Grumpy Bear Campground

Located beside the Tuckaseegee River, this is a great family campground if you don’t require a swimming pool or recreation activities offered by some of the larger franchise campgrounds. It does have swimming and fishing opportunities and a great family atmosphere. There are several places along the river to play in the water, set up a lawn chair, or float in a tube. It is also close to all the attractions near Bryson City such as the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Deep Creek tubing, whitewater outfitters, quaint shops and breweries, The Road to Nowhere, and more. This is a great place for RVs or travel trailers, and there is a“village” of tipis. The tipis are great for a family that has small children and love the idea of staying in a tipi. I do recommend the option of renting an air conditioner for the tipi if you are staying in one during the summer. It makes staying in one much more comfortable, even though it has water and electricity. It is a small campground and is usually full during peak seasons, including summer and fall when the leaves change colors. My favorite activity was tubing in nearby Deep Creek, although you can rent a tube and give it a try at the campground. However, the Tuckaseegee is a wide river, so you have to be careful. Overall, I highly recommend this campground. The hosts are friendly, and the bath house is modern and clean.