Camping in the Del Rio area of Tennessee includes both primitive and developed options, with sites set among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Round Mountain Campground, located in Del Rio, offers rustic tent and RV camping from April to November in a secluded forest setting. Other nearby options include Long Creek Haven with riverside sites and Fox Fire Riverside Campground along the Pigeon River in Hartford, about 15 minutes from Del Rio. The region encompasses both National Forest and National Park lands with varying levels of development.
The camping season typically runs from spring through fall, with most developed campgrounds closing for winter. Round Mountain Campground features basic amenities with vault toilets but no drinking water, making it suitable for self-sufficient campers. Many visitors note the rustic nature of camping in this area, particularly at the National Forest sites. Water levels on the Pigeon River can fluctuate significantly due to controlled releases from nearby dams, particularly affecting riverside campgrounds. A camper noted, "Very primitive campground but great for a night's stay while exploring the Pisgah National Forest."
Several visitors highlight the tranquility of camping in the Del Rio area, particularly at Round Mountain where the forested setting creates a secluded experience. One visitor described it as "very cool, rustic, and secluded" while noting its convenient location just a few miles from panoramic views at Max Patch. Riverside campsites receive consistently positive reviews, with campers appreciating the sound of flowing water. The area provides good access to hiking trails in both the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though some campgrounds are relatively basic in terms of amenities, the natural setting compensates with scenic beauty, creek access, and forest surroundings. Road noise can be an issue at campgrounds near Interstate 40, though many find the sound of flowing water helps mask this disturbance.
$50 / night
"Drive in is a nice paved road, got our information on where our sites where from the Camp Host, Who was super informative."
"Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute. A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."
"With mountains in the distance and the constant rush of the French Broad River, the setting is awesome. Even the occasional train whistle gives me a feeling of nostalgia and of simple days."
"The bathhouse (clean private showers and private bathrooms) was a 1/4 mile walk from our spot, but a Porta John was close by. Our particular spot had a lot of shade and easy access to the river."
$35 - $258 / night
"Had a blast at The Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We had a view of the river which was right next to.our campsite."
"The campground is surrounded by a little river so many sites have river views. Most are relatively spacious. There are also a few spots on the road side of the island. The amenities were spotless."
$30 - $40 / night
"This is a great little campground in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee."
"Plenty of area to walk the dog and a nice open field with a pavilion you could use for groups. The tent area was down by the river and was absolutely beautiful."
"NIce campground with a gated entrance, very safe. Beautiful location. Excellent tent sites on creek. RV sites are ok, narrow and your fire ring is so close to next RV, we were uncomfortable using it."
"Triple Creek Campground lives up to it’s name being surrounded by 3 Creeks. We stayed here over Labor Day weekend in 2020 and although it was completely full, it didn’t feel crowded."
$30 / night
"The camp is beautiful and you are surrounded by the magical sounds of rushing water. There are two creeks nearby, one big and one small. We spent one day simply enjoying the campground."
"Many sites have direct access to the creek where you can cool off on a hot day. Plenty of trails near campground. Parking was not far from site."
$30 / night
"The Tennessee and NC sides each have great things to offer. Just feel that the NC side has more smaller campgrounds and is generally a little more quiet and laid back. Go NC!"
"This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."
$7 / night
"picnic table, rocky terrain, a legit fire ring with two grill options, and a nice packed tent pad didn’t get lucky tonight as far as neighbors go, super loud and annoying groups at two of the sites nearby"
$35 - $55 / night
"Perfect spot near the national forest and not too far from the great Smokey mountains national park. The property has flat spots to park your rig right next to the creek and it’s very peaceful."
"Close to lots of attractions and easy to find. Oh…and they’re right about the showers."
"Location is excellent, borders the national park.
On the con side, though dogs are allowed, no cleanup bags provided, and no trash bins for dog waste at all, not even at dog run.""Tucked away in the Smokey Mountains with a friendly and helpful staff. Restrooms are clean with good water pressure. Camp ground well kept with easy to access connections."
ScoutOvernight stop that was quieter than expected for so close to I40. Not a fan of the access road and condition- narrow and a couple potholes swallowed up my left front; too narrow a road to avoid. Close to Walmart and Tractor Supply- always a plus. We hit up Copper Ridge Tavern and Grill- good service, small menu.
GuideStoping here for one night for a road trip. People were very curious about our set up. One of the workers was our neighbor and helped more than we needed, however he was great and we were very thankful. Pulled in kinda late. Helped us start a fire and kept it going with some fun tools. We do a lot of dispersed camping in RMNP and like to take our time with things. He was great to speed up our set up so we could relax. Talked with him about an hour. The grounds kept well. No issue. Bath house was good. Only improvement would be AC(if you care about that) But not needed. Fun activities to do aswell; driving range. Basket ball. Pool. Big slide(Saturday 11-noon). Super friendly staff.
GuideThere is a beautiful drive to get to this campground once you get through the traffic jam of Sevierville. Enjoy the scenic and winding river road! Only loop C is open in the off season. Generators are allowed at this time of year, but must be off by 8pm. The women's restroom was revoltingly smelly (some animal had sprayed in there, smelled like male cat x100). I hope this was a temporary situation.
The sites have nice new pads(not perfectly level though) and the tent pads are spacious and flat. Cade's Cove loop was definitely worth taking, and I would do it again and stop at every stop. Take the pull outs and let the people pass you so you can really soak it all in. Also, make sure to get a parking pass and a brochure at the first stop, which explains the sites along the loop. I saw many turkeys showing off their fan tails. And a large black bear chowing down on the sweet, fattening, tender spring grass. Also there were quite a few deer out. The scenery was magnificent!
TravelerStayed at Peaceful Peak off Picadilly Lane in the Cobbly Nob and Bent Creek Golf Resort. The views- I felt like I was in another world! I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I felt as to what I was seeing. If you're looking for Luxe and Comfort- this is it! The cabin accommodates large groups and has ample amount of parking. We saw a Mama Bear and her 3 cubs while enjoying our morning cup of coffee- which they provide!! We will definitely be returning for our next stay.
ScoutHad the best time at this campground! got a spot by the creek and was able to just relax! our water ended up not working out in the rv but we were right across from the bathhouses and they were clean and the water was HOT! Definitely will be back!
ScoutLoved this campsite. The hosts were so nice and accommodating and the site was so relaxing. From the sound/view of the creek. To having the free range chickens come say hello. This place was a great escape with trails in the Smokey mountains only minutes away. Highly recommend!
ScoutVery clean and beautiful campground. Brand new toilets and showers. Camping sites are fairly small. I would camp here again.
ScoutWe stopped for just one night very impromptu. The hosts were awesome and very accommodating. The sites are beautiful and spacious. Hookups are great and convenient and the sites are level. Being right by the creek was awesome and the entire area was beautiful. I would definitely recommend and would stay here again. Oh, and cell service was great too!
ScoutEasy walk in from parking lot to meadow with free dispersed camping spots along the Sam Knob Trail
Camping opportunities near Del Rio, Tennessee are situated in the lush Cherokee National Forest with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal experiences. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with cooler evenings, while spring and fall bring significant temperature swings. Most campgrounds in this area don't offer cell service, and campers should be prepared for unpredictable mountain weather patterns even during peak season.
Explore hiking trails: The area around Del Rio offers access to multiple trail systems including connections to the Appalachian Trail. Big Creek Campground features "great hiking trails and creek access" with one camper noting that "there are several hiking trails for a variety of hiking abilities."
Wildlife viewing: The region is known for its diverse wildlife including elk viewing opportunities. At Cataloochee Campground, a visitor shared: "If you want to see the elk, you're going to have to be up early. I use to be in the park at 5 AM with night vision gear, I saw some very nice elk."
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer creek and river access for recreation. At Triple Creek Campground, "lots of places for the kids to float down on intertubes" and another camper mentioned "Kids are welcome get wet and stroll down one of the creeks in tubes and there's plenty of shade."
Secluded forest settings: Campers appreciate the remote feel of many sites in the Del Rio area. Round Mountain Campground gets praise for being "very cool, rustic, and secluded site only a few miles from a great panoramic view ontop or max patch."
Creek sounds: The sound of moving water is consistently mentioned as a positive feature. At Triple Creek Campground, one visitor noted "the most amazing thing here is the water... Since it is a rolling creek it makes such beautifully tranquil noise. I slept so good when it wasnt too hot to sleep with the windows open."
Historical structures: The region offers access to preserved buildings and sites. At Cataloochee, campers can explore "historical homesteads, a school, churches and cemetery to take you back in time." Another visitor mentioned "There are historical structures in the area--a school, a church, barns, old houses, etc."
Road conditions: Many of the best places to camp near Del Rio, Tennessee have challenging access roads. For Cataloochee, "It's a long 13 miles into the valley down a very narrow, curvy gravel road," and another camper reported "the twist interns grew narrow the bumps grew frequent and then encountering a motorist was a hairy experience."
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities only. Round Mountain is described as a "very primitive campground but great for a night's stay while exploring the Pisgah National forest," offering just "a space to park, put your tent and have a fire. Only 'amenities' are vault toilet."
Seasonal water levels: Water features can change dramatically throughout the season. At Fox Fire Riverside Campground, campers should note that "the dam does release the water around 2pm so be aware that the water will rise."
Look for water play areas: Creek and river access provides natural entertainment. At Fox Fire Riverside, "the tent sites are on the bank of the river. The kids were able to get into the water and swim."
Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Greenbrier Campground, a visitor noted the campground "offers activities for kids, wonderful hot shower rooms, a laundry room. and gas grills for anyone to use!" Another mentioned "My kids enjoyed the swimming hole as well although the water was freezing."
Check for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured recreation. Triple Creek has "a big field where kids could play, with a play set and many other things to keep them busy" and "the staff was always present and even brought rocks to paint with all of the supplies right to the campsite!"
Site sizing: Many campgrounds in the Del Rio area have limitations for large rigs. At Hot Springs Campground, a camper noted "nice clean gated park. Nice big spots. Only 3 fifty amp full hook up sites. Lots of 30 amp and tent camping."
Road access considerations: The mountain roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. One camper at Cataloochee mentioned, "large RVs we're not permitted however I saw one precariously going down the mountain side."
Full hookup options: For RVers wanting amenities, Fox Fire Riverside offers "full hookups or primitive sites with picnic tables and fire rings" and a visitor in a 33-foot travel trailer reported "plenty of room in the pull thru site 2. Not a lot of privacy between sites but I didn't think it was bad at all. Full hookups were a plus."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Del Rio, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Del Rio, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 527 campgrounds and RV parks near Del Rio, TN and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Del Rio, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Del Rio, TN is Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 72 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Del Rio, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Del Rio, TN.
What parks are near Del Rio, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Del Rio, TN that allow camping, notably Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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