Marina Lane, CARTHAGE, TN, 37030
- Phone
- 615-774-3141
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Biking, Boating, Camping, Environmental Education, Evening Programs, Fishing, Hiking, Interpretive Programs, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Paddle Boating
158 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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. Click here for a virtual tour of the Cordell Hull Lake facilities.
Recreation
The 12,000-acre lake stretches 72 miles upstream and boasts 381 miles of shoreline, offering countless recreational activities for visitors.
Anglers enjoy fishing for white bass, rockfish, largemouth bass, catfish, shad and crappie.
Boating, sailing, water skiing and jet skiing are popular activities on the water, and boat ramps and a marina provide easy lake access.
Miles of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails surround the lake. The 6-mile Bearwaller Gap Trail has a trailhead within the campground. Other trails in the area include the Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Bear Wheels Trail.
Facilities
The campground offers 155 sites for tents and RVs, all with electric hookups. Two large group day-use shelters are also available on a first come first serve basis or for reservation in the day use area, both shelters have water and electric hookups.
A boat ramp, playground, beach, and tennis and volleyball courts are all provided, making the area perfect for families or larger parties. A marina is located adjacent to the campground.
Natural Features
Cordell Hull Lake is situated among rolling hills covered in a mix of shady maple, hickory, oak, beech and chestnut trees. Summer temperatures range from the 60s to the 90s.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrels, rabbits and a wide variety of waterfowl are commonly seen throughout the area.
Nearby Attractions
The historic town of Granville, Tennessee, is 25 miles from the campground. Visitors enjoy celebrating the town's Heritage Day annually in May. Events include the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival, antique car and tractor shows and Civil War living history presentations.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 29° | 0° | 69° | 9 of 11 |
| February | 53° | 34° | 15° | 72° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 63° | 44° | 24° | 82° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 71° | 52° | 36° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 81° | 64° | 44° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 86° | 70° | 54° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 73° | 66° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 88° | 73° | 64° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 86° | 68° | 55° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 70° | 51° | 38° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 61° | 43° | 22° | 77° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 52° | 36° | 15° | 68° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Salt Lick Creek · Army Corps of Engineers · 6 mi · 151 sites
- Center Hill Lake Primitive Camping Areas · Army Corps of Engineers · 14 mi · 21 sites
- Long Branch (Center Hill Lake) · Army Corps of Engineers · 15 mi · 61 sites
- Edgar Evins State Park · Tennessee State Parks · 16 mi · 69 sites
- Key Park RV Sites · City, County & Regional Parks · 17 mi · 5 sites
All public campgrounds in Tennessee · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.