Cabin camping near Dandridge, Tennessee places visitors approximately 30 miles northeast of Great Smoky Mountains National Park at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,100 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. The Douglas Lake shoreline provides additional camping options with water levels that fluctuate seasonally between winter and summer pool stages.
What to do
Lazy river floating: Greenbrier Campground offers included water activities with site rental. "During the summer campers get an hour of tubing or kayaking in the Little Pigeon River as part of their reservation," notes a visitor at Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground.
Historic ghost town exploration: Elkmont Campground maintains preserved vacation homes from the early 1900s. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails. Follow the signs for additional parking and you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes," explains a camper.
Basketball and outdoor sports: Many campgrounds offer courts and play areas. "There's a playground, bounce pad, game room, and dog park," reports a camper at Camp Riverslanding. The Ridge Outdoor Resort provides "a covered basketball court" among its amenities.
What campers like
Private bathroom access: Many campgrounds feature individual bathroom facilities. "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower," details a reviewer at Greenbrier Campground.
Riverfront relaxation: Water features enhance many cabin sites. "Our site had a nice tent pad next to my picnic table and grill area. It was not the biggest of the sites at the location but plenty large enough for me, and not far from the restroom, which is a personal preference (I don't like to wander around in the dark for long distances because of animals)," shares an Elkmont visitor.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain high standards for shared amenities. "The camping cabins are located in the trees and have good shade and also back up to the creek," notes a visitor at Clabough's Campground. "This is a very nice campground. You can also do laundry and use the comfort house for showers. Just make sure to bring your own laundry detergent," advises a camper at Sun Outdoors.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Not all campgrounds remain open year-round. "Elkmont is open early March – October and reservations are required. If you arrive without a reservation, there is a phone line there that you can call to make them, or you can return to town where you have cell service and make reservations online," explains a camper at Elkmont Campground.
Varying site sizes: Space between cabins differs significantly between properties. "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. This helps to make a narrow space seem deceptively private," notes a Greenbrier camper.
Noise considerations: Location affects ambient sound levels. "Photos of tent sites along the Little Pigeon River are misleading as can be. Being in Pigeon Forge I knew not to expect complete solitude but this was over the top nonsense. When the noise of the amusement parks and traffic dies down you get about an hour of peace before the food warehouse on the other side starts loading trucks non stop through the night," warns a Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Certain campgrounds cater specifically to children. "We didn't expect this in such a close to entertainment area. In fact it was so hot we pretty much Enjoyed the resort all weekend. We plan on going back at our next stay!" shares a visitor at Sun Outdoors Sevierville Pigeon Forge.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Some campgrounds offer unique animal encounters. "While sitting by the water I watched an eagle splash down in the river grabbing lunch," reports a Buddy Bear camper. "The proximity to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge means additional supplies are accessible within a short drive."
Transportation options: Consider how you'll navigate larger campgrounds. "I wish we would have brought our bikes or golfcart. You can rent a golf cart there but it's a little outrageous," advises a Sun Outdoors camper who found the facility expansive.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on your specific needs. "The only reason we won't be back is because we saw what we wanted to see here, and have along bucket list of other places to explore," explains a visitor at Ripplin Waters Campground. "We can never figure out how these campgrounds pick your site but it seems if there's a small spot and hard to get into- we're the winners."
Leveling considerations: Terrain varies between campgrounds. "It had rained heavily the day before so the ground was very soft and one side of our rig kept sinking. He ran off to get a piece of wood that did the job to keep our tires from sinking so we could get level," notes a Ripplin Waters camper describing staff assistance.
Utility connections: Full hookups aren't universal at all locations. "All sites are full hookup, electricity only 50amp so bring an adapter," advises a Ripplin Waters visitor who found the amenity options adequate despite space limitations.
