Camping near Elizabethton, TN

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    Camping options near Elizabethton, Tennessee range from developed state parks to riverside campgrounds in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Roan Mountain State Park Campground, located about 20 miles south of Elizabethton, provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups, showers, and cabin accommodations. The Watauga Dam Campground operated by Tennessee Valley Authority sits directly in Elizabethton, offering full-hookup sites for both tent and RV camping. Several campgrounds in the area feature access to water recreation on Watauga Lake and the Nolichucky River, with most facilities concentrated along Highway 143 and the mountain valleys surrounding the city.

    Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with many facilities operating on limited schedules. Cardens Bluff Campground near Hampton operates from April through early November, while Little Oak Campground runs a similar season from April to October. Several campgrounds provide year-round access, including Roan Mountain State Park. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at many locations, particularly those in mountain valleys or remote areas. One camper noted about Roan Mountain State Park: "Probably the most beautiful and peaceful state park in the country! Plenty of things to do to keep you busy here. Just take plenty of time to do research on this one."

    Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and water access as primary draws to the area. The Nolichucky River and Watauga Lake provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming at several campgrounds. Many sites feature proximity to hiking trails, including access points to the Appalachian Trail from locations like Dennis Cove Campground and Boots Off Hostel & Campground. According to one visitor at Little Oak Campground, "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!" Visitors should note that some campgrounds have limited amenities, with several primitive sites offering vault toilets but no showers. The more developed facilities typically provide electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though site sizes and levelness vary considerably across the region. Elizabethton camping offers diverse options for outdoor recreation, with campgrounds strategically located to access both mountain trails and water activities.

    Best Campgrounds near Elizabethton (296)

      1. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

      4.6(50)15mi from Elizabethton108 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We woke up and everything we had outside was covered in mud. Also you may want to make sure you have everything before you leave."

      "It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."

      2. Cardens Bluff Campground

      4.4(19)7mi from Elizabethton43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."

      "Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."

      from $12 / night

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      3. Little Oak Campground

      4.7(24)16mi from Elizabethton66 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"

      "**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."

      from $10 / night

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      4. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

      3.9(26)18mi from ElizabethtonRVs, Tents

      "We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."

      "This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."

      5. Camp Stonefly

      4.8(5)2mi from ElizabethtonRVs, Tents

      "Me and my wife were looking to get away from theater apartment for a couple of days during a remodel. Well we didn't Wana travel to mountains to camp."

      "Perfect distance to Johnson City. We had a beer at Yee Haw and even brought back tasty Mediterranean dinner from Red Meze to the camp site. Do yourself a favor and book a night here."

      6. Dennis Cove Campground

      4.5(6)9mi from Elizabethton14 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Water fill up spots are well positioned and each site has a fire ring. We stayed in spot #2 which is very close to the road, but it felt secluded and traffic is light."

      "Really nice, small campground situated near several trails."

      from $10 - $20 / night

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      7. Rock Creek Recreation Area

      4.4(10)15mi from Elizabethton34 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."

      "Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."

      from $20 - $50 / night

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      8. Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground

      5.0(4)9mi from ElizabethtonTents

      "The camp store seems small on the outside but every time you look around, you find more stuff. Great for a peaceful getaway."

      "We stayed at one of the drive up spots that are near the bathhouse and a small babbling creek. Woke up to the awesome sounds of nature!"

      from $24 - $55 / night

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      9. Boots Off Hostel & Campground

      5.0(3)7mi from ElizabethtonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Stopped for a night on a cross country road trip. 12$/person gets you a shower, breakfast, access to supplies and some quality time with awesome people coming on and off the Appalachian Trail."

      "Right by the AT and Watauga Lake with Kayak, Canoe, and Stand-up Paddleboard rentals available."

      from $10 - $50 / night

      10. Doe River Landing

      3.3(7)11mi from Elizabethton10 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Five shaded, landscaped RV sites offering water/electric are located about 20 yards from the river’s edge. An additional site offers a fully-outfitted rental RV."

      "There’s a river just behind our spot and only a handful of RVs and cabins. Our GPS wanted us to pass the turn to the campground, we had to make a U turn to get in…."

      from $49 - $79 / night

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    Recent Reviews near Elizabethton, TN

    1383 Reviews of 296 Elizabethton Campgrounds

    • Windy W.
      Oct. 23, 2026

      Doe River Landing

      Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026

      Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time.   With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 23, 2026

      Sugar Hollow Campground

      3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.

    • Jacob A.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 22, 2026

      Whitetop

      The road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.

    • Bonnie H.
      Oct. 21, 2026

      Doe River Landing

      Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate

      My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.

      The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.

      Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.

      These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.

      I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"

    • SThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 21, 2026

      Spacious Skies Bear Den

      Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.

    • Kyle T.
      Oct. 20, 2026

      Doe River Landing

      Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential

      We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back

    • A
      Oct. 20, 2026

      Doe River Landing

      Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership

      Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.

    • Juliana J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

      Epic Spot Near Iron Mountain and Rush Trails

      I wandered a bit and took a left up a gravel road near where the sites indicated were located and just drove for a few miles. Found an awesome spot with a fire pit and lush surroundings. The road was unpaved (but as are all to the best spots) and there were definitely some large rocks and potholes to navigate. Would suggest higher raised vehicle. Saw nobody else and felt like I had my own slice of paradise.

    • April V.
      Oct. 11, 2026

      Lakeview RV Resort

      Nice little campground

      Clean nice little campground for the weekend.

    Guide to Elizabethton

    Camping opportunities near Elizabethton, Tennessee range from stream-side tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations within the Cherokee National Forest and along the Nolichucky River watershed. The area sits at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, offering cooler summer temperatures than nearby lowland regions. Winter camping remains available at select locations, though water systems are typically winterized from November through March.

    What to do

    Fly fishing opportunities: Roan Mountain State Park Campground provides access to rainbow trout fishing in Doe River. "Husband did catch a rainbow trout near group tent sites. Several small brookies near the history center," notes Tracy D. about the fishing options within the park.

    Kayaking on Watauga Lake: Boots Off Hostel & Campground offers water recreation equipment rentals for lake exploration. One camper shares: "Right by the AT and Watauga Lake with Kayak, Canoe, and Stand-up Paddleboard rentals available."

    Hiking to waterfalls: Rock Creek Recreation Area features a moderate 4-mile round-trip trail to Rock Creek Falls. A visitor describes the experience: "There is a nice, but fairly strenuous 4 mile up and back trail from the campground to Rock Creek Falls."

    What campers like

    Quiet, secluded camping spots: Dennis Cove Campground offers peaceful sites within a forested setting. "The campground is in a nice secluded area that can be very silent and relaxing. The sites are well set-up and all are easy to access," explains Nathan F.

    Convenient lake access: Cardens Bluff Campground features waterfront sites positioned on a peninsula. According to Blake E., "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites. The interior campsites are nice as well, with vegetation giving enough privacy between campsites."

    Clean facilities: Camp Stonefly maintains well-kept bathroom facilities despite its small size. As one visitor notes: "Chatted with camp neighbors and yes—the bathrooms are thoughtfully curated and clean. No complaints. Perfect distance to Johnson City."

    What you should know

    Campsite size limitations: Warriors' Path State Park has varied site dimensions that may not accommodate larger RVs. Jennifer H. advises: "The site was perfect for our 23 ft RV but pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout."

    Limited water hookups: Rock Creek Recreation Area provides shared water access but with restrictions. One camper points out: "The website says there is shared water, which there is, but in B Loop, you can't hook a hose to it to fill your tank, as the spigot is not threaded. C Loop had at least some threaded spigots."

    Seasonal campground closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules with Cardens Bluff open from April 13 to November 7 and Little Oak operating April through October. During peak seasons, many sites fill quickly, with one visitor noting about Watauga Dam Campground: "Book early it books up fast!"

    Tips for camping with families

    Accessible playgrounds: Warriors' Path State Park features a specialized playground facility. A visitor mentions the park has "a Boundless Playground" that families appreciate for children of all abilities.

    Swimming options: Rock Creek Recreation Area includes a natural swimming pool formed by damming a mountain stream. According to Robert L.: "There is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole that is quite large... water is very chilly even in late July."

    Educational activities: Roan Mountain State Park offers ranger-led programs throughout the season. "The park also has events scheduled. They had a cloggers dance group when we were there, which was very nice," shares Katrin M.

    Tips from RVers

    Electric hookup availability: Little Oak Campground offers limited utility connections. As Tiffany G. notes: "Very kid-friendly super spacious campsites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night. Only wish they had electricity."

    Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require leveling equipment due to terrain. One RVer at Warriors' Path State Park recommends: "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks."

    Dump station access: Most campgrounds with RV sites provide sanitary dump stations even when full hookups aren't available. At Roan Mountain State Park, facilities include "electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though site sizes and levelness vary considerably."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the best campgrounds in Elizabethton, TN?

    Elizabethton offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Roan Mountain State Park Campground is considered one of the most beautiful in the region, featuring an amphitheater, tennis court, pool, and the stunning Rhododendron Gardens. The Little Doe River runs through the park, offering peaceful water sounds and recreation opportunities. For those seeking a riverside experience, Watauga Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities that can accommodate larger RVs. Both locations offer reservable sites and serve as excellent bases for exploring the natural beauty surrounding Elizabethton.

    Is tent camping available near Elizabethton, TN?

    Yes, several campgrounds near Elizabethton welcome tent campers. Little Oak Campground offers a secluded tent camping experience about an hour from Elizabethton. This hidden gem requires a 7-mile trek off the main road but rewards campers with one of East Tennessee's loveliest settings. For a closer option, Cardens Bluff Campground near Hampton provides walk-in tent sites with water and toilet facilities. Many tent campers also enjoy Boots Off Hostel & Campground, which offers hike-in and walk-in options popular with Appalachian Trail hikers. Most tent sites in the region are available from spring through fall, with some closing during winter months.

    What amenities do Camp Stonefly and other Elizabethton campgrounds offer?

    Camp Stonefly provides basic amenities including reservable sites, water access, and toilet facilities with multiple access options including boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in sites. For those seeking more facilities, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground offers pull-through spaces accommodating various camper sizes, clean and updated bath houses, a large swimming pool, and beautiful views of the Nolichucky River. The park honors Tennessee state discounts and features historical attractions, hiking trails, and river walks. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to outdoor recreation, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed sites.