camp, glamp,
hike, bike,
kayak, canoe,
swim, fish,
rest, read,
skip rocks, wander, explore, daydream, stargaze,
tell stories, create memories…
on the buffalo
Make your 2020 plans! Life in 2020 has radically changed globally. In addition to a pandemic, we celebrate 50 years of Earth day.
If you are seeking a quiet escape this year, consider a camping excursion.
Safe social distancing is key in this experience already.
This is a not a crazy, over packed campground. Space is limited and available first come, first serve. Members get priority.
On the Buffalo is a division of A TENNESSEE RETREAT center between Hohenwald and Waynesboro, TN in lovely rural rolling hills on Route 99. On the 12 acres there is a variety of terrain - forest, rolling pasture, the river bluff, and the rocky riverside. There are approximately 10 zones for for camping that can be booked solo up to groups with about 6 tents in some of the larger spaces. All are child-friendly except the bluff which has 3 separate sites for booking best for tent size 4-6 people and under. This is a primitive LNT campground and will have an outhouse later in 2020.
Activities you may enjoy include fishing, swimming, hiking/walking, biking, or kayak/canoe. Bring your mountain bike and explore the natural terrain about 1.5 to 2 miles can be ridden throughout the lovely habitat. Please inquire on rental opportunities for items such as tents.
BUFFALO RIVER ACCESS
Want to drop in at Grinder's creek and Texas Bottom and need a spot to take out? Contact us - send a chat right now.
Want to coordinate a camping and kayak weekend? Contact us.
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Want to bring your own kayaks with truck and trailer? We have a accessible road for 4WD only. Limited access based on use daily.
RV CAMPING
One hookup option and another area for up to 4 units depending on your size. Contact us - send a chat right now.
RATES include hospitality tax, payments by credit/debit cards may incur additional fees
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Park ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS. see below for parking rates and guidelines. Parking is centrally located near the entrance of the camp and overflow spots available at the retreat center across from campground entrance. Vehicles are not allowed in most areas beyond established trails. You may be able to drive to a central spot to unload. If you want to camp near your vehicle, please inquire about campsites on the retreat center side of the property. NO ATVs or Motorcycles without approval.
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PAYMENT METHODS: CASH, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or CC by invoice which will take you to PayPal or Square - Credit Card may incur a service charge fee. Prices currently include Lewis County Hospitality Tax
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CAMPGROUND AND RIVER ACCESS:
DAY RATE until dusk:
Spend some time wandering the natural landscape and venture to the river for fishing, swimming, or just sitting.
$12/adult $4/child under 12
FISHING & other river activities: Must have appropriate licenses and share all information upon arrival. FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION
Additional Fishing permission - $10/person
PRIMITIVE CAMP OVERNIGHT RATE:
$20/adult $8/child under 12
if you choose to camp overnight, this includes day access no matter what time you arrive or depart within a 24 hour period.
Some sites are off-limits to children under 12. You must drive in and drop off your belongings. Only 1 car/truck per area is additional $20 and additional vehicles can be parked in designated areas closer to the camp entrance for $5 per car/truck.
RV/campers, 5th wheel, trailers
weekly and monthly rates seasonal available upon request
* there is no RV or camper parking available close to the river or on the campground that is reserved primarily for tent camping and future cabins. There is a magical path of trees that align the access trail as one meanders into the camping and hiking area so logistically large vehicles will not fit. In an effort to keep this as natural as possible, the area will not be clear cut for vehicles. Small pop-up trailers may be considered upon request and may incur additional premium fee for that access as well as a limited stay requirement.
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no electric/water: $30/night
This site is approximately 70 ft x 30 ft mostly gravel and is approximately 50 to 70 ft from the road access in a relatively secluded spot with some mature trees creating shade in at least half of the spot. Depending on vehicle size there is room for max 4, but ideally two units at any time.
ONE hookup for electric/water: $40/night
This site is close to the main lodge that may also be booked on the same night and is close to our donkey corral where they stay at night. Parking available if you want to detach. Depending on booking there is enough room for a second vehicle with trailer but only one hookup option.
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PLEASE NOTE: This property is located about 100-150 ft above the river in all spots except the riverfront basin section. There is a one-lane road that has been dug from the bluff down to the river. Some may find it to be a steep stair-master workout to walk up. The property is slowly being updated and every effort is being taken to keep it in as natural a state as possible. The road had many obstacles in the form of large rocks and boulders that was tackled in 2019. You'll be able to see some of this really interesting geology along the banks. If you need assistance for any reason to get up or go down in our 4WD, don't hesitate to ask.
ADVENTURE
urban escape
digital detox
#atennesseeretreat

RIVER + TRAILS
On The Buffalo features a wide section of river bed along our 12 acres. As a creativity retreat center, the emphasis here is digital detox and rejuventation from the fast-paced technology infused world. Access will be limited on a daily basis to ensure that the peacefulness of this place is not destroyed by massive population. Becoming a member will guarantee your access and also help keep this space private compared to the other options down river.
CAMPING
With numerous camping zones to choose from, you and your group will find a nurturing experience in a relatively undisturbed natural environment of 12 acres on a bluff above the Buffalo river. We are a LNT facility and ask you to always leave things better than you found them. With one outhouse and more facilities in the works, this is a great place to be primitive, but not primitive. The cell phone signal may or may not work here and that's the point. The vision for this campground came from the founder/director Val's experiences growing up in scouts until age of 17 and a leader for 5 years without children in the troop as well as many family camping experiences.


LODGING
Our main lodge is on the Camp Wonder Wander side of the property and sleeps up to 14. Our artist residency house when not in use is also available and sleeps up to 7. There are two other rooms for rent for 1-4 people. In total if all beds are booked, we can sleep 30 people inside. The goal for the place is to have micro-shelters off grid On the Buffalo side of the center that would be off-grid and available for rent when not in use by the residency program.
near the Natchez Trace Parkway
on the Highland Rim
between Hohenwald and Waynesboro
approximately 1.75 hr drive from Nashville
CAMPSITES
MEMBERSHIP

make a commitment to nature and your digital detox
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Limited memberships available for those who want to visit on a regular basis. Help to keep On The Buffalo Campground a quiet, family friendly and relatively quiet part of the river by becoming a member. Your contribution helps to sustain the retreat center operations such as care and feeding of the animals as well as the artist/writer residency.
Please note fishing requires a TN license.
No hunting allowed on the property at this juncture.
Membership includes:
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- access for 1 car/truck and up to 4 people per visit including 1 tent and 4 people for overnight stays (which is $80 a night without membership).
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- 25% discount for additional guests (overnight $15 instead of 20) and additional parking.
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- up to 20% discount on lodging at the retreat based on availability and size of group that prefers to glamp.
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- priority access to deluxe option riverfront parking $40/ visit instead of $75 for 4wd (per vehicle - max 3)
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- complimentary eggs upon request (please ask a few days in advance)
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options:
- discount on fishing access or choose that upgrade
- concierge service for stocking groceries or beverages $25/hr (one hour minimum) plus cost of items for your arrival.
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Access to the camp is unlimited, but campsites must be reserved at least 30 days ahead of time for priority. Must notify of your arrival/departure for reservation management. And register the vehicles that will be used on an annual basis with tag number, description. Will receive the 4 digit code to unlock the entrance gate.
RATES
(may be adjusted, but once booked that's your rate for that year)
ANNUAL RATE paid once a year -
campground access - $400
campground with fishing access - $600
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PEAK SEASON (May 1 - Sept 30)
campground access - $300
campground with fishing access - $500
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* You must register your vehicle at the time of the membership and only 4WD will be allowed on the river trail. Not responsible for any logistical issues by parking in unapproved spots or close to the river.
Memberships are non-refundable and should be considered a donation to the artist residency if you are unable to use your time On The Buffalo after registration.
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* Membership does not include special events like star gazing nights. Members will receive a discount.
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parking &
transport
options

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NEED A PLACE TO LOAD OUT AFTER
A BUFFALO RIVER EXPERIENCE?
MAYBE YOU HAVE KAYAKS
AND WANT TRANSPORT SERVICE UP RIVER
TO BE ABLE TO CAMP ON THE BUFFALO AT NIGHT?
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OR YOU WANT TO PARK YOURSELF AT YOUR DROP IN AND JUST NEED A RETURN RIDE?
LIMITED AVAILABILITY DAILY.
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MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A DISCOUNT ON THE OPTIONS.
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PARKING AND TRANSPORT MUST BE BOOKED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR STAY.
KAYAK RENTAL &
KAYAK transport
options
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WANT A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON A RELATIVELY QUIET SECTION OF THE BUFFALO RIVER?
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THIS IS NOT THE CRAZY OF THE OTHER OPTION DOWNRIVER.
STAR
GAZING

GALLERY

About our extended creativity retreat center @campwonderwander on Insta and FB: Let your creativity flow like the Buffalo. Book an extra workshop to learn pottery or other art, craft, or design. You may want to meet our camp animals - donkeys (miniatures and standards), chickens, peacocks, and domestic rabbits, cats, and dogs. The artist residency program should lead to an ever growing arts environment such as murals and sculpture gardens. Blue sky dreams include a ropes course and zip line as well as numerous micro shelter off grid cabins for rent and use by the artist residency program so with your help we can make this a really amazing unique destination.
If you have a group, troop, or club you would like to coordinate an excursion camping or glamping along with a workshop that you manage with our assistance or we manage, we would love to discuss so please send a message via our chat.
For more information on our retreat center lodging and workshops, go here.

CONTACT
ADDRESS
606 GAITHER HINSON RD, WAYNESBORO TN 38485
SR 99 BETWEEN WAYNESBORO & HOHENWALD
for booking and other information : 931-321-3520 voice or