Andersonville campgrounds typically receive 45-50 inches of rainfall annually with average summer highs reaching 85-90°F. Most camping areas sit between 900-1,100 feet elevation along the Clinch River watershed. Cell service maps show frequent signal gaps in valley areas, particularly for carriers other than Verizon.
What to do
Water activities: Fishing from shore at Southlake RV Park gives campers access to Fort Loudon Lake. "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 Nate H. The tent camping area offers easy water access with minimal hiking.
Dog-friendly exercise areas: Several parks maintain fenced dog runs with varying sizes and terrain. "Raccoon Valley RV park is literally just an RV park. The park was very clean and well maintained... The park has a large laundry facility, and a dog park for people traveling/camping with pets," reports Lori H. These areas provide safe exercise options away from wildlife and trail restrictions.
Bluegrass events: Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park hosts seasonal music festivals. "We came in for the first night, the exceptionally great rate per night... will be returning next year for the bluegrass festival. Also love the quiet kicked back vibe that this place offers," shared Shannon P. The site includes a pavilion with tables and chairs for communal gatherings during events.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained bathhouses: Anchor Down RV Resort receives consistent praise for facility cleanliness. "The Amenities - Bath House, restrooms and laundry are the finest I have ever encountered. Shower areas are large enough for families with young ones to be together with wet, dry, sink and commode area all in one room," states Barbara P. Many campgrounds struggle with bathroom maintenance during peak season.
Level concrete pads: Site preparation varies significantly between parks. "Beautiful views from all campsites, level concrete pads for easy set up. Each site has plenty of room on both sides," explains Sarah R. Concrete pads remain stable during heavy rainfall when gravel sites often develop depressions.
Proximity to attractions: Creekside RV Park positions campers near Pigeon Forge activities. "This campground is easy access from the main town of pigeon forge. Gravel sites with a concrete pad for picnic table," notes Grey S. The location balances access to attractions while maintaining distance from traffic congestion.
What you should know
Varying site privacy: Parks range from open layouts to separated sites. "We love the fact that there is trees between campers so it doesn't feel like your camping on top one another," Amanda F. comments about Up the Creek RV Camp. Site dimensions and separation become particularly important during holiday weekends when parks reach capacity.
Winter accessibility: Some campgrounds maintain year-round operations with reduced services. "We visited in mid October," reports David H. The seasonal operation schedules vary significantly, with some parks closing entirely from December through February.
Road noise considerations: Location relative to highways impacts sound levels. "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," warns Lorena B. Sites furthest from main roads typically cost more but provide better sleeping conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: River Plantation RV Resort offers numerous recreation options. "They have so much for the kids to do, full court basketball, tennis courts, battle ball, arcade room, and pool. Also next door to a ropes corse and close to pigeon forge," explains Nick C. Family-focused campgrounds typically maintain structured activity schedules during summer months.
Playground access: Facilities range from basic to elaborate. "Has a good playground we used thoroughly. (Also a pool but too cold for us to use)," notes Lawrence Robert T. The playground equipment condition varies significantly between parks, with some maintaining modern equipment while others use older metal structures.
Reservation timing: Peak family travel periods require advance planning. "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," suggests Beth H. Family-friendly sites with amenities often book 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Consider factors beyond hook-up availability. "Sites on the back section near creek bed are beautiful. Full hook ups. Kind office staff," advises Tracey S. Many rv parks near Andersonville, Tennessee offer maps showing site dimensions and features not visible during online booking.
Leveling requirements: Ground conditions impact set-up time. "Sites are not well developed with power and sewer in odd places. Monthly rentals and not well kept," warns Chuck W. Bringing additional leveling blocks remains essential even at parks advertising level sites.
Campground internet limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between rv parks around Andersonville. "The advertised wifi doesn't reach the campsites though so don't depend on it and when I connected at laundry to test it was like a 1/1Mbps speed. Cell Data signal isn't great here either," cautions Josh J. Many campers supplement park wifi with personal hotspots or signal boosters.
