Loudon, Tennessee sits at 815 feet elevation on the Tennessee River, surrounded by the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Camping options in this region feature riverside settings with varied terrain from wooded hillsides to open waterfront spaces. Water levels fluctuate seasonally on Fort Loudon Lake and surrounding waterways, affecting shoreline camping and boat access throughout the year.
What to do
Fishing from tent sites: Southlake RV Park offers waterfront tent sites with direct lake access. "If you are wanting to fish the bank or even put in kayaks this spot is money. The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve," notes Nate H.
Off-road adventures: The area provides access to Windrock Gap Campground & RV Park near the Windrock Off-road Park. "Just a short distance from Windrock. RV sites have power and water... Parking for off-road vehicle trailers. Firewood and ice available at the office," reports Steve V. Vehicles can access trails directly from some camping areas.
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer water access for boating, swimming, and paddling. "The beach area they've constructed on the lake is INSANE! So so nice! There's a giant blow up slide leading into the lake," explains Becca O. about Anchor Down RV Resort, noting special amenities for water enthusiasts.
What campers like
Quiet creekside settings: Parksville Lake RV Campground offers peaceful stream-adjacent sites. "There are several sites along a beautiful little creek. It was peaceful, only the occasional car on the nearby road," shares Robert G., highlighting the natural water features available at some locations.
Mountain views: Top of the World RV provides exceptional vistas. "Great Mountain top, RV getaway, water and electric hookup, quiet and pet friendly. Amazing views of the morning sunrise over the mountain tops," Roy S. explains. The higher elevation camping options offer different climate conditions than valley locations.
Seasonal activities: "Every Saturday in October, campers decorate their site and hand out candy to the costumed campers!" describes Becca O., highlighting special events at select rv parks. Seasonal programming varies significantly between summer and fall at most campgrounds in the Loudon area.
What you should know
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs greatly between rv parks in Loudon, Tennessee. "I have a dual LTE router that I was only getting ATT 3G signal with normal antennas but once I connected the exterior antenna I had been waiting to install I got 4 bars ATT LTE (105 dbM)," reports Josh J. from Southlake RV Park, noting technological workarounds may be necessary.
Tight maneuvering spaces: Campground layouts can present challenges. At Blue Moon RV Park, "We have a 30' travel trailer and the pull-thru site wasn't long enough for us to stay hooked up to our truck for the night," according to Barbara C. Many sites require precise positioning of larger rigs.
Bathroom and shower access: Facilities vary greatly between properties. "The bathroom and shower house is small and older, but very clean," mentions Robert G. about Parksville Lake RV Campground. Some sites offer modern restrooms while others provide basic facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Many campgrounds offer specialized swimming areas for younger visitors. At Caney Creek RV Resort, one camper notes "Out door pool with a kids pool, Play ground, Basketball, Corn hole, Horse shoe," listing family-oriented amenities at rv parks near Loudon.
Playground proximity: Little River Campground & RV Resort offers family-focused activities. "They had crafts and hayrides while we were here," reports Lisa C., indicating scheduled programming for children at certain times.
Road noise considerations: Some tent camping areas experience morning traffic sounds. "The tent spots towards the point are apparently very close to the hwy and morning commute traffic was pretty loud. It is probably not near as loud on the weekends," Nate H. advises at Southlake RV Park, suggesting weekday versus weekend differences.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many rv sites near Loudon require adjustment. "Sites are not well developed with power and sewer in odd places," notes Chuck W., indicating preparation for precise positioning may be needed at certain locations.
Booking strategies: Advance reservations are essential for popular rv parks. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list," suggests Beth H.
Utilities placement: Hookup locations vary significantly between sites. "At our particular sight the sewer was toward the front of the sight but I had enough hose to get to it," Tanner H. explains about Caney Creek RV Resort & Marina, highlighting the need for extended connections at some locations.
