Jellico, Tennessee camping areas sit at the base of the Cumberland Mountains near the Kentucky border, with elevations averaging around 1,100 feet. The region experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, making April through October the primary camping season. Most campgrounds in this area provide direct access to ATV trails and fishing opportunities while offering varying levels of seclusion from highway noise.
What to do
Trail riding access: Royal Blue RV Park connects directly to popular ATV trail systems with one camper noting, "The trails are well maintained and all levels of riders will have a full week of fun here!!" Many visitors stay specifically for the riding opportunities.
Fishing trips: Nearby Douglas Lake is only 10 minutes from Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park, making it convenient for anglers. A visitor mentioned, "We are 10 minutes from Douglas Lake, 30 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a short drive to Sevierville."
Cumberland Falls viewing: Several rv parks near Jellico provide access to Cumberland Falls State Park where visitors can witness the rare moonbow phenomenon. One camper at Cumberland Falls RV Resort shared, "Sharon told us about the Moonbow which just happened to occur the exact night we were there. We arrived at the park late after the amazing Moonbow and were so happy it was only a mile away."
What campers like
Secluded atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the Jellico area feature quiet, rural settings away from busy highways. At Brooks Corner Campground & RV Park, a camper praised the "very quiet and very dark" surroundings, noting "This is very rural," while still offering amenities like "full hookups and wifi."
Accessible nature: The terrain surrounding Jellico provides natural beauty without requiring challenging drives. A visitor at Southlake RV Park appreciated how "the tent spots are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve" and that it felt "somewhat like our own private island."
Friendly management: Personal attention from staff makes a difference at many campgrounds. At The Farm RV Resort, a reviewer highlighted, "From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed by the friendly and helpful staff who made check-in a breeze" while another noted the "rustic charm that makes you feel like you're getting away from it all."
What you should know
Variable site conditions: RV site quality can differ significantly between parks and within the same facility. At Windrock Gap Campground & RV Park, a camper observed, "RV sites have power and water, but are very close together, in my opinion" while noting they were "clean, accessible, very well maintained."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. One camper at Dumplin Valley Farm reported "service was a little spotty but this was a welcome break for us," while another at Escapees Raccoon Valley stated, "Cell Data signal isn't great here either. I have a dual LTE router that I was only getting ATT 3G signal with normal antennas."
Shopping distances: Most campgrounds require driving for supplies. A Brooks Corner camper provided specific information: "Propane is available for 20lbs swap-outs at the local Dollar Trees (Jamestown or near Eglin/Robbins both are ~20m away)" and "Groceries: Walmart (Oneida ~40m/Jamestown ~25)."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly ATV trails: Royal Blue RV Park offers trails suitable for various skill levels. A reviewer emphasized it's "safe for families, great for kids. The trails are well maintained and all levels of riders will have a full week of fun here!!"
Stargazing opportunities: Rural campgrounds provide exceptional night sky viewing. At Brooks Corner Campground, a visitor shared, "Star view on a clear night is awesome due to the lack of nearby city lights."
Seasonal considerations: Fall brings increased competition for sites throughout the Jellico region. At Dumplin Valley Farm, a family reported, "We will be returning next year for the bluegrass festival" indicating the popularity of autumn events that can limit availability.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure challenges: Several campgrounds implement water pressure regulators that affect shower quality. One camper at Royal Blue RV Park reported, "They have a pressure regulator on the water so showering was like a spit bath and took forever to get the shampoo out of my 'short' hair."
Site leveling needs: Many rv parks in the Jellico area have sloping sites requiring careful setup. A visitor explained their difficulty at Royal Blue: "It's uphill and was very difficult to level out the rv. Ours like many is self leveling and it just couldn't make it happen. We had to level it by sight."
Communication issues: Double-checking reservations is recommended. At one campground, a reviewer experienced confusion: "Generally speaking if you obtain permission for something from the camp host, you can reasonably expect that you have obtained the proper permission" but found this wasn't always true, suggesting calling ahead to confirm details with owners.
