7 Super Cool things about Nashville KOA
Bonnie and Clyde take a break from exploring Nashville KOA in Tennessee to pose by the big guitar, which you drive past on the way into the campground.
At a KOA campground, you’re more likely to hear the roar of the freeway than the roar of a river.
And, that’s ok, because we’ve realized that KOAs serve a different purpose than wilderness camping.
What they serve is convenience, starting with that freeway- or highway-close location that’s easy to get to. They’re also typically close to places, from cities to National Parks, that you want to explore.
And, they’re loaded with amenities. Things like swimming pools, WiFi and cafés are commonplace at many KOAs.
Nashville KOA Resort delivers on all these.
In fact, we’ve stayed there twice simply because of the convenient location.
When you arrive at Nashville KOA in Tennessee, stop by the main office to check in. There’s also a store and a café in the office.
At Nashville KOA, we can stay in our camper van, with our dogs, and easily explore the city’s many attractions. It’s more road-trip camping than camping camping. An alternative to a hotel or an Airbnb.
By the way, KOA stands for Kampgrounds of America. It’s a network of almost 500 franchisee-owned campgrounds. Most are in the U.S., with a handful in Canada.
What’s Super Cool about Nashville KOA?
There’s a lot to love about Nashville KOA, so long as you can get past how close the campsites are to one another.
Here are seven Super Cool things that stood out to us.
1 Take a shuttle to Lower Broadway
The shuttle stop is right outside the main office at Nashville KOA in Tennessee.
No need to fight the traffic or pay for parking in Nashville’s main entertainment district — the part of downtown known as Lower Broadway.
Downtown Shuttle will pick you up outside the KOA office and drop you off on Demonbreun Street, between Rep. John Lewis Way and 4th Avenue South.
From there, it’s just a 2 block walk to Lower Broadway, also called Honky Tonk Highway.
The ride takes about 20 minutes.
Important things to keep in mind about the shuttle to Lower Broadway:
You need cash
The shuttle is $15 per person for a round-trip ride to and from downtown Nashville. Bring some extra cash if you’d like to tip the driver.You need a reservation
Call 615-406-1917 at least a few hours before you need a ride to reserve a seat. Without a reservation, the shuttle may not stop at the KOA or may not have enough room for you.Same drop-off and pick-up location near Lower Broadway
This isn’t a tour or a hop-on, hop-off shuttle that takes you to different attractions. The shuttle will drop you off near the Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville and pick you up from there, too. Be sure to check what time the final pick-up of the night will be.
Be ready outside the campground office before the shuttle arrives
We had planned to take the shuttle during our first stay at Nashville KOA. However, we missed it. They typically pick up at the KOA at the top of the hour. We saw the shuttle arrive from our campsite, but by the time we walked to the office, it had already left. So, don’t think that, just because you called and made a reservation, that they’ll sit and wait for you, even if you’re just 4 minutes late.
2 Catch some live music without leaving the campground
Just about everywhere you go in Nashville, there’s someone strumming a guitar or belting out a tune — whether it’s on the street corner or in a café or bar. There’s even live music at the KOA, typically every night but Sundays.
Several days before our stay, we got a text message about the events and performances we could enjoy during our stay.
We haven’t caught any live music there yet, but we’d like to another time.
3 Get to the Grand Ole Opry in about 10 minutes
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025.
Speaking of music, the Grand Ole Opry is just 3 miles south of the KOA.
You can, of course, expect lots of traffic getting in and out of the famed music venue. It’s in a congested area that includes Gaylord Opryland Resort and lots of shopping and restaurants.
The Grand Ole Opry started in 1925 as a country music radio show. Today, it’s still broadcast live, with shows featuring country music legends and newcomers alike.
You can watch it all go down from one of the venue’s 4,000 seats.
While you’re there, you can also go backstage on a tour of the Opry and browse the gift shop. You need to book a tour separate from your entry ticket.
4 Enjoy easy food options
There’s no need to make a meal plan for your stay at Nashville KOA. You can get food onsite at Notes Café, which even offers delivery to your campsite for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s also a Cock of the Walk, a southern restaurant chain, right by the main campground entrance. You can walk or drive there from your campsite.
5 Stay in a cabin if you don’t have a tent or RV
Nashville KOA in Tennessee has cabins for rent, in addition to tent and RV campsites.
No tent? No camper van? It’s no problem at Nashville KOA. (Or, at many campgrounds these days.)
In addition to more than 200 campsites, the KOA also has more than 50 cabins available to rent.
6 Give your pups some off-leash fun
Nashville KOA has three decently sized, fully fenced dog parks. Although, they don’t have the double-gated entrances that many dog parks have, so keep an eye on your pups while they’re playing.
The campground also has a few campsites with their own fenced dog runs. Those sites, of course, cost extra.
Bonnie and Clyde wait to play in one of the dog parks at Nashville KOA in Tennessee.
7 More shower hooks than you need
We’ve used the showers at countless campgrounds at this point. And, my complaint about all of them is: not enough hooks.
Nashville KOA must’ve heard me loud and clear. Not only were the showers clean, there were more hooks than I needed.
I’m talking hooks for my shower bag, my towel, my dirty clothes and my clean clothes. So, thank you, Nashville KOA, for making your shower rooms so easy to use.
Of course, there are plenty of other things to appreciate about Nashville KOA. The campground is extremely well maintained.
Nashville KOA also has friendly staff, escorts to your campsite and outdoor activities like a jumping pad and table tennis.
Nashville KOA Resort guide
Nashville KOA Resort
2626 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
615-889-0282
How to reserve a campstie or cabin at Nashville KOA
To book your stay at Nashville KOA, go to koa.com/campgrounds/nashville.
Enter all your details to check availability. You’ll typically make a partial payment, with the remainder due in person at check-in.
The campground is open all-year. Prices vary by the type of site or cabin you select and when you visit.
Enjoy the pool at Nashville KOA even on cooler days — it’s heated.
Some of the amenities at Nashville KOA
Notes Café
Propane refills
Restrooms and showers
Dog parks
Firepits at your cammpsite
Jumping pad
Pool
Gym
Giant outdoor chess and checker boards
Playground
Table tennis
Hammocks
General store
Gray Line Tours reservation assistance (in the office)
Laundry faciliites
Enjoy your stay in Music City!
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