Glamping near Maryville, Tennessee offers multiple accommodation options within 20 miles of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Townsend area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with seasonal temperatures ranging from winter lows around 28°F to summer highs reaching 85°F. Several campgrounds provide river access along the Little River and Little Pigeon River, where water temperatures remain cool even during summer months.
What to Do
Wildlife viewing at Cades Cove: Visit the 11-mile loop at Cades Cove Campground early morning or evening for optimal wildlife spotting. "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," notes Ashley Y.
River tubing: Cool off in the Little River at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA during summer months. "Go tubing!!! So much fun," recommends Cathy O. Rental options are available at several locations along the main road in Townsend.
Bicycle rental: Some campgrounds offer bicycle rentals for exploring local trails. "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. We took the entire family on the loop bike ride," explains Jeremy H.
Swimming in the lake: Indian Boundary provides a sandy beach area for swimming during summer months. "There is a lake with a sandy area, and a beautiful mountain range to enjoy. It's my favorite camping spot!" shares Alison B.
What Campers Like
Private bathrooms: Greenbrier Campground features individual bathroom facilities. "The bath house was awesome with individual rooms equipped with toilet, sink and shower," notes Elizabeth B., while other campers mention amenities like granite counters and double showers.
Peaceful location options: Hidden Lake Campground and Resort provides a quieter alternative to busier locations. As Kelly J. explains, it's "definitely off the beaten path, which is what we enjoy. The owners are very friendly and do a great job of maintaining the place."
Historical sites: Elkmont Campground offers access to abandoned vacation cottages. "The campground has a wonderful area and the history of the place is amazing," writes Amy P. These former vacation homes create a ghost town atmosphere with some structures open for exploration.
Spacious campsites: Some riverfront sites include additional features. At Little Arrow, "The on river RV sites have a gazebo over the picnic table," shares Gregory J., while at other campgrounds, campers appreciate when "sites are well spaced, so you are not on top of your neighbors."
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. For Cades Cove, "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!" advises Ashley Y.
Traffic and access considerations: Some areas experience significant congestion. One camper notes, "The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic," while others mention specific timing issues: "Only negative is the requirement to check in between 9-10:00 am the following day if one arrived later than check in time, which caused me to change hiking plans."
Varying cell service: Connectivity differs throughout the region. At Greenbrier Campground, Wi-Fi is available, but in more remote locations, "Cell service wasn't great for me here, but then again in all the Smoky Mountains I cruised around with pretty much 1 bar or less," according to Crystal C.
Noise considerations: Road noise affects some riverside properties. At Little Arrow, "There is a A LOT of road noise coming from the other side of the little river at all hours of the day and night. It was not exactly relaxing and peaceful with dozens of motorcycles going by at a time."
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming hole options: Natural water features provide cooling options during hot summer days. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge)," shares Elizabeth B. from Greenbrier Campground.
Playground facilities: Mountaineer Campground provides a pool and playground for children. "Has a pool. River access. I really liked that they have a family restroom that is separate from the regular men's and women's bathroom," notes Cynthia S.
Community activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events. "One weekend we were there (Fall) they had a live band for entertainment, on a Saturday evening, and it was awesome. They also had a S'mores bar set up for the kiddos," explains a visitor to Little Arrow.
Proximity to attractions: Consider travel time to major park features. "If you want to go to Smokie Mountain National Park, this is the side to stay on. Gatlinburg is absolutely nuts while Townsend is about 1000% calmer," advises Steve D.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. At Mountaineer Campground, a visitor noted that their "only surprise was unlevel site, our neighbor had to loan blocks to set camper."
Hookup variations: Campgrounds offer different utility connections. At Toqua Beach Campground, "They have gravel lots that are somewhat level. We stayed at site 104," shares Timothy T., while many campgrounds offer full hookups including water, electric, and sewer.
Site width considerations: Space between sites varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are a little small but I've seen smaller," reports Cynthia S. about Mountaineer Campground, while at Little Arrow, "The sites are small and close together, but this is still one of my favorite places to camp. You don't feel like you're on top of one another."
