Camping near Maryville, Tennessee is readily accessible with several options within 30 miles of the town center. The foothills region sits at elevations between 900-1,500 feet, creating moderate temperatures year-round with particularly popular camping seasons in spring and fall. Summer humidity levels typically reach 70-80% with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Little River Campground offers direct access to the Little River where campers can fish, swim, and tube. "You can't see it well from the road, but there is a huge sign out by the road. Trust it! You're in the right place. You drive across a small bridge across the Little River when you get to the campground," notes one visitor at Little River Campground & RV Resort.
Mountain hiking access: Multiple RV parks serve as base camps for exploring nearby trails. A visitor at Southlake RV Park states, "We stayed one night as a halfway point on the way up and then again on the way back. It seems they have a lot to offer, though we just used the area as a place to sleep."
Water recreation: Douglas Lake access is available at some campgrounds, providing swimming and boating options. "The lake swimming area is fun, and the pool was great," explains one camper at Anchor Down RV Resort, adding "Good view of the mountains in the distance and minutes away from Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance."
What campers like
Creek and riverside spots: Many campers value water-adjacent sites. At Up the Creek RV Camp, one visitor notes, "There are no tent pads or bath houses, it is truly an RV campground. There is a small dog park, two creeks (wadable) and lots of peace and quiet."
Quiet locations: Campgrounds off main roads provide peaceful experiences despite proximity to attractions. "This is seriously the quietest campground I've ever been to. I wouldn't bring children to it (there's nothing for them to do there, anyway) but it's a very relaxing 'adult' campground," mentions a camper at Up the Creek RV Camp.
Natural settings: Tree coverage and natural features enhance camping experiences. "We arrived late because of a blowout, so they left us a map and instructions at the front door of the office. The campground was clean, there was plenty of room, the sites were level, the hookups worked like they were supposed to," shares a visitor about Little River Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Some rv parks near Maryville operate seasonally. A camper at Creekside RV Park notes, "We've been to Creekside probably 8-10 times in my life. The facility is not what it used to be, the pool is cracked and half the arcade machines are down, but the couple running it still send Christmas cards every year."
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Honeysuckle Meadows RV Resort, a visitor observes, "Sites here are very unlevel, but where your RV/camper and under awning is pretty level. The rest of the site falls away."
Road noise considerations: Certain sites may experience road noise. One camper noted, "The spots along the fence line are HORRIBLE! The road noise is awful and there's construction on the other side of the road that begins in the early morning and lasts till late afternoon."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Multiple Maryville area RV parks feature pools. At River Plantation RV Resort, a visitor shares, "Had a blast here! They have so much for the kids to do, full court basketball, tennis courts, battle ball, arcade room, and pool."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer specialized recreation. "They had crafts and hayrides while we were here. Wifi is free but not great. Verizon cell service was good enough at 3 bars the whole time," explains a visitor at Little River Campground.
Space between sites: Family groups often prefer roomier camping spots. "Sites were beautiful with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there," warns one camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for certain campgrounds. A visitor at Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort states, "The lot itself is so easy to connect to electric, waste, and water."
Cell service variations: Service levels differ across the region. "I have a dual LTE router that I was only getting ATT 3G signal with normal antennas but once I connected the exterior antenna I had been waiting to install I got 4 bars ATT LTE (105 dbM) so I can pull a ratty 30Mbps down and 15Mbps up," reports one camper.
Site selection strategy: Consider requesting specific site types. "We paid about $50/night with tax for a full hook-up site," notes a visitor at Honeysuckle Meadows RV resort, adding "There are no bathhouses and no tent sites."
