Jefferson City, Tennessee offers varied glamping and camping options across elevations ranging from 850 to 1,400 feet. Located where the Great Valley meets the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the area experiences moderate rainfall year-round with warm summers and mild winters. Campsites near Douglas Lake typically fill quickly during summer weekends when water temperatures reach 80°F.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Elkmont Campground provides direct access to several hiking trails without needing to drive elsewhere. "Great hiking trails nearby" makes it convenient for campers seeking both nature immersion and exercise opportunities.
Water recreation options: Triple Creek Campground offers unique water features where three creeks converge. "Lots of places for the kids to float down on intertubes" notes one visitor, while another mentions "During warmer months, children can play and swim in the clear and smooth stoned river."
Historical exploration: Visitors to Elkmont Campground can explore Daisy Town ghost town. "The campground has a wonderful area and the history of the place is amazing," explains one camper. This abandoned vacation community features cottages and cabins in various states of preservation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cades Cove features diverse wildlife spotting opportunities. One camper observed, "I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience."
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Greenbrier Campground offers unusual privacy in their bath facilities. A visitor notes, "The bath houses were awesome with individual rooms equipped with toilet, sink and shower." Another camper mentioned they're "clean (and warm!)" during winter visits.
River access from sites: Many Jefferson City area campgrounds feature waterfront access. At Greenbrier Campground, campers appreciate that "the Little Pigeon River was just steps off the back of our camper" and "the sound of the rushing river is a plus."
Off-peak value: Newport-Smoky Mountains KOA offers convenient highway access for short stays. "Clean, mowed grass, gravel roads, basic campground without frills. It's quiet, well off the highway, good camp store, friendly helpful staff," reports a recent visitor.
Tent site positioning: Lakeside Getaway on Douglas receives praise for its waterfront tent locations. A camper explains, "The views of the lake were amazing. There is a sitting area and a dock with paddle sport launches."
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Several campgrounds feature varied site spacing. At Gateway RV Campground, reviews note "Slots are small" while another mentions "The only reason I left four and not five stars is because the spots are very close together."
Reservation requirements: For popular campgrounds like Cades Cove, planning is essential. A visitor recommends, "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!"
Tent camping noise concerns: Some locations aren't ideal for tent camping due to noise. At Newport KOA, campers report "Highway traffic noise (semis, engine braking) is LOUD...might be ok in a camper but not in a tent."
Bath facility variations: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. While some like Greenbrier feature "Private bathrooms with great showers," others like Elkmont are more basic: "Bathrooms are basic, no frills, but clean; The one in the A loop didn't even have an outlet or hand dryer."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: River Plantation RV Resort offers extensive water recreation. "They have so much for the kids to do, full court basketball, tennis courts, battle ball, arcade room, and pool," reports one family, making it ideal for multi-day stays with children.
Playground access: Gateway RV Campground includes play areas that visitors appreciate. One reviewer noted, "Great amenities including pool and play area for kids" while another mentioned "We didn't get to use the playground, but the kids really wanted to use it!"
Protected swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming spots. At Triple Creek, "There's also an historic swimming hole on location," while at River Plantation families enjoy "a lazy river."
Natural play opportunities: Greenbrier Campground offers unique riverside play options. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Site construction varies across campgrounds. At Newport KOA, RVers mention "no concrete pads and site was small and all gravel so not level," while River Plantation features "lots that are gravel and level with full hookups."
Campground layout consideration: Proximity to amenities matters for different RV setups. At Greenbrier, "Sites are narrow and fairly close together, although they've done an excellent job of maintaining the heavy trees around the river and on the 'treelawn' area which separates each site."
Hookup availability: Full-service options vary by location. River Plantation offers "full hookups, PRIVATE bathrooms with great showers, ice and firewood sales, shuttle to downtown, and waterfront sites."
