Camping sites near Dandridge, Tennessee provide access to both Douglas Lake and the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet. The region receives approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions surrounding the camping areas. Weather patterns in this area include hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F and mild winters where campgrounds at lower elevations remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Kayaking on Douglas Lake: Several campgrounds provide lake access with boat rentals or launch facilities. "We loved our time here. Very clean with paved sites, pool, basketball and lake. Great place to spend a whole week," notes a visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Hiking to mountain viewpoints: Trails ranging from 1-15 miles are accessible within a 30-minute drive. "Excellent! We stayed in site #16 and it was perfect! The Little Pigeon River was just steps off the back of our camper," shares a camper at Greenbrier Campground.
Wildlife watching: Eagles and river otters can be spotted from several riverside campgrounds. "There was an otter living near our site. Close to park entrance," mentions a camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA.
Fishing in river tailwaters: The French Broad River below Douglas Dam offers trout fishing opportunities year-round. "Beautiful view of Douglas Dam. Diverse population of bird species for birdwatchers. Very laid back attitude here."
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Some campgrounds feature individual bathroom facilities rather than communal ones. "The bath houses are awesome with individual rooms equipped with toilet, sink and shower," notes a visitor at Greenbrier Campground.
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the riverside and lakefront options. "The beach area they've constructed on the lake is INSANE! So so nice! There's a giant blow up slide leading into the lake," shares an enthusiastic camper at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Less crowded alternatives: Several campgrounds offer quieter experiences than the busy Pigeon Forge area. "This is a new campground and it seems as if they spared no expense! Everything is super nice and there are a lot of little touches that were put into it to make it special - like a telescope so you can look at the eagles," notes a visitor at Buddy Bear In The Smokies.
Historical sites: Some camping areas include access to preserved historic structures. "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."
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Douglas Lake experiences significant drawdowns in winter months. "Campground is very well maintained. Our group was in tents, campers and the only cabin on property. The tent sites are a little tight and fire pits in slightly odd places with proximity to the tent pads," comments a visitor at Greenbrier Campground.
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to highways. "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."
Bear safety requirements: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced in the region. "Very strict rules regarding food storage and park has managed to control bears and raccoons," notes a visitor at Elkmont Campground.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly by carrier and location. "Stayed for 6 days in October, Excellent Campground, quiet and slow. No Over the air TV reception, Cell service is spotty. Beautiful Place and a great place to relax."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas or pools. "Great for kids as well as there is plenty for them to do. Bathrooms and showers were numerous and clean AND air conditioned," notes a visitor at Greenbrier Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. "The playground looked well kept. IWe had site #21. Kind of in the middle of Pigeon Forge and Knoxville. Woke up early enough to watch them release water from Douglas Dam," shares a camper at Douglas Tailwater Campground.
Educational programs: Some campgrounds offer ranger-led activities for children. "Within the campgrounds are several hiking trails for a variety of hiking abilities. The hike to Hen Wallows is nice with some rugged patches, but worth it in the end. On Fridays they have special Ranger programs."
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds have specially designed water areas for children. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Most RV-friendly campgrounds in the area feature level concrete pads. "Beautiful views from all campsites, level concrete pads for easy set up. Each site has plenty of room on both sides," notes an RVer at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Reservation strategies: Many popular RV parks book months in advance. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need."
Backup options: Consider less-known campgrounds when main destinations are full. "We were looking to explore the Smoky Mountains in March, but a lot of the state campgrounds weren't open yet inside the park. We decided to give this place a try and it turned out to be a great location!" shares a visitor at Douglas Dam Headwater Campground.
Full hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer complete hookups year-round. "Large sites with nice bath houses, large beach area, large camp store, boat launch," notes a camper describing the Douglas Dam amenities.
