Andersonville, Tennessee sits at the edge of Norris Lake, where several established campgrounds provide access to water recreation and scenic landscapes. Loyston Point Campground, located directly in Andersonville, offers highly-rated sites with water and electric hookups, operating seasonally from March through October. Within a short drive, campers can access Big Ridge State Park Campground, which remains open year-round with options for tent camping, RV sites, and cabins. The surrounding area includes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lands, state parks, and private campgrounds that accommodate various camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads with 50-amp service.
Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during the peak season from late spring through early fall. Loyston Point's lakefront location makes it especially popular, with campers noting the clean water and helpful staff. According to one visitor, "The lake is clear and clean. The campsites have water and power hook-ups. The staff in the store were super sweet and helpful. They even sell firewood and ice after hours on the honor system." Weather conditions remain mild through much of the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Cell service varies throughout the area, with some campgrounds having limited or no coverage, particularly in more remote locations or those nestled in valleys.
Water access stands out as a defining feature of camping in the Andersonville area, with Norris Lake providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Many campsites offer lake views or direct water access, though shade can be limited at some locations. Campground amenities typically include bathhouses with showers, though quality and availability vary by location. Visitors frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere and natural beauty of the area. While most campgrounds provide standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, some sites have reported limited bathroom facilities or uneven terrain that can make RV leveling challenging. The proximity to Knoxville (approximately 30 minutes south) makes these campgrounds convenient weekend destinations for regional visitors.
"We stayed at the main area but not much space or privacy so we put up a tent out side our door, but then moved to the tent camping site area the second night which was more secluded and private, but still"
"There is a lake, so naturally that means there is boating, jet skiing, canoeing and of course fishing."
$8 - $100 / night
"I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."
"Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."
"This is a beautiful campsite in Andersonville, TN, approximately 2:45 hrs from Asheville, NC. The lake is clear and clean. The campsites have water and power hook-ups."
"The staff is warm and helpful, it’s incredibly clean, and the surroundings really allow you to feel the love of East Tennessee’s beauty."
$25 - $55 / night
"Great location just off I75, close to easy shopping (Walmart), Urgent Care facility just minutes away, nice BBQ place right in the park, local eatery’s just up the way (less than 2 miles)."
"Our site is nice and right on the lake but it’s a little odd the way the sites are. Our neighbors site is next to us but there table and fire pit are behind our rig."
"I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."
"Reminder the lake is really low all fall/winter before Memorial Day. It was quiet and serene and you could hear the fish jumping all evening."
$30 - $65 / night
"Bathrooms and Showers with hot water. 20 minutes outside Knoxville and extremely quiet."
"The campsite is nestled in trees and conveniently located to the Knoxville area. They have a small store for small forgotten items as well as a place to fill propane."
"When passing through this area going to the Smoky Mountains I made a pit stop in Clinton, TN, just a few short miles away from one of the entrances to Smoky Mountain National Park."
"A great stop right off the highway. Super nice staff, easy in and out (make sure you pay attention to the left turn in past the gas station). Not the roomiest of sites, but fine for what we needed."
$23 - $30 / night
"Easy access to the highway."
$20 - $60 / night
"This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean."
"Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake."
GuidePossibly the best merch I have come across at a state campsite And the staff were really helpful extending my booking. Everything works on the site with plenty of bathrooms. Lake is great for swimming.
ScoutAs with all experiences, it is how you handle the difficult ones that shows your true colors. In this case the owner had every chance to make a different choice but chose in favor of himself.
1. They have a malfunctioning 4 wheeler they use to get around the 30 plus site park. The horn on this unit went off one morning waking those in proximity. The owner offered no apology, yet acknowledge that he knew that it was faulty. This was before I realized the next problem.
2. I made the mistake of making reservations to a place that you likely don't need them without looking at the fine print. We were on our way to the campground from about 2 days away when our vehicle had a bearing go on it. I called on the Saturday that it happened saying that we would not be able to make our Sunday night reservation, but I would be there on Monday. I assumed that I would get credit for the lost night. Nope. The owner stood by his fine print and refused a refund. Even though there were only about 8 of us in the campground which means that my reservation was not required. Further it didn't make him turn anyone else away because of my reservation.
3. On the second morning, they have their garbage picked up at about 6am by a large garbage truck. Next to us.
Conclusion: Do not make reservations until you read the fine print. Pick another campground as there are so many in the area. This campground while pleasing in so many ways will forever be hindered by an owner who cares more about money than doing the right thing.
ScoutSuper quiet and very clean. Beautiful scenery with peaceful surroundings.
LegendWe joined a rally and extended our stay in early-April. What a great resort!
THINGS I LIKED:
Proximity to Pigeon Forge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding tourist area
Hospitable staff
Onsite Jeep rental
Clean and well-appointed Signature Sites including hot tub, outdoor TV, stone fireplace, stamped concrete pad and patio
Amenities include heated pools, pickleball court, dog run
Everything was clean, well-maintained, and functional
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
The WiFi was lousy which wouldn’t normally matter, but our WiFi didn’t work either due to poor cell service in the area
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutWe stayed here one night on our way through as Norris Dam campground undergoes renovations. Nice paved sites with fire pits. We did wish the sites had a curb or some sort at the back of the paved area as it’s a drop off beyond the site. Clean restrooms.
Pretty location nestled in the foothills. The roads in the park and leaving the park are a bit narrow and winding.
GuideWe made it down to tent camp in the d loop. Great spot as the reviews had mentioned. I wish all spots had food storage, but the downfall was hearing traffic all night while tent camping.
ScoutThis campground is super close to Knoxville and Maryville, it is small, but easy to find where to go and to get to your site, even at night. I stayed at Campsite 5 and it was conveniently located to the bathroom. Campsites 1, 3, and 9 seem to be the most secluded but will be a walk to the bathroom. The owners were great, Arron (owner) actually visited and greeted us, which was super nice.
TravelerGorgeous views of the lake, convenient hiking trail on property for our pups, sandy beach.
GuideBeautiful drive to get to this place once you get through the traffic jam of Sevierville. Enjoy the scenic and winding river road! dOnly loop C is open in the off season. Generators are allowed at this time of year, but must be off by 8pm.
The women's restroom was revoltingly smelly (some animal had sprayed in there, smelled like male cat x100). The sites have nice new pads (not perfectly level though) and the tent pads are spacious and flat.
Cade's Cove loop was definitely worth taking, and I would do it again and stop at every stop. Take your time, take the pull outs and let the people pass you. Make sure to get a parking pass and a brochure explaining the sites along the loop at the beginning of the drive. I saw many turkeys showing off their fan tails. And a large black bear chowing down on the sweet, fattening, tender spring grass. Also there were quite a few deer out. The scenery was magnificent!
Camping spots near Andersonville, Tennessee center around Norris Lake, which spans 33,840 acres with 809 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 1,020 feet elevation and experiences average summer temperatures around 85°F. During peak camping season, Norris Lake maintains water temperatures between 75-85°F, creating ideal conditions for water activities through September.
Water recreation on Norris Lake: Loyston Point Campground offers direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. One visitor noted, "Great place for kids to hang out, play in the water, and pull the boat right up to our camp site" at Loyston Point Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Big Ridge State Park features several trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A camper mentioned, "I've also finished the trip by hiking the loop back out by continuing on Dark Hollow to Big Valley Trail, to Ghost House Trail and back to Lake Trail (5.3 miles total). These sections of the trails are easy to moderate" at Big Ridge State Park Campground.
Museum visits: The Museum of Appalachia sits adjacent to camping options. "This is our second time here. I really like this campground. It is right next to the Museum of Appalachia. It's full of peacocks and mini horses and fat little pigs," reported a visitor at Appalachia Ridge.
Waterfront camping: Many campers value direct water access at multiple sites around Norris Lake. At TVA Public Land- Fork Bend, one camper explained, "The sites are all close to the water with beautiful sunsets on the west side and gorgeous sunrises on the east sites. This spot is my ultimate favorite spot I've visited so far."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain clean amenities. A visitor at Loyston Point noted, "The bathrooms were always very clean and had nice hot water showers. But above anything else, the customer service was amazing."
Privacy options: For those seeking seclusion, dispersed camping provides more isolation. At TVA Public Land-Fork Bend, a camper shared, "I was separated from the neighbors by a grove of trees and could sort of see them but it wasn't intrusive. Since I was by myself, I would not have gone down the TVA road (Dogwood Trail) without 4wd."
Access challenges: Some camping areas require appropriate vehicles. At Fork Bend, a camper advised, "The road back is a gravel/dirt road a few miles into the woods. Although bumpy 4x4 isn't necessary as we were able to get our 85 GMC van back here."
Site levelness varies: Terrain can create challenges for RV setup. At Loyston Point Campground, a visitor warned, "The only downside is the horrifically unleveled sites. The bathrooms were clean, the view from our site was spectacular and the staff was very helpful."
Site selection impacts experience: At Big Ridge State Park, site location matters: "There are two levels and three sections. There are two new, clean showerhouses and one old showerhouse. At the front of the campground are ADA sites, the second section is closest to the lake, good for fishing."
Free camping options: For budget-conscious campers, TVA lands offer no-cost alternatives. A visitor reported, "Completely free primitive camping. Me and my boyfriend had a difficult time finding the place at first. The coordinates took us to a Bible school."
Kid-friendly activities: Children enjoy multiple recreational options at established campgrounds. At Cove Lake State Park Campground, a camper shared, "We absolutely love this place! It is our children's favorite campground!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. Another Cove Lake visitor noted, "The sites were pretty big too which a fantastic amount of room to throw ball and play! Bath houses were clean but typical state park bath houses. We were right across from one that the playground was near which wasn't nice."
Swimming options: When lake swimming isn't available, look for pools. "There is a massive pool but we had to pay to get into it and had to drive to it," reported a visitor to Cove Lake State Park.
Site selection for families: At West Campground — Norris Dam State Park, a camper advised, "We stayed at site #2 which was nice but had soft ground from prior rain. There were a lot of headlights on us from traffic entering the campground, even up til MIDNIGHT on Saturday. I would stay here again but would choose a site more towards the backside of the loop for less traffic."
Size constraints: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. A camper at West Campground noted, "Keep in mind, a trailer much longer that 16' will have trouble getting in."
Hookup availability: RV sites typically offer electric and water connections. At Volunteer Park, a visitor explained, "We had water, electric, sewer, and cable. Since we had sewer hook up I did not use their bathrooms. They had 2 bath houses."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact site conditions. A visitor cautioned, "Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Andersonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Andersonville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 310 campgrounds and RV parks near Andersonville, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Andersonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Andersonville, TN is West Campground — Norris Dam State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Andersonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Andersonville, TN.
What parks are near Andersonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Andersonville, TN that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
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