Camping cabins near Etowah, Tennessee sit in the foothills of the Cherokee National Forest at elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F during day with cooler 65-70°F nights, making cabins a comfortable option between May and September. Winter cabin camping is also popular with daytime highs around 50°F and overnight lows near freezing.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: 30 minutes from Etowah at Adventures Unlimited Campground, where cabins provide a base for Ocoee River activities. "We did the Classic Middle Ocoee Rafting Adventure, with Leon as our guide. He was awesome! He wore a Viking helmet and had vast knowledge of the river and area," notes one visitor. The Ocoee River was the site for the 1996 Olympics whitewater events.
Motorcycle touring: Cherohala Skyway access from Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground (formerly Hunt's Lodge). "I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains. Includes picnic table, fire pit and some chairs, clean restrooms and showers, use of refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker," reports a recent guest. Campsites are level and spacious.
Fishing: 3-acre stocked pond at Olde English Farm provides catch-and-release fishing for cabin guests. Multiple hiking trails on the property offer additional recreation. Fishing licenses required for adults 13+ for Tennessee waters.
What campers like
Clean facilities with hot showers: Sweetwater KOA gets high marks for maintenance. "The bathrooms were nice, kept clean, and the showers were great," writes one camper. Another notes, "Bathrooms are very clean and well-maintained. My husband is disabled and we are very appreciative of the separate handicap facilities. You don't have that in a lot of campgrounds."
Quiet locations away from highways: Many cabin sites sit on quiet secondary roads. As one visitor to Tennessee Country Campground states, "Great place great people and great management. Clean environment. And clean club house and showers and bathrooms. Has laundry room and fire rings at camp sites."
Variety of cabin styles: From rustic to deluxe accommodations. At Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground, "This campground was quite open and in addition to RV sites there are some little cabins for sleeping very nice people and inexpensive I will stay there again." Some cabins include kitchen facilities while others are basic sleeping quarters.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many cabin sites have spotty reception. Bring printed directions and download maps before arrival. At Cades Cove Campground, "No cell service for Verizon and none for many miles on the drive to the site."
Seasonal operation: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Cades Cove operates from "March 11 to October 31" according to their information, though other properties remain open year-round with reduced services.
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends require advance booking, often 2-3 months ahead. Holiday weekends can fill 6+ months in advance. A camper at Cherohala Mountain Trails noted, "This was a great find! The staff is friendly and grounds are kept very clean. There are cabins, a couple RV sites, and the rest of the grounds are available to pitch a tent wherever you want to."
Bedding policies vary: Most cabins provide beds without linens. Pack sleeping bags or sheets/blankets plus pillows. Bring towels for showers and swimming.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Hiwassee River Area offers water activities for various ages. One visitor shared, "Excellent sites, small outfitter store with food, drink, sundries. Breakfast & Lunch Diner. Multiple Float Rental types including sit in, sit on and inflatable kayaks. Shuttle to top for put in and take out at camp ground on the river."
Educational experiences: Historic sites near cabin rentals provide learning opportunities. The Cades Cove area features preserved structures and wildlife viewing. A visitor recommends, "Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. At Sweetwater KOA, "Plenty for the kids to do-- arcade room, jump pad, and playgrounds."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs with cabins: When bringing an RV plus renting a cabin for extra family, request adjacent sites. At Sweetwater KOA, "The sites, cramped and close together," while at Adventures Unlimited "the rv sites have water and electric hookups in the rv sites, and a dump station."
Hookup availability: Cabins at Tennessee Country Campground & RV Park include water and electric access with nearby dump station. "Clean environment and clean club house and showers and bathrooms. Has laundry room and fire rings at camp sites."
Weather considerations: Cabins offer shelter during frequent summer thunderstorms. The Ocoee region receives 50+ inches of rainfall annually. "Great sites, nice staff. Mike kept up on everything and didn't forget to tell us about anything. Got down into the 20s and the staff made sure we knew what to do in the cold," reported a winter visitor to Sweetwater KOA.
