Looking for the perfect glamping experience near Knoxville? The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Knoxville experience while glamping. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Tennessee glamping spot for you.
Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago.
Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' most famous tourist towns, is located about nine miles from Elkmont and offers organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
$30 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activities here include hiking, biking, touring the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road and observing wildlife. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cades Cove never disappoints.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (865) 448-4103 for general information.
If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$30 / night
This KOA campground in Pigeon Forge is perfectly located to take everything the Great Smokies has to offer. Spend the day taking in the local area attractions such as Dollywood theme park, Dolly Parton's Stampede, Wonderworks, or the Old Mill just to name a few. Pigeon forge is bursting with over 70 attractions the whole family will love. Gear up for an adventure of hiking, fishing, biking or driving in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The options here are endless! For a home away from home, try our fully furnished Deluxe Cabins or Camping Cabins. Park your RV at our Pull-Thru RV Site with KOA Patio®, all with free cable and Wi-Fi. Pitching a Tent? We have beautiful waterfront sites conveniently situated with picnic tables and fire rings. Whatever accommodation you choose, you can rest assured you will enjoy your stay in this beautiful location. Explore our abundant entertainment options such as the NEW Gravity Rail, pan for fossils and gems at our Gem Mine, play at the NEW Playground, rent bikes or play in the zero-entry pool complete with a Rain Tree. There's even a safe place for Fido to play within the Kamp K9® Dog Park. As your day winds down, settle in to watch a movie at the Outdoor Cinema, sit around the Community Fire Pit or relax in the Hot Tub.
Greenbrier Campground TN is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River and offer RV sites, tent camping, RV rentals, cabins, and bell tents. Located only 6 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and 8 miles from the entrance to the GSMNP, we are convenient to all area attractions.
$35 - $258 / night
Rich history with fresh adventure! Just steps away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Little Arrow invites you to take aim at adventure. Our cozy accommodations have been thoughtfully designed with perks like wood-burning fireplaces, plush bedding, and more to meet your unique needs! With RV Sites, Cabins, Glamping Tents, Tiny Homes, an Airstream, and a Vacation Home, escaping to your own wilderness retreat has never been easier! We're passionate about the mountains that surround us and strive to make the most of our stunning environment. From a swimming pool, easy river access, 24/7 coffee lounge, a club house, hiking trail, and exciting activities onsite, your visit will be full of adventure!
$60 - $185 / night
$8 - $100 / night
Welcome to your base camp for adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains!
If you are looking for a getaway close to all the amazing attractions our area has to offer, then look no further. Gateway RV Campground is your ideal vacation destination mixing incredible open-air scenery and warm, southern hospitality. We offer many amenities close to the parkway, while still maintaining the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains. Gateway RV Campground is minutes away from adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and surrounding areas. If a day trip is on your agenda, we are a short distance from Sevierville, Knoxville, Nashville and North Carolina.
If you like the outdoor life, but prefer the comfort of modern conveniences, we have 34 cabins of different sizes depending on your likes and needs. Whatever accommodation you choose, you can rest assured you will enjoy your stay. Gateway RV Campground offers the ultimate camping experience with first rate amenities, top rate service all within the beautiful outdoors. We are located less than a mile off the parkway, on the quiet side in the heart of Pigeon Forge. One right hand turn onto the spur takes you into Gatlinburg where fun things await like Anakeesta, Ober Gatlinburg, and Ripleys Aquarium can be found. If you go a little further you can head into The Great Smoky Mountain National Park where adventures like hiking, biking, fishing and touring can be found. Turn left and you are headed toward exciting activities like Dollywood, Splash Country, Titanic Museum, The Island, Comedy Barn, and dinner shows like Dolly Parton's Stampede, Pirates and Hatfield& McCoy's. There are so many theaters, shopping stores, action rides, homemade fudge factories, moonshine distilleries and restaurants to satisfy every taste. We are located on the Pigeon Forge trolley route which allows you to enjoy a ride to one of the many area attractions. Fill up on fun, comfort and great outdoors by staying with us!
$51 - $171 / night
Experience camping in stunning open-air scenery, combined with warm Southern hospitality. River Plantation RV Resort and Campground is your ideal natural environment mixed with delightful customer service. Our blend of Eastern Tennessee hospitality, reasonable nightly rates and majestic Smoky Mountain views as well as first rate amenities and services provide you the very best in Pigeon Forge Campground life. Located in Sevierville, Tennessee in a peaceful valley bordered by the Little Pigeon River, we’re only minutes away from all that the Smokies, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend and Knoxville have to offer. Two outdoor pools with hot tub, modern bath facilities, and cabins make us a Good Sam’s Club and Woodall’s favorite. Our River Plantation Conference Center and Catering have enabled us to handle many well-known RV groups and rallies. If you love the outdoors, you can’t beat the hiking and fishing of the GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK. With shopping at more than 300 factory outlets and dining at the best restaurants, there’s something for everyone at River Plantation RV Resort and Campground!
$30 - $71 / night
Guide
Easy to get from Knoxville without going into the craziest part of traffic in Sevierville. There are many RV sites and cabins along the bend of the Little Pidgeon River. Fire rings all along the river with everyone out at night sitting along the river. Had all the amenities you would want in a full service RV Park.
Legend
I highly recommend this glamping spot. It could not be more perfect. This spot is new, and the set up is awesome. Perched on top of a hill, the site has great sunrise views. The glamping tent is very high quality, with a covered porch, two comfy beds, and a wood burning stove, so camping is possible year round. a fire pit is out front of the tent too.
The spot has great hammock trees, as well as spots for tents for extra room.
The property has a one mile hiking trail. There are restrooms and an outdoor shower justba short walk, or drive down the hill. The is a cabin, and event venue on site also.
The area is close to The Great Smoky Mountains, and also Downtown Knoxville. A perfect spot for a nice glamping getaway.
LegendI highly recommend this glamping spot. It could not be more perfect. This spot is new, and the set up is awesome. Perched on top of a hill, the site has great sunrise views. The glamping tent is very high quality, with a covered porch, two comfy beds, and a wood-burning stove, so camping is possible year-round. a fire pit is out front of the tent too. The spot has great hammock trees, as well as spots for tents for extra room. The property has a one-mile hiking trail. There are restrooms and an outdoor shower just a short walk or drive down the hill. The is a cabin, and event venue on-site also. The area is close to The Great Smoky Mountains, and also Downtown Knoxville. A perfect spot for a nice glamping getaway.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Firefly Glamping is a unique glamping experience with lake access and a great spot to enjoy a late night campfire. Check them out and share some pics of your stay!
Legend
Cute place. Interesting stays. Glamping tent, a bus, a tent pad, a few tiny cabins and more. Owners are nice and very accommodating. Shared gas fire area. It was a very cold night and they had our tent with heated blankets. It was definitely a Unique glamping area.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Glamping on the Clinch River offers a relaxing getaway surrounded by rivers and waterfalls in northern Tennessee. Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! The Lakeside Getaway on Douglas is new to the Dyrt but has an amazing location to share with everyone, they have glamping tents but also spots for car camping by the river. Check them out and share some pics of your stay!
Scout
Family friendly Glamping campsites with solar shower, queen bed, memory foam mattress, night stands, all the essential cookware, campfire and grill, bathroom facilities, extra 4 person tent. A secluded, quiet and peaceful Private campground with fishing in their 3 acre pond and Miles of hiking Trails. Perfect getaway!
Legend
This place is awesome! It’s not just an RV resort, they have so much more! Glamping, cabins, airstreams…something for everyone!
There are so many options for activities here to keep the whole family happy.
The bathrooms are really nice. Every thing about this place is nice. Sites are level. The river is perfect to explore, watch or relax by.
GuideExpensive but worth it. The owners are going all out with this campground. Tiny homes, glamping tents, and cabins for rent. Then there are on river and off river RV sites. The on river rv sites have a gazebo over the picnic table. Great facilities that are only being made better.
It is right before the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park. Townsend is called the peaceful side of the Smoky Mountains.
Guide
We booked a glamping tent here for 2 nights. I paid the reservation in full at booking. When we arrived, I was advised that we still owed$33 for the reservation? I pulled the email from the reservation and it only had a link to access it. It was changed when I accessed it at the desk. It's not a lot of money but we were on a budget and it is about the principle. We had stayed here before in our RV and we enjoyed it. Tents were fun, far from bath house, need a parking area at bath house so families can park there. We will not return.
Legend
Camp Leconte Luxury Resort is located in Gatlinburg near the Greenbriar area of the Smokies. It’s a fairly small campground right on the Parkway. It’s close to town, but far enough away to avoid traffic. The campground has nice, paved spots for rv’s. It has glamping tent cabins, as well as vintage campers. There is a camp store, but the campground is not far from a grocery store and liquor store. There’s a trolley stop nearby also, so if you’d like To go to the strip, you can take the trolley and not worry about parking. There’s a nice pool and playground. Very clean campground.
RangerWe loved this campground! Very nice and spacious sites. The campground was developed along the Little River and is absolutely gorgeous! The bathhouses are the nicest I have ever seen. The sites were level and had full hook-ups. They are renovating the pool and it looks like it will be amazing. It was easy to get to anything Smoky Mountain related including Cades Cove. If camping isn't your thing, they also have vacation homes, glamping tents, tiny houses, and airstreams to rent. We rode our bikes at Cades Cove which is closed to cars on Wednesdays, hiked the Spruce Flat Falls Trail and Rainbow Falls Trail. It was a great camping experience!
Legend
This is not exactly the camping in the woods without hookups atmosphere. This is more of a every want/need met glamping RV Resort. And it’s awesome!
The RV sites are large and level, full hookup. There are gorgeous cabins that look more like tiny homes, and the atmosphere at this park is a great way to retreat. 100 ft max for RVs.
Very kid friendly, pet friendly (Kamp K9), lots in the area to go do and see. Pools, hot tub, kitchen, firewood for sale, fishing access, snack bar, cable tv, and WiFi.
The staff here is awesome, very helpful and knowledgeable. The park is very clean and well kept.
Cellular service for TMobile was not very strong but AT&T provided plenty for streaming and working.
Scout
The property is beautiful, surrounded by a little rushing river which you can hear from quite a distance - lovely white noise for sleeping.
Gravel tent pads prevent mud when it rains. They're a little small though. Only 16' x 16' tents allowed though which made things challenging for my family of 7. We had to buy a new, smaller tent, and had no room to store our kitchen supplies inside.
Most of the tent sites are in a clearing the middle of all the campers, which makes you feel a bit on display. There are about 6 sites that are down by the river, surrounded by more trees and away from the campers that are fantastic, but they fill up fast.
This campground is definitely geared more towards campers / glamping. The shower rooms were nicer than many hotels and well maintained.
There is lots of room for kids to play safely and they're constantly expanding and adding new features. Firewood is available for sale, as well as golf carts for rent.
BRING QUARTERS if you plan to use the laundry room. Change is only provided during office hours.
I plan to return.
TravelerThis campground is very clean and well kept public areas. It is right in the little Pigeon River and most of the sites are right on the river. They have some yurt-like tents for rent they looked pretty nice. We had site 58- which was nice bc it was larger than many of the sites- it was not right on the river- but short walk to the water. Great facilities and staff was welcoming and helpful in sharing info about local attractions and the Smokies.
Guide
Centrally located near Dollywood about half way between Knoxville and Gatlinburg. Close to many restaurants and activities for all ages. The lots are gravel and level with full hookups. A few premium lots available along the river. We were here for a large RV rally and definitely enjoyed the campgrounds and the rally facilities. The onsite RV wash does a great job. Will definitely stay there again when in the area.
GuideI was passing through on my way north and this was midway. I picked this site because it met my criteria for quick tent camping and has the awesomely easy instant book feature. More of that please!
The hosts were really great and what they’ve done with the campsite and what they are working on is amazing. The views of the lake were amazing. There is a sitting area and a dock with paddle sport launches. There is a wash house with toilet and sink but no showers yet.
I was tent camping. There were tents/yurts for rent. A few other tent campers, a full size RV motorhome and a camper van. There was plenty of room and it was peaceful and quiet.
TravelerWe spent 4 nights there recently. So much to do yet so little time to get it done. Being near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, The Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville etc. , it makes for a wonderful centralized place to stay so that you can do activities to your hearts contents. Zip Lines, Shopping, Hiking, Dollywood, Kayaking. One day while there we took a 1 1/2 hour drive to Ashville NC to tour the Biltmore estate. We planned on posting some photos but quite honestly we didn't have time because of all of the other activities we had going on.
Ranger
Another close and convenient campsite to Knoxville, TN! Several campsites here are conveniently located along Norris Lake. If not on the lake a short 5 minute walk from other sites. This campsite is a great place for those who like to kayak or paddle board in the clean water of Norris Lake. This campground offers large sites with plenty of space and you don't feel like your neighbors are invading your privacy. The bath houses are clean, but the overall campsite could be a little bit better maintained. Some areas had overgrown grass and litter. If it wasn't for the lake I don't think this campsite would have been as good of a visit.
Legend
Newport KOA is conveniently located near I-40 North East of Knoxville, TN.
This campground hosts standard RV Sites and Cabin Sites. They have bathrooms, a pool, WiFi, a dog park, firewood for sale, propane, and more. They have lots of travelers coming through from races and for motorcycle clubs, and RV rallies.
We found this location because we had difficulty finding camping locations in the area and we were pleasantly surprised to see this pretty park!
We had decent AT&T cellular service but TMobile was not as good. We were able to stream and work efficiently.
There are caverns nearby to go explore and of course it’s in the Smokies!
Guide
Amazingly clean campgrounds 10 minutes from the entrance of the National Park and 20 minutes from the Visitor's Center.
You have a choice of "rustic" tent sites, tent sites with water/electric/cable hook-ups, RV, or Cabins. All sites are pet-friendly including cabins. All camp sites include fire pit and picnic table.
Lots of amenities are included in your stay. 2 bathroom areas, 1 shower area, pool, wi-fi, etc.
There's a general store in front of the campgrounds with gas station and small cafe attached. The general store will even deliver your purchased firewood to your site.
This Koa is near a lot recreational places and some restaurants. Also near towns like Gatlinburg, Pidgeon Forge and Knoxville.
A nice vacation spot.
GuideWe are traveling in our 33 ft travel trailer. We work full time remotely and use our hotspot to do so. The Verizon service in the rv section of the campground is very poor and we were not able to use the hotspot. The service is better higher up in the campground. The campground does offer wifi (paid) that was fast enough for me to work and do video calls. They kindly offered us vouchers for a couple of days as well.
The campground is super cute. The pool and hot tub area is gorgeous. They have a coffee lounge with communal board games which is cute. The bathrooms and laundry room are clean and very nice. Our dog also loved their dog park.
Their check in system was perfect for our late check in.
We visited in the winter and it was cold enough that they had us turn our water off every night at 6 which was inconvenient but not a real problem considering how nice the showers are.
We stayed in spot A1 which felt a little small because it butts right up to a yurt, but it was enough space for us. Especially considering how cold it was, we didn’t spend much time on the patio.
LegendGlampknox is located in Knoxville, close to downtown and The Smoky Mountains. The area is rural and beautiful, and the views from the site are wonderful, and the location is very convenient!
The property has a beautiful cabin that is also available to rent, as well as a wedding/event barn venue. There are horses on the property too. It is some of the most picturesque property you’ll find!
The site has a really nice tent cabin, with a covered porch, rocking chairs, and a wood burning stove. The tent has two twin beds, and they were super comfy. It has battery powered lanterns inside for light.
The site does have restrooms and an outdoor shower, both of which are just a short walk down to the barn. There is a large fire pit in front of the tent, and plenty of space for extra tents and great trees for hammocks. There is also a hiking trail around the property. The host also had firewood stacked for us at the tent.
Highly recommend GlampKnox for the perfect getaway!
TravelerThis is a BEAUTIFUL outdoor resort with five star amenities, truly. We have camped here as a tent camper, and in our camper. The sites are small and close together, but this is still one of my favorite places to camp. You don't feel like you're on top of one another. The grounds are well appointed, landscaped, and maintained. The playground is beautiful and the kids loved it. There is a community firepit with rocking chairs around it, and it looks like it came out of a Martha Stewart magazine. The bathrooms were FABULOUS. SERIOUSLY. I've never wanted to bathe I'm a campground bathroom before, but I do it out of necessity. Well these bathrooms were luxurious and modern and so SO clean. I gladly bathed in the showers here and felt so clean afterwards! Lol. The bathrooms are locked with a pinpad and the codes are given upon check-in so you know random people aren't walking in off of the highway or anything. There is a pool on site, but we stayed in the fall so we didn't get to use it. There are also cabins and yurts available and they look really nice! There is a coffee shop on site also, with a playroom for small kids, and nice comfy chairs to lounge in. The coffee comes from a local artisan coffee roasters up the road and it was so tasty. The owners live onsite and are present and interacting with the campers. They run the office and shop, they checked us in and sold us our firewood. One weekend we were there (Fall) they had a live band for entertainment, on a Saturday evening, and it was awesome. They also had a S'mores bar set up for the kiddos, so that was pretty cool. We spent a lot of time at the community firepit meeting people and having adult beverages. It was wonderful! The campground also offers free WiFi and cable so we hooked up our TV and tailgated (during football season) and had an awesome time.
Scout
Tellico river has the best, pristine, remote, camping in all of tennessee
ScoutHad a blast at The Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We had a view of the river which was right next to.our campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Knoxville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Knoxville, TN is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 122 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Knoxville, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 65 glamping camping locations near Knoxville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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