Best Campgrounds near Alcoa, TN

Alcoa is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Alcoa campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Alcoa, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Alcoa, Tennessee (446)

    1. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."

    "We camped in the middle of a hot sticky Tennessee summer and felt just fine in all of the shade."

    2. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    "We stayed 3 nights so we could hike the surrounding trails! Loved learning about the history of the area while checking out the old cabins."

    3. Southlake RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Rockford, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 573-1837

    $28 - $38 / night

    "The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve. We booked tent site 7 but when we got there someone was fishing off the point where our campsite was supposed to be."

    "Our site us overlooking the lake and the view is beautiful. Close to downtown and the mountains. Only downfall is very spotty wifi in some areas."

    4. Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    24 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water."

    "Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc."

    5. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

    28 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-2241

    "The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."

    "Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."

    6. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    55 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."

    "Close to everything, right in the heart of pigeon forge. Best bath houses we’ve ever been too, all other reviews were spot on!"

    7. Cades Cove Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    27 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $50 - $94 / night

    "There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."

    "I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."

    8. Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    29 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 361-0436

    $18 - $31 / night

    "We really enjoyed Milton Hill dam, very friendly people , well stocked store, easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them."

    "We made a last minute trip to Melton Hill that was very conveniently located just outside of Knoxville. The campsite offers several options for camping along the water or in the woods."

    9. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

    22 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-6363

    $60 - $185 / night

    "It’s right outside one of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains and about 20 minutes from Cades Cove."

    "Close to Cades Cove and right at the entrance to Smokey Mountains National Park. Just cant say enough good things about it."

    10. Yarberry Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 986-3993

    "Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."

    "We rented a pontoon boat for four hours and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend this campground if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger campgrounds."

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Recent Reviews near Alcoa, TN

2187 Reviews of 446 Alcoa Campgrounds


  • Sarah and Philip H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Knoxville Campground

    Great Pass through Campground not for staying long term

    Location was great to get to lots of things but campsites are very tight and no room for an actual camping feel.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Yarberry Campground

    Beautiful views

    Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it.

  • B
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    beautiful and peaceful

    It was perfect weekend getaway, the camp ground wasn’t full, bathrooms clean, the camp ground was clean. The sites along the water were amazing, and the sites were level.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Forever a Special Place

    I have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.


Guide to Alcoa

Camping near Alcoa, Tennessee, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various outdoor activities. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the nearby rivers and streams. A reviewer at Smokemont Campground noted, "I saw some elk that reluctantly budged from the trail," highlighting the area's rich wildlife.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. One happy camper at Greenbrier Campground said, "Absolutely stunning campground! My young family of six were instantly impressed."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Bandy Creek Campground remarked, "Clean bathrooms were a short walk away and had ample hot water for showers."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Anchor Down RV Resort offer plenty of activities for kids. One reviewer mentioned, "There is so much to do with the water activities and on-site that you could get away without a car."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Elkmont Campground noted, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many areas. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, "No cell service with T-Mobile, so have a good book."
  • Bear Awareness: Campers should be cautious about wildlife, especially bears. A reviewer at Frozen Head State Park Campground warned, "Watch for copperheads!!! There are lots at this park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed, "The sites are clean and spacious enough for our 31' TT and truck."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. One camper at Cades Cove Campground said, "The store was convenient and awesome proximity when we biked the loop."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outdoor activities. A visitor at Cosby Campground mentioned, "It was a clean and decent campground," making it a great spot to refuel.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, "The sites are tight for our 45 ft bus."
  • Use Amenities: Take advantage of the campground facilities. A camper at Bandy Creek Campground said, "Great amenities, Great sites, Great Park!! No complaints!!"
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, "Dump Station: Yes," which can be helpful for RVers.

Camping near Alcoa, Tennessee, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What tent camping facilities are available near Alcoa?

Tent campers near Alcoa can enjoy several excellent options within the Great Smoky Mountains region. Deep Creek Campground offers peaceful tent sites along the creek with nearby hiking trails and waterfall access. It's located just minutes from Bryson City's amenities while still providing a natural camping experience. Citico Creek Area provides more primitive tent camping with sites adjacent to the creek, perfect for those seeking a more rustic experience. Many tent sites in the region offer fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby restroom facilities. For dispersed camping options, Starr Mountain Area provides a more adventurous experience. Most tent campgrounds in the Alcoa vicinity maintain a good balance of accessibility and natural immersion, making them ideal for weekend getaways.

Are there RV-friendly camping options in Alcoa?

RV campers near Alcoa have several excellent options. Anchor Down RV Resort offers premium RV camping on Douglas Lake with stunning Smoky Mountain views and is just a 30-minute drive from Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge attractions. Little River Campground & RV Resort is another gem for RV camping, featuring river access across a small bridge. Most RV parks in the area provide full hookups, spacious sites, and convenient access to popular tourist destinations. Many resorts also offer amenities like WiFi, laundry facilities, and camp stores. For those seeking a balance between natural surroundings and modern conveniences, these RV-friendly campgrounds make an excellent base for exploring eastern Tennessee.

What are the best campgrounds near Alcoa, Tennessee?

Alcoa is ideally situated near several excellent campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains region. Cades Cove Campground offers a convenient base for exploring the historic Cades Cove area with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Elkmont Campground provides beautiful riverside sites perfect for relaxation and is conveniently located near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions. Other notable options include Tuckaleechee Campground with its charming river setting and Little Arrow Outdoor Resort near Townsend. The area boasts a mix of national park campgrounds with basic amenities and private resorts with more luxurious facilities, making it easy to find accommodations that match your preferred camping style within a short drive of Alcoa.