Camping near Lenoir City, Tennessee encompasses more than just the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) sites. The region sits at approximately 820 feet elevation where the Tennessee River meets the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Winter camping remains viable at many locations with temperatures rarely dropping below 25°F, though several primitive sites close seasonally from November to March.
What to do
Fishing from shore access points: Melton Hill Dam Campground provides multiple fishing spots along the reservoir. "Short stay, hoping to return. We arrived at nearly dark but the site manager was super helpful, even allowing us to swap sites to one that accommodated our hookups better," notes Sara M., who appreciated the terraced lakefront sites.
Biking the nearby trails: Located about 30 miles from Lenoir City, Cades Cove Campground offers special biking days. "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," explains Jeremy H.
Kayaking protected coves: Tent campers at Southlake RV Park can launch directly from their sites. "You can see in my pics how close you are to the water, you could easily launch a kayak, swim, fish, etc. and the frogs and crickets sing so loud at night," writes Lori H., noting the prime waterfront tent areas.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Yarberry Campground receives high marks for spacious layouts. "All the sites have good spacing and are extremely well maintained," says Lori H. Another camper, Shawn, notes, "Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic."
Clean facilities year-round: The bathhouses at many Lenoir City area campgrounds remain open throughout winter. "The bathhouse we went to is clean and warm. All hosts are very nice and friendly," reports Regina R. from Yarberry Campground, who extended their stay from one week to ten days.
Easy Interstate access: For travelers passing through, Sweetwater KOA provides convenient overnight sites. "We stayed for the night in 28ft travel trailer without unhooking on a wonderfully level site," notes ShelleyCooksey, who appreciated the direct access from I-75.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Soaring Eagle Campground, one camper observed, "We were very close to I-40 and the road noise was extremely loud... all day and all night. I probably wouldn't stay again only because of the road noise."
Reservation timing: Summer holidays fill quickly at most waterfront sites. "I highly recommend booking your spots very early, as it can be difficult to get a spot during the warmer months," advises a Yarberry camper.
Cell service variation: Signal strength varies significantly across the region. One camper at Southlake RV Park reported, "Cell Data signal isn't great here. 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."
Tent-specific areas: Soaring Eagle Campground has dedicated primitive tent sites. "We took our rooftop tent and had a perfect corner spot next to the creek. Plenty of room on each site for tent camping," says Lori H., though noting "the bath house is pretty far away."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Yarberry offers multiple water entry points. "The swimming area is in a great spot with a sandy beach. There are also other areas around the campground where you could enter the water with floats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc. They also rent all of those things," explains a camper.
Kid-friendly amenities: "Plenty for the kids to do - arcade room, jump pad, and playgrounds," notes Jovee S. about Sweetwater KOA, adding that organized activities often occur on weekends.
Nature education opportunities: Frozen Head State Park Campground provides wilderness experiences about an hour from Lenoir City. "My daughter (9 yrs) brought her bike and was able to ride all around the camp site & have a blast. I even had time to get in a hike up to Castle Rocks," reports Liz A., who stayed at a primitive site.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: At Melton Hill Dam Campground, "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling. The picnic tables and grills for our area were up a set of stairs above the RV," notes Sara M.
Dual sewer connections: Multiple campgrounds feature specialized RV hookups. At Sweetwater KOA, "Most sites have dual sewer connects, makes it easier," according to Gary G., who found the campground good for overnight stays.
Gate access codes: "Note - it is a gated campground, so be sure to get the code if you are arriving late," warns a camper about Yarberry Campground, emphasizing the importance of checking in procedures before arrival.
