Best Campgrounds near Lenoir City, TN

Lenoir City, Tennessee serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences along the Tennessee River and its reservoirs. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manages several campgrounds in the area, including Melton Hill Dam Campground, which offers year-round camping with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas. Yarberry Campground, situated on a peninsula with lake views from nearly every site, provides both RV and tent options with excellent water access. The Crosseyed Cricket and Soaring Eagle campgrounds round out the local options, all within a short drive of town. These established campgrounds primarily cater to RV campers seeking amenities like electric hookups, water, and sewer connections, though tent campers will find designated areas at most facilities.

Reservations are essential during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly, particularly at Yarberry Campground where the gated entrance requires access codes for late arrivals. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though services may be limited in winter. Cell service is generally reliable near Lenoir City proper but can be spotty at more remote water access points. According to one camper at Melton Hill Dam, "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." The proximity to Knoxville, approximately 30 minutes away, makes these campgrounds convenient weekend destinations for city residents seeking outdoor recreation.

Water recreation dominates the camping experience in this region, with swimming areas, boat launches, and fishing opportunities available at most campgrounds. Yarberry Campground receives particularly high marks for its sandy beach, boat slips, and equipment rentals. As one visitor noted, "All the sites have good spacing and are extremely well maintained. The entire campground is immaculate." Sites at TVA campgrounds typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses with showers. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Frozen Head State Park lies about an hour northwest, offering primitive camping with access to hiking trails in the Cumberland Mountains. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and occasionally black bears, particularly in the more mountainous areas surrounding the Tennessee Valley.

Best Camping Sites Near Lenoir City, Tennessee (346)

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

    29 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    4 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."

    2. Yarberry Campground

    15 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 986-3993

    "We were in site 48, it’s at the top of the campground, and like pretty much all sites in the campground, has lake views. We even had a fireworks show going on one night across the lake."

    "Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."

    3. Soaring Eagle Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kingston, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 376-9017

    "We were in a pop-up camper and had a lakefront site, which was awesome, except for the highway noise."

    "The primitive tent sites are amazing, I didn’t give it 5 stars only because you can hear a little bit of road noise, as the campground is near the interstate."

    4. The Crosseyed Cricket

    6 Reviews
    Lenoir City, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 986-5435

    "It's a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, especially in beautiful locations like The Crosseyed Cricket Campground in Tennessee."

    5. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    32 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."

    6. Frozen Head State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Petros, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 346-3318

    "The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."

    "It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee.

    There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."

    7. Lotterdale Cove Campground

    6 Reviews
    Greenback, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 776-0720

    $26 - $48 / night

    "Would have been nice to have, but  the view being right next to the lake made up for it four-fold. "

    "Great family location with dry camping for tents, travel trailors and places for RVs. Some are on the Tellico Lake Reservoir.

    Many of the sites are occupied by seasonal residents."

    8. Poland Creek

    5 Reviews
    Louisville, TN
    10 miles
    Website

    "This campsite is perfect for anyone looking to get away from it all for a bit. With gorgeous lake views and a selection of sites that is impressive you will love it here!"

    "The location wasn't far from Louisville which made it a great escape from the city yet close enough to get back easily."

    9. Sweetwater KOA

    14 Reviews
    Madisonville, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 213-3900

    "Very nice area, close to a historic area and site seeing underground lake."

    "For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball, I’m not sure what the game is next to the blob."

    10. Southlake RV Park

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

    $28 - $38 / night

    "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."

    "Our site us overlooking the lake and the view is beautiful. Close to downtown and the mountains. Only downfall is very spotty wifi in some areas."

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Recent Reviews near Lenoir City, TN

1763 Reviews of 346 Lenoir City Campgrounds


  • Sarah and Philip H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Knoxville Campground

    Great Pass through Campground not for staying long term

    Location was great to get to lots of things but campsites are very tight and no room for an actual camping feel.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Yarberry Campground

    Beautiful views

    Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it.

  • B
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    beautiful and peaceful

    It was perfect weekend getaway, the camp ground wasn’t full, bathrooms clean, the camp ground was clean. The sites along the water were amazing, and the sites were level.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Forever a Special Place

    I have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.


Guide to Lenoir City

Camping near Lenoir City, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Good hikes nearby," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Cades Cove Campground, visitors often spot wildlife. One reviewer shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Fishing: The Greenbrier Campground is close to great fishing spots. A camper noted, "The roads and some trails are fun on our bikes," hinting at the outdoor fun available.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Elkmont Campground. One review stated, "The bathrooms were adequate—sinks and toilets and cleaned daily."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy Cades Cove Campground. A visitor said, "The sites were pretty close to each other but the store was convenient and awesome proximity when we biked the loop."
  • Beautiful Scenery: Campers rave about the views at Bandy Creek Campground. One camper exclaimed, "Beautiful park with great natural features and a mining history."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Popular spots like Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground can get busy. A reviewer mentioned, "The park is a top visited park in TN - it’s crowded."
  • Limited Privacy: At Elkmont Campground, some sites lack privacy. One camper noted, "All of the campsites are extremely close together."
  • No Showers: Some campgrounds, like Cades Cove Campground, do not offer showers. A visitor pointed out, "The bathrooms could use an update but I’m happy they were flush toilets."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Greenbrier Campground that offer activities for kids. One family shared, "There were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, a gagaball court, volleyball court, basketball court."
  • Plan for Wildlife: At Cades Cove Campground, be prepared to see wildlife. A camper mentioned, "I saw turkeys and bears every day on the loop."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or hiking gear to make the most of your stay. A visitor at Bandy Creek Campground said, "The roads and some trails are fun on our bikes."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should research site sizes at places like Anchor Down RV Resort. One reviewer noted, "It was too tight for our 45 ft bus."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort mentioned, "Underage drivers driving crazy... loud & rowdy!"
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with good amenities. A camper at Frozen Head State Park Campground said, "The restrooms are heated and immaculate."

Camping near Lenoir City, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in Lenoir City, TN?

Lenoir City and its surrounding area offer several camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Yarberry Campground provides both tent and RV sites with amenities suitable for family camping. Another popular option near Lenoir City is Melton Hill Dam Campground, which offers full hookup sites, easy access to swimming and fishing, and a well-stocked store. Additional options in the wider area include Soaring Eagle Campground and Lotterdale Cove Campground, both offering various access options and amenities for campers looking to explore this beautiful part of Tennessee.

Can I rent an RV in Lenoir City, Tennessee?

While specific RV rental services in Lenoir City aren't mentioned in the review data, the area's proximity to popular camping destinations suggests RV rentals may be available. The presence of RV-friendly campgrounds like Anchor Down RV Resort (just outside Sevierville and near Pigeon Forge) indicates a strong RV culture in the broader region. Many visitors to East Tennessee opt to rent RVs from larger nearby cities like Knoxville, where rental agencies are more common. If you're planning an RV trip to the area, consider checking rental availability in advance, especially during peak camping seasons.

Where is Crosseyed Cricket Campground located in Lenoir City?

Crosseyed Cricket Campground is not found in the available review data for Lenoir City. For camping options actually in the Lenoir City area, consider Soaring Eagle Campground, which offers amenities like water and toilet facilities with boat-in and drive-in access. Alternatively, Lotterdale Cove Campground near Greenback is another option not far from Lenoir City. It's always recommended to call ahead to verify location details and availability before planning your trip.