Campgrounds near Gatlinburg, tn

[SecurityRich]

We are going to be heading to Gatlinburg, from Witheville Va. Any suggestions on good stateparks or national campgrounds? We would like something near Gatlinburg as we will be staying about three nights before moving on to Nashville. Thanks

[CampingGator]

There is a national campground at Cade's Cove, which is not too far from Gatlinburg. I don't believe they have electricity though. There are some smaller campgrounds in Townsend, which is about 20 to 30 minutes from Gatlinburg. We like it over there. They call it the quiet side of the Smokies. We have stayed at Lazy Days twice. Quiet and nice if you can get a site on the Little River. Not a fancy campground, but we enjoyed it. They do have a pool. We drove through a few other parks in Townsend and they all assembled similar, but sites are not overly roomy.

[KyDan]

Elkmont campground in the National Park is 7 miles from Gatlinburg.
It has no hook-ups. You have to stop at the Sugarlands visitor center
to fill your water tank and to dump on your way out.
It's VERY popular so reservations are mandatory this time of year.
They have some generator friendly loops and some don't allow generators.
We were there mid May and enjoyed it. Now that school is out it's gonna
be busy! Good luck. Try calling the CG if online reservations don't show
anything. They might actually have some held back for first come first
served. I heard some talk about that when we were there but didn't
actually ask myself.

I have stayed in Townsend twice in Treemont resort. Pricey and a bit
close together but it is "the quiet side" of the Smokies.

[Wusaah]

I recently stayed at Racoon Valley campground just outside of Knoxville. The staff was very pleasant, campground and facilities were nice as well. Pull thru for my 45 foot toy hauler.

[Linnemj]

If you haven't done so aready look at this website:

RVParksreviews.com

You will see listing for each area by state and nearest town.

It is tough to get last minute Campground reservations for popular locations like Gatlinburg or Nashville.

[Magdeep]

Camp LeConte just outside Gatlinburg, away from the Gatlinburg chaos next to the Rocky Top Sports Complex.

[Triple SS]

Check out up the creek campground. Just outside of pigeon forge A little more pace between sites, shuttle service. And on the way to Townsend and Cade's cove

[SecurityRich]

Thank you all. We stumbled upon Dougles TailWater campground..actually went to reserve reviews as someone suggested and found this place...it is awesome and great price!!

[KyDan]

Great!!
Glad you found a spot.
You did say "near" Gatlinburg tho....
This one's an hour away but is in a great location if you don't need to
go to town more than once or twice.

Happy Camping!!

[SecurityRich]

Thank you ....another question. I noticed your map of places you have been.....you have been busy!! Is the map for actual states you camped in or do the ones you pass thru count ?

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by SecurityRich

Thank you all. We stumbled upon Dougles TailWater campground..actually went to reserve reviews as someone suggested and found this place...it is awesome and great price!!

How bad is Gatlinburg after the recent fires? I've not been up that way since then. Heard they got hit pretty bad.

[KyDan]

My states visited map shows states where we slept. We've slept in a camper in all but 3 of the ones that are colored.
We have visited and slept but not camped in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii.

Some places in and around Gatlinburg were burned badly and houses and
hotels are just foundations. The main street in town was spared and it's business as usual.
If you drive the Roaring fork motor nature trail you will see some burned
woods and near the end you come out and see burned to the ground 2 story hotel and many cabins just chimney and foundation. On the other side of
the road the houses were spared.
Some places the fire just burned the leaf litter and brush sparing the trees.
Other places it killed the trees too.
Here's a couple of photos--

[ttocsmi]

Originally Posted by SecurityRich

We are going to be heading to Gatlinburg, from Witheville Va. Any suggestions on good stateparks or national campgrounds? We would like something near Gatlinburg as we will be staying about three nights before moving on to Nashville. Thanks

Good suggestions so far.

The Cosby area is nice & quiet, and from there you have access to one of the best hikes in the park: Mt Cammerer Fire Tower. It's not far from Gatlinburg & it's not far from the expressway.

I'd stay away from Cades Cove, as there can be a lot of traffic, it's at a lower elevation (ie hotter), and it's a long slow trip to Gatlinburg from there. [There's no cell service in the scenic loop area; if you think you're lost, don't head off down a dirt road thinking you'll make your way out. Trust me.]

Which leads to my suggestion: Elkmont campground. You might not be able to get a riverside spot, but there are often sites available further away. Fill up with water beforehand, park, set out your awning, and relax. The park gets a fair amount of rain in the summer, so be prepared. Also, the temperatures are much cooler than in town. 81 in the campground, 99 in Gatlinburg. (How YOU doin?)

If you take 441/321 to get to the park and leave in the direction of Townsend, you'll only have to see Pigeon Forge/Sevierville once.

We've been going down to the area for 10+ years; it's one of our favorite places.

[Fordcamper]

Check out Anchors Down in Dandridge TN, It is close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.....great place overlooking Douglas Lake

[Slow but Steady]

I have camped at Douglass Tailwater Campground. It is very nice and clean. The price is fair.
I have a new Fav in that area, and it is called "Anchor Down" it is pricey, but never been to campground as nice. Extra clean, and most sites have a lake view. Swimming in the pool or the lake is excellent. Security around the clock. And they mean business. No barking dogs, no late late night parties. Concrete pads for all, fireplaces or fire pits at every site. They even deliver wood to your site. Docks for your boats, or rent a kayak, fishing is great. It is really a lovely place to stay.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by Slow but Steady

I have camped at Douglass Tailwater Campground. It is very nice and clean. The price is fair.

I have a new Fav in that area, and it is called "Anchor Down" it is pricey, but never been to campground as nice. Extra clean, and most sites have a lake view. Swimming in the pool or the lake is excellent. Security around the clock. And they mean business. No barking dogs, no late late night parties. Concrete pads for all, fireplaces or fire pits at every site. They even deliver wood to your site. Docks for your boats, or rent a kayak, fishing is great. It is really a lovely place to stay.

Anchor Downs seems like a very nice campground just a little rich for me.