23 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Afton, Tennessee and its surrounding areas provide multiple campground options ranging from developed facilities to riverside sites. Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground offers full hookup sites for both tents and RVs along the Nolichucky River, with access to hiking trails, a swimming pool, and historical attractions. Other notable facilities include Horse Creek Recreation Area, which provides more primitive camping experiences, and Lazy Llama Campground, situated on a working llama farm with 42 sites. For those seeking cabin accommodations, Big Oak Family Farm and Nolichucky Gorge Campground provide options beyond traditional tent and RV camping.
Camping in this region is generally available year-round at facilities like Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, though some sites like Horse Creek Recreation Area operate seasonally from May to October. Many campgrounds provide amenities including bathhouses, electric hookups, and water access, though availability varies by location. Road access to some areas requires careful navigation through the rolling East Tennessee countryside with hills and turns. As one visitor noted, "The drive to the site is off the main road with hills and turns but with the scenery along the way, you won't mind."
Riverside camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Afton area. The Nolichucky River provides both scenic views and recreational opportunities, with multiple campgrounds situated along its banks. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere as a highlight of their experience. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "We had an excellent time at Davy Crockett Birthplace. Very clean facilities. Friendly staff and quick check-in." While some campgrounds like Lazy Llama are described as "small, cozy" with good Wi-Fi connections, others offer more natural settings with fewer amenities. For families, several reviewers note that Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park provides kid-friendly activities including playgrounds, historical demonstrations, and access to the river, though swimming is not recommended in the Nolichucky due to dangerous conditions.
"Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."
"The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."
from $14 - $32 / night
"Conveniently located close to highway 81 and town!"
"Even though it's very close to the interstate, it was very quiet. We had a full hook up site, relatively level. It had a picnic table and fire ring."
"With mountains in the distance and the constant rush of the French Broad River, the setting is awesome. Even the occasional train whistle gives me a feeling of nostalgia and of simple days."
"The bathhouse (clean private showers and private bathrooms) was a 1/4 mile walk from our spot, but a Porta John was close by. Our particular spot had a lot of shade and easy access to the river."
"Having both RV and tent campgrounds, each with large fire pits and lantern stands, this peaceful creekside setting lies just beyond low mountain farms in the northern part of Greene County Tennessee."
"Nice trails."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
"Did a couple of days at Around the Pond Campground in Greenville Tennessee.( mtns.) It was a awesome trip with our friends Ronni Herold& Dean."
"Close to highway."
"Very close to many trails. Clean showers and bathrooms. Loved it."
"Came to stay at this campground because we wanted to do some hiking nearby that we haven't done in FOREVER!"
from $75 / night
from $48 - $52 / night
"Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."
"This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."
from $95 - $129 / night
"Good trails along the rolling hills and creeks. Very simple rustic site with very little facilities. Pros: very wooded and private large campsites, babbling creek, outhouses."
from $7 / night
ScoutNobody was here on Sat. Had gard time finding site. Site reserved did not have 30 amp and could not reach staff. Moved to other site hoping it would not be a problem. We were able to finally reach staff on Mon. Also no pcknick tables or fire rings.
ScoutNice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
Traveler✨ I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about our stay at Glamping on the Clinch River!❤️ It was truly one of the most relaxing, beautiful experiences, and waking up to such a breathtaking piece of God’s creation was something special that I will never forget. The views are absolutely stunning, the peacefulness is unmatched, and it’s the perfect place to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the beauty God has blessed us with.🙏🏻🤍 But what makes this place even more special is the incredible family behind it. Bonnie and Rusty are truly two of the sweetest, most generous, and kindhearted people you could ever meet! Their hospitality goes above and beyond, and you can feel the love they put into making sure every guest has the most wonderful experience. From preparing breakfast for their guests to the thoughtful little touches like making s’mores around the outdoor campfire, they make you feel so welcomed and cared for.❤️🔥 The tipi itself was absolutely beautiful, exceptionally clean, and decorated so thoughtfully to create the perfect glamping experience. Every detail made our stay feel cozy, comfortable, and magical while still allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.🏕️✨ Places like this are a reminder that sometimes the best experiences aren’t about fancy hotels or extravagant vacations. They’re about beautiful surroundings, genuine kindness, peaceful moments, and the wonderful people who make you feel right at home. If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and hosted by people with truly golden hearts, you NEED to experience Glamping on the Clinch River! I would recommend it a thousand times over, and we are so grateful we had the opportunity to stay here. Bonnie and Rusty, thank you for sharing your beautiful place with others and for making our experience so incredibly special. You two are such a blessing!❤️🙏🏻 We will absolutely cherish these memories and hope to be back again soon!🌿🤍✨
TravelerAbsolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
ScoutLet me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
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.
Traveler3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
TravelerThis campground has a great location in maggie valley, close to Waynesville with plenty to do in close proximity. While it is a traditional campground, they have very competitive rates for weekly and monthly stays. For us its the perfect getaway destination for the summers and fall. The staff is super welcomming and friendly. You find a cute creek on the backside of of the campground with trout as some fisherman told me. The staff takes pride in all the flowers, landscaping and seasonal decorations. Also nice to know is you are not being looked down to with an older camper. As long as your rig is decent and functional you are admitted.
ScoutLovely spot on the river. Freeway was loud but not too bad.
The Afton area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the rolling hills of East Tennessee, where Cherokee National Forest borders agricultural land along the Nolichucky River watershed. Campsite options near Afton, Tennessee range from primitive forest settings to working farms, with most locations experiencing mild spring and fall temperatures but humid summer conditions. Winter camping remains viable at lower elevations though nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
Hiking opportunities: Access the Appalachian Trail from Hot Springs Campground, located about 30 miles from Afton. "Walking distance to trails and town. Spa with hot spring hot tubs across the street," notes Karen P. The campground provides an excellent base for day hiking sections of the AT.
Fishing access: Cast a line at Around Pond RV Park, which maintains a two-acre stocked fishing pond. "Cute pond with swans and ducks," reports Ben P. The small water body offers easy access fishing without requiring a boat or specialized equipment.
Historical exploration: Discover frontier history at Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground, where interpretive programs run regularly. "There is a museum on the property where you can learn lots about the history of this famous Tennessean for which the campsite and park were named," shares Richard W. The park includes cabin replicas and historical demonstrations during peak season.
Riverside relaxation: Sites along the French Broad River at Hot Springs Campground offer direct water access. "We have spent many great times at Hot Springs camp grounds! Can play on the French broad river and then take a soak in the hot mineral tubs," says Grant D.
Private wooded sites: Old Forge Recreation Area provides secluded tent camping in a forest setting. "Very wooded and private large campsites, babbling creek, outhouses," reports Justin S. The primitive campground lacks hookups but compensates with natural isolation.
Water recreation: The Nolichucky River at Nolichucky Gorge Campground supports multiple water activities. "The water levels are perfect for floating around and playing in the river. There's even a little path you can take a tube up and float back down," explains Kara P. The campground provides tubes for river floating, and a rafting center operates nearby.
Terrain challenges: Some campsites require carrying gear from parking areas. At Horse Creek Recreation Area, "When it says the sites are 'walk-in', it does not mean you can drive near your site and walk over into it. It means you have to park in a parking lot and haul your stuff up to 200 or 300 yards away along a trail over bridge," cautions Jeff B.
Seasonal operation: While Davy Crockett remains open year-round, Horse Creek Recreation Area operates only from May to October. Old Forge Recreation Area follows a similar seasonal schedule, opening in April and closing in October.
Size limitations: RV length restrictions apply at several campgrounds near Afton. Nolichucky Gorge Campground has "Nice gravel pads that will not accommodate anything much longer than 35'," according to Andrew W.
Educational activities: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park offers historical programming ideal for children. "There's also a sweet man who gives tours of the replica farm of David Crocket.. in character and costume," shares Rebecca M.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation for children. "Nice camp grounds with full amenities. Have stayed here at least 2 X per year the last several years. Restrooms/Bathhouses are always clean. This is a small Park, but they always have something going on in season," Robert L. says about Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park.
Kid-friendly layouts: Baileyton KOA offers designated play areas. "This place is very kid-friendly yet quiet! Pool is salt-water so no chlorine smell. Playground is away from most camp sites and has a tire swing and small set up," notes D.S.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for uneven sites at several campgrounds. At Baileyton KOA, visitors note: "We stayed in a pull through site and it was not very level (we had planned to not even unhook from the truck but had too bc of this)," shares Beth H.
Hookup availability: Full service options vary significantly between campgrounds. Around Pond RV Park provides "Full hook up pull through. Site was gravel and completely level," according to Peter K., who paid $39 per night.
Off-season access: RVers seeking winter camping options should focus on Baileyton KOA Holiday and Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, both operating year-round. "We were there in December when the weather was chilly and practically had the place to ourselves," reports Gregg G. about Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Afton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Afton, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 381 campgrounds and RV parks near Afton, TN and 15 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Afton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Afton, TN is Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Afton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Afton, TN.
What parks are near Afton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Afton, TN that allow camping, notably Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest.
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