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Campgrounds near Maryville, Tennessee range from developed RV campgrounds with electric hookups to rustic tent sites, concentrated primarily in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The region includes campgrounds like Cades Cove and Elkmont within the national park boundaries, plus commercial options like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort and Townsend-Great Smokies KOA in nearby Townsend. These areas accommodate diverse camping styles, with many sites supporting both tent and RV camping. Several locations also offer cabin accommodations and glamping options for those seeking more comfortable outdoor experiences.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability between April and October. Look Rock Campground, situated along the Foothills Parkway at 2,724 feet elevation, reopened in 2023 after a lengthy closure for restoration. "After a 9-year closure, Look Rock Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be welcoming visitors into this campground this spring," noted one reviewer. Road access to higher elevation sites can be challenging, with some campgrounds featuring steep switchbacks that may prove difficult for larger RVs or trailers. Bear activity is common throughout the region, yet some reviewers mention that even newly renovated campgrounds lack bear boxes at individual sites, making proper food storage essential.
Waterfront camping opportunities exist at several locations outside the national park, including Yarberry Campground on Tellico Lake and Melton Hill Dam Campground operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Public lands with water access receive consistently positive reviews, though amenities vary widely between locations. Campgrounds within the national park boundaries typically provide more rustic experiences with limited hookups, while private campgrounds offer additional conveniences like showers, electric hookups, and sewer connections. Several campground reviewers highlight the peaceful settings and scenic beauty, particularly at higher elevations where summer temperatures remain comfortable even when lower elevations experience heat. Access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly in Cades Cove, represent major draws for campers seeking nature experiences beyond their campsites.
"You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."
"We camped in the middle of a hot sticky Tennessee summer and felt just fine in all of the shade."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."
"We stayed 3 nights so we could hike the surrounding trails! Loved learning about the history of the area while checking out the old cabins."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water."
"Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"There was barely anyone here and just a short/walk drive down the road are tons of overlooks and a short hike to a watch tower. I definitely recommend this place."
"It was nearly empty during my stay. My site was not remotely level, but no big deal to me. The views around the area made it all worthwhile to me."
from $30 - $36 / night
Check Availability"The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."
"Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."
"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
from $50 - $94 / night
Check Availability"The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve. We booked tent site 7 but when we got there someone was fishing off the point where our campsite was supposed to be."
"Our site us overlooking the lake and the view is beautiful. Close to downtown and the mountains. Only downfall is very spotty wifi in some areas."
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."
"We rented a pontoon boat for four hours and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend this campground if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger campgrounds."
"Biking trail less than 100 yds away. Borders the National Park, Townsend is a Great place to stay, close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and even closer to Cades Cove."
"Overall, this is a nice campground with lots of amenities in a great location."
from $60 - $185 / night
Check Availability"We really enjoyed Milton Hill dam, very friendly people , well stocked store, easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them."
"We made a last minute trip to Melton Hill that was very conveniently located just outside of Knoxville. The campsite offers several options for camping along the water or in the woods."
from $18 - $31 / night
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ScoutBeautiful view on the water. Not very full, which was nice. I came for some quiet and privacy and while it worked, there were just some that were very social. Haha
TravelerThis worked well for us while we were visiting Dollywood in our trailer, but we wouldn't stay here if we had been in a different type of site. Cons: Unless you have a site up against the river or on patriot park, you are packed in VERY TIGHT with other people, sometimes with your sliders only a foot or two away from your neighbor's sliders. We were in a site that was "on patriot park", but the few first sites of that type are really just behind the trolley parking lot and pick up with a path behind you (including ours). People are on the other side of the fence walking about two feet behind you all day and pretty late in to the night. Pros: There are lot of trees and campground is very pretty. Super close to Dollywood and other Pigeon Forge points of interest.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
GuideThis is a really nice place, my only issue is that I think $110 with Good Sam is too expensive. I needed a place to stay, so I did. They have laundry and restrooms but I didn't use them.
TravelerMe and my cousin and my dog absolutely love staying here, we will be back. It has beautiful views from our campsite, and down a little trail to the quarry. It’s super clean and peaceful. Has a little bit of road noise, but honestly, I like a little bit of white noise
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
ScoutThis was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground but is unfortunately permanently closed. It's sad.
Camping near Maryville, Tennessee offers access to varied terrain ranging from lower-elevation lake sites at approximately 800 feet to higher mountain campgrounds at 2,724 feet in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The camping season in this region runs predominantly from March through October, with most campgrounds closed during winter months. Weather conditions vary significantly with elevation, creating microclimates that can differ by 10-15 degrees between valley and mountain sites.
Bike the Cades Cove loop: Visitors to Cades Cove Campground can rent bicycles for riding the scenic valley loop. "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. We took the entire family on the loop bike ride. This was so much fun," notes Jeremy H.
Float the Little River: Many campgrounds in Townsend provide access to river activities. At Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, "The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," according to Cathy O. The gentle current makes this suitable for families with children.
Observe fireflies at Abrams Creek: During late May to early June, firefly viewing becomes a special attraction. At Abrams Creek Campground, "We stayed there during the peak of firefly season, and once the sun went down we walked down the short gravel road that leads to the parking lot for day-hikers. There is a meadow here where we watched fireflies for hours and it was MAGICAL!" shares Phoebe A.
Historic structures: The Smokies contain well-preserved historic buildings accessible from various campgrounds. At Elkmont Campground, "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town," notes ranger Jean C., who adds, "Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails. Follow the signs for additional parking and you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins."
Waterfront sites: Lake camping options provide different experiences than mountain sites. At Yarberry Campground, "Most sites are lakefront, and I believe all have a lake view. All have fire rings, picnic tables, and all I saw were pretty level. The sites are large and spaced out so you don't feel right on top of your neighbors," according to Lori H.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common throughout the region. "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 Ashley Y. about Cades Cove.
Cellular connectivity limitations: Most campgrounds in and near the national park have limited or no cell service. At Abrams Creek Campground, "Make sure you make reservations BEFORE setting out there. Way off the beaten path and reservations can ONLY be made online. No cell service no internet for at least ten miles away from camp," warns Jay A.
Road noise at some sites: Despite natural settings, some campgrounds experience traffic noise. At Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, "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," reports Mrs B.
Shower availability: Many national park campgrounds lack shower facilities. "The bathrooms were clean but there were no showers in the campground. If you wanted to shower you would have to drive to one of the nearby towns that offered showers at one of the rv campgrounds," explains Michelle A. about Cades Cove.
Site selection for play space: Families should consider campground layout when booking. At Cades Cove, "If you want nature, love community, and want someone for your kids to play with, this is perfect," suggests DrDavid P., highlighting the social aspect of this popular campground.
Amenities for children: Some private campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. At Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, "The playground is beautiful and the kids loved it. There is a community firepit with rocking chairs around it, and it looks like it came out of a Martha Stewart magazine," according to Jenny J., who also notes, "There is a coffee shop on site also, with a playroom for small kids."
Educational opportunities: Historic sites provide learning experiences for children. "Cade's Cove has a long paved road where you can see everything from deer, Bear, turkeys, and more. Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest," advises Buck R.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. At Melton Hill Dam Campground, "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling," cautions Sara M.
Weekday arrivals recommended: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "During nice weather this place is very busy, even during the week," notes Crystal C. about Elkmont Campground.
Generator restrictions: Several campgrounds restrict generator use, requiring self-sufficient power systems. At Look Rock Campground, generators are permitted, while Abrams Creek Campground prohibits them, according to campground data. This distinction becomes important for RVers relying on powered equipment during their stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Maryville, TN?
Among the best campgrounds near Maryville is Big Meadow Family Campground, featuring pull-through sites that accommodate both big rigs and tents across from the Tennessee River, with convenient double sewer hookups at each site. For a more rustic experience, Cades Cove Campground offers a convenient base for exploring the famous Cades Cove loop, known for wildlife viewing including bears, deer, and turkey. The campground provides proper food storage facilities and serves as an excellent gateway to the natural beauty and historic structures of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all within a reasonable drive from Maryville.
Where can I find riverside camping near Maryville, Tennessee?
For riverside camping near Maryville, check out Citico Creek Area, where you can camp right beside the creek with sites just across the gravel road from the water. Perfect for those who enjoy day hikes with easy water access. Another excellent option is Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can secure riverside sites that allow you to hang a hammock next to the flowing water while enjoying your morning coffee. Both locations offer the peaceful sounds of running water and are within reasonable driving distance from Maryville, making them perfect weekend getaways for nature lovers.
Are there family-friendly campgrounds with lake access near Maryville?
Families seeking lake access near Maryville should consider Anchor Down RV Resort, located on Douglas Lake with stunning Smoky Mountain views. This premier resort offers excellent fishing opportunities and is just a 30-minute drive from Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge attractions like Dollywood and Tennessee Smokies baseball games. Another great option is Horse Cove, a well-maintained National Forest campground about a mile from a boat launch. Both campgrounds provide the perfect combination of water recreation and nearby attractions that keep children entertained, making them ideal for family camping trips within driving distance of Maryville.
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