Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Pigeon Forge, near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a family-oriented campground that aims to provide a fun-filled experience for all ages. With a range of accommodations including tents, RVs, cabins, and even glamping options, there’s something for everyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground features a pool for those hot summer days, although some visitors have mentioned it can get crowded. Many appreciate the friendly staff and clean grounds, which help create a welcoming atmosphere. As one camper noted, “The staff is friendly and the grounds are kept very clean.” 

For those eager to explore, the location is convenient for accessing nearby attractions in Pigeon Forge, including amusement parks and outdoor activities. While some campers have pointed out that the sites can feel a bit cramped, the variety of activities available can keep families entertained. Just be prepared for a lively environment, as the campground can get busy during peak times.

Bear Cove Village

Some of the best camping in Tennessee is near Pigeon Forge, TN, surrounded by the magical Smoky Mountains. There's something for every kind of camper ⁠— backpackers, tourists, RVers, and boaters. With a variety of campgrounds and cabin rentals, amenities can range from very rustic to resort-style with heated pools. You can even get a glimpse of life in the 1800s with a stay in a covered wagon. Pigeon Forge is a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The park is home to historic Southern Appalachian cultural sites, diverse animal and plant life, waterfalls and old-growth forests, and many miles of trails for hikers of all levels.

Pigeon Forge

The Best Camping Near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

We stayed just over a week. The staff is friendly and the grounds are kept very clean. Very family friendly.

Friendly Staff, clean grounds

Very close to downtown Sevierville Tennessee and Dolly Parton’s Amusement park. With pay shuttles to and from the Ryman theater and the Grand Ole Oprey. 
The camp is like a parking lot with one or two trees as a separation from your neighbor. Overall, a good place to park for the weekend and enjoy the sites 

A bit cramped 

We booked a glamping tent here for 2 nights. I paid the reservation in full at booking. When we arrived, I was advised that we still owed$33 for the reservation? I pulled the email from the reservation and it only had a link to access it. It was changed when I accessed it at the desk. It's not a lot of money but we were on a budget and it is about the principle. We had stayed here before in our RV and we enjoyed it. Tents were fun, far from bath house, need a parking area at bath house so families can park there. We will not return.

Glamping tents

This was our second stay.  It was not as great of a stay as it was in 2018.  They have cleared out a lot of the old permanent campers but still have some full timers.  Thankfully they are in one section separate from tourists.  The sites are small and cramped.  Great if you are just parking your camper and heading out which is what we did a lot.   It is not a sit outside and relax kind of campground.  Pool 1 had trash around it the entire stay even tho they were supposedly cleaning hourly for Covid.  There weren’t very many actual kid activities like they posted there would be.  They post on their social media quite often but neglected to mention their laundry facility was down.  We always wash midweek.  Was told a couple days in a row they were waiting on UPS finally they told us that it’s been down for 3 weeks.  They could have posted that and we would have been prepared!  Had to go to a sketchy nearby laundromat to get through vacation.  Will find another campground if we return to the smokies with our camper!  

Not what we remembered 

I have it three instead of two simply because they have numerous activities (we didn’t have time to participate) and the location is convenient. This will not be a campground we return to though. They insisted that I have them help back in, but sent someone that was his first day on the job, I finally had my son (who normally helps me just fine) get out and direct me. There is no telling how long I would have tried with this man’s help. The camp road is approximately 30 feet wide, which sounds good, except the sites are so small, you have to park halfway in the road, so both sides are lined with trucks/SUVS. The photos are the right squeeze when we pulled out. Once you are in your site, you only have about 20 feet of space before you are standing in the next site. I have never stayed in such a tightly packed campground. KOA is just down the road and looked like a much better bet. 

Extremely packed

These sites are right on top of each other. We had limited space and literally had people next to us that were so loud. The laundry was closed, a park was closed, jumping pillow was deflated, and activities were  canceled. We were very disappointed and wish we would have found another place.

Try another place

Campground did not follow advertised online information. No escort to spot, no dog park, no food delivery, just to name a few. It also appears that with the volume of rules you are required to comply with, your camp sites of individuals staying annually should also have to follow. Sites 64, 99 and 102 were a real disappointment to see each day when leaving. The camp spots were so small to be able to park our single vehicle. We were overall disappointed and our bi annual stay in the area, will  not include Jellystone.

Not as advertised. Disappointed!!

Booked a place to stay for vacation and ended up having to cancel in enough time for a refund. They said they would do a full refund wait 10-15 business days. Waited the time frame and no deposit was made. Ended up calling and they told us to email someone, emailed said person and haven’t heard anything. Careful if you might end up canceling cuz they will take your money. Just seen another post where the same thing happened with someone.

They don’t refund money back 

Very tiny cabin,  grass overgrown, far distance from pool. We paid in advance for 2 nights but checked out after 2 hours. Very gross, unkept. Because it’s pigeon forge I expected it to be good but it’s disgusting. The videos of JellystonePark show trampolines and water park like activities but this park had one small pool with no parking. Even my kids wanted to leave. Do not go here it is a Huge disappointment!

Photos of Bear Cove Village

Real photos from real campers