464 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Kodak, Tennessee provide access to the Great Smoky Mountains region with several established options for overnight stays. Douglas Tailwater Campground, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), offers riverside camping with both tent and RV accommodations from early April through October. Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park provides additional RV-specific facilities in Kodak proper. The surrounding area includes a mix of developed campgrounds with varying amenities, from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV resorts and cabin rentals, particularly in nearby Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region. Most TVA campgrounds, including Douglas Dam Headwater and Tailwater, operate from mid-April through October, closing during winter months. A camper noted, "Douglas Dam Tailwater Campground is located just minutes away from the charming Bryson City with its shops, breweries, little cafes and other attractions." Weather patterns in the Tennessee Valley include hot, humid summers and mild winters, with occasional snow at higher elevations in the nearby Smoky Mountains. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months and fall color season. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage in developed areas near towns and limited or no service within Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries.
The proximity to water features represents a significant draw for campers in the Kodak area. Several campgrounds offer direct access to Douglas Lake or the French Broad River system, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. According to one visitor, "It has plenty for everyone to do, plus fishing in the lake, wonderful Smoky Mountain views, close to Gatlinburg/Sevierville/Pigeon Forge and Dollywood all within a 30 minute drive." Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region balance natural settings with convenient access to attractions. Campers frequently mention the benefit of staying outside the more crowded tourist areas while maintaining reasonable driving distance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, and other regional destinations. Developed campgrounds typically provide amenities such as shower facilities, electric hookups, and dump stations, though specific offerings vary by location.
"Anchors Down is just outside Severville Tennessee and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located on Douglas Lake with the Smokie Mountains in the back ground."
"This campground is one of the best you will find in Tennessee. "
from $49 - $139 / night
Check Availability"Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."
"Close to everything, right in the heart of pigeon forge. Best bath houses we’ve ever been too, all other reviews were spot on!"
"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"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."
from $35 - $258 / night
Check Availability"I was very lucky to find this spot near the Great Smoky Mountains. It was October, cool and fine, when I backed up to the French Broad River in this immaculate campsite with super friendly hosts."
"Driving distance to locations for exploring."
"Being in this area the traffic is awful but this place is away from that traffic but still close enough to enjoy everything. The back way into Gatlinburg is a direct shot from the entrance."
"Very clean and beautifully decorated campground located on the backside of Sevierville away from all those crowds on the main strip."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We decided to give this place a try and it turned out to be a great location! We stayed in lot 7, which is next to a hill and the kids loved running up and down the hill."
"close to the city, but beautiful nonetheless. wake up early for a beautiful sunrise over the lake"
"We can be flexible with parking situations for those of you traveling with larger rigs pulling trailers, etc."
"We planned an overnight stop at Dumplin as it was close to the interstate. It is very nice! Sites were part gravel and easy to pull through. We were in a pull through with full hook ups."
from $33 - $38 / night
Check Availability"This is our "go-to" campground now in Eastern Tennessee."
"This campground is a short drive off the main strip in Pigeon Forge which makes for some peacefulness while camping."
"The sites had water and power and were with in reasonable walking distance to the bath house that was there at that time."
"This is perfect for fishing of swimming right next to your site. The moving water was also pleasant to listen to at night when the campground got quiet."
from $70 - $109 / night
Check Availability
ScoutJust what I needed to unwind. Large tent site with a shelter, picnic table and fire ring. Rhododendrons and trees surround the campground. Creek bubbling and birds singing. Quiet campers during our visit. Clean bath house.
LegendOverall, this is a nice campground with lots of amenities in a great location. They have easy online booking and when you arrive you are instructed to go straight to your site and come to the office later for campground information and parking pass. Little Arrow has lots of amenities with the most popular being the swimming pool. In fact, it was a little too popular as it was quite crowded most of the time. The community firepit is a great place to gather with lots of people. There is a restaurant onsite (which we did not eat at but heard it was very good). The nearby town of Townsend is a great town with shopping and restaurants. We loved the brewery in town (Peaceful Side Social) which had great food and beer and lots of space for kids to run around. Next store to the brewery was a delicious ice cream shop. This campground is in a great location to visit the Great Smokey Mountain National Park with the entrance being just a few miles away and it’s a short drive to the Cades Cove Loop which is a very interesting and popular driving route in the park with historic sites and great wildlife viewing along the way. We had a buddy site which was laid out so that RVs are on the same pad and share a common area in between. We enjoyed the table and chairs and “kitchen” area which was great for gathering. Some sites back up to a river and have nice covered pavilions. There is public river access at the campground which I liked for fly fishing and my dog loved for swimming. The only complaints are that some sites (including ours) was very close to your neighbor and it is really a tight squeeze getting big-rigs into the park and to our site. The entrance to our loop was really tight and we even noticed one tow hauler ripped off part of his bumper on an old gate post that was covered by overgrown bushes. There are low hanging trees at the entrance which I mentioned to the manager and she dismissed it that stuff was really growing since it was late spring and they didn’t have time to trim. She did indicate that they intended on trimming but we left so I’m not sure if it happened or not.
TravelerThis is the best place to park your travel trailer for a few days! Tons of space it’s not to crowded and everyone is so nice
ScoutA lot of amenities for the kids however getting camper backed in and parking is horrible
ScoutWe found the the best spot we have ever stayed. Big sandy beach down a 100 foot decline. Parked at the top where there is a fire ring and nice size flat spot for a small camper or truck set up like we had. Very secluded. Can’t believe we got this spot. So thankful. Pack it in pack it out
TravelerFor a campground with a nice view, it's alright. Bathrooms and showers are functional but could use a little more tlc. Grass was freshly mowed when I stayed. Again, there is no cell service for ATT, not that it's the campsites fault or anything. it's just not there. For a tent site with no hookups, i thought it was a bit pricey, compared to other campsites I've visited in the area. I like the concrete slab and tables for every site though.
ScoutAt my arrival, the office mistakenly saved my debit card information under the wrong customer file and charged my card. When I brought this to their attention, I was assured that my card information would be removed from the incorrect account and that the issue had been resolved. Despite those assurances, my debit card was charged again. This second charge occurred after I had already notified the staff of the mistake and after I was specifically told that my card information would be deleted. As a result, I spent a significant portion of my vacation dealing with a problem that should never have happened in the first place. Not only did these errors create financial stress and inconvenience, but they also ruined what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation. I trusted your staff to correct the mistake after it was first reported, and unfortunately that trust was misplaced when my card was charged again. I believe it is unreasonable for me to bear the consequences of repeated errors made by the office, particularly after I had notified you of the problem and received assurances that it had been corrected. For these reasons, I respectfully requested a refund and I was denied and told that it was my banks fault for letting the transactions to occur. They won't take accountability and refuse to work with me. This was my debit card that was charged and over$400 and was on hold for a total of 8 days. My bank cancelled my card. Just one headache after another because of all of this. I feel as though they should've accommodated me seeing how their actions and failure to pay attention caused all of this.
TravelerI plugged the GPS in for the location the app showed, and this is not the campground location. It is further northeast near Asheville, "Carolina hemlocks rec area" is what it is titled under.
TravelerFull Hookups, 20,30,50 amp. Water and sewer. Sights are level with concrete pads. Restrooms are very nice and clean, private toilet and shower(air conditioned). Golf cart rentals are available. Staff were nice and helpful. The only two downsides that come to mind are that there is only one spot to drop off trash(it can be a hike depending on where your sight is). The other is that the sights are quite small and very close to each other. Each sight has a fire ring but you wouldn’t want to use the one at your sight as you might catch your rig on fire. However, when we were there occupancy was low and it was easy to use the next door fire ring I wouldn’t count on that being the case all the time. Overall recommended.
Camping options near Kodak, Tennessee extend beyond established campgrounds into surrounding natural areas within 30 minutes of town. The region sits at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between valley campsites and those at higher elevations. Winter camping is limited as most Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) campgrounds operate seasonally, though several private RV parks remain open year-round with heated facilities.
Fishing access: 24-hour options: Douglas Headwater Campground provides direct lake access with a large boat ramp. According to a visitor, "Great place to camp and be right on the water. Only downfall was only 1 shower in the bathhouse but bathrooms were clean and never too long of a wait for the shower" (Tammy F., Douglas Dam Headwater Campground).
Waterfront recreation: multiple options: Many campsites offer direct water access for swimming and wading. At Greenbrier Campground, "The swimming hole was a blessing durning the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults" (Elizabeth B.).
Hiking trails: easy access: Elkmont Campground offers proximity to numerous trails within the national park. A camper notes, "Great hiking opportunities and close to Gatlinburg if you run out of supplies" (Charlotte B.). The Little River and Jakes Creek trails leave directly from the campground area.
Wildlife viewing: eagles and river wildlife: The Little Pigeon River provides habitat for diverse wildlife. At Duvall in the Smokies, visitors can "watch the eagles splash down in the river grabbing lunch" while using "a telescope so you can look at the eagles" (m M.).
Private bathrooms: individual facilities: Several campgrounds feature individual bathroom units rather than traditional communal facilities. At Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground, "Amenities are aptly located in the center of camp. A playground, bath house, laundry facility, game room... as well as campstore and volleyball and basketball courts make up the internal area" (Erin H.).
River sites: sound insulation: Riverside campsites offer natural white noise that masks other campground sounds. One camper at Douglas Tailwater Campground appreciated the peaceful environment: "Excellent Campground, quiet and slow. No Over the air TV reception, Cell service is spotty. Beautiful Place and a great place to relax" (Al B.).
Transportation options: trolley service: Some campgrounds offer public transportation connections. Camp Riverslanding provides "a trolley that stops in the campground to take you wherever you want to go" (Courtney T.), while Greenbrier Campground has "a Gatlinburg trolley stop on the grounds so makes day trips into the town easy!" (Richard C.).
Seasonal closures: limited winter options: Most TVA campgrounds close during winter months. Douglas Dam Headwater Campground operates from "mid Apr to late Oct" while other campgrounds have varying seasons.
Water level changes: dam releases: Tailwater campgrounds experience water level fluctuations. At Elkmont Campground, visitors may observe these changes: "Woke up early enough to watch them release water from Douglas Dam" (Christopher L.).
Food storage requirements: bear safety: Bear-proof storage is mandatory in the region. At Elkmont, "It's bear country, so your food and toiletries need to be locked in a vehicle or hard-side camping unit; there are some food storage lockers provided for the walk-in sites" (Jean C.).
Varying site sizes: check before booking: Campsite sizes vary considerably between and within campgrounds. At Up the Creek RV Camp, "Sites are narrow and fairly close together, although they've done an excellent job of maintaining the heavy trees around the river and on the 'treelawn' area which separates each site" (Erin H.).
Look for dedicated play areas: Some campgrounds offer specific family amenities. A visitor to Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park noted, "We were expecting many people over the 4th of July holiday but were pleasantly surprised to have only a few other guests. Very soft green grass over the entire RV park. Plenty of room for pets to walk on lead" (Kerrie C.).
Check for river safety features: Water access varies in safety and supervision. One family noted at Up the Creek RV Camp, "My kids loved playing by the river. It's close to all the areas attractions but far enough where it feels like you are camping in the wilderness" (Brian P.).
Consider noise levels from attractions: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby attractions. Camp Riverslanding is "a block from the main drag in pigeon forge, but you feel much further away. A mountain river flows right beside the campground to give it a restful feeling. The only negative I notice is the noise from the go cart track" (Jim L.).
Site leveling requirements vary: Some campgrounds offer more level sites than others. At Anchor Down RV Resort, "Beautiful views from all campsites, level concrete pads for easy set up. Each site has plenty of room on both sides" (Sarah R.).
Full hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer full hookups, but with varying amp service. A visitor at Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park noted, "Sites were part gravel and easy to pull through. We were in a pull through with full hook ups" (Brenda L.).
Off-season advantages: Traveling outside peak season offers unique benefits. "We decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! Staff is very nice, park is clean and I'm sure in the summer it is bustling!" (Beth H.). A tip from this visitor: "Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list instead of releasing the dates on the website!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Kodak, TN?
Kodak offers excellent access to some of Tennessee's top camping destinations. Anchor Down RV Resort stands out as one of the best in the area, situated on Douglas Lake with stunning Smoky Mountain views and just a short drive to Pigeon Forge attractions. For those seeking camping within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Campground provides riverside sites perfect for relaxation while remaining close to Gatlinburg. Other excellent options include Douglas Dam Headwater Campground and Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park, which are located directly in Kodak with full amenities for RVers.
What camping is available near Kodak, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kodak, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 464 campgrounds and RV parks near Kodak, TN and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kodak, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kodak, TN is Anchor Down RV Resort with a 4.8-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kodak, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Kodak, TN.
What parks are near Kodak, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Kodak, TN that allow camping, notably Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Croatan National Forest.
Keep Exploring
