The Dandridge area sits along Douglas Lake at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, with rolling hills and mountain views creating diverse camping terrains. RV parks near Dandridge provide easy access to water recreation on the 28,000-acre lake and typically remain open from early spring through late fall, with limited year-round options. Most sites require leveling on moderate slopes common throughout the region.
What to do
Water activities on Douglas Lake: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Anchor Down RV Resort, visitors appreciate the built-in lake amenities. "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," reports Becca O.
Baseball tournaments: Kings Holly Haven sits adjacent to local sports fields. "The park is next to Wear Farm Park, so if baseball/softball tournaments are going on the campground will be full of ball players. It is very convenient to Pigeon Forge entertainment and the mountains," notes Lori H.
Bluegrass festivals: Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park hosts special music events throughout the year. "We would love to come back for their bluegrass festival," mentions Alex C., while another visitor shared, "We also made some great friends, will be returning next year for the bluegrass festival."
Stream wading: Smaller creeks provide cooling options during summer months. "My kids loved playing by the river. It's close to all the areas attractions but far enough where it feels like you are camping in the wilderness," writes Brian P. about Up the Creek campground.
What campers like
Private fireplace sites: Premium sites at some resorts feature upscale fire options. At Anchor Down RV Resort, "The premium sites have custom fireplaces and the views are gorgeous," according to Betheny. Another camper noted, "It has fireplaces at many of the sites. The lake swimming area is fun, and the pool was great."
Clean, spacious shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Anchor Down receives praise for exceptional facilities: "Bath House, restrooms and laundry are the finest I have ever encountered. Shower areas are large enough for families with young ones to be together with wet, dry, sink and commode area all in one room," reports Barbara P.
Off-leash dog areas: Up the Creek RV Camp provides dedicated space for pets. A camper noted, "Pet friendly - pick up stations and off leash area with activities for active breeds." Another visitor mentioned, "There is a small dog park, two creeks (wadable) and lots of peace and quiet."
Self-registration options: Some parks offer flexible check-in. As described by one campground owner: "We are very laid back in our approach to camping as you will notice first thing upon arrival when you will probably find the office unoccupied. If that is the case, you can utilize self-registration and chose your own campsite."
What you should know
Spacing considerations: Site widths vary considerably between locations. At Riveredge RV Park, "This campground is clean and in a good location to the main road but the sites are very small. We could not use our awning due to being so close to the camper next to us," reports Aaron C. Another camper confirmed: "Only issue is the sites are small and close."
Reservation booking challenges: During peak seasons, securing spots can be difficult. One Anchor Down visitor advises: "It is so hard to get a reservation here... A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list instead of releasing the dates on the website!"
Varying Wi-Fi quality: Internet access fluctuates by location and park. "Wifi was ok if you could connect to the 5G network but unusable otherwise and did not work in laundry room," notes Kristen M. about Two Rivers Landing. Another park specifically prohibits streaming: "Only draw back is their no streaming WiFi policy."
Tent camping limitations: RV-focused parks often restrict tent camping. "Currently, we do not allow tent camping except during festivals and special events," explains one park owner. Confirm policies before booking non-RV stays.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad options: Riveredge RV Park offers water features beyond traditional pools. "Our son had a ball playing in the pool and splash pad. After hours we went to the arcade and played. The bath house was super nice," writes Holly G. Another visitor confirmed: "Beautiful, clean sites! Bathrooms were very nice. Play ground for kids is small but the pool and splash pad provided a lot of entertainment!"
Halloween activities: Seasonal events provide additional entertainment. "Every Saturday in October, campers decorate their site and hand out candy to the costumed campers! My kids LOVED that. We have already booked for this next October and plan to make it a tradition!" shares Becca O.
Adult-oriented vs. family campgrounds: Some parks cater specifically to quieter adult experiences. One visitor to Up the Creek notes: "This is seriously the quietest campground I've ever been to. I wouldn't bring children to it (there's nothing for them to do there, anyway) but it's a very relaxing 'adult' campground."
Basketball courts and recreation: Forest Grove RV Resort features sports amenities for active families. "They have a water park that is great for kids and it has a restaurant and an ice cream shop. It's spacious and the people who work there are so friendly," reports HTrav.
Tips from RVers
Site selection by rig type: At Two Rivers Landing, placement is categorized by vehicle. "The campground is set up by money. And what I mean by that is, class A and larger get the water views. 5th wheel and travel trailers get the 2nd class view behind the big money class A," explains Robert F.
Public transportation access: Kings Holly Haven RV Park provides alternate transportation options. "Trolley stop directly by office so no need to drive down into Pigeon Forge," notes Lisa S. This helps avoid traffic congestion in tourist areas.
Tight site navigation: Some parks require maneuvering skills. "The spots along the fence line are HORRIBLE! The road noise is awful and there's construction on the other side of the road that begins in the early morning and lasts till late afternoon," warns Lorena B., while another camper shared: "The camper across the street from my site had to move his truck so that I could get enough angle to back into my site."
Leveling preparation: Pack leveling equipment as many sites need adjustment. "Gravel spot needed 2 blocks to level," reports one camper, while another noted many campgrounds feature "sites that may challenge larger vehicles."
