Best Campgrounds near Knoxville, TN
Camping options near Knoxville range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks and glamping accommodations. The region includes several notable campgrounds like Low Meadow Farms (formerly Brown Bike Farms), offering creekside primitive camping just minutes from downtown, and Southlake RV Park, situated on Fort Loudon Lake with waterfront access. Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds like Elkmont and Cades Cove lie within an hour's drive, providing established sites with basic amenities. State parks including Big Ridge and Norris Dam offer a mix of tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals throughout the year.
Most campgrounds in the Knoxville area operate year-round, though mountain locations may have seasonal closures from late fall through early spring. As one camper noted, "Clean and quiet. Firewood provided. My campsite was creek side and a stones throw from the firewood and porta-potty." Primitive sites typically provide minimal amenities such as fire rings and pit toilets, while developed campgrounds offer electric hookups, shower facilities, and dump stations. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during peak season (May through October) when temperatures average 75-85°F. Winter camping is available at lower elevations with temperatures typically ranging from 30-50°F, though occasional snow and ice can affect access to more remote sites.
The camping experience varies significantly across the area's developed and primitive sites. Lakefront camping receives positive reviews, with visitors appreciating water access for fishing, kayaking and swimming. A visitor to Southlake RV Park described it as a "great fishing hole for tent campers" where "you can easily launch a kayak, swim, fish, etc." Urban-adjacent sites like Low Meadow Farms combine proximity to city amenities with natural settings, making them popular for shorter stays. Several campgrounds in the region cater specifically to RVs with full hookups and amenities such as laundry facilities and WiFi, though cell coverage can be spotty in more remote areas. Proximity to mountain biking trails, hiking paths, and water recreation represents a common theme among highly-rated campgrounds in the region.
