Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Gatlinburg, TN

Spent 1/2 day hiking the trails and through the campground here. Observed Super camping sites in this less accessed entry point to the Smoky Mountains. I have this down for an actual stay here. Many wooded spots and close to waterfalls and phenomenal hiking. 40 minutes from Gatlinburg

I love elkmont! It’s located only a short drive from Gatlinburg and several major hiking trails including Chimney Top. It’s also beautiful, surrounded by trees, you can hear waterfalls, plenty of space from other campers, etc. Definitely makes you feel like you’re more remote than some other campsites I’ve been to.

We had an great time. Several hiking trail heads start in the campground. The AT is also just a short walk from the campgrounds. Beautiful trees and wildlife! We met a bear. Would be 5 stars except for how far it is from Gatlinburg and the main areas of the National Park

The Asheville KOA is very pet and RV friendly. There are a number of walking trails of easy to moderate difficulty that run throughout the property. The dog park is a great place to let the pups off of the leashes for a bit. Staff pickup trash daily between 10-11AM at your site, but dumpsters are easily accessible.

We camped here in our 22' travel trailer. The back in sites are mostly level with a mix of dirt and gravel. If you're looking for a sunny spot, request one of the even-numbered back-ins. If you would prefer to be mostly in the shade, go for an odd-numbered spot. 20/30/50 amp electric, cable, water and sewer were easily accessible at each site. Camp sites are not very large, so be mindful of volume and lights with respect to your neighbors.

Elkmont is set in an absolutely stunning setting. The tent site were large and very clean with the sound of rapids coming from the nearby river. There were multiple bathrooms available which were clean and well maintained. It is centrally located for multiple stunning hikes i.e. Laurel Falls, Charlie’s Bunion and Clingmans Dome. It is also a short drive from Gatlinburg.

The Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited National Park. If you go in the summer, it will be crowded. Elkmont is less than 10 miles from Gatlinburg. So yes this campground is large and busy. If you know that going in, then you should be ok. If it to be a quieter campsite, come here in the late fall or earlier spring.

Raccoon Valley RV park is literally just an RV park. The park was very clean and well maintained, and would be a nice place to park for a night as part of a longer trip. The RV park is just right off 1-75, just north of Knoxville, so it would be easy to hop on and off the interstate. The property is just a large gravel parking lot, with a few trees scattered throughout. Not really my kind of camping, but nearly all the spots were full.

The park has a large laundry facility, and a dog park for people traveling/camping with pets. I did see some benches located in the perimeter of the property in shady spots for relaxing.

I assume some of the guests are long term residents, but the sites were all so neat and clean, without built on structures and such that I’ve seen at most places. This RV park will be perfect for some!

Cosby is the by far the most secluded and private campground in the Smokies. While there is lack of waterfront sites it is much more peaceful than any of the others. It's very peaceful and close to awesome trails-Low Gap and Lower Mt Cammerer. Also the best hidden jewel nearby is Carver Orchard and Applehouse. Cosby town itself is a neat little corner of the world and very worth being away from Gatlinburg.

Great park right smack in the middle of it all. Sites are good sized and had nice tent pads, 2 rivers running though it. A large one and a nice little creek that runs through. The best sites are off the river and some of the ones right next to the creek. Close to some great trails and not too far from Gatlinburg if you're looking for some tourist action. Loved this campground and would definitely return. Perfect base camp for all the smokies have to offer! Happy Trails!

Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park. About 1 hour away from Gatlinburg, but this side is less crowded. The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal. There is no cell service but this is also a great opportunity to disconnect. Right next to the campground there are horse stables, really recommend an early morning horseback ride around the trails Mountains of the campground. Definitely looking forward to visiting again!

The campground is really beautiful. well maintained facilities. the campground is pet friendly but the park is not. you can't take your dog on any trails except 2. Those are 45 minutes and 2 hours from the campground. The only downside to this location is it is 45 minutes to Gatlinburg.

The campground is really beautiful. well maintained facilities. the campground is pet friendly but the park is not. you can't take your dog on any trails except 2. Those are 45 minutes and 2 hours from the campground. The only downside to this location is it is 45 minutes to Gatlinburg.

We loved the host jerry he brought us wood and picked our trash up and was a pleasure . The campground itself is taken great Care of with nice bathhouses . It also has a cool little dog park my dogs loved !

Sites are full hook up. Level. Fire rings. Picnic tables. Offers supreme patio sites as well. Swimming pool was warm and clean. Large play ground area. Dog park. Management was very polite and helpful.

Campground was well maintained and easy to find. The owner was around all weekend working on the place and being generally friendly. Facilities were clean and in good shape. Massive dog park.

A no-frills campground inside GSMNP. Cosby is a small town about a 45 minute easy drive from Gatlinburg. Heavily wooded, lends itself nicely to hammock camping. Campsites are clean and bath houses are interspersed nicely throughout the campground. Bath houses are very basic: flush toilet (paper provided) and stainless steel sinks- no soap or dryers and are very clean. Campground is quiet and one can listen to the sounds of the creek from your tent.

No cell service.

Several hiking trails are accessible within the campground.

No store, though several small stores/gas stations outside the campground sell approved firewood and ice. One or two small sandwich shops are open in the small town.

Parking for tent camping really is limited to one car per campsite. Small parking spaces.

Many sites are on an incline and accessed by stairs. Tent pads, picnic tables and fire rings are mostly level. There are grates attached to the fire rings that can be laid back if not in use.

We enjoyed our stay here very much, though check the weather forecast: it rained at the campground while we were out and had no idea it had rained. :)

This a an RV park, not a resort. It has everything you need: full hook ups, dog park, laundry. Clean, well kept and friendly. Sites are small and close, but work even for the larger rigs.

A safe and reasonably priced place to spend a night while traveling, or a couple while exploring the area.

The new owners took over last year and immediately started making upgrades. Clean, renovated bathhouse and swimming pool are a big plus!

A new enclosed dog park and weekly entertainment provides extra perks. For those that want something truly unique, there are 2 new covered wagons that sleep 4!

Its definitely one of favorite places to stay!