Best Campgrounds near Cherokee, NC

Cherokee, North Carolina serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains, with multiple campgrounds located along the Oconaluftee River and throughout the Qualla Boundary. Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides tent and RV camping with drinking water and fire rings, while private operations like Indian Creek Campground offer additional amenities including electrical hookups and shower facilities. Several campgrounds feature riverside sites that allow campers to enjoy the sounds of flowing water throughout their stay, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups and cabin rentals.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping availability in the Cherokee area, with most national park campgrounds operating from April through October. Balsam Mountain Campground, located at higher elevation, typically opens in late May and closes by mid-October due to mountain weather conditions. Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation of narrow mountain roads. Campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations, even during summer months, as elevation impacts weather patterns significantly. "The sites are fairly level and well-spaced. We had a site right on the fishing pond which was nice," noted a visitor describing their experience at a local RV campground.

Waterfront camping represents one of the most sought-after experiences in the Cherokee area, with numerous reviews highlighting the pleasure of falling asleep to the sound of flowing water. Campgrounds along the Oconaluftee River and Soco Creek provide popular fishing access, with many sites offering direct river views. Several visitors mentioned challenges with rocky terrain at riverside tent sites, recommending careful site selection and appropriate ground covers. Family-friendly amenities vary widely between campgrounds, with some offering extensive recreational facilities including swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. A camper observed, "Being there is great because you can hear the sounds of the river all night long. When I went, however, the tent sites had quite a bit of poison ivy, which needed spraying." Proximity to Cherokee's cultural attractions, including the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills," adds significant appeal to camping in this region.

Best Camping Sites Near Cherokee, North Carolina (664)

    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. Moonshine Creek Campground

    21 Reviews
    Balsam, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 586-6666

    "This is a wonderful place, above 3000 ft convenient to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, Waynesville, Cherokee Casino."

    "Minutes from the parkway for hiking, 2 miles away from a creek on the WNC fly fishing trail, and plenty of space to get out and walk around the grounds."

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Recent Reviews near Cherokee, NC

3120 Reviews of 664 Cherokee Campgrounds


  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great Campsite, But Let’s Keep It Clean

    This campsite is a great little spot just across the road from the water—peaceful, scenic, and well-situated. I was lucky to grab the last open site, and it turned out to be a perfect place to unwind. The only downside was the amount of trash left behind by previous visitors; I nearly filled a bag cleaning up. A gentle reminder to future campers: please do better and respect this beautiful space. Despite that, it’s truly a gem, and I’ll definitely be coming back.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Fern Cove — Black Rock Mountain State Park

    Beautiful park but steep slope up

    Black Rock is beautiful but hard on some transmissions. There is a long steep slope up the mountain and it is common for transmissions to over heat. So much so that there is an auto shop at the base of the mountain. The road up is narrow and twisty. I have seen some larger rigs up here but most are smaller. If u can make it, it is worth the journey. Lots of hiking trails for different levels. Clean facilities, friendly hosts. WiFi is available at the trading post. Nice place to sit and rock.incredible views. Have visited in April, may, June, and October. Usually stay on site 6. Later spring into summer had more poison ivy on trails.

  • Zach L.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Appalachian Springs Outdoor Resort

    October in the Smokey Mountains

    This is an amazing campsite spot. Minutes outside Pigeon Forge you're close to sites, shops, and anything you need. A short drive to the park and Blue Ridge Parkway. The spaces are easily accessible with options for any setup. Incredibly affordable so great value. The best campsite bathrooms I've ever seen, seriously immaculate bathrooms. Digital processes for registration and check in made it very easy to book. Staff was super helpful and very responsive to texts if you need anything.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Mount Pisgah Campground

    October camping experience

    Well I checked when peak leaf season was supposed to occur and what to expect from temperatures. I also appreciate information from those that camped here. We were in site B26 interior of the loop. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get outside loop from the showers to the end. Interior from the showers to site 21 were okay. Ours on the other hand was one of the worst we’ve had. You had a steep 7 step down to picknick table and firepit. It was also in a low sumac shrub area that had a distinct smell. Campground was clean and facilities were well maintained. NPS staff were present despite the current shutdown in Washington! Limited cell service at the site. Best just up the parkway to the Mt. Pisgah picnic area parking lot.

    While we did hit peak color, I didn’t think that the cold front would be as intense. Temperature dropped below freezing and during the night it felt like gale force winds buffeting the GO. Definitely will pick a lower elevation for camping if it’s in October!

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Upper Cove Creek - UCC2 Dispersed

    Okay spot

    Avery Road was closed so we ended up here. Not a whole lot of sites in the forest here. This site was fine, nothing special, but nothing bad. There’s a shallow creek that runs next to this spot.

  • SunnyLake
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Lakeside RV Resort & Marina

    Great Place with Great People

    Under new ownership, this little campground is wonderful.  Easy access and close to the activities on Douglas Lake or a quick drive into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge - Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains.  The views from the lake are amazing and the campground hosts are so helpful and available.  Clean and fun!  Love it here!

  • Laur H.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Clabough's Campground

    Good for families

    Our stay was good. It was our first time camping in Pigeon Forge, we usually stay closer to Nashville in state parks. The campsites are extremely close together - everyone is packed in like sardines. We knew it would be tight from when we looked at the map when booking but whew - if you don’t know your neighbors, you will! This seems par for the course in the area. The location here compared to attractions in PF was so convenient it made it worth it.

    We really appreciated the amenities - the bath house was super clean and the laundry room was nice. We loved that the campground picks up trash daily. There was an issue with the sewer in the area where we were and the campground was quick to resolve it. We also appreciated having campground staff escort us to our site so we did not have to wander with a map.

    The playground is big and nice, and my nephew loved the bouncy pillow. The pool and lazy river looked really neat but we didn’t have swim gear with us since it’s fall, although we saw some people swimming so maybe it is heated?

    On the other hand - The staff does not answer any email inquiries, apparently. The cancellation policy is really awfully strict. We didn’t necessarily feel super welcomed at check in.

    There seem to be a LOT of long-term/permanent residents here. That always makes me uncomfortable since I feel like I’m in other peoples space, but no one was unfriendly. It did seem like the rules (which I read carefully prior to arrival) are selectively applied.

    Overall it was a good trip and we wouldn’t be opposed to staying here again, but this definitely isn’t our preferred type of campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Grumpy Bear Campground

    Nice but small

    The attraction here is the river. It is absolutely gorgeous. Riverside are small and close together.


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 664 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.