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Best Campgrounds near Knoxville, TN

2,111 Reviews

Knoxville, Tennessee is the closest major city to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knoxville is only about an hour away if you’re looking for comfortable accommodations when traveling to the park.

Knoxville has capitalized on comfortable camping with plenty of glamping and RV resorts to choose from in the area. The best camping near Knoxville is in the Norris Dam State Park and surrounding area. Another good option for campgrounds is Big Ridge State Park near Ridenour, TN. It’s worth noting that for an extra 30 minutes of driving, you can get to Great Smoky, where admission is free and the campsites are more abundant.

Map showing campgrounds near Knoxville, TennesseeExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Knoxville, Tennessee (413)

    1. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    123 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    "We stayed 3 nights so we could hike the surrounding trails! Loved learning about the history of the area while checking out the old cabins."

    2. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."

    "We camped in the middle of a hot sticky Tennessee summer and felt just fine in all of the shade."

    3. Southlake RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Rockford, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 573-1837

    $28 - $38 / night

    "We only stayed one night, but will return to take advantage of the prime lake front tent spots! On the map it shows individual sites, but it’s more of a disbursed area."

    "The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve. We booked tent site 7 but when we got there someone was fishing off the point where our campsite was supposed to be."

    4. Anchor Down RV Resort

    48 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 784-4446

    $49 - $139 / night

    "Anchors Down is just outside Severville Tennessee and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located on Douglas Lake with the Smokie Mountains in the back ground."

    "This campground is one of the best you will find in Tennessee.  "

    5. Low Meadow Farms (formerly Brown Bike Farms)

    7 Reviews
    Knoxville, TN
    6 miles
    Website

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Next to some good hiking and biking trails. Every site with the exception of one was right next to the creek. It’s definitely worth checking out."

    "Close to some great breweries, hiking, paddling, great biking. All around a great place!"

    6. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    54 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."

    "Close to everything, right in the heart of pigeon forge. Best bath houses we’ve ever been too, all other reviews were spot on!"

    7. Volunteer Park Family Campground

    13 Reviews
    Heiskell, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 938-6600

    $30 - $65 / night

    "Bathrooms and Showers with hot water. 20 minutes outside Knoxville and extremely quiet."

    "The campsite is nestled in trees and conveniently located to the Knoxville area. They have a small store for small forgotten items as well as a place to fill propane."

    8. Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    29 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 361-0436

    $18 - $31 / night

    "We really enjoyed Milton Hill dam, very friendly people , well stocked store, easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them."

    "We made a last minute trip to Melton Hill that was very conveniently located just outside of Knoxville. The campsite offers several options for camping along the water or in the woods."

    9. West Campground — Norris Dam State Park

    29 Reviews
    Lake City, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 425-4500

    "We stayed at the main area but not much space or privacy so we put up a tent out side our door, but then moved to the tent camping site area the second night which was more secluded and private, but still"

    "There is a lake, so naturally that means there is boating, jet skiing, canoeing and of course fishing."

    10. Big Ridge State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Maynardville, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 992-5523

    $8 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."

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Recent Camping Photos near Knoxville, TN

774 Photos of 413 Knoxville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Knoxville, TN

2111 Reviews of 413 Knoxville Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Nice National Park Campground

    Pretty park. Sites are wooded and not too close together. Most sites need leveling blocks. The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom . 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground. Water pump at bathroom area. No dish washing station. Some sites had electricity, but not all of them. There are lots of hiking trails and a great visitor center. I hope to go back when I can spend more time in the park. Three star rating mainly due to the inadequate number of showers/bathrooms.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Big Ridge State Park Campground

    Big level site

    Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Triple Creek Campground

    Would recommend!

    It got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
    I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.

Guide to Knoxville

Camping near Knoxville, TN, offers a great mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One camper mentioned, “We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for bears and elk. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, “Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground.”
  • Swimming and Tubing: Enjoy the nearby rivers for swimming or tubing. A review from Greenbrier Campground noted, “The river ran close enough to our site that we didn't feel like we needed a premium spot.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. One camper at Elkmont Campground said, “The campground is beautiful and the park rangers were awesome.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort mentioned, “Bathrooms/showers are kept clean.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Greenbrier Campground offer playgrounds and activities for kids. One family said, “There were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river with a swimming hole!”

What you should know:

  • Limited Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, “Most sites are close; site privacy is tightly packed.”
  • No Showers: Many campgrounds, like Cosby Campground, do not offer shower facilities. A visitor mentioned, “The bathrooms were adequate—sinks and toilets and cleaned daily (no showers).”
  • Bear Awareness: Campers should be cautious about wildlife. A review from Bandy Creek Campground warned, “There are lots of copperheads at this park. Watch your step!”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of family-friendly activities. A camper at Greenbrier Campground said, “The campground had great amenities, really awesome service from the staff, and was a quiet mountain getaway.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and activities. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground mentioned, “Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone! Doing so just irritates the bears.”
  • Bring Entertainment: Since some campgrounds have limited cell service, bring books or games. A camper at Cataloochee Campground noted, “There isn’t cell service, so be sure to plan your next move before you head in for the evening.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort said, “Super clean, bathrooms/showers, and plenty of room for your dog to have an equally good time.”
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Elkmont Campground shared, “It looks so good so far. Thank you so much for sharing.”
  • Use Dump Stations: Make sure to utilize dump stations available at campgrounds like Bandy Creek Campground for convenience. A review mentioned, “There is a swimming pool, volleyball court, and playground right by A loop which is primitive camping.”

Camping near Knoxville, TN, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Knoxville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Knoxville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 413 campgrounds and RV parks near Knoxville, TN and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Knoxville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Knoxville, TN is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 123 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Knoxville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Knoxville, TN.

What parks are near Knoxville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Knoxville, TN that allow camping, notably Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Croatan National Forest.

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