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Best Campgrounds near Dandridge, TN

2,080 Reviews

The small town of Dandridge in Tennessee has good camping spots not far from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Greenbrier Campground sits by a river near Gatlinburg, with trails starting close to the sites. Campers at Cades Cove Campground get to stay in a quiet valley, though you'll likely lose phone signal while there. Many people like Cosby Campground for its quiet setting and chances to see bears and wild turkeys wandering through. Make sure to use the provided bear boxes or keep food locked in your car when camping around Dandridge. Spring and fall work best for camping here - you'll get nice weather and colorful trees without summer's humidity or winter's snow problems. Most roads to these campgrounds stay in good shape year-round, but some of the more remote sites might need vehicles with higher clearance. It's always smart to check the park website for any trail closures or campground updates before you head out.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dandridge, Tennessee (418)

    1. Anchor Down RV Resort

    48 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 784-4446

    $49 - $139 / night

    "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.  "

    2. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    20 miles
    Website

    $35 - $258 / night

    "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."

    3. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    54 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "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!"

    4. Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    18 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 361-1522

    "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."

    5. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    123 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "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."

    6. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Drive in is a nice paved road, got our information on where our sites where from the Camp Host, Who was super informative."

    "Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

    A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."

    7. Douglas Dam Headwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    13 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 882-5263

    "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"

    8. Panther Creek State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Talbott, TN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 587-7046

    $26 - $42 / night

    "Panther Creek SP

    Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home."

    "The hiking trails ranged from difficult to short and easy. The ’Trout’ hiking trail was very nice. One of the longer hikes was the Knob trail and it was very nice as well."

    9. Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground

    18 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    13 miles
    Website

    $40 - $50 / night

    "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."

    10. Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Kodak, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 397-7942

    $33 - $38 / night

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Dandridge, TN

861 Photos of 418 Dandridge Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dandridge, TN

2080 Reviews of 418 Dandridge Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Nice National Park Campground

    Pretty park. Sites are wooded and not too close together. Most sites need leveling blocks. The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom . 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground. Water pump at bathroom area. No dish washing station. Some sites had electricity, but not all of them. There are lots of hiking trails and a great visitor center. I hope to go back when I can spend more time in the park. Three star rating mainly due to the inadequate number of showers/bathrooms.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site 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. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Baileyton KOA Holiday

    Nice overnight stop

    We are headed from Atlanta to Fredericksburg VA for a wedding. This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups. Clean bathroom & shower. Pool, playground, driving range, big water slide. The internet is VERY slow. Also lots of road noise from I-81. Gift shop & convenient store in office. We’ve taken our travel trailer to 48 states, and have found KOAs generally convenient, but not much more. This place is definitely above average

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Big Ridge State Park Campground

    Big level site

    Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road.

Guide to Dandridge

Camping near Dandridge, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Elkmont Campground. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Cades Cove Campground, you can spot various wildlife. A visitor shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Fishing: The Greenbrier Campground is close to streams perfect for fishing. One reviewer noted, "The river ran close enough to our site that we didn't feel like we needed a premium spot."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms at Frozen Head State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "The restrooms are heated and immaculate."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment at Cosby Campground. One camper said, "It offers a serene and less crowded camping experience."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Greenbrier Campground has plenty of activities for kids. A reviewer mentioned, "My young family of six were instantly impressed when we pulled in and there were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds."

What you should know:

  • Limited Privacy: Campers at Cades Cove Campground noted that sites are close together. One visitor stated, "Most sites are close, and site privacy is tightly packed."
  • No Showers: Many campgrounds, like Cosby Campground, do not offer shower facilities. A camper mentioned, "The bathrooms were adequate—sinks and toilets and cleaned daily (no showers)."
  • Bear Awareness: Campers should be cautious of wildlife, especially bears. A visitor at Frozen Head State Park Campground warned, "Watch for copperheads!!! There are lots at this park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Greenbrier Campground, which has activities for kids. A parent shared, "There were giant blow-up slides, basketball, and corn hole."
  • Plan for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, including Cades Cove Campground, have poor cell reception. One camper advised, "Have a good book, downloaded shows, or crossword book."
  • Pack for Outdoor Fun: Bring along games and outdoor gear. A camper at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, "There is so much to do with the water activities and on-site, that you could get away without a car."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers at Anchor Down RV Resort recommend checking site dimensions. One visitor said, "The sites are tight for our 45 ft bus."
  • Utilize Amenities: Many campgrounds, like Lake Powhatan, offer amenities like electric hookups and dump stations. A reviewer mentioned, "The bathrooms were some of the cleanest we've seen."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground noted, "It's a very busy campground with close together spaces."

Camping near Dandridge, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there year-round campgrounds available in Dandridge?

Several campgrounds near Dandridge offer year-round camping options. Douglas Dam Headwater Campground is open throughout the year, providing access to Douglas Lake with full hookups for RVs. Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park also operates year-round, offering a convenient location close to Dandridge with necessary amenities for all-season camping. Weather conditions are typically mild in winter, though occasional snow is possible, so campers should prepare accordingly during colder months.

What are the top-rated campgrounds in Dandridge, TN?

Anchor Down RV Resort is consistently rated as one of the best campgrounds in the Dandridge area. Located on Douglas Lake with beautiful Smoky Mountain views, it offers excellent amenities and is conveniently located within a 30-minute drive to Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge attractions. Another highly-rated option is Panther Creek State Park Campground, located just outside Morristown near Dandridge, which offers a peaceful setting with scenic views and recreational opportunities.

What lakeside camping options are available near Dandridge?

Douglas Tailwater Campground offers prime lakeside camping with direct access to Douglas Lake, making it perfect for fishing enthusiasts and water recreation. Sites feature water views and boat-in access options. Another excellent lakeside option is Greenbrier Campground, which provides beautiful waterfront sites along a pristine river setting. Both locations offer the peaceful ambiance of waterside camping while still being conveniently located near Dandridge's amenities.

Are there pet-friendly campgrounds in Dandridge that allow dogs?

Fox Fire Riverside Campground welcomes pets and offers beautiful riverside sites in the Smoky Mountains near Dandridge. Dogs can enjoy the natural surroundings while staying leashed in designated areas. Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground is another pet-friendly option that allows dogs, providing a family and pet-oriented camping experience. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed at all times, properly supervised, and owners must clean up after their animals.

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