Best Campgrounds near Cherokee, NC

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cherokee. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Cherokee, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Cherokee camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Cherokee, North Carolina (661)

    1. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    5 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Very popular campground just inside the Park and not far from Cherokee NC. Clean, well maintained, easy access RV sites. The RV loop has no hookups, although generators are allowed during the day."

    "About 10 miles from Cherokee, NC. A good Elk viewing area between Smokemont and Cherokee, NC. One camper saw a bear one morning but was not a problem."

    2. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "Right outside of Gatlinburg so plenty to do and see if you feel like exploring outside of the park."

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    3. Deep Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    29 Reviews
    Bryson City, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 488-3184

    $50 / night

    "The Deep Creek Campground is located just minutes away from the charming Bryson City with its shops, breweries, little cafes an other attractions such as steam train rides on the"

    "Quiet with plenty of space between the RV sites, surrounded by hiking trails and waterfalls. Tent sites are next to the river and in close proximity to one another."

    4. Indian Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-4361

    $26 - $37 / night

    "Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina. Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy."

    "This worked out perfectly since you couldn't hear anything but the rushing water in the gorgeous stream next to us."

    5. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

    25 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9711

    "If I’m not mistaken, the one we were at this time was either the same cabin or one close to it.  It is perfectly situated beside the river.  "

    "But if you’re a tent camper, be aware that the tent sites are located near the road (I will never understand why campsites do this, since we are the ones with no soundproofing)."

    6. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    19 miles
    Website

    $35 - $258 / night

    "The campground is surrounded by a little river so many sites have river views. Most are relatively spacious. There are also a few spots on the road side of the island. The amenities were spotless."

    "_

    Greenbriar is located near the Greenbriar entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, very near the arts and crafts district of Gatlinburg."

    7. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Cosby is great if you want to explore the eastern section of North Carolina sections of the park."

    "Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute. A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."

    8. Balsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    26 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "This campground is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, close to Cherokee, and Maggie Valley. The sites are first come first service, which is great if you want to camp on a whim."

    "The campground was nice and it was a fun drive in/out every time. Lots of elk! The bathroom did not have lights so if you didn’t go by dusk you’ll need a light with you."

    9. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    31 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol."

    "This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

    10. Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground

    14 Reviews
    Bryson City, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 488-6055

    "Located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is a private campground and has several types of camping opportunities. "

    "Campground review: Located in Bryson City, N.C. on Deep Creek, this campground has around 50 sites with full hookups."

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Recent Reviews near Cherokee, NC

3099 Reviews of 661 Cherokee Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    September stay

    Grass on lots high, nice concrete spots, full hookup in good shape.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Black Forest Family Camping Resort

    Great campground!

    As a solo traveler that doesn’t like excessive noise or want to be near kids, I just wanted peace and quiet to relax and listen to the sounds of nature. The owner, Jeanie(hopefully I’m spelling that right) understood completely and was sure to put me in a site where she knew the surrounding sites would be empty for the entirety of my stay and she was sure not to book anyone near me. Yes, the sites are fairly close together, but I stayed during the week and was able to enjoy most of the place to myself ….or at least the area of the campground that I was in. When I extended my stay an extra night, she was sure to warn me that there was a family with kids coming that night and that they’d be in my vicinity. I couldn’t have asked for a better campground host! She had all the info on waterfalls in the area which minimized my planning time/time staring at my phone. And the fact that the place is all pea gravel really makes a difference! It rained the first couple days I was there and my tent wasn’t a muddy mess which is always a plus!

    The bathrooms and showers were clean and the camp store had just about everything you could possibly need in a pinch. Firewood and ice were priced fairly, making it very convenient if you forgot to grab either one while you were out for the day. Will definitely be back! Actually, I can’t wait to go back!

  • austin C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Great camping as of September 2025

    Very nice area to camp saw multiple sites throughout the road. Weather got a little cooler at night but the stars were a beauty to see. managed to fit 3 tents and 2 hammocks at the campsite near 34°50'26.3"N 83°40'44.6"W Wood was a little wet as it had rained 2 days prior so might be worth bringing your own.

    Also worth it if you're into astrophotography as all of tray mountain sits within the few dark areas within north Georgia.

    Did not see any signs of large predators but did see lots of spent 12GA shells and other casings.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!


Guide to Cherokee

Camping near Cherokee, North Carolina, offers a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors while soaking in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers love the access to trails like the Little River Trail from Elkmont Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife. At Cades Cove Campground, a camper shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy the nearby rivers and lakes. A visitor at Davidson River Campground noted, "There is a nice swimming hole at camp and the bathhouses are well kept."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. One happy camper at Greenbrier Campground said, "The site had amazing views and was very peaceful."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A reviewer at Lake Powhatan mentioned, "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest we've seen."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA offer amenities that cater to families. One visitor shared, "We loved the lazy river in the pool."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, "Most sites are close together, so privacy can be an issue."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Davidson River Campground mentioned, "No cell signal but we were able to set up our Starlink."
  • Bear Awareness: Bears are common in the area. A camper at Cosby Campground shared, "An assertive mother bear and her three cubs showed up at dinner time."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. A parent at Greenbrier Campground said, "There were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A reviewer at Lake Powhatan mentioned, "The camp host arrived shortly after we did to check in on us and to give us the lay of the land."
  • Bring Entertainment: Download shows or bring books for downtime. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA noted, "We had very little cell service, so we kept the kids entertained with games."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Black Rock Mountain State Park advised, "If you have a big RV, it may be hard to get in and out of the park."
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with dump station locations. A visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground mentioned, "Dump station is on the way out."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A camper at Vogel State Park noted, "There is no camp store for extra supplies, but they do sell ice and plenty of firewood at the gate."

Camping near Cherokee, North Carolina, is a great way to enjoy nature, make family memories, and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cherokee, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cherokee, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 661 campgrounds and RV parks near Cherokee, NC and 58 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cherokee, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cherokee, NC is Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 53 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cherokee, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 58 free dispersed camping spots near Cherokee, NC.

What parks are near Cherokee, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Cherokee, NC that allow camping, notably Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest.