Cabin camping options near Gray, Tennessee offer convenient access to the Cherokee National Forest and the Nolichucky River. Located at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet in northeast Tennessee, this region experiences moderate year-round temperatures with typical summer highs in the mid-80s. Campgrounds with cabins typically stay open later in the season than tent-only facilities, with many offering year-round availability.
What to do
Fishing access: Little Oak Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. "The campground has plenty of room and space for your truck/boat/trailer. The campfire setup worked out well and the view of the lake was unbeatable," notes one visitor at Little Oak Campground.
Waterfall hikes: Several cabin properties offer trail access to nearby waterfalls. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, "One of the hiking trails leads to a waterfall. Close to an apple orchid, which is so cool to visit (they're dog friendly) and not too far of a drive from the Linville Falls."
Appalachian Trail exploration: Some cabin campgrounds provide direct or nearby access to the Appalachian Trail. Boots Off Hostel & Campground offers "Awesome Hostel & Campground with great people and clean facilities. Right by the AT and Watauga Lake with Kayak, Canoe, and Stand-up Paddleboard rentals available."
Chair lift rides: Natural Tunnel State Park offers unique transportation options. "There's a chairlift to view the tunnel," according to one camper. The tunnel itself is a geological formation where a train passes through a massive rock formation.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many cabins in the area offer secluded settings with natural barriers. At Roan Mountain State Park Campground, "the upper numbered sites on the hillside are very private compared to most campgrounds. We have really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful place."
Clean bathhouse facilities: Roan Mountain State Park Campground maintains excellent facilities. "The campground is very well maintained, and the bathroom was spotless. The staff, rangers and volunteers, were super friendly. If you forgot something, there is a little camp store on the property."
Creekside sites: Water features enhance many cabin camping experiences. One visitor noted about Roan Mountain, "Booked a tent campground right by the creek and couldn't have picked a better location. Quiet time starts at 9 and everyone there was very respectful of this. Enjoyed the sounds of the water running down the creek all night."
Winter accessibility: Several cabin facilities remain open throughout winter months. At Baileyton KOA Holiday, visitors appreciate year-round operation. "Sites are a bit close together but not on top of each other. Gravel pads, fire rings, picnic table, trash."
What you should know
Cabin temperature considerations: Summer cabin stays may require additional cooling equipment. One visitor at Natural Tunnel State Park reported, "The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside. Fortunately, I had two 100-foot extension cords and a fan in our car. There is no way we could have stayed in the yurt without the fan."
Accessibility challenges: Some roads leading to cabins present challenges. At Nolichucky Gorge Campground, "This campground sits on a half gravel/half paved road that is mostly one way as far as width. If you're hauling a huge camper it's gonna make you sweat getting to the campground."
Seasonal availability: During peak seasons, cabins fill quickly throughout the Gray region. "We tent camped with a group here and the sites are very rugged and pretty far from water/bathrooms but there is a pool and the staff is very friendly and helpful," notes one Bristol-Kingsport KOA visitor.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly between cabin properties. "No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular," explains a Roan Mountain State Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Riverpark Campground provides amenities for children while parents relax. "During our stay we enjoyed watching kayakers, rafters, and swimmers take on the river. The mountains provide a nice breeze through the grounds and the constant and reassuring sound of the rapids was enough to drone out our children's whine."
Kid-friendly water activities: Several cabin properties include swimming areas. Bear Den Campground features "a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot. They have firewood and ice to purchase. The campsites are good size. Playground on site for the kids."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer informational programs. "The park also has events scheduled. They had a cloggers dance group when we were there, which was very nice," shares a visitor to Roan Mountain State Park.
Pet policies: Most cabin sites accommodate four-legged family members with specific restrictions. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. There is a countertop next to the front door and plenty of room for all of our gear," notes a Bear Den camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your location based on specific needs when renting cabins near Gray. "We stay up in the 'pines' with our truck camper. They had a 30 amp hookup up there for us. Camp host are awesome people everyone was super helpful," explains a visitor at Natural Tunnel State Park Campground.
Power capacity: Cabins and RV sites offer varying electrical capabilities. "They have 50amp service and full hookup sites. Cellular reception is decent for TMobile and AT&T," states a Bristol-Kingsport KOA reviewer.
Off-season opportunities: RV travelers often find better availability during shoulder seasons. "We arrived very late, after all day travels from Florida. My phone had three bars, Verizon 5G ultra wide signal," notes a Bristol-Kingsport KOA visitor.
Backup plans: Have contingency options as availability can fluctuate. "We arrived with a reservation and there was no spot because someone decided to stay longer and someone unreserved showed up," warns a Nolichucky Gorge Campground visitor.
