Many RV campgrounds near Alcoa, Tennessee sit along riverfront properties with access to the Great Smoky Mountains. The terrain throughout the area varies from level valley floors to hilly landscapes, with several campgrounds positioned along waterways like the Little River and Douglas Lake. Fall camping brings temperature fluctuations, with overnight lows dipping into the 40s while daytime highs remain comfortable in the 60s-70s.
What to Do
Creek exploration: At Little River Campground & RV Resort, visitors wade directly from their campsites. "The tent spots towards the point are apparently very close to the hwy and morning commute traffic was pretty loud. It is probably not near as loud on the weekends but we stayed Sun night so heard Mon morning commute traffic," notes one camper about nearby Southlake RV Park's waterfront access.
Basketball and recreation: River Plantation RV Resort offers multiple athletic courts on-site. "Kid tested, parent approved. Had a blast here! They have so much for the kids to do, full court basketball, tennis courts, battle ball, arcade room, and pool," writes one visitor.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds provide bank fishing opportunities within walking distance of campsites. "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," shares a Southlake RV Park visitor.
Public transportation: Some campgrounds connect to area attractions via local transit. "Location was super convenient (city transit goes right through the CG every hour," explains one camper about Creekside RV Park's accessibility to Pigeon Forge.
What Campers Like
Privacy options: Campgrounds offer varying levels of site separation. "Up the Creek RV Camp is a small, quiet campground just outside the craziness of Pigeon Forge. There are no real amenities, so you need a self contained camper. It is dog friendly, clean and has many creek side sites," reports one reviewer.
Concrete pads: Newer sites at several properties provide stable, level camping surfaces. "The sites are level and the people super friendly. The pool and church services were an added bonus. With it being 4th of July the owners hosted a cook out with some awesome food," mentions a Riveredge RV Park visitor.
Proximity to attractions: Many parks balance convenience with natural settings. "This is our first RV trip and we couldn't have picked a better place to stay! The RV Resort is very clean and very well kept. Everyone was nice and friendly," notes a River Plantation RV Resort camper.
Bathhouse quality: Clean, modern facilities receive consistent praise. "The bathhouse is seriously impressive and is, by far, the nicest campground bathhouse I've ever used! One of my favorite features was random and I never knew I was missing it in my life until now... the bathrooms have strong AC pumping right into each bathroom," explains a visitor to Little River Campground & RV Resort.
What You Should Know
Site spacing challenges: Many RV parks feature tight configurations that limit privacy. "The sites are very tight for bigger rigs and the sites are very close together. We stayed multiple days and we had to cut our trip short by two days," reports a Little River Campground visitor.
Reservation policies: Demand often exceeds availability at popular campgrounds. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list instead of releasing the dates on the website!" advises a visitor to Anchor Down RV Resort.
Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds operate limited schedules. "The camp store has firewood and a few essentials, but they don't sell propane. We got ours filled at the Tractor Supply in Alcoa, TN nearby," notes a camper regarding off-season preparation.
Highway noise: Road proximity affects sound levels at certain sites. "The spots along the fence line are HORRIBLE! The road noise is awful and there's construction on the other side of the road that begins in the early morning and lasts till late afternoon. Leaving your windows open to enjoy the fresh air is NOT an option!" warns a Creekside RV Park visitor.
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature water recreation options beyond basic swimming. "We had a site C1, which is directly across from the restrooms/showers. Partial shade, nice little deck. Convenient water and electricity hookups, good WiFi," notes a camper about Southlake RV Park's family-friendly setup.
Playground access: Check for age-appropriate equipment before booking. "This is a very relaxing "adult" campground. Easy to get into spots with nice picnic tables, concrete patio, and small fire pit," explains a visitor to Up the Creek RV Camp, highlighting its adult-oriented atmosphere.
Tent camping limitations: Many parks prioritize RV sites over tent camping. "Was put in a parking lot in the middle of the park with no privacy or anything. Campground felt more like a trailer park, because it was overcrowded and had many people actually living there full time. There was no fire pit or place to cook food," reports a tent camper at Southlake RV Park.
Activity programs: Some campgrounds offer scheduled recreation. "They had crafts and hayrides while we were here. Wifi is free but not great. Verizon cell service was good enough at 3 bars the whole time," shares a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Uneven hookup placement: Utility connections sometimes require additional equipment. "The spots are level and the hookups worked like they were supposed to, and we had zero problems. We went there to escape the crowds and enjoy the Smokies. We got exactly what we wanted," explains a visitor to Riveredge RV Park.
Laundry facilities: On-site laundromats vary in availability and capacity. "Beautiful campground with concrete sites, fire pits, waterslide. Tucked in the mountains just outside of town. Small stream running through the back of the campground. Beautiful sites," reports a Pigeon Forge RV Resort visitor.
Internet reliability: Signal strength fluctuates across properties. "The only downside of our stay was there wasn't much shade. They have planted trees so in the future it'll be very nice with shade, but there's only shade on the outside lots of the property. The lot itself is so easy to connect to electric, waste, and water," notes a Pigeon Forge Landing visitor.
Trolley service: Public transit stops at select campgrounds. "Very friendly front desk staff, quick easy check in. Bathrooms spotless. Great location on the trolley route (trolley stops right in the resort by the pool). Sites are a little cramped. Wi-Fi poor, good enough only for text emails," explains a Riveredge RV Park guest.
