123 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Great Outdoors RV Resort and Pines RV Park and Cabins house upscale glamping accommodations near the Smoky Mountains, providing luxury alternatives to traditional camping. Both properties feature well-appointed glamping units with comfortable bedding, climate control, and private outdoor spaces. Guests at The Great Outdoors enjoy access to a seasonal pool, clean shower facilities, and a recreation building with modern amenities, while Pines RV Park offers a more intimate setting with glamping units positioned near a small stream. Each location provides fire rings upon request with firewood available for purchase. According to one visitor, "This place is just fantastic! Family owned and operated this little gem is a great place to kick back and relax."
High Falls Trail and Lake Glenville provide stunning natural backdrops for glamping experiences in the Franklin area. Visitors staying at safari tents and yurts near Ralph J. Andrews Park gain easy access to lakeside activities including swimming, fishing, and boating at what is known as the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mountains. The surrounding region offers opportunities to explore multiple waterfalls, hiking trails, and the nearby Appalachian Trail. Several glamping properties maintain proximity to local breweries and dining options in downtown Franklin. A recent visitor noted, "We stayed during spring break. They do have a small store. Grounds were well kept with clean bathrooms and showers. Good base for day trips to waterfalls, Cherokee, or Maggie Valley."
"The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean. The pet corral was enjoyed by my dog. The staff is very nice and helpful."
"Well groomed campground in a central location in the mountains of North Carolina. Good amenities. Friendly staff."
from $48 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Tent sites are near the small stream running behind the grounds. Clean bathhouse, rec-room with pool table and two cabins to rent."
"The bathhouse was sparkling clean. The site was beautiful. They do only accept cash or checks, but I’d absolutely recommend Pines for your travel break."
"The only bad part was the non quiet hours- so It was loud at night. But the campsites are far apart, easy walking distance to bathrooms."
"There are no hook ups for electric and sewer here, nor are their showers."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This was our second visit, we always stop here when we are traveling between North Carolina and Alabama."
"Sites were so easy to get into, nice small loop with minimal noise. Clean bath houses and laundry on site that was only $1 per load!! Hiking and views of the Falls were breathtaking!"
from $36 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Quiet and secluded but right outside of Franklin. Very. Nicely decorated. Has small campstore, very nice laundryroom, and a guest event center."
"Really close to the main highway, so you don’t have to struggle with small winding roads. Campground is super clean and well maintained."
"There was air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 full kitchen, 1 full bathroom, and a fire place. We stopped at a Walmart in one of the towns before the park to stock up on food."
"Situated on a lake. Campgrounds were close together with not enough trees for sound barriers but plenty of trees for hammocks."
"Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time."
"Campground is located on Glenville Lake (aka Thorpe Reservior) which is the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mts."
"Campground review: Located in Bryson City, N.C. on Deep Creek, this campground has around 50 sites with full hookups."
"We tent camped at an electric site and it was awesome. There’s shelters to camp under, a fire ring, and a picnic table. We were close to the bath house which was welcomed in the middle of the night."
"We were impressed with the paved parking space, picnic table, fire pit and level tent pad. It looks like these are very new. Proximity to cades cove loop was great."
"The one lane, one way, circular drive around Cades Cover is scenic but can get very crowded and cars will stop for any wildlife, go early..."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The heat did struggle to keep it warm but they had just gone through a pretty severe winter storm. They did provide us with extra linens which helped. The manager on duty, Tonya, was great."
"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. "
ScoutWe stayed for a week in late October. Quiet and secluded but right outside of Franklin. Very. Nicely decorated. Has small campstore, very nice laundryroom, and a guest event center. Rick, the campsite host, helped me get backed in and asked if I needed any more help. Some pull-throughs. Some sites are a little tight but others really nice. We will definitely come back.
ScoutWhatever person or group of persons designed the campground were clueless as to how to develop a campground. Sites are packed in the most preposterous configuration to have tents, trailers motorhomes all jammed together nearly touching each other with zero privacy. Come for the hikes and views of the gorge but come with the lowest expectations for the campground and you’ll be fine
TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
TravelerThis place is a nice campground, quiet and the guests (during our stay) respect others by keeping the noise down. The spaces are set up to maximize privacy between sites. There is no cell phone service (to do this report we are in a picnic area by a small lake and I can get cell as well as internet on my travelfi device) sos is the only access. I normally listen to audio books but not while here. On my computer I could see three others with low signals; they might have had a better device/provider. The spots tend to the small back in typically found in campsites built before RVs got really big, type. There is another camping area I haven’t been to yet and I did see a large over lander (looks indestructible and tall/long) towable head that way and the campground attendant didn’t predict any problems so perhaps there are larger spots elsewhere. This place has single person shower rooms and nice flush toilets. The whole place is set in woodland so it isn’t like a commercial RV place that was more concerned with volume over aesthetics. This is a lovely spot with ample amenities (my space had no hookups) for our type of camping (toilets, trash, quiet neighbors, semi private spaces) just zero phone or internet.
ScoutWalk to trail sites, clean bathrooms, sites close together…water and electric at site. Sites are sloped gravel.
TravelerThis worked well for us while we were visiting Dollywood in our trailer, but we wouldn't stay here if we had been in a different type of site. Cons: Unless you have a site up against the river or on patriot park, you are packed in VERY TIGHT with other people, sometimes with your sliders only a foot or two away from your neighbor's sliders. We were in a site that was "on patriot park", but the few first sites of that type are really just behind the trolley parking lot and pick up with a path behind you (including ours). People are on the other side of the fence walking about two feet behind you all day and pretty late in to the night. Pros: There are lot of trees and campground is very pretty. Super close to Dollywood and other Pigeon Forge points of interest.
TravelerStayed 1 week in site 12. Great small campground, clean and quiet. Jojo was a great host and 5pm happy hour gathering was fun. Will DEFINITELY return. Its a great spot for launching adventures.
GuideWe really enjoyed our stay at Gateway RV Campground! After spending plenty of time on the road, it’s always nice to find somewhere you can park up, relax, and feel at home.
The campground has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and was a great place to unwind.
One of the real bonuses is the trolley that stops right outside the campground office. What a fantastic convenience! It makes getting out and exploring the local area so much easier without having to pack everything up and take the RV. Such a simple touch, but one that makes a big difference when you’re traveling.
We’ve stayed at plenty of RV parks during our travels, and it’s often the little things that make a place stand out.
All in all, a very enjoyable stay, and we’d happily return if we’re passing through the area again. Definitely worth a stop!
ScoutBathrooms are small and few. Interstate is close. Setting is beautiful and KOA is clean with friendly staff. Will stay again.
Franklin's mountain camping options sit at elevations ranging from 2,000-4,500 feet, creating a climate that's typically 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas. The region features numerous streams and waterfalls, with Lake Glenville standing as the highest elevation lake east of the Rocky Mountains at 3,494 feet. Campgrounds in the area provide access to both the Appalachian and Bartram trails for hikers seeking multi-day adventures.
Hiking to waterfalls: High Falls Trail near Ralph J. Andrews Campground offers an impressive cascade. "A very beautiful mountain waterfall trail to High Falls. The rock steps where amazing," notes Mitchell G. from a Ralph J. Andrews Campground review.
Tubing adventures: Deep Creek provides family-friendly water activities. "This is a quiet and fun family spot with accommodation options for everyone plus TUBING!!! Great way to cool off on a hot summer day in the Carolina!" says Michael K. who stayed at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground.
Historic explorations: Visit ghost towns and preserved mountain structures. "The campground has a wonderful area and the history of the place is amazing," writes Amy P. about her glamping experience near Elkmont.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best chance to spot local wildlife. "I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience," reports Ashley Y. from Cades Cove.
Riverside camping spots: Riverside sites provide natural sound barriers and scenic views. "Stayed here many times and is my favorite campground in the Smoky Mountains. Great location with easy access to Gatlinburg but secluded as well. The campground is beautiful with rivers running through it," explains Tyler M. from Elkmont Campground.
Family-run establishments: Local knowledge enhances the glamping experience in Franklin. "Old School Gem... Lou meets you at the office and guides you to your campsite and politely offers to guide you in. We used his help and he guided us in to an inch of the cement pad for our front porch," shares Nick W. about Pines RV Park and Cabins.
Modern facilities: Clean bathhouses and utilities matter to glampers. "Large campground but had level, shaded, and private camp sites. Flush toilets clean but no showers. Traffic was a beast but there were good hiking trails from campground," notes Kim L. who visited Elkmont recently.
Central locations: Proximity to multiple attractions ranks high for visitors. "Small campground situated on the Tuckasegee River bank. Great location for area activities," says Deborah D. about Grumpy Bear Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most popular glamping sites book months in advance. "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!" advises Ashley Y. about planning trips to Cades Cove Campground.
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by campground and season. "No fire rings but they will bring a fir pit to your site," explains Swain K. about camping amenities.
Wildlife preparedness: Bear-proof food storage is mandatory. "Very strict rules regarding food storage and park has managed to control bears and raccoons," Kim L. points out about safety protocols.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies drastically by location. "Verizon cell service is POOR on the primitive camping side," warns Molly A. about connectivity at Ralph J. Andrews Campground.
Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Some sites offer multiple child-friendly zones. "Plenty for the kids to do, including gem mining, feeding goats and several playgrounds. Plus you can rent tubes and drive a short distance into the national park for some fun tubing," recommends Andra S. from Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground.
Plan for variable weather: Mountain temperatures can change quickly. "Temps cool at night, moderately nice during the day...got snow at Clingman's Dome however during the day!" shares Buck R. about November camping.
Consider cabin options: Franklin glamping includes various cabin styles. "The cabin itself was very well kept. There was air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 full kitchen, 1 full bathroom, and a fire place," describes Jessica S. who stayed at Oconee State Park Campground.
Schedule rest days: Balance hiking with relaxation time. "A great family campground. Plenty for the kids to do... Plus you can rent tubes and drive a short distance into the national park for some fun tubing," notes Andra S.
Arrival timing matters: Check for campground check-in policies. "The only issue I have is that if you are not there by 5pm, they will not park you so don't plan to arrive after work on a Friday and hope to spend the long weekend," advises Angie G. about The Great Outdoors RV Resort.
Site spacing considerations: Campgrounds vary in site proximity. "Sites were small but not overly so," Jay B. mentions about Oconee State Park.
Hookup availability: Franklin glamping sites offer varying utility options. "We traveled to Franklin N.C. A couple weeks ago and stayed at Grear Outdoors RV Resort. We were greeted by gracious hosts who were also the owners," shares Jerry R. about his RV experience.
Leveling challenges: Some mountain sites require leveling equipment. "Sites are often uneven with alot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV," cautions Constance O.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Franklin, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Franklin, NC is The Great Outdoors RV Resort with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Franklin, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 123 glamping camping locations near Franklin, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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