Ronda R.
Scout
ScoutMelton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Great.
The staff is very helpful & knowledgeable. Beautiful views from all camp spots. Pet friendly. Good fishing. & Close to stores.
Best Campgrounds near Clinton, TN
The Clinton, Tennessee area contains multiple campground options within a 30-mile radius, ranging from state parks to privately-owned RV resorts. Campers can find established sites at West Campground in Norris Dam State Park, Loyston Point Campground, and Clinton-Knoxville North KOA. Most camping areas offer a mix of tent and RV accommodations, with some locations like Big Ridge State Park providing cabin options as well. The surrounding landscape features lakes, rivers, and forested terrain that creates diverse camping environments. Several campgrounds feature waterfront sites along area lakes and reservoirs, including Melton Hill Dam, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Seasonal considerations impact campground accessibility, with many sites operating from March through October. Frozen Head State Park Campground, located about 40 miles west of Clinton, maintains a shorter season from March 15 to November 1. Full hookup sites for RVs are available at multiple locations, while tent-only areas typically provide more primitive amenities. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with several campgrounds having limited or no coverage. One camper noted, "The only issue that we had with this site was the fact that there was no cell service at all. You have to drive outside of the park into Gatlinburg to find service."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the Clinton area. Melton Hill Dam Campground offers swimming access that appeals to families, while Loyston Point Campground provides boat-in sites for those arriving by water. Several campers mention the convenience of Clinton's camping options for exploring nearby attractions. According to one visitor, "When passing through this area going to the Smoky Mountains I made a pit stop in Clinton, TN, just a few short miles away from one of the entrances to Smoky Mountain National Park." The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, with some locations like TVA Public Land-Fork Bend offering free primitive camping. Visitors particularly appreciate campgrounds that provide a combination of natural settings with reasonable proximity to area attractions.
Best Camping Sites Near Clinton, Tennessee (319)
1. West Campground — Norris Dam State Park
29 ReviewsLake City, TN9 milesWebsite+1 (865) 425-4500"We stayed at the main area but not much space or privacy so we put up a tent out side our door, but then moved to the tent camping site area the second night which was more secluded and private, but still"
"There is a lake, so naturally that means there is boating, jet skiing, canoeing and of course fishing."
2. Cove Lake State Park Campground
25 ReviewsLa Follette, TN14 milesWebsite+1 (423) 566-9701$25 - $55 / night
"Great location just off I75, close to easy shopping (Walmart), Urgent Care facility just minutes away, nice BBQ place right in the park, local eatery’s just up the way (less than 2 miles)."
"Our site is nice and right on the lake but it’s a little odd the way the sites are. Our neighbors site is next to us but there table and fire pit are behind our rig."
3. Volunteer Park Family Campground
13 ReviewsHeiskell, TN5 milesWebsite+1 (865) 938-6600$30 - $65 / night
"Bathrooms and Showers with hot water. 20 minutes outside Knoxville and extremely quiet."
"The campsite is nestled in trees and conveniently located to the Knoxville area. They have a small store for small forgotten items as well as a place to fill propane."
4. Big Ridge State Park Campground
25 ReviewsMaynardville, TN14 milesWebsite+1 (865) 992-5523$8 - $100 / night
"I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."
"Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."
5. Loyston Point Campground
18 ReviewsAndersonville, TN13 milesWebsite+1 (865) 494-9369"The staff is warm and helpful, it’s incredibly clean, and the surroundings really allow you to feel the love of East Tennessee’s beauty."
"Stayed at a premium lakeshore site on Norris Lake. Advertised as a pull through, but that must be for travel trailers, as I have an RV."
6. Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
31 ReviewsLenoir City, TN19 milesWebsite+1 (865) 361-0436$18 - $31 / night
"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."
7. Clinton-Knoxville North KOA
6 ReviewsNorris, TN4 milesWebsite+1 (865) 494-9386"When passing through this area going to the Smoky Mountains I made a pit stop in Clinton, TN, just a few short miles away from one of the entrances to Smoky Mountain National Park."
"A great stop right off the highway. Super nice staff, easy in and out (make sure you pay attention to the left turn in past the gas station). Not the roomiest of sites, but fine for what we needed."
8. Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park
7 ReviewsHeiskell, TN5 milesWebsite+1 (865) 947-9776$23 - $30 / night
"Easy access to the highway."
9. TVA Public Land- Fork Bend
13 ReviewsLa Follette, TN14 milesWebsite+1 (865) 632-2101"I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."
"Reminder the lake is really low all fall/winter before Memorial Day. It was quiet and serene and you could hear the fish jumping all evening."
10. Frozen Head State Park Campground
32 ReviewsPetros, TN22 milesWebsite+1 (423) 346-3318"The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."
"It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee. There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."
Recent Camping Photos near Clinton, TN
541 Photos of 319 Clinton Campgrounds
Andrea F.
Clinton-Knoxville North KOA
Paul R.
Volunteer Park Family Campground
Greg L.
West Campground — Norris Dam State Park
Kelly R.
Windrock Campground
Justin D.
Big Ridge State Park Campground
Lori H.
TVA Public Land- Fork Bend
Matt K.
Cove Lake State Park Campground
Lori H.
Burnt Mill Bridge Loop
Richard J.
Greenman Gardens
Olivia H.
The Farmers Forest
Amber
Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Lori H.
Southlake RV Park
Recent Reviews near Clinton, TN
1717 Reviews of 319 Clinton Campgrounds
Tarquin P.
GuideBig Ridge State Park Campground
Helpful staff and Great merchandise!
Possibly the best merch I have come across at a state campsite And the staff were really helpful extending my booking. Everything works on the site with plenty of bathrooms. Lake is great for swimming.
- SSteven P.Scout
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
Looks good until asked to do the right thing.
As with all experiences, it is how you handle the difficult ones that shows your true colors. In this case the owner had every chance to make a different choice but chose in favor of himself.
1. They have a malfunctioning 4 wheeler they use to get around the 30 plus site park. The horn on this unit went off one morning waking those in proximity. The owner offered no apology, yet acknowledge that he knew that it was faulty. This was before I realized the next problem.
2. I made the mistake of making reservations to a place that you likely don't need them without looking at the fine print. We were on our way to the campground from about 2 days away when our vehicle had a bearing go on it. I called on the Saturday that it happened saying that we would not be able to make our Sunday night reservation, but I would be there on Monday. I assumed that I would get credit for the lost night. Nope. The owner stood by his fine print and refused a refund. Even though there were only about 8 of us in the campground which means that my reservation was not required. Further it didn't make him turn anyone else away because of my reservation.
3. On the second morning, they have their garbage picked up at about 6am by a large garbage truck. Next to us.
Conclusion: Do not make reservations until you read the fine print. Pick another campground as there are so many in the area. This campground while pleasing in so many ways will forever be hindered by an owner who cares more about money than doing the right thing.
- KKevin J.Scout
Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
K
Super quiet and very clean. Beautiful scenery with peaceful surroundings.
Matt S.
LegendThe Ridge Outdoor Resort
What a Great Resort!
We joined a rally and extended our stay in early-April. What a great resort!
THINGS I LIKED:
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Proximity to Pigeon Forge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding tourist area
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Hospitable staff
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Onsite Jeep rental
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Clean and well-appointed Signature Sites including hot tub, outdoor TV, stone fireplace, stamped concrete pad and patio
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Amenities include heated pools, pickleball court, dog run
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Everything was clean, well-maintained, and functional
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
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The WiFi was lousy which wouldn’t normally matter, but our WiFi didn’t work either due to poor cell service in the area
WOULD WE COME BACK?
- Absolutely, this is a great resort!
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- Jill M.Scout
Big Ridge State Park Campground
Quiet with pretty views and hiking
We stayed here one night on our way through as Norris Dam campground undergoes renovations. Nice paved sites with fire pits. We did wish the sites had a curb or some sort at the back of the paved area as it’s a drop off beyond the site. Clean restrooms.
Pretty location nestled in the foothills. The roads in the park and leaving the park are a bit narrow and winding.
- Patricia “Ollie” F.Scout
Peakland RV Park
Very quiet! Close to boat access
I have been staying here for a couple weeks now and it has been very quiet. I have full service hook up everything I need for my RV. There’s also really amazing barbecue place right across the street and some nightlife as well.. interstate 40 is about a 35 minute drive. The owner here is really nice and accommodating.
Lance W.GuideWilderness Road Campground
Wonderful spot except for the road noise
We made it down to tent camp in the d loop. Great spot as the reviews had mentioned. I wish all spots had food storage, but the downfall was hearing traffic all night while tent camping.
Kyle C.
TravelerSugarberry RV Park
Extended RV Stay
Great place to stay if your here anywhere from a week to a month. The prices are very reasonable. Starting at $500/month + metered electric and $200/week (electric included).
Guide to Clinton
Camping options near Clinton, Tennessee span several state parks and privately-owned facilities within a 30-minute drive radius. The region sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in this area are open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails and mountain biking: Frozen Head State Park offers challenging hiking with multiple trail options. "There is excellent and serious hiking and backpacking here. The campground is rustic but taken care of and I'm told it was renovated recently. Like most of this area it's very wooded, green, and lovely with streams, waterfalls, etc. Park rangers were particularly helpful choosing hikes," notes Dan N. from Frozen Head State Park Campground.
Water activities on Norris Lake: Fork Bend provides direct water access for swimming and paddling. "Norris lake is so beautiful. We drove a car and took our time going down the dirt road. There were no problems going in or out. There were some deep ruts but it was easy to avoid them. We're going back out again next weekend and this time we're bringing the fishing rods," reports Pinky S. from TVA Public Land- Fork Bend.
Historical sites and museums: Big Ridge State Park offers cultural sites beyond camping. "The park is beautiful! Views of the lake and dam are breathtaking! Just don't plan to swim, as there is no lake access point for swimming. You can rent kayaks, boats, paddleboards, etc at the marina, but if you were planning to bring a float and get in the lake, you'll be disappointed. There's lots of hiking trails," writes Lori H.
What campers like
Lakefront camping experiences: Loyston Point provides direct water access. "Loyston Point is remarkable in its beauty and simplicity. The staff is warm and helpful, it's incredibly clean, and the surroundings really allow you to feel the love of East Tennessee's beauty. It is a bit sandy on some water front sites, so be mindful of that for your gear," explains Michael M. from Loyston Point Campground.
Clean facilities and amenities: Cove Lake State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and camping areas. "Nice State Park Campground. Easy access, one mile off I-75. Sites were fairly close but still a nice experience. Along the lake. Clean bathrooms, showers, elec hook ups, water hook ups and dump station available and all working well. We enjoyed it as a quick stop," shares Michael S. from Cove Lake State Park Campground.
Free camping options: Some TVA lands offer no-cost camping. "Completely free primitive camping. Me and my boyfriend had a difficult time finding the place at first. The coordinates took us to a Bible school. To get to the right place, start on Demory Road take a right onto Jim Lee Road then take the second left to get back into the public land area, follow the dirt road all the way down to the water front where you'll find numerous campsites all spread out perfectly," advises Tamara.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clinton, TN?
What camping is available near Clinton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clinton, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 319 campgrounds and RV parks near Clinton, TN and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clinton, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Clinton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clinton, TN is West Campground — Norris Dam State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clinton, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clinton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Clinton, TN.
What parks are near Clinton, TN?
What parks are near Clinton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Clinton, TN that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Croatan National Forest.
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