Alcoa, Tennessee serves as a departure point for numerous camping areas within the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains region. Most campgrounds in this vicinity sit between 800-1,500 feet elevation, with temperatures averaging 75-85°F in summer months and 35-45°F in winter. Late spring through early fall represents the primary camping season, though several campgrounds maintain year-round availability with reduced services during colder months.
What to do
Bike the Cades Cove loop: Available on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when the road closes to vehicles. Cades Cove Campground offers on-site bike rentals. "We rented bikes on site, perfect day. We also did longer hikes in the area. Stayed here for 4 days as a basecamp, just a great wooded site," shares one visitor.
Historic building exploration: Walkable access to preserved mountain homes, churches and mills from the 1800s. "Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest," notes a camper at Cades Cove.
Lake activities: Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding at Yarberry Campground on Tellico Lake. "The swimming area is in a great spot with a sandy beach. There are also other areas around the campground where you could enter the water with floats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc. They also rent all of those things."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning or evening drives through designated wildlife areas. "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," reports one camper at Cades Cove.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Elkmont Campground offers woodland spacing between campers. "It was a compact site; the location of the picnic table between the tent and fire ring made it a challenge to set up a screen house over the picnic table and maintain sufficient distance from the fire."
Waterfront camping options: Direct river or lake access from tent sites at multiple campgrounds. "If you are wanting to fish the bank or even put in kayaks this spot is money. The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve," notes a visitor to Southlake RV Park.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Bathrooms are basic, no frills, but clean; The one in the A loop didn't even have an outlet or hand dryer," reports a camper at Elkmont.
Ranger presence: Regular patrols and helpful staff at national park campgrounds. "Very strict rules regarding food storage and park has managed to control bears and raccoons," mentions one Elkmont visitor about the staff enforcement of safety protocols.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. For Abrams Creek Campground, "Make sure you make reservations BEFORE setting out there. Way off the beaten path and reservations can ONLY be made online. No cell service no internet for at least ten miles away from camp."
Shower availability: Limited at national park campgrounds. "There's cold running water, flush toilets, and a dishwashing station available, but no showers or hookups. If you ask at the visitor's center, they'll provide you with a list of area campgrounds that allow you to take a shower for $3-7."
Generator policies: Vary significantly between campgrounds. Some prohibit them entirely, while others designate specific loops. "I was on a loop that allowed generators but very few were in use," reports a camper at Elkmont.
Cell service limitations: Reception can be poor to nonexistent at many campgrounds. "No cell service for Verizon and none for many miles on the drive to the site," notes a visitor to Cades Cove Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort offers modern play areas. "The playground is beautiful and the kids loved it. There is a community firepit with rocking chairs around it, and it looks like it came out of a Martha Stewart magazine."
Swimming options: Some campgrounds provide dedicated swim areas with supervision. "The day use area is nice, with a roped off swimming area, kayak rentals, picnic tables, a basketball court, etc. there's also a boat launch for boats," reports a camper at Yarberry.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events at some private campgrounds. "They always have activities for kids and adults. Food trucks and coffee trucks are usually there," notes a visitor to Little Arrow.
Space for group activities: Designated group camping areas available. "The group site was great! There was only 20 people allowed at the site but could've held 40. It poured rain all weekend so we made a tarp city and squeezed all of our tents together."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare with blocks at certain campgrounds. "Sites are not well developed with power and sewer in odd places. Monthly rentals and not well kept," warns a visitor to Southlake RV Park.
Premium waterfront options: Townsend Great Smokies KOA offers premium waterfront sites. "Spacious and on the river. Close to the biking trails and Cades cove. Spots are clean, fire pits are great, well maintained pavers patio and nicely landscaped."
Hookup availability: Varies significantly across campgrounds. "We had a great pull thru spot (D2) for our one night stay. We stayed one night as a halfway point on the way up and then again on the way back," reports a camper at Southlake RV Park.
Long-term stay policies: Some campgrounds accommodate extended stays. "Even though its a small campground, we were able to get a site, but I've hiked through in the middle of summer with no availability. Its cozy enough you want to go meet your camping neighbors."
