Glamping near Athens, Tennessee offers diverse overnight options for outdoor enthusiasts within the Cherokee National Forest region. The area sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the year. Most glamping facilities maintain seasonal operations due to the region's temperature fluctuations, with winter lows regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The Benton Falls trail at Chilhowee Recreation Area offers a moderate 3-mile round trip hike with significant payoff. "Fairly easy trail to see beautiful waterfall. Pet friendly," notes one visitor who appreciated the accessibility and natural beauty.
Biking on closed roads: Cades Cove provides dedicated days for cyclists at Cades Cove Campground. "On certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate," explains a camper who took their entire family on this activity.
Water recreation: For those who prefer water activities, local lakes provide options for swimming, fishing and boating. "There is a lake for paddling, swimming, or fishing. For those who like to hike, there is a trail around the lake. One can also use this trail for bike riding," reports a visitor to Indian Boundary, highlighting the multi-use recreation areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and showers frequently receive positive mentions from visitors to glamping sites. At Sweetwater KOA, "The bathrooms were nice, kept clean, and the showers were great," according to a full-time traveler who appreciated the maintenance standards during their November stay.
Wildlife viewing: The mountain setting provides opportunities for animal sightings. "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 pretty amazing experience," reports a visitor to Cades Cove who enjoyed the natural encounters.
Level camping sites: Bluewater Resort & RV Campground receives praise for its site construction. "Campground sites are level and concrete. Power sources 30 and 50 Amp are available," notes a repeat visitor who has watched the campground develop over years.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some glamping locations requires careful driving. Chilhowee campground warns about the approach: "To get to this campground you have to go up a steep narrow windy mountain road," explains a visitor who found the challenging drive worth the effort.
Booking requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!" advises a camper about securing spots at the most sought-after locations.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between glamping sites in the region. "There is no WiFi or AT&T cellular signal in this park. However, if you drive to any of the scenic overlooks just outside the park, you will get AT&T LTE signal," reports a July visitor to Chilhowee who found workarounds for staying connected.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Facilities with multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "Swimming pool, fishing pond, playground, jump pad. We don't have pets, but there is a small dog park area. Lots of planned weekend activities," notes a Sweetwater KOA visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Campground selection: Consider noise levels when choosing where to stay with children. "Loops A&B are closest to the lake and looked great for groups, or folks with kids. Loops E&F were a bit more secluded, and better fit for couples, dogs that don't like a lot of passersby, or people that generally want to keep more to themselves," advises a visitor to Chilhowee who carefully evaluated the different camping areas.
Educational opportunities: Indian Boundary provides learning experiences alongside outdoor recreation. "There are restroom facilities with hot water showers. There's a lake with a sandy area, and a beautiful mountain range to enjoy. It's my favorite camping spot!" shares a visitor who has been bringing their family to this location for years.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Water access varies between sites. "The RV sites do not have water hook-ups at each site. There is a water hook up to fill your tank as you enter the campsite area. Fill your tank and you are good to go," advises a Nathan G. about Chilhowee's setup.
Site dimensions: Some locations present challenges for larger vehicles. "The roads in the campground are narrow and again, some of the turns are sharp when pulling a trailer. There is only one dump station and it's on the other side of the campground. From the B loop, you have to traverse about a 120 degree switchback to get to it," explains a recent visitor to Chilhowee who navigated the tight turns with a 25-foot travel trailer.
Amenities worth noting: Adventures Unlimited Campground offers a unique combination of facilities. "The campground offers full hook up RV Sites, Cabins, Tent sites. For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball," reports a visitor who appreciated the recreational options alongside camping.
