Brandon Spring Group Center serves the area as a year-round overnight facility for groups. Nestled on a wooded knoll, it overlooks scenic Bards Lake and Lake Barkley in the Tennessee portion of Land Between the Lakes. The center provides the perfect atmosphere for all your group gatherings.
Location and Hours:
- Open year round - group reservations required
- 336 Brandon Spring Road Dover, Tennessee 37058
- Brandon Spring Brochure
- Map of Brandon Spring
- (270) 924.2044 or (931) 232.7405
When your group stays at Brandon Spring Group Center, a reality check is you can become one with nature. At Brandon, you have heat and air conditioning, electricity, running water, and shelter from the weather. Groups stay overnight from one to seven nights. When your group spends the night at Brandon Spring, you can relax to the sounds, sights, and smells of nature as you wind down your day.
Each season provides different natural sightings to explore, learn, and have fun. You can check out our natural phenomena by visiting the Wildife Viewing page!
Our staff can help you develop “Explore and Learn” activities for your group — or bring your own. You can also schedule fun activities like canoeing, hiking, archery, crafts, campfires, fishing, and more.
Our subject matter experts can help lead your groups in learning and play. You decide how much staff involvement works best for your group. We customize programs to meet your needs. Call us to find out more information at 931-232-7405 or 270-924-2044. If we can meet your needs, we’ll let you know up front.
- Bedding – pillow, linens, blankets, sleeping bag, etc. Groups can take part in our linen program for a nominal fee, which includes pillows, blankets and linens.
- Toiletries – towels, wash cloths, and toiletries like tooth-brush and paste, shampoo, lotion, soap, etc.
Brandon Spring offers a variety of meal options made on site in our full-service kitchen. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal has a variety of options, and we can also accommodate some dietary needs or allergy restrictions.
If you are planning an adventure and won’t be onsite for lunch take a lunch with you we offer box lunches.
Sample of Menu:
- Breakfast – Bacon & Eggs, Sausage & Pancakes, French Toast Sticks, and Cinnamon Rolls
- Lunch – Hamburger & Fries, Pizza, Soft Tacos, Chicken Sandwich, Cold Cuts, Grilled Cheese, Corn Dogs, Chicken Nuggets
- Dinner – Baked Chicken, Spaghetti or Lasagna, Chicken Strips, Meat Loaf (served with coleslaw, tossed salad or fruit salad)
*All lunch and dinner meals are served with desert
Dorm Cost-
March-November:
$250 per dorm, per night
December-February:
$200 per dorm, per night
Food Cost-
Three meals a day:
$21 per day, per person – all ages
Extra meal rates:
$6 breakfast, $7 lunch, and $8 dinner
Linens Cost:
$3 per person for the entire stay and includes two sheets and a pillowcase.
Having fun outdoors is what Brandon Spring does best! We have a huge variety of things to see & do while enjoying nature. Learning experiences can include wildlife, orienteering, outdoor survival, natural sciences, journal writing, photography, problem solving, and outdoor recreation. We can also show your group how to identify trees, plants, habitats, and wildlife tracks. Schools can choose programs that meet your state’s
core content for assessment. Popular topics include:
- Getting hands-on knowledge learning about animal habitats
- Practicing map reading and teambuilding skills on our compass course
- Collecting specimens and comparing pond and stream ecotypes
- Building interpersonal and critical thinking skills on a challenge course
- Discovering the world of bats through game play
- Designing and constructing a shelter while learning survival skills
You will find Brandon Spring Group Center conveniently located within minutes from many other “Explore and Learn” facilities like:
- Woodlands Nature Station
- Homeplace 1850s Working Farm
- Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory
- Elk & Bison Prairie
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
- Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
- Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
The area is rich in Civil War historic sites – so much so we have devoted a page to the links in the area! You can access the page by clicking the Civil War page. Our trails system in the south of Land Between the Lakes crosses through historical places that soldiers walked between Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. This hiking and biking trail system lies close to Brandon Spring Group Center.
In addition to the great outdoors, features include three campfire areas; amphitheater; hard-surface lighted play court, volleyball nets, permanent basketball goals; mowed fields for recreational activities; swimming area with beach; swimming pool; canoes; fishing pier; team building course; and 15 miles of hiking trails.
The Commons Building has central heat/air and features two meeting areas — one with a fireplace for winter gatherings — a patio with tables and chairs, plus a laundry room to keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
A Multipurpose Activity Building offers space for meetings and indoor activities. It features a small kitchen, a water fountain, bathrooms, central heat/air, and a large room-with a dividing curtain. You can use our tables, chairs, flip charts, and audio-visual equipment for your group gatherings.
Sample Itinerary
There are any number of possibilities for your group at Brandon Spring Group Center. Click this sample itinerary for a sample itinerary based on 60 people (including 10 chaperons).
School Field Trip Grant Program
Friends of Land Between the Lakes, along with its partners, offers grants to public schools within a 100-mile radius of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Funding provides support for educational trips to this national recreation forest and our environmental education attractions. The School Field Trip Grant Program provides funding assistance for costs of transportation, on site program fees at Nature Station, Homeplace, and Planetarium, plus residential expenses at the Brandon Spring Group Center.
Find more information at the Friends of LBL School Field Trip Grant Program Page.
JOIN THE TEAM AT BRANDON SPRING
Cooks & Cleaning Staff
The Friends of Land Between the Lakes is now hiring for cooks and cleaning staff. Visit Friends of LBL Employment Opportunities
Brandon Spring Group Center
Join the Team at Brandon Spring!
The Friends of Land Between the Lakes is now hiring for cooks and cleaning staff. Visit Friends of LBL Employment Opportunities
Brandon Spring Group Center serves the area as a year-round overnight facility for groups. Nestled on a wooded knoll, it overlooks scenic Bards Lake and Lake Barkley in the Tennessee portion of Land Between the Lakes. The center provides the perfect atmosphere for all your group gatherings.
When your group stays at Brandon Spring Group Center, a reality check is you can become one with nature. At Brandon, you will still living with heat and air conditioning, electricity, running water, and shelter from the weather. Groups stay overnight from one to seven nights. When your group spends the night at Brandon Spring, you can relax to the sounds, sights, and smells of nature as you wind down your day.
Each season provides different natural sightings to explore, learn, and have fun. You can check out our natural phenomena by visiting the Wildife Viewing page!
Our staff can help you develop “Explore and Learn” activities for your group — or bring your own. You can also schedule fun activities like canoeing, hiking, archery, crafts, campfires, fishing, and more.
Our subject matter experts can help lead your groups in learning and play. You decide how much staff involvement works best for your group. We customize programs to meet your needs. Call us to find out more information at 931-232-7405 or 270-924-2044. If we can meet your needs, we’ll let you know up front.
What Fun Activities Are There?
Learning experiences can include wildlife, orienteering, outdoor survival, natural sciences, journal writing, photography, problem solving, and outdoor recreation. We can also show your group how to identify trees, plants, habitats, and wildlife tracks. Schools can choose programs that meet your state’s core content for assessment. Popular topics include:
- Getting hands-on knowledge learning about animal habitats
- Practicing map reading and teambuilding skills on our compass course
- Collecting specimens and comparing pond and stream ecotypes
- Building interpersonal and critical thinking skills on a challenge course
- Discovering the world of bats through game play
- Designing and constructing a shelter while learning survival skills
What Groups Do We Serve?
Brandon Spring serves school groups, church groups, retreats, workshops, meetings, trainings, reunions, and other overnight gatherings for all ages.
Groups who visit include:
- Leisure Craft Camp held each fall
- Clarksville’s Camp Rainbow who visits for a week in the summer
Can I Explore?
Yes! In addition, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area provides a 170,000-acre outdoor playground with multiple opportunities to explore nooks and crannies of the landscape. We offer over 260 miles of hiking trails and 200 watering holes. We think you’ll find this national recreation area the perfect place to learn through fun activities and connecting with nature.
Is There Anything to Do Around There?
You will find Brandon Spring Group Center conveniently located within minutes from many other “Explore and Learn” facilities like:
- Woodlands Nature Station
- Homeplace 1850s Working Farm
- Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory
- Elk & Bison Prairie
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
- Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
- Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
The area is rich in Civil War historic sites – so much so we have devoted a page to the links in the area! You can access the page by clicking the Civil War page. Our trails system in the south of Land Between the Lakes crosses through historical places that soldiers walked between Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. This hiking and biking trail system lies close to Brandon Spring Group Center.
Where Do I Sleep?
Brandon Spring has bed space for 128 people to sleep. Each of the eight identical dorms house 6 sets of bunk beds in the sleeping area and two bunk beds in private counselors’ quarters for a total of 16 beds. Larger groups may use the extra floor space for a total of 20 people per dorm.
An indoor common area and outdoor patio provide additional room for group gatherings. We provide mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Each person is responsible for bringing his/her own additional bedding – pillow case, sheets, blankets, sleeping bag, etc. Campers can also take part in our linen program for a nominal fee.
Each dorm offers a large bathroom with two showers, two toilets, two sinks, a water fountain, and a small gathering area. The counselors’ room has a shower, toilet, sink, and a table with chairs. All dormitories have central heating and cooling systems, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and clearly marked exists.
Four dorm rooms are easily accessible on the ground floor. Some have bathroom facilities that better accommodate wheelchair bound campers.
Everyone is responsible to bring their own towels, wash cloths, and toiletries like tooth-brush and paste, shampoo, lotion, soap, etc.
All dorms are kept very clean by our crew with bathrooms cleaned regularly during your stay.
What About Food?
The Commons Building can accommodate 128 persons at one sitting. A full-time kitchen staff prepares three meals per day and an evening snack. Our cooks are famous for their homemade meals – especially for their cinnamon rolls and fried chicken.
If you take excursions or visit other sites, we can prepare sack lunches ahead of time for you to take with you. Just tell us when you need to leave and they will be ready to go. Campfires can also provide the perfect dinner time experience — and desert. Just let us know ahead of time to seamlessly include for your group experience with nature.
Camp Fires, Games, Swimming, Hiking and More!
In addition to the great outdoors, features include three campfire areas; amphitheater; hard-surface lighted play court, volleyball nets, permanent basketball goals; mowed fields for recreational activities; swimming area with beach; swimming pool; canoes; fishing pier; team building course; and 15 miles of hiking trails.
The Commons Building has central heat/air and features two meeting areas — one with a fireplace for winter gatherings — a patio with tables and chairs, plus a laundry room to keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
A Multipurpose Activity Building offers space for meetings and indoor activities. It features a small kitchen, a water fountain, bathrooms, central heat/air, and a large room-with a dividing curtain. You can use our tables, chairs, flip charts, and audio-visual equipment for your group gatherings.
Dorm Cost
March-November:
$250 per dorm, per night
December-February:
$200 per dorm, per night
Food Cost
Three meals a day:
$18 per day, per person – all ages
Extra meal rates:
$6 breakfast, $7 lunch,
and $8 dinner
Linens Cost
The linen rate is $3 per person for the entire stay and includes two sheets and a pillowcase.
(Mattresses, pillows, and blankets included in dorm fee.)
Sample Itinerary:
There are any number of possibilities for your group at Brandon Spring Group Center. Click here for a sample itinerary based on 60 people (including 10 chaperons).
School Field Trip Grant Program:
Friends of Land Between the Lakes, along with its partners, offers grants to public schools within a 100-mile radius of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Funding provides support for educational trips to this national recreation forest and our environmental education attractions. The School Field Trip Grant Program provides funding assistance for costs of transportation, on site program fees at Nature Station, Homeplace, and Planetarium, plus residential expenses at the Brandon Spring Group Center.
Find more information at http://friendsoflbl.org/programs/field-trip-grant-info.php
