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Best Campgrounds near Dandridge, TN

2,086 Reviews

The Dandridge area sits at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, offering a range of camping experiences along Douglas Lake and nearby woodlands. Established campgrounds like Anchor Down RV Resort provide premium lakefront sites with full hookups, while Lakeside Getaway on Douglas offers more rustic tent camping opportunities with lake access. The region includes both privately managed resorts with extensive amenities and public campgrounds operated by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) at Douglas Dam Headwater and Tailwater areas, accommodating tent campers and RVs of various sizes.

Camping season typically runs from March through October at most developed sites, though some private campgrounds remain open year-round. Douglas Lake experiences significant water level fluctuations, with winter drawdowns affecting shoreline access at certain campgrounds. The TVA-managed sites require advance reservations during peak season, with most campgrounds filling quickly between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Amenities vary significantly between private and public sites, with most private resorts offering full hookups, shower facilities, and trash service. As one visitor noted, "The lake was drained for the winter months but still a great view. Staff was wonderful. Early check-in paperwork make check-in a breeze."

Water access dominates the camping experience around Dandridge, with lakefront sites commanding premium rates and booking months in advance. Douglas Lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating and swimming, with several campgrounds offering boat ramps or docks. While lakefront resorts tend to have closely spaced sites with limited privacy, they compensate with extensive amenities and well-maintained grounds. A reviewer described Anchor Down as "the cleanest, well-maintained, friendliest and most beautiful campground we have visited so far." Sites farther from the shoreline often provide more space and natural settings, though they lack the prime water views. Proximity to Interstate 40 makes Dandridge campgrounds convenient stopping points for travelers visiting the Smoky Mountains or passing through to other destinations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dandridge, Tennessee (419)

    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

    55 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)

    19 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

    124 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

867 Photos of 419 Dandridge Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dandridge, TN

2086 Reviews of 419 Dandridge Campgrounds

  • Mary D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.

  • 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.

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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