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Best Campgrounds near Vonore, TN

2,077 Reviews

Camping near Vonore, Tennessee encompasses a range of waterfront and mountain-adjacent sites situated between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) managed lakes. The area features established campgrounds like Toqua Beach Campground with its 102 sites directly in Vonore, as well as nearby options including Indian Boundary in Cherokee National Forest and several Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds within driving distance. Tellico Lake provides a scenic backdrop for many camping experiences, with boat-in access available at several locations. Campers seeking full amenities can find them at Yarberry Campground in nearby Lenoir City, while those preferring more rustic experiences can explore the quieter campgrounds in the surrounding foothills.

Most campgrounds in the Vonore area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Toqua Beach Campground remains open year-round, providing consistent access to Tellico Lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. Winter camping is available at select locations but with reduced services. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and fall color season when Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitation peaks. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better connectivity at campgrounds closer to Vonore and Lenoir City, and limited to no service in more remote mountain locations.

The camping experience varies considerably between lakeside and mountain sites. Lakeside campgrounds like Toqua Beach and Lotterdale Cove offer water recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, and swimming. According to reviews, "sites along the creek are amazing" at locations like Abrams Creek Campground, providing natural sound barriers from other campers. Mountain campgrounds provide access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, with one visitor noting that Cades Cove is "well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey." Most campgrounds accommodate both tents and RVs, though amenities differ significantly. TVA-managed campgrounds typically offer more developed facilities with electric hookups, while national park campgrounds often provide more basic amenities with an emphasis on natural surroundings.

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Best Camping Sites Near Vonore, Tennessee (498)

    1. Indian Boundary

    28 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-8400

    $20 / night

    "The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."

    "The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."

    2. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."

    "We camped in the middle of a hot sticky Tennessee summer and felt just fine in all of the shade."

    3. Yarberry Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 986-3993

    "Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."

    "We rented a pontoon boat for four hours and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend this campground if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger campgrounds."

    4. Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    24 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water."

    "Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc."

    5. Lotterdale Cove Campground

    6 Reviews
    Greenback, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 776-0720

    $26 - $48 / night

    "Would have been nice to have, but  the view being right next to the lake made up for it four-fold. "

    "Great family location with dry camping for tents, travel trailors and places for RVs. Some are on the Tellico Lake Reservoir. Many of the sites are occupied by seasonal residents."

    6. Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    29 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 361-0436

    $18 - $31 / night

    "We really enjoyed Milton Hill dam, very friendly people , well stocked store, easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them."

    "We made a last minute trip to Melton Hill that was very conveniently located just outside of Knoxville. The campsite offers several options for camping along the water or in the woods."

    7. Sweetwater KOA

    14 Reviews
    Madisonville, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 213-3900

    "For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball, I’m not sure what the game is next to the blob."

    "Very nice area, close to a historic area and site seeing underground lake."

    8. Toqua Beach Campground

    3 Reviews
    Vonore, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 884-3317

    $49 - $69 / night

    "This is a very clean, gated campground located right on the lake with available boat slips to rent during your stay. This is a very open campground with very few trees."

    "But with that being said the lake is beautiful. We didn't see the beach till the last day we were there unfortunately. But it look like an awesome area. There is a Beach area with volleyball."

    9. Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    14 Reviews
    Maryville, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 436-1261

    $30 - $36 / night

    "There is a state campground near the base, but it was crowded and noisy. Unfortunately I've been informed this campground is no longer in operation, so sad."

    "This place has so many gorgeous camping spits and hiking trails! In the fall there is just so many different hues of oranges reds and yellows"

    10. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    "We stayed 3 nights so we could hike the surrounding trails! Loved learning about the history of the area while checking out the old cabins."

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Recent Camping Photos near Vonore, TN

789 Photos of 498 Vonore Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Vonore, TN

2077 Reviews of 498 Vonore Campgrounds

  • Liz M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Rough Creek Dispersed

    Only 2 Sites

    Gorgeous area at the end of the road. Only 2 sites and one intense drive to get here. It takes about 35 minutes to go 4 miles. Ground clearance and off road tires needed

  • SunnyLake
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Lakeside RV Resort & Marina

    Great Place with Great People

    Under new ownership, this little campground is wonderful.  Easy access and close to the activities on Douglas Lake or a quick drive into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge - Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains.  The views from the lake are amazing and the campground hosts are so helpful and available.  Clean and fun!  Love it here!

  • Laur H.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Clabough's Campground

    Good for families

    Our stay was good. It was our first time camping in Pigeon Forge, we usually stay closer to Nashville in state parks. The campsites are extremely close together - everyone is packed in like sardines. We knew it would be tight from when we looked at the map when booking but whew - if you don’t know your neighbors, you will! This seems par for the course in the area. The location here compared to attractions in PF was so convenient it made it worth it.

    We really appreciated the amenities - the bath house was super clean and the laundry room was nice. We loved that the campground picks up trash daily. There was an issue with the sewer in the area where we were and the campground was quick to resolve it. We also appreciated having campground staff escort us to our site so we did not have to wander with a map.

    The playground is big and nice, and my nephew loved the bouncy pillow. The pool and lazy river looked really neat but we didn’t have swim gear with us since it’s fall, although we saw some people swimming so maybe it is heated?

    On the other hand - The staff does not answer any email inquiries, apparently. The cancellation policy is really awfully strict. We didn’t necessarily feel super welcomed at check in.

    There seem to be a LOT of long-term/permanent residents here. That always makes me uncomfortable since I feel like I’m in other peoples space, but no one was unfriendly. It did seem like the rules (which I read carefully prior to arrival) are selectively applied.

    Overall it was a good trip and we wouldn’t be opposed to staying here again, but this definitely isn’t our preferred type of campground.

  • Liz M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Little Gassaway Creek

    1 Campsite off 4 x 4 Road

    Found this site on the way to another. Only one campsite and requires either off-road tires or 4 x 4

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Grumpy Bear Campground

    Nice but small

    The attraction here is the river. It is absolutely gorgeous. Riverside are small and close together.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Two seperate areas

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Trash..

    This area was easy to find with Apple Maps and T-Mobile and Verizon had signal. When we drove in it was around 9pm in a Saturday night and all sites was taken with what looked like people living there. And the road dead ends. All along the water. Tents and tarps everywhere. We found one spot not on the water and set up. Fire rings and picnic tables are at every spot. But when I woke up and it wasn't pitch black my heart broke. There was bags of trash and litter everywhere around us and tossed in the forest around us. The forest had a lot of thorns but I was able to get three large kitchen bags of trash out. From propane tanks to over twenty cans of food. Just tossed into the woods. We camp all over the United States, and this is our first place close to home and it broke my heart to see how our state treats these beautiful places. Please don't come if you don't appreciate nature enough to not use it as your trash can.

    So on Dyrt there's two sites with this name and same gps but you can follow around the lake and find the other one. Both areas are a lot alike. But definitely more fit for tent camping on the water. Park by the road and walk down sites so none fit for us since we camp in the truck. The sites all looked like the other areas around here where people very much lived there and never left, so not one site at either camping area was open.

  • Sarah and Philip H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Knoxville Campground

    Great Pass through Campground not for staying long term

    Location was great to get to lots of things but campsites are very tight and no room for an actual camping feel.

Guide to Vonore

Camping near Vonore, Tennessee, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One camper mentioned, “We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, “Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground.”
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in nearby lakes and rivers. A camper at Cosby Campground noted, “There is a stream that runs through the back of the site that our kids loved.”

What campers like

  • Beautiful Settings: Campers rave about the stunning views. One review for Elkmont Campground said, “The campground is beautiful and the park rangers were awesome.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Greenbrier Campground remarked, “The bathrooms were amazing.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed, “There were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river with a swimming hole!”

What you should know

  • Site Privacy: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, “Most sites are close, and site spacing is tightly packed.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have showers or electric hookups. A visitor at Cosby Campground noted, “No drinking water, no electric hookups, and no showers.”
  • Wildlife Precautions: Bears are common in the area, so be cautious with food. A camper at Harrison Bay State Park Campground advised, “Due to the amount of black bears in the area, they’re very vigilant about keeping trash in trash cans.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. A family at Greenbrier Campground loved the “great little spot to go swimming and several free things for kids to do.”
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can be busy, so be prepared for noise. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground mentioned, “It was completely sold out, but it was absolutely silent at night.”
  • Pack for Activities: Bring gear for fishing, hiking, or swimming. A camper at Chester Frost Park said, “There is plenty of lake access for boating, kayaking, and swimming.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, “Super tight for our 45 ft bus. Never again!”
  • Use Amenities: Take advantage of the campground facilities. A camper at Anchor Down RV Resort shared, “The bathrooms/showers are super clean, and there’s plenty of room for your dog to have an equally good time.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially in peak season. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground mentioned, “It’s a very busy campground with close together spaces.”

Camping near Vonore, Tennessee, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Vonore, TN?

Vonore offers excellent camping options along Tellico Lake. Toqua Beach Campground is a standout choice with lakeside sites, boat access, and full amenities including water hookups and restroom facilities. For those seeking a more natural setting, Citico Creek Area provides dispersed camping with creek access and proximity to great day hikes. The free sites along Citico Creek are perfect for tent campers looking to enjoy nature on a budget. Both locations serve as excellent basecamps for exploring the surrounding Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains.

How far is Vonore from Pigeon Forge and is it worth staying there instead?

Vonore is approximately 45 miles (about a one-hour drive) from Pigeon Forge. Staying in Vonore offers a quieter, more natural alternative to the tourist-heavy Pigeon Forge area while still being within day-trip distance. Anchor Down RV Resort is located just outside Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, offering lakefront camping with mountain views and only a 30-minute drive to attractions like Dollywood. For a more immersive mountain experience, Elkmont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is close to Pigeon Forge while offering riverside camping and direct access to hiking trails. Vonore is worth considering if you prefer tranquility and lake activities but plan to visit Pigeon Forge attractions occasionally.

What amenities are available at Toqua Campground in Vonore?

Toqua Campground offers a comprehensive set of amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The campground features water hookups, modern toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly with spacious sites. Campers have direct boat access to Tellico Lake, making it ideal for fishing and water recreation. The campground is fully reservable, which is recommended during peak seasons. While specific amenities vary slightly by site, most include picnic tables, fire rings, and lake views. For those seeking additional recreation, Indian Boundary nearby offers similar amenities with hiking trails and fishing opportunities.

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