8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort and Townsend-Great Smokies KOA offer luxury glamping options in the Tennessee side of the Smokies. Both properties house upscale yurt accommodations with comfortable furnishings, electricity, and climate control systems not found at traditional campsites. Little Arrow's glamping units feature private decks overlooking mountain vistas, while Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA maintains similar yurt accommodations with added outdoor living spaces. Greenbrier Campground provides an additional glamping option with their fully-furnished yurts situated along rushing mountain streams. These eco-friendly accommodations include proper beds with linens, electrical outlets for device charging, and sturdy canvas walls that blend comfort with nature. One guest shared, "Absolutely loved this campground. The location and the site made up for it. We had a site by the river, and it was the most spacious, secluded, and beautiful campsite I've ever stayed at."
Several glamping properties near Great Smoky Mountains offer unique experiences beyond standard accommodations. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA organizes seasonal activities including guided night hikes, s'mores gatherings, and naturalist talks that highlight local ecology. Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground provides direct access to tubing adventures from their glamping sites, allowing guests to step from luxury accommodations straight into mountain recreation. Many properties maintain market facilities where glampers can purchase local provisions, firewood, and specialty items without leaving the resort grounds. Most glamping sites operate from March through October, though Little Arrow Outdoor Resort maintains year-round availability for their premium canvas accommodations. A recent visitor noted, "The tent site were large and very clean with the sound of rapids coming from the nearby river. It is centrally located for multiple stunning hikes i.e. Laurel Falls, Charlie's Bunion and Clingmans Dome."
"As the most visited national park by far, it’s not always easy to find peace in Great Smoky Mountains National Park."
"Elkmont is a huge campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They have plenty of sites for tents and RVs. There is a camp store, showers, and restrooms."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"Rustic camping, with tons of wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Well cared for, nice staff. Beautiful hiking trails, convenient store with bike rentals and wildlife watching."
"**This campsite is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is one of the biggest and busiest."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"Our oldest rented a bell tent, and when I say they are the cutest camping spot, I am not exaggerating. The bell tents sit on the river and away from all the RV sites."
"We stayed 3 nights in the Baby Bear bell tent with our small children and it was perfect. We ended up arriving later than expected and the hosts were wonderful. Very nice and helpful our whole stay."
from $35 - $258 / night
"Dog park, laundry."
"Stayed hear as a family while traveling through the are on a road trip from northern Minnesota to North Carolina, years ago."
"When we first started going here it was a small family owned business and it has certainly changed since KOA took over but I think they’re all positive, just less of the charm."
"The Townsend KOA is located close to the entrance of Cades Cove. It has many rv, tent, and cabin sites. The sites on the river seem to be the best."
"We stayed here in order to visit both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Wheels Through Time museum."
"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."
"Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is an upscale campground located just minutes from Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The campground has several different types of accommodations."
"Glamping, cabins, airstreams…something for everyone! There are so many options for activities here to keep the whole family happy.
The bathrooms are really nice."
from $60 - $185 / night
"yea technically you are just outside of the great smoky mountain national park, but its so much fun here. Great spot to be on the NC side of the smokies."
"Located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is a private campground and has several types of camping opportunities. "
"Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina. Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy."
"Campground: Indian Creek Overall: This is a very nice, small, quiet commercial campground way off of the beaten path."
from $26 - $37 / night
"We paid extra to get the upgraded spot which included a picnic table, grill, and fire pit. The pool was closed, but it was storming the majority of our trip."
"Great location and the staff was friendly but that’s the pros."
from $51 - $171 / night
TravelerBeautiful spot in the smoky mountains. State park style amenities, no showers. No hookups. Very busy very open campground. Nice that some trails are walking distance from campground. I would not camp here again as I prefer more separation and privacy. No cell service. STARLINK is usable but obstructed with tree canopy
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.
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.
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.
GuideThis is our first time coming here. We booked online, which was simple The campground is very well kept. The sites aren’t any closer together than your average campground. It seems to me that the owners are conscientious about keeping everyone spaced out so you don’t have anyone right on top of you. (The campground was not full during our visit) The only con to this place is you don’t get to pick your site. It’s assigned to you. I will said that I asked specifically for a shady spot & they obliged me. (Very nice owners) Not all of the sites are level but hey, that’s was risers are for 🤷🏻♀️ We didn’t have any issues after a couple of well placed risers. Even though the highway is close you don’t notice the traffic noise. It’s very quiet at night. When you arrive & get checked in, someone escorts you to your site & helps get you backed in. They will pick up, fill & return your propane tanks. You just have to leave your tank @ the edge of your camp site. If you leave your trash at the edge of your site they pick it up for you. They will also deliver firewood as well as a fire pit if you don’t have one.
Glamping options near Great Smoky Mountains National Park range from premium canvas accommodations to retro camper rentals. The area sits at elevations between 875 and 6,643 feet, creating distinct camping microclimates that affect temperature and precipitation patterns throughout the year. Campgrounds often experience morning fog that burns off by midday, particularly in valley locations.
Tubing adventures: 1 mile from Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground, you can access Great Smoky Mountains National Park for longer floating experiences. "This campground is just one mile from the Great Smoky Mountains Park, where you can hike, fish and tube. This campground is just outside Bryson City, NC," writes Brett B.
Historical exploration: Visit Daisy Town ghost town near Elkmont Campground. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails. Follow the signs for additional parking and you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes," explains Jean C.
Cycling opportunities: Take advantage of car-free days at Cades Cove Campground. "On certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate. We took the entire family on the loop bike ride. This was so much fun," shares Jeremy H.
Private bathrooms: Greenbrier Campground offers exceptional facilities. "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower," notes Erin H.
Trolley access: Stay connected to town without driving from Camp LeConte. "They are right on the Trolley Route, just simply walk to the road and the Trolley will stop and pick you up," says Karen D.
Creekside camping: Enjoy waterfront sites at Indian Creek Campground. "Our backyard was the mountain and our front yard a creek where we could fish sitting right by our picnic table and fire ring. The campground is clean and our hosts/owners were very friendly and helpful," explains Vickie P.
Reservation planning: Secure spots early at Elkmont Campground, particularly during peak seasons. "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. Is usually very crowed year round (especially during firefly season), but there is plenty of space between the campsites," observes Tyler M.
Wildlife awareness: Black bears are common in Cades Cove. "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. 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.
Connectivity limitations: Signal varies by location. "NO ATT service and Wi-Fi spotty and slow except when in pavilion. If connectivity is important (and it legitimately can be), this might not be the place for you," notes Steve G. about Indian Creek Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Townsend-Great Smokies KOA offers multiple recreation options. "Super clean, friendly staff, great camp sites. I love the patio sites. Great access to the river for tubing!" comments Addy.
Playground options: Multiple play areas at Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA keep children entertained. "All kinds of stuff for the kids. Two pools, jump pillow and pad, banana bikes, play ground and three ponds for fishing," shares Robbie T.
Swimming opportunities: Natural water features provide cooling options. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults," explains Elizabeth B. about Greenbrier Campground.
Site selection: Book premium locations at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort for the best experience. "We stayed on a riverfront site A30 in the A loop. Our site was pretty, right on the water. However, there is a A LOT of road noise coming from the other side of the little river at all hours of the day and night. The C loop on the other side of the campground for riverfront sites may be farther off the road a little quieter," advises Mrs B.
Level sites: Concrete pads available at Camp LeConte. "Clean and well kept. Small campground but all sites are cement pads. Pricing is great being very close to downtown and trolley rides are available," notes Rita.
Glamping alternatives: Options beyond traditional RVs. "Little arrow outdoor resort was an awesome Campground. we really enjoyed our time there, the staff was great very friendly. There was a lot to do there for everyone in the family," reports GeriAnn H. about the glamping Smoky Mountains resort that offers luxury accommodations for those without RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 128 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 98 glamping camping locations near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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