Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Knoxville, TN

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.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Knoxville, Tennessee (244)

    1. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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

    $30 / night

    "Pets are allowed in the campground, but not on the trails.

    This campground has great access to hiking and fishing, as well as wildlife viewing."

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

    2. Cades Cove Campground

    97 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."

    "Pros:

    • beautiful and scenic
    • Near great trails
    • lots of wildlife - saw a bear!"

    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

    "Also, there is no restroom even close to the playground area. Thankfully we didn’t have a bathroom emergency with our toddler.

    The beach area they’ve constructed on the lake is INSANE! So so nice!"

    "Pet friendly - pick up stations and off leash area with activities for active breeds."

    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

    "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."

    "Also adjacent to a massive open field park that’s great for the kids or dogs. Super close to Dollywood."

    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. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

    28 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-2241

    "Amazingly clean campgrounds 10 minutes from the entrance of the National Park and 20 minutes from the Visitor's Center."

    "The River is flowing behind the park, open to Tubers (Rental from the office), great outdoor playground and pool."

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Showing results 1-10 of 244 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Knoxville, TN

2076 Reviews of 244 Knoxville Campgrounds



Guide to Knoxville

Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Knoxville, Tennessee, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities for an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include a variety of amenities

  • The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground features spacious sites with electric hookups and drinking water, making it a comfortable choice for pet owners.
  • At Anchor Down RV Resort, pets are welcome, and the campground offers a range of water activities, ensuring a fun-filled stay for the whole family.
  • Little Arrow Outdoor Resort provides a beautiful setting with full hookups and a variety of accommodations, perfect for those traveling with pets.

Pet owners like the range of activities available

  • The Townsend-Great Smokies KOA offers easy access to tubing and kayaking, allowing you to enjoy water activities with your pet by your side.
  • At Melton Hill Dam Campground, you can explore nearby trails and enjoy fishing, all while having your pet with you.
  • Up the Creek RV Camp is a hidden gem that provides a peaceful setting close to attractions, making it easy to enjoy outdoor adventures with your dog.

Dog owners appreciate the welcoming atmosphere

  • Clabough's Campground is known for its friendly staff and well-maintained facilities, creating a welcoming environment for pets and their owners.
  • The Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground offers a cozy atmosphere with plenty of space for pets to roam and play.
  • Honeysuckle Meadows is praised for its spacious RV spots and stunning views, making it a perfect retreat for pet lovers looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Knoxville, TN?

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

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Knoxville, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 244 dog-friendly camping locations near Knoxville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.