6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Campgrounds surrounding Farner, Tennessee provide rustic cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground in nearby Tellico Plains offers pet-friendly cabins equipped with electricity, picnic tables, and fire rings. Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground features cabins with access to shared amenities including refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. The Hiwassee River Area includes cabin options for those seeking proximity to water recreation. "The cabin was spotless and comfortable. The picnic table, fire pit and park style grill were all well maintained," notes one visitor to Simple Life Mountain Retreat, highlighting the clean facilities common to many cabin rentals in the region.
Pet-friendly cabins are widely available throughout the area, with most accommodating both small and large dogs. KOA locations within driving distance offer standardized cabin camping experiences with amenities like air conditioning, beds, and outdoor grills. According to one KOA visitor, "The cabins have three beds, one double and a set of bunk beds. They have AC as well. They are small but do the job." Cabin sizes range from intimate one-room structures ideal for couples to larger multi-room options that can sleep up to ten people. Most locations require advance reservations, particularly during summer months and fall color season when occupancy rates peak. Winter availability varies by location, with some campgrounds closing seasonally.
Most cabin rentals provide beds with mattresses but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties, from basic setups with only outdoor fire rings to more equipped options with refrigerators and microwaves. Cabins at Bald Mountain Camping Resort come with grills and fire pits, with reasonably priced firewood available onsite. Visitors should check specific amenities when booking as bathroom facilities may be shared central facilities rather than in-cabin. General stores at larger campgrounds stock essential items, though selection is limited. For more extensive grocery needs, nearby towns offer full-service supermarkets and outdoor supply stores for forgotten items or extended stays.
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"Excellent sites, small outfitter store with food, drink, sundries. Breakfast & Lunch Diner. Multiple Float Rental types including sit in, sit on and inflatable kayaks."
"Our family used a mix of a cabin and a tent, which worked out perfectly—it gave us a great option to get some AC while still letting the kids get the real tent-camping experience."
"There are cabins, a couple RV sites, and the rest of the grounds are available to pitch a tent wherever you want to. Bathrooms are clean. Firewood is free."
"This is our second year providing a unique experience for those who choose a different path."
from $10 - $35 / night
"Beautiful State Park with roomy shaded sites, many of which are creekside. A large lake for fishing and swimming is at the front of the park and it offers canoe and paddle boat rentals."
"We enjoyed a challenging 11-mile hike up and over 3 mountains from trail heads inside the park. There are shorter hikes that start here as well."
Available this weekend
from $30 - $290 / night
"It is small and heavily treed so the campground does NOT look like a parking lot. There seemed to be amble space between sites."
"It is a small park, with all sites very close together. If you're looking for privacy, or are more of a party camper, I would not suggest this place."
from $30 - $145 / night
"I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains."
"We stayed in one of there cabins. We were on motorcycles. Could t have ask for better!!"
from $20 / night
"We camped in a Pioneer campsite #2 which is a 3 sided pavilion that would easily sleep 8-10 people if you were only using bed rolls and sleeping bags."
"The campground is well situated in a mountain valley. the sites are flat and easy to access. The roads are a bit narrow but big enough if you take your time. "
Available this weekend
from $14 - $55 / night
"It has hiking trails bycyclin trails it also has local horse back riding that takes you up near Chilhowee Lake once to the top you get a really beautiful overlook of Parksville lake at one of the centered"
"Fun and relaxing creekside Glamping treehouse, there's plenty of space for a few tents as well. The creek is cool and refreshing to enjoy rock hunting. Large fire pit and grill to make our dinner."
from $150 - $175 / night
"The campground offers cabins and the cabin was pretty nice. It slept ten people. However, there is only one bathroom in the cabin. The toilet wasn’t working well."
"Great spot for tent campers, boondockers, or even rv’s that need water and power. You’re probably gonna see some weirdness here but that charm is what keeps the vibe alive."
from $10 - $45 / night
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
GuideGreat campsites, little closer together than what I like but still nice and shaded all paved. Have three dump stations that are very nice. Will definitely come back. Better have reservations, cause it does stay full.
GuideWe stayed at Site 18, which has a reputation for being one of the hardest sites to back into. There’s definitely a trick to it! Pull your truck forward along the site, then pull out toward the site across from you, making an S-turn. From there, line it up and back in. It's tricky, but doable!
We loved this area and packed a lot into our stay. We visited BJ’s Apple Orchard, stopped at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm (where I somehow ended up with a 150-pound pumpkin 😂), had dinner at Cascades Restaurant, and took the easy way to see the falls.
The fenced-in sites were a huge plus, especially with our pups. It gave them more room to roam. The bathrooms and showers are individual rooms, which was nice, and the welcome center is one of the nicest we’ve come across.
And then there’s THE HILL. I was born and raised in the Smokies, so I’m no stranger to mountain roads, but the incline is no joke! The reviews are absolutely not exaggerating when they say it’s steep. Come prepared!
I have T-mobile and husband has Xfinity and we both have great service. Wifi in the campground gets the job done for Netflix at night.
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Beautiful area, plenty to explore, dog-friendly sites, and a campground we’d visit again. 🏕️🥾
GuideBeautiful views from the trails. I went during the summer in July so it was on the busier side. There is a lake with a beach with boat and paddle board rentals. Seemed like a great spot to fish. Prepare for possibilities of bears as they were around. One night I must have not fully secured my bear box and a bear found my cooler. I tent camped on a pad where I can find some service (T-Mobile) but most spots are spotty. Next time I come, I want to try the back country locations. Trails are awesome with a cool story about the place around the tower and fortification. Attendants at the camp store were really nice. If groceries are needed there is grocery stores in the nearest town of Chatsworth down the mountain
TravelerThis KOA is a really nice CG. It’s nestled in a valley and surrounded by by mountains. Full service with a nice pool, camp store,clean bath houses/restrooms and lots to do for kids . Our site was along the creek. Very peaceful and loved hearing the water. Lots of mixed use, long term RV’s, cabin rentals and tent sites. The CG was s very large and most sites are close to one another, not much privacy but that’s what State Park CG’s are for. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Great WiFi here, very solid signal during our visit.
LegendOverall, this is a nice campground with lots of amenities in a great location. They have easy online booking and when you arrive you are instructed to go straight to your site and come to the office later for campground information and parking pass. Little Arrow has lots of amenities with the most popular being the swimming pool. In fact, it was a little too popular as it was quite crowded most of the time. The community firepit is a great place to gather with lots of people. There is a restaurant onsite (which we did not eat at but heard it was very good). The nearby town of Townsend is a great town with shopping and restaurants. We loved the brewery in town (Peaceful Side Social) which had great food and beer and lots of space for kids to run around. Next store to the brewery was a delicious ice cream shop. This campground is in a great location to visit the Great Smokey Mountain National Park with the entrance being just a few miles away and it’s a short drive to the Cades Cove Loop which is a very interesting and popular driving route in the park with historic sites and great wildlife viewing along the way. We had a buddy site which was laid out so that RVs are on the same pad and share a common area in between. We enjoyed the table and chairs and “kitchen” area which was great for gathering. Some sites back up to a river and have nice covered pavilions. There is public river access at the campground which I liked for fly fishing and my dog loved for swimming. The only complaints are that some sites (including ours) was very close to your neighbor and it is really a tight squeeze getting big-rigs into the park and to our site. The entrance to our loop was really tight and we even noticed one tow hauler ripped off part of his bumper on an old gate post that was covered by overgrown bushes. There are low hanging trees at the entrance which I mentioned to the manager and she dismissed it that stuff was really growing since it was late spring and they didn’t have time to trim. She did indicate that they intended on trimming but we left so I’m not sure if it happened or not.
TravelerWe had an awesome stay! Our family used a mix of a cabin and a tent, which worked out perfectly—it gave us a great option to get some AC while still letting the kids get the real tent-camping experience. We absolutely loved the French toast, and the bathroom and shower facilities were convenient. We really enjoyed our time and all the amenities. Thanks for a great stay!
LegendWe followed the confirmation email directions, which took us right to the campground. Check-in was quick, efficient, and exceptionally friendly. We were escorted to back-in Site 55, which was an easy back-in and one of the more spacious sites in the campground. We were glad we chose this site over one of the pull-throughs, which appeared much closer together. The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The campground Wi-Fi was adequate for checking email and general browsing but not streaming. There are plenty of mature trees throughout the campground, so Starlink availability will vary by site. We chose not to deploy ours but believe Site 55 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground also features a fenced dog park that is large enough to actually throw a ball and let your dog run. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA with friendly staff, spacious back-in sites, and a convenient location, and it will definitely remain on our list of campgrounds for future visits to the Chattanooga area.
GuideVisiting family in Chattanooga who love this campground for their lakeside spots which we were sure to reserve early. Fun to swim directly at your campsite at the Smokemont loop. We like to run and bike, but there wasn’t much for options other than a VERY hilly loop of Gold Circle which still required a short time on the busy Hixon Pike. Beach area looked nice but didn’t use it as we swam at the campground and also from family’s boat. Bathrooms are as expected for a campground, I think the Windy Hills loop has a nicer bathroom and also would be closer to the playground.
Cabin camping opportunities dot the landscape surrounding Farner, Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet throughout the Cherokee National Forest region. The area experiences mild springs and falls, hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms, and occasional winter snow at higher elevations. Most cabin rentals in the Farner area remain open year-round, though services may be limited from November through March.
Whitewater adventures on the Ocoee River: Visitors to Ocoee River Area can experience class 5 rapids during seasonal water releases. "The Occoee river is an absolute blast. I've gone with my family 4 times down the river and once with a group of friends. It is a thrill when you get to go down some of the drops and class 5 rapids," notes one reviewer.
Motorcycle touring: The region surrounding Farner offers excellent motorcycle routes, particularly the Cherohala Skyway. Specialized accommodations like Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground cater to riders. "We stayed in one of their cabins. We were on motorcycles. Couldn't have asked for better!!" reports one motorcyclist.
Tubing on gentle waterways: Watercraft rentals and guided trips operate seasonally from May through September. "The campground is next to the outfitters where you can rent kayaks, floats and rafts. We used the Webb Brothers rental company 0.5 miles down the road from the campground because they had same day availability without reservations," explains a visitor to Hiwassee River Area.
Farm animal interactions: Several campgrounds incorporate working farms where guests can interact with animals. "You'll be greeted by friendly owners who will get you into a site quickly, give a brief farm tour, and allow plenty of time to play with goats, ride a small zipline, relax by a bonfire, and even provide outdoor movies by request," describes a visitor at Candy Mountain Goat Farm.
Natural water features: Creeks and rivers enhance many camping areas near Farner. A visitor to Murphy/Peace Valley KOA explains, "Our site was right on the Valley River. It was so serene just sitting there watching the water flow by." Many cabins offer direct water access for fishing, wading, and photography.
Affordability: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the value found in camping cabins near Farner. "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," notes a visitor to Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Off-grid experiences: Many visitors appreciate the chance to disconnect. "No phone signal which is ok with us because we like to unplug. There is free WiFi available at the rafting Outfitter store," comments a Hiwassee River Area visitor.
Free amenities: Several campgrounds include unexpected extras with cabin stays. "They also have free meals that depend on the day of the week. I heard they also have a garage to use to work on your bike. Conveniently located to the Cherohala Skyway," shares a visitor about Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Seasonal water levels: Water-based activities depend on dam release schedules. "The river is smooth until 11am. We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly," explains a camper at Hiwassee River Area.
Shared facilities: Many cabin properties have community kitchens rather than in-unit amenities. "Clean bathrooms, showers, use of refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and super nice hosts," notes a camper at Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground.
Dry counties: Some areas restrict alcohol sales. "Kelli and Wayne (the owners) never disappoint. Everything about the spot is great and they have pretty much everything you would need (except alcohol as the county is dry, so bring your own)," advises a repeat visitor to Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. Plan accordingly for communication needs, especially during emergencies. Most campgrounds recommend downloading maps and information before arrival.
Off-site activities: Multiple nearby attractions supplement on-site amenities. A visitor to Vogel State Park Campground shares, "The sites have plenty of privacy. I felt very tucked away from the activities. Which there are plenty of! The lake has a beach, you can rent a kayak or paddle boat. There's a beautiful waterfall and the hikes are amazing!"
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide cooling relief during summer months. "Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping," reports a Hiwassee River Area visitor about their campsite placement.
Playgrounds and games: Family-friendly recreation areas keep younger campers entertained. "Two separate children's playgrounds exist, not too far from one another. One near a small kids ball field...the other near a very nice volleyball court, permanent corn hole pit and state of the art outdoor exercise machine area," describes a visitor to Vogel State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings enhance the camping experience but require appropriate precautions. "For our camping group, this place was amazing. We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," recounts a visitor to Fort Mountain State Park Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Campground topography affects setup difficulty. A Fort Mountain State Park Campground visitor notes, "We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level."
Access limitations: Not all camping cabins near Farner accommodate larger RVs. "It is a small park, with all sites very close together. If you're looking for privacy, or are more of a party camper, I would not suggest this place," advises a visitor to Murphy/Peace Valley KOA.
Specialized RV considerations: Many areas near Farner have specific limitations. "The campground is immaculate. Lots for the kiddos here with a man made lake and paddle boats and canoes for rent, a miniature golf course, and a creek that runs through the campground that seemed the biggest attraction for a great many of the kids," explains a visitor about Vogel State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Off-season availability varies by location. Check directly with properties for winter operation schedules, as many reduce services after October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Farner, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Farner, TN is Hiwassee River Area with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Farner, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 107 cabin camping locations near Farner, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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