Camping spots near Loudon, Tennessee center around two major water bodies - Tellico Lake and Melton Hill Reservoir - with elevations ranging from 790 to 830 feet above sea level. The region experiences moderate temperatures with average summer highs in the mid-80s and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing. Several campgrounds operate with staggered seasonal schedules, creating varying availability throughout the year.
What to do
**Fishing access: Many campgrounds like Melton Hill Dam Campground offer dedicated fishing areas with boat ramps. "Really great experience, the people running this location are fantastic and they made the stay all the more relaxing and worthwhile," notes Amanda F. about the fishing-friendly atmosphere.
**Hiking trails: Frozen Head State Park Campground provides access to over 50 miles of trails through forested mountains. "Lots to do with the hiking. Waterfalls were beautiful and everyone we talked to was super helpful and nice," explains Brittni F. about the park's natural attractions.
**Swimming opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with depth markers and some sandy shorelines. "The swimming area is in a great spot with a sandy beach. There are also other areas around the campground where you could enter the water with floats, kayaks, paddle boards," shares one visitor about Yarberry Campground.
**Kayak rentals: Seasonal rentals available at several lakefront locations from approximately $20-30 for half-day use. "The campground has a store with essentials, and rental kayaks and such," notes a camper at one lake property, making water exploration accessible for visitors without their own equipment.
What campers like
**Privacy between sites: Yarberry Campground earns high marks for site layout. "The sites are large and spaced out so you don't feel right on top of your neighbors," reports Lori H., highlighting a common preference among visitors.
**Seasonal beauty: Fall brings dramatic color changes to the hardwood forests surrounding these camping areas. "We really appreciated the area. It was beautiful with changing leaves. Not too crowded," shares Amanda E. about her autumn experience at Melton Hill Dam.
**Friendly management: Several campgrounds receive praise for their attentive staff. "We stayed here during the eclipse. Nice walking trail, large RV sites, nice water area," comments Scott H. about his experience, underscoring how helpful staff enhanced his stay.
**Calm water access: Protected coves create safe areas for water activities at certain campgrounds. "The cove offers calm waters which allow the kids to kayak and explore without worry," explains Loretta H. about Soaring Eagle Campground, pointing to family-friendly water conditions.
What you should know
**Road conditions: Several access roads have reported issues. "The road in is rough with potholes," a camper notes about one location, recommending vehicles with adequate clearance for comfort.
**Highway noise: Lotterdale Cove Campground and others near I-40 experience traffic sounds. "We were in a pop-up camper and had a lakefront site, which was awesome, except for the highway noise," Lori H. mentions about Soaring Eagle, advising noise-sensitive campers to select sites farther from main roads.
**Reservation policies: Most lakefront sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. "This campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam," describes one visitor, noting the secure but restrictive access.
**Site leveling: Many campsites require leveling equipment. "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling," explains Sara M. about her experience at Melton Hill Dam Campground.
Tips for camping with families
**Swimming areas: Look for designated beach zones with gradual entry points. "Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake... The day use area is nice, with a roped off swimming area, kayak rentals, picnic tables, a basketball court, etc.," shares one visitor.
**Recreation options: Sweetwater KOA offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "The park has a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball," explains Laura H., detailing the range of activities available.
**Safety considerations: Check for water depth markers and supervised areas. "We had a site on the water and it was beautiful. The shower house and bathrooms were clean and worked good," reports Teresa P. about Soaring Eagle, mentioning the clean facilities that make family camping more comfortable.
**Weekend activities: Several campgrounds host scheduled events. "Lots of planned weekend activities," notes Mary D., describing how organized programming keeps children engaged during their stay.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection: Cades Cove Campground offers well-developed RV sites with specific amenities. "Cozy sites, clean bathrooms, scenic area...Picnic table, fire ring and grill, sand tent area, level driveway- all make for a good choice for any type of equipment," explains Carol B. about the practical setup.
**Hookup availability: Water and electric connections are standard at most locations, but sewer hookups vary. "We stayed at campsite 8 (primitive section) we loved the site, it was huge, and we had a great time," shares Liz A. about Frozen Head State Park, noting the difference between primitive and developed sites.
**Length restrictions: Verify maximum RV length before booking. "This was just an overnight passing-through stay... The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling," advises Sara M., highlighting potential challenges for larger rigs.
**Seasonal considerations: Most full-hookup campgrounds reduce water service during winter months. "Taller rigs may see some low branches on the road in. Most sites 30 amp I did find one site with 50 amp and stayed at it while I worked on upgrading the electrical system," shares Greg H. about his off-season experience at Riley Creek.
