B
Brigid K.
Traveler
TravelerFlag Rock Recreation Area Campground
Easy to get to, cheap, good bathrooms.
Camping near Jonesborough, TN
298 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Jonesborough, Tennessee provides a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the eastern Tennessee mountains and river valleys. The area includes both established campgrounds and natural settings, with options ranging from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV facilities. Riverpark Campground in Jonesborough offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals along the water. Within driving distance, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground and Nolichucky Gorge Campground provide additional options for mixed-use camping with varied amenities and natural settings.
Roads throughout the region are generally well-maintained, though some campgrounds require navigation through winding mountain roads. Most developed sites offer water and electric hookups, with several providing full sewer connections for RVs. Several campgrounds in the area feature bathroom facilities and showers, though quality varies by location. A visitor noted, "The campground is in a good area with restaurants, grocery stores and anything you might need close by," highlighting the accessible nature of many sites despite their natural settings. The camping season generally runs year-round in lower elevations, though some locations have limited winter facilities or seasonal closures.
The Nolichucky River serves as a focal point for many camping experiences in the area, with multiple campgrounds situated along its banks. Waterfront sites are particularly popular and tend to book quickly during summer months. Campers report enjoying the mountain views and river access that characterize many of the region's camping areas. A camper described one riverside location as "peaceful and dark," noting the easy "access to the Appalachian Trail." Most campgrounds near Jonesborough balance natural surroundings with proximity to amenities, making them suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays. Many sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with designated areas for each, though tent campers should note that some tent pads may be uneven due to the region's varied terrain.
Best Campgrounds near Jonesborough (298)
1. Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground
"Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."
"The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."
from $14 - $32 / night
Check Availability2. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
"We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."
"This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."
3. Roan Mountain State Park Campground
"It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
4. Rock Creek Recreation Area
"There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."
"Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability5. Nolichucky Gorge Campground
"Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."
"This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."
6. Riverpark Campground
"The riverfront spaces are amazing and just inches away from the Nolichucky River. If you love to fish or kayak this is a great location. The bathhouses are super clean."
"Riverpark is a privately owned campground situated at the classic Big Rocks rapid on the Nolichucky river. "
from $51 - $73 / night
Check Availability7. Woodsmoke Campground
"This is a nice wooded campground with nice shelters next to most campsites. Bathrooms were clean. Check in was easy. Owner did not require a deposit, made reservations by phone."
8. Cardens Bluff Campground
"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability9. Baileyton KOA Holiday
"Conveniently located close to highway 81 and town!"
"Even though it's very close to the interstate, it was very quiet. We had a full hook up site, relatively level. It had a picnic table and fire ring."
10. Katy Branch
"Very close to many trails. Clean showers and bathrooms. Loved it."
"Came to stay at this campground because we wanted to do some hiking nearby that we haven't done in FOREVER!"
from $75 / night
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Drive Time
- 10 min from Johnson City, TN
- 25 min from Kingsport, TN
- 53 min from Morristown, TN
- 1 hr 13 min from Asheville, NC
Recent Camping Photos near Jonesborough, TN
544 Photos of 298 Jonesborough Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Riverpark Campground
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground
Old Farm Campground
Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campgroundg
Nolichucky Gorge Campground
Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
Lazy Llama Campground
Pebble Mountain Family Campground
Horse Creek Recreation Area
Tentrr Signature Site - Southern Belle "Hotel" at The Stickley Farm
Tentrr Signature Site - Field of Dreams at The Stickley Farm
Tentrr Signature Site - Huckleberry Hideaway at The Stickley Farm
Recent Reviews near Jonesborough, TN
1336 Reviews of 298 Jonesborough Campgrounds
- GGary M.
ScoutLiving Waters Campground
Nobody was here on Sat. Had gard time finding site. Site reserved did not have 30 amp and could not reach staff. Moved to other site hoping it would not be a problem. We were able to finally reach staff on Mon. Also no pcknick tables or fire rings.
- DDiane F.Scout
Three Peaks RV Resort
Nice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
- BBrandi M.Traveler
Three Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- RRonnie C.Traveler
Sugar Hollow Campground
3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
- SSherri B.
GuideSpacious Skies Bear Den
Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
Guide to Jonesborough
Camping near Jonesborough, Tennessee centers around the Cherokee National Forest and the Nolichucky River watershed at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The region's campgrounds benefit from mountain breezes that moderate summer temperatures, typically 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby Johnson City. Most tent sites throughout the area feature gravel pads with dirt tent spots, allowing campers to avoid pitching directly on gravel.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Rock Creek Recreation Area offers access to Rock Creek Falls via a 4-mile round-trip trail directly from the campground. A camper noted, "There is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole that is quite large... and wonderful hiking trails abound."
Explore historical sites: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground features a museum and replica farm where visitors can learn about frontier history. "There is a heritage village and museum that you can walk or drive through with reinactors on site," explains one visitor who found it ideal for a "girl scout trip."
Water activities: Nolichucky Gorge Campground provides tubes for floating down the river and access to whitewater rafting. A camper shared, "The water levels are perfect for floating around and playing in the river. There's even a little path you can take a tube up and float back down."
What campers like
River access: Many campsites at Riverpark Campground sit directly on the Nolichucky River. A camper observed, "The riverfront spaces are amazing and just inches away from the Nolichucky River. If you love to fish or kayak this is a great location."
Peaceful wooded sites: At Woodsmoke Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. A visitor mentioned, "Quiet, wooded sites with full RV hook up. Nice large sites and private."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Rock Creek Recreation Area, "there is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole," while Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park has "a large swimming pool" that underwent recent renovations.
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: At Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground, site placement varies greatly. A camper advised, "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks... pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, but with varying amenities. A winter visitor to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park noted, "We were there in December when the weather was chilly and practically had the place to ourselves. The bathhouse was exceptionally nice and there was also laundry and wifi available."
Reservation systems: Many area campgrounds use self-service check-in systems. If arriving late, call ahead, as one camper at Woodsmoke Campground found there was "No late check-in available. Not accommodating... super discouraged."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Playground is great and was perfect for our girl scout trip. There's also a sweet man who gives tours of the replica farm of David Crockett in character and costume."
Educational opportunities: Roan Mountain State Park Campground provides scheduled events and activities. One camper noted, "The park also has events scheduled. They had a cloggers dance group when we were there, which was very nice."
Water play options: Beyond swimming holes and rivers, some campgrounds offer additional water features. At Nolichucky Gorge Campground, "They had a lily pad for general use and a little pond if you wanted something contained," perfect for families with children of different swimming abilities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloped sites. A visitor to Warriors' Path State Park warned, "Really nice facility near town. There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. A camper at Rock Creek Recreation Area noted, "The road in is a little narrow, but well maintained and easily navigable. Sites are heavily wooded, fairly well spaced, and most sites have a level area, but you have to back all the way in to get level on some."
Seasonal RV amenities: For off-season camping, check which facilities remain open. A winter visitor to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park mentioned they "had nice trails for hiking. There is river access for fishing or launching a water craft. We were there in December when the weather was chilly and practically had the place to ourselves."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Jonesborough, TN?
What are the best campgrounds near Jonesborough, TN?
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground offers beautiful views of the Nolichucky River, pull-through spaces for various camper sizes, clean bath houses, and historical attractions. Little Oak Campground is another excellent option about an hour from Jonesborough, providing a secluded retreat with a peaceful atmosphere. For those seeking riverside camping, Warriors' Path State Park features sites positioned on a ridge surrounded by Fort Patrick Henry Lake with ample space for RVs. All these campgrounds provide a range of amenities while offering a quintessential East Tennessee camping experience.
Are there RV rentals available in Jonesborough, TN?
Are there RV rentals available in Jonesborough, TN?
While Jonesborough itself has limited RV rental options, several nearby campgrounds work with rental services or offer on-site rental units. Grandfather Campground provides cabin rentals as an alternative to RVs, with convenient access to local attractions. Honey Bear Campground is another option with easy access that accommodates RVs. For dedicated RV rentals, check with regional providers in Johnson City or Kingsport who deliver to campgrounds in the Jonesborough area. Many campers find it more convenient to rent from larger markets like Knoxville or Asheville and drive to their preferred Jonesborough-area campground.
Is there a KOA campground in Jonesborough, Tennessee?
Is there a KOA campground in Jonesborough, Tennessee?
There is no KOA campground directly in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The closest KOA options would be in neighboring areas such as the Kingsport/Bristol KOA or the Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA. For Jonesborough visitors wanting campgrounds with similar amenities to KOA (such as full hookups, bathhouses, and family activities), Riverpark Campground offers comparable services. Alternatively, Woodsmoke Campground near Unicoi provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces similar to what you might expect at a KOA facility.
Where can I find tent camping options around Jonesborough?
Where can I find tent camping options around Jonesborough?
Fox Fire Riverside Campground offers tent sites right by the river where you can enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water. Their riverside sites (like 14 and 15) provide an immersive natural experience in the Smoky Mountains region. Nolichucky Gorge Campground is another option located just off I-26 near Erwin, offering a quiet setting on the Nolichucky River. For tent campers seeking more primitive experiences, Rock Creek Recreation Area near Greeneville provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities. Most of these campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons.
Are there natural swimming areas near Jonesborough campgrounds?
Are there natural swimming areas near Jonesborough campgrounds?
Yes, there are several natural swimming options near Jonesborough campgrounds. Warriors' Path State Park offers swimming access in Fort Patrick Henry Lake with designated beach areas. Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, though a bit further out, features beautiful swimming holes along the South Toe River with spots to skip rocks and enjoy the water. The Nolichucky River provides swimming opportunities at various access points near campgrounds like Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park. For a more developed swimming experience, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park also offers a large swimming pool. Always check current conditions as water levels and safety can vary seasonally.
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