Toy Hauler Vacation Ideas Nashville to Kentucky Lake
Looking for the perfect escape with your toy hauler? A road trip from Nashville to Kentucky Lake offers endless outdoor fun, stunning scenery, and plenty of activities to keep adrenaline junkies and relaxation seekers alike entertained. In this guide, we’ll explore routes, campgrounds, must-do attractions, and tips to ensure your toy hauler adventure is unforgettable.
Why Choose a Toy Hauler for Your Tennessee–Kentucky Getaway?
Unlike traditional travel trailers, toy haulers combine living quarters with a fold-down garage bay—ideal for hauling ATVs, dirt bikes, kayaks, or jet skis. Whether you’re planning to hit the trails or simply want extra storage space, a toy hauler rental gives you the flexibility to bring your favorite gear without sacrificing comfort.
Benefits of Toy Haulers
- Versatile Garage Space: Safely transport off-road vehicles, bikes, or watercraft.
- Spacious Interior: Many models sleep 4–6, with kitchens, baths, and entertainment centers.
- Quick Setup: Ideal for weekend warriors who want to spend less time clicking jacks and more time exploring.
- Cost-Effective: Combining your “toys” and living area into one towable unit can save on separate equipment hauls or rentals near the lake.
Recommended Route: Nashville → Land Between the Lakes → Kentucky Lake
The most scenic and direct route from Nashville to Kentucky Lake is approximately 150 miles, taking around 3 hours. Here’s a step-by-step itinerary:
1. Nashville to Land Between the Lakes (LBL)
- Take I-40 West from Nashville towards Jackson.
- Exit 143 onto TN-142/US-79 North towards Camden.
- Follow signs to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Land Between the Lakes spans over 170,000 acres between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. It’s home to hiking trails, wildlife viewing areas, and multiple campgrounds. Spend a day or two exploring the LBL before heading to Kentucky Lake proper.
For more on planning scenic drives in the region, check out our guide on Best RV Routes to Great Smoky Mountains From Nashville.
2. Land Between the Lakes to Kentucky Lake Campgrounds
- Piney Campground: Located on the southeast end of Kentucky Lake, this campground offers full hookups (50/30/20 amp), beach access, and boat ramp. Perfect for families and watersport enthusiasts.
- Kenlake State Resort Park: Situated at the southern tip of Kentucky Lake, features an 18-hole golf course, lodge, and full-service marina. Ideal if you want a mix of adventure and resort-style amenities.
- Fort Henry Campground: On the east side near Paris Landing State Park, known for quiet, wooded sites and easy access to Lake Barkley as well. Great for hunters during fall season.
Choose a campground based on your trailer’s length, desired hookups, and preferred proximity to water activities. For tips on selecting campgrounds, see our post How to Choose the Best Campground Amenities.
Top Activities at Kentucky Lake
1. Boating & Fishing
Kentucky Lake is renowned for bass fishing—largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky spotted bass. Bring your own boat or rent one at a marina. Popular fishing spots include:
- Shelby Forest Wildlife Management Area: Shallow coves great for early morning bass catches.
- Paris Landing: Access via Kenlake Marina—ideal for trolling and deep-water fishing.
2. Off-Roading & ATV Trails
With a toy hauler, hauling your ATV or dirt bike is a breeze. Local trail networks include:
- Land Between the Lakes OHV Trails: Over 70 miles of designated off-highway vehicle trails through forests and hills.
- Norchad Adventure Park: South of LBL, offers mud bogs, trails for varying skill levels, and guided tours.
3. Water Sports & Swimming
Beaches at Paris Landing and Kenlake State Resort Park have designated swim areas. Kayaking and paddleboarding rentals are available at:
- Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
- Marinas in Gilbertsville
4. Hiking & Wildlife Viewing
Land Between the Lakes features over 500 miles of trails. Look for:
- Pa-Ha-Po Trail: A 13-mile loop showcasing prairies, hardwood forests, and sweeping lake vistas.
- Woodlands Trace Trail: A 41-mile multi-use trail connecting multiple campgrounds—great for day hikes or sectional backpacking with quick GET-ON/GET-OFF points.
Toy Hauler Packing & Preparation Tips
Essential Gear to Bring
- Off-Road Equipment: ATV or dirt bike, helmets, protective gear, tool kit.
- Water Gear: Life jackets, dry bags, paddle, waterproof phone case.
- Camping Supplies: Portable grill, camping chairs, outdoor rug, screen tent.
- Maintenance Kits: Tire repair kit, socket set, jumper cables, portable air compressor.
Pre-Trip Checklist
- Verify tow vehicle towing capacity and hitch rating for your toy hauler.
- Check tire pressure on both tow vehicle and trailer—remember to include gear weight when inflating.
- Test generator and shore-power connections at home before departure.
- Pack extra fuel and fluids for ATVs or watercraft.
Seasonal Considerations
Spring & Summer
Prime time for boating, fishing, and off-roading. Campsites fill quickly between Memorial Day and Labor Day—reserve at least 60 days in advance.
Fall
Fall foliage is spectacular along the rivers and ridges, especially late October to early November. Temperatures are cooler—ideal for hiking and ATV trails without overheating.
Winter
Some campgrounds close between December and February. If you plan a winter trip, confirm utilities are available, and bring insulated skirting for your toy hauler. For general RV winterization tips, see Winterizing Your RV: Tips for Cold-Weather Camping.
Local Dining & Attractions
Dresden’s Boone’s Creek Country Store
A must-stop halfway through your journey—grab homemade BBQ, sweet tea, and local crafts before heading into LBL.
Kentucky Lake State Resort Park Restaurant
Located at Kenlake, enjoy lakefront views with southern comfort cuisine—fried catfish, hushpuppies, and fresh salads.
Paris Landing Marina’s “Catch of the Day”
After a morning of fishing, dock your boat and have your catch filleted and cooked on-site. Order ahead to guarantee availability.
Conclusion
Whether you’re hauling your dirt bike up forested slopes or navigating Kentucky Lake’s vast waters with a jet ski, a toy hauler trip from Nashville to Kentucky Lake delivers an unforgettable blend of adventure and relaxation. Follow the route tips above, choose a campground that suits your style, and pack smart using our RV Kitchen Essentials and gear checklists. Once you hit the road, you’ll discover why this region is a favorite among toy hauler enthusiasts.
Ready to book your toy hauler rental? Reserve your toy hauler today and start counting down the days until you’re tearing through LBL trails or cruising Kentucky Lake’s calm waters.

NashvilleRV Rentals
Nashville’s Only Locally Owned RV Superstore.
Phone: 615-884-5000
- Location: 4242 Long Ln
Franklin, TN 37064 Business Hours
RV Sales and Finance:
M-F – 9am-6pm
Sat – 9am-1:30pm
Service and Rentals:
M-F – 8:30am-5:30pm
Customer Reviews


Special thanks to Beau for the great attention and help throughout our visit. Highly recommend!



The staff, specifically Bo, were ready on standby for any questions or hiccups we encountered with the RV during our trip, and his kindness extended thru to the exact moment we returned the RV. These people genuinely want you to have the best time you can in their vehicles. Highly recommended!


We give him 5+ stars!













Vickie

Finance guy, Brian is a pleasure to work with. He cuts to the chase and doesn’t try to sell you more than you need!
Serviceman, Nate is simply the best!
Everyone else that we came into contact with during our visits to Nashville RV are super friendly!
Overall, great experience from start to finish…except the heat! 🙃
It has already been dog approved!
























Thank you, Tim & Sheri from Wyoming











Garrett was very thorough when explaining the ins and outs of the RV and how to make sure all fours tires stay in contact with roads.
Would definitely recommend going through Garrett if you are considering renting an RV.

He was patient and understanding while we fumbled through the process, but ultimately was a professional about the whole experience. Bottom line, I wanna party with this guy…. And rent my RV’s from him


We highly recommend Nashville RV, and plan to use them again in the future.


Morgan and Kay Cairns
Bon Aqua TN


Everything about our experience with them was 5 star + and we highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to rent an RV. We will definitely rent from Nashville RV again.
Richard and Renee Childers






Unit was clean, gassed up, tanks filled, ready to go. All required cords, hoses, etc were provided. Everything worked well and well maintained. Great rental experience. Thanks!

Sales Rep meets me on parking area. Calls a service representative from their other building. He begins to check it out. Another service rep joins him. Diagnose the problem. Gets us on the road. AND won't take a dime for jacking our right rear jack back up fully to the necessary place. Week retraction springs.
Highly recommend for their friendly fast knowledgeable service.

we pulled into this business, a service representative immediately came to our motorhome to find out our needs. Eventually there were three servicemen working to get us back on the road. EXTREMELY friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you. I would highly recommend Nashville RV in
Franklin.

The motor home was outfitted with everything we could have possibly needed. Easy to drive. Easy to set up. Highly recommended!
Garrett & Brad showed us everything we needed to know. Checking Out & Checking In took no time at all. The team had everything waiting for us with levels all topped off and full instructions on use. We had 24/7 access to a technician if needed. OUTSTANDING!!

Garrett and Brad were outstanding during the entire process from sharing options for rentals and prices, demonstrating the use of the vehicles, and following up on the overall experience.
My family and I were thrilled to make fun-filled memories using Nashville RV Rentals!



Highly recommend them, and renting an RV first if you’re considering ownership, especially if you’re newbies like we were. It really helps to show what you like and dislike so you can make a decision that’s right for you.
Brad and Garrett were awesome - go see them before you go on your RV Adventure!

Motivates me to run my business better!
RV’s were competitively priced too and basically brand new.
Look no further.


Even went home and returned with the wife to look around. No pressure and no sales pitches. We will definitely be back.

Also, Brad in the rental department is just as courteous and easy to deal with!
I won't be going anywhere else for a camper from here on.

They even have folks that will set up your rig at the campsite. We've used them close to a dozen times. They have earned our continued business. Wish I could give them six stars. Make sure you talk to them before you rent anywhere else.
I highly recommend phoning them if you are considering an RV trip!

They went over everything needed (and more) for our smokey mountain long weekend. All was easy from pick up to drop off. They actually answer phone during off hours! Huge plus on service. We'll be back for sure!


There is a reason they continue to have rave reviews online.
Thanks again and happy RVing!



For any other first-timers: the orientation is adequate, but brief. I'd encourage you to view YouTube tutorials as well before showing up for your rental and/or just filming the key parts of the orientation, as the manual is pretty slim. But, assuming those precautions, Nashville RV is a full-service, one-stop shop to get you safely on the open road--especially first-timers.




Garrett was very helpful and was even able to get us a one day extension to enjoy our trip. This place is top notch. We will definitely be back for our next RV rental. A heads up that this place is a little more expensive than somewhere like Cruise America but I feel like you get better service, a better RV and better coverage so it is worth it.



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All of our RV Rental vehicles—motorhomes and travel trailers of all shapes and sizes—are kept immaculately clean and have been upgraded to offer every luxurious amenity available to them. Our team is ready and waiting to find you the best possible vehicle for your adventure… and your budget.








