294 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jonesborough, Tennessee provides a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the eastern Tennessee mountains and river valleys. The area includes both established campgrounds and natural settings, with options ranging from tent-only sites to full-hookup RV facilities. Riverpark Campground in Jonesborough offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals along the water. Within driving distance, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground and Nolichucky Gorge Campground provide additional options for mixed-use camping with varied amenities and natural settings.
Roads throughout the region are generally well-maintained, though some campgrounds require navigation through winding mountain roads. Most developed sites offer water and electric hookups, with several providing full sewer connections for RVs. Several campgrounds in the area feature bathroom facilities and showers, though quality varies by location. A visitor noted, "The campground is in a good area with restaurants, grocery stores and anything you might need close by," highlighting the accessible nature of many sites despite their natural settings. The camping season generally runs year-round in lower elevations, though some locations have limited winter facilities or seasonal closures.
The Nolichucky River serves as a focal point for many camping experiences in the area, with multiple campgrounds situated along its banks. Waterfront sites are particularly popular and tend to book quickly during summer months. Campers report enjoying the mountain views and river access that characterize many of the region's camping areas. A camper described one riverside location as "peaceful and dark," noting the easy "access to the Appalachian Trail." Most campgrounds near Jonesborough balance natural surroundings with proximity to amenities, making them suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays. Many sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with designated areas for each, though tent campers should note that some tent pads may be uneven due to the region's varied terrain.
"Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."
"The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."
from $14 - $32 / night
Check Availability"We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."
"This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."
"It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
"There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."
"Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."
"This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."
"The riverfront spaces are amazing and just inches away from the Nolichucky River. If you love to fish or kayak this is a great location. The bathhouses are super clean."
"Riverpark is a privately owned campground situated at the classic Big Rocks rapid on the Nolichucky river. "
from $51 - $73 / night
Check Availability"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Very close to many trails. Clean showers and bathrooms. Loved it."
"Came to stay at this campground because we wanted to do some hiking nearby that we haven't done in FOREVER!"
from $75 / night
Check Availability"Conveniently located close to highway 81 and town!"
"Even though it's very close to the interstate, it was very quiet. We had a full hook up site, relatively level. It had a picnic table and fire ring."
RangerGreat experience booking and staying at this private spot on the water. The hosts were incredibly helpful and friendly, and the site itself was very pleasant. Perfect for my first time Boondocking!
RangerIt says no overnight camping but there were 3 cars camping so I decided to camp. Drove straight across the entrance where a sign said parking but no camping. Was actually a really good camp spot plenty of room.
ScoutI stayed long term while working in the area, including through the winter months, and loved the propane delivery. Coming home to a full tank already dropped at my site was such a nice perk.
It’s a beautiful, peaceful little campground tucked into the mountains and you can tell a lot of care goes into it. It’s not a parking lot like other places I’ve stayed the sites are tiered on the mountainside but level and large. Staff is friendly, they have a game room and laundry room and the store sells cold beer! It was a nice home away from home while working in town
TravelerI was the only one at the campsite other than two semipermanent RV trailers. It was quiet, clean, and remote. Tent sites cool under nice tree cover. Elevation was great and views were as at our home in north Georgia.
I was camping in a rooftop tent and the ground was adequately level, not muddy, and marked OK, with minimal detraction from the beauty of nature. Had picnic table.
Might have been nice to have an electric outlet close enough to run my extension cord, but I was minimalist camping with a Bluetti power storage unit, DC refrigerator, and my own water supply.
The bathroom facilities were minimal, but adequate. The showering area could have been a little more inviting, perhaps, but again, I didn't use them anyway.
I would stay again, especially if they were situated between me and my ultimate destination as they met my short-stay needs.
Ron
TravelerWe spent a Friday and Saturday night at site 23, which is a great spot. This is a spot for a smaller camper and has water and power only. The plug for power is a little further away than usual, so if you are plugging in to power you may need an extended cord. It’s a short walk to the bath house, which was well maintained. The dog walking area was spacious and also very clean. They also have a washer and dryer on site for laundry.
ScoutNice quiet campground about 1.9 miles out of boone NC. Lots to do here family friendly and pets freindly. Worth the stop.
Scoutgot lucky and found a great spot right across the road from beautiful viewpoint. road was busier during the day but calmed down at night. enjoyed our visit
ScoutFull hookups. Campground has several sites with million dollar views and a viewing point for the non view campsites to use. We would recommend it for Asheville area rv camping.
ScoutI’m thrilled to give this campground my highest recommendation! The owners and staff couldn’t have been more accommodating, helpful and kind! We called that morning because the campground we were booked at turned out to be awful. They fit us in and then we ended up extending our stay. We had to keep moving sites because they had other campers coming in, but it was worth it! Our favorite sites was 54 and 27. Some sites are close, but all are on the creek so you don’t notice it at all! Nothing better than waking up to the sound of water! The campground location is perfect, 20-30 minutes from things to do like hiking and wineries.
Camping near Jonesborough, Tennessee centers around the Cherokee National Forest and the Nolichucky River watershed at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The region's campgrounds benefit from mountain breezes that moderate summer temperatures, typically 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby Johnson City. Most tent sites throughout the area feature gravel pads with dirt tent spots, allowing campers to avoid pitching directly on gravel.
Hiking to waterfalls: Rock Creek Recreation Area offers access to Rock Creek Falls via a 4-mile round-trip trail directly from the campground. A camper noted, "There is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole that is quite large... and wonderful hiking trails abound."
Explore historical sites: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground features a museum and replica farm where visitors can learn about frontier history. "There is a heritage village and museum that you can walk or drive through with reinactors on site," explains one visitor who found it ideal for a "girl scout trip."
Water activities: Nolichucky Gorge Campground provides tubes for floating down the river and access to whitewater rafting. A camper shared, "The water levels are perfect for floating around and playing in the river. There's even a little path you can take a tube up and float back down."
River access: Many campsites at Riverpark Campground sit directly on the Nolichucky River. A camper observed, "The riverfront spaces are amazing and just inches away from the Nolichucky River. If you love to fish or kayak this is a great location."
Peaceful wooded sites: At Woodsmoke Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. A visitor mentioned, "Quiet, wooded sites with full RV hook up. Nice large sites and private."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Rock Creek Recreation Area, "there is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole," while Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park has "a large swimming pool" that underwent recent renovations.
Campsite selection matters: At Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground, site placement varies greatly. A camper advised, "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks... pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, but with varying amenities. A winter visitor to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park noted, "We were there in December when the weather was chilly and practically had the place to ourselves. The bathhouse was exceptionally nice and there was also laundry and wifi available."
Reservation systems: Many area campgrounds use self-service check-in systems. If arriving late, call ahead, as one camper at Woodsmoke Campground found there was "No late check-in available. Not accommodating... super discouraged."
Playground access: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Playground is great and was perfect for our girl scout trip. There's also a sweet man who gives tours of the replica farm of David Crockett in character and costume."
Educational opportunities: Roan Mountain State Park Campground provides scheduled events and activities. One camper noted, "The park also has events scheduled. They had a cloggers dance group when we were there, which was very nice."
Water play options: Beyond swimming holes and rivers, some campgrounds offer additional water features. At Nolichucky Gorge Campground, "They had a lily pad for general use and a little pond if you wanted something contained," perfect for families with children of different swimming abilities.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloped sites. A visitor to Warriors' Path State Park warned, "Really nice facility near town. There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. A camper at Rock Creek Recreation Area noted, "The road in is a little narrow, but well maintained and easily navigable. Sites are heavily wooded, fairly well spaced, and most sites have a level area, but you have to back all the way in to get level on some."
Seasonal RV amenities: For off-season camping, check which facilities remain open. A winter visitor to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park mentioned they "had nice trails for hiking. There is river access for fishing or launching a water craft. We were there in December when the weather was chilly and practically had the place to ourselves."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Jonesborough, TN?
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground offers beautiful views of the Nolichucky River, pull-through spaces for various camper sizes, clean bath houses, and historical attractions. Little Oak Campground is another excellent option about an hour from Jonesborough, providing a secluded retreat with a peaceful atmosphere. For those seeking riverside camping, Warriors' Path State Park features sites positioned on a ridge surrounded by Fort Patrick Henry Lake with ample space for RVs. All these campgrounds provide a range of amenities while offering a quintessential East Tennessee camping experience.
Are there RV rentals available in Jonesborough, TN?
While Jonesborough itself has limited RV rental options, several nearby campgrounds work with rental services or offer on-site rental units. Grandfather Campground provides cabin rentals as an alternative to RVs, with convenient access to local attractions. Honey Bear Campground is another option with easy access that accommodates RVs. For dedicated RV rentals, check with regional providers in Johnson City or Kingsport who deliver to campgrounds in the Jonesborough area. Many campers find it more convenient to rent from larger markets like Knoxville or Asheville and drive to their preferred Jonesborough-area campground.
Is there a KOA campground in Jonesborough, Tennessee?
There is no KOA campground directly in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The closest KOA options would be in neighboring areas such as the Kingsport/Bristol KOA or the Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA. For Jonesborough visitors wanting campgrounds with similar amenities to KOA (such as full hookups, bathhouses, and family activities), Riverpark Campground offers comparable services. Alternatively, Woodsmoke Campground near Unicoi provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces similar to what you might expect at a KOA facility.
Where can I find tent camping options around Jonesborough?
Fox Fire Riverside Campground offers tent sites right by the river where you can enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water. Their riverside sites (like 14 and 15) provide an immersive natural experience in the Smoky Mountains region. Nolichucky Gorge Campground is another option located just off I-26 near Erwin, offering a quiet setting on the Nolichucky River. For tent campers seeking more primitive experiences, Rock Creek Recreation Area near Greeneville provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities. Most of these campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons.
Are there natural swimming areas near Jonesborough campgrounds?
Yes, there are several natural swimming options near Jonesborough campgrounds. Warriors' Path State Park offers swimming access in Fort Patrick Henry Lake with designated beach areas. Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, though a bit further out, features beautiful swimming holes along the South Toe River with spots to skip rocks and enjoy the water. The Nolichucky River provides swimming opportunities at various access points near campgrounds like Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park. For a more developed swimming experience, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park also offers a large swimming pool. Always check current conditions as water levels and safety can vary seasonally.
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