530 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds surrounding Madisonville, Tennessee range from established facilities to primitive sites, with notable options including Sweetwater KOA and Indian Boundary Campground. The area features diverse camping opportunities within proximity to the Cherokee National Forest and Tellico Lake, with accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals. Several campgrounds provide waterfront access, while others are nestled in forested settings with mountain views. Most established campgrounds maintain moderate to high ratings from visitors who appreciate the region's natural beauty and recreational access.
Road conditions vary across the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigation of narrow, winding routes. Weather considerations are important when planning trips, as the area experiences distinct seasonal changes. "A beautiful place for families and pets. Very shady; quiet very friendly place to go loved it," noted one camper about Notchy Creek Campground. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with some like Lotterdale Cove Campground open from May through October, while others such as Sweetwater KOA and Yarberry Campground maintain year-round operations. Elevation changes throughout the region influence both temperature and precipitation patterns.
Campers consistently highlight lakefront sites as particularly desirable features in the Madisonville area. Several visitors mentioned clean facilities as standout qualities, with one camper noting that Notchy Creek Campground had "bathrooms that are honestly the cleanest I've come across at any campground." Water-based recreation represents a significant draw, with many campgrounds offering boat ramps, fishing docks, or swimming areas. The proximity to the Cherohala Skyway and other scenic drives enhances the appeal for outdoor enthusiasts. Family-friendly amenities appear frequently in positive reviews, with playgrounds, organized activities, and pet-accommodating policies mentioned as valuable features. Travelers seeking quieter experiences may prefer the less developed sites within the national forest boundaries rather than the more amenity-rich campgrounds closer to town.
"The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."
"The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Great base camp for close to adventures in the national forest. Go do the hike by bald river falls 30 min away."
"Great location and great food! This is my go to spot when out riding."
"Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."
"We rented a pontoon boat for four hours and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend this campground if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger campgrounds."
"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."
from $26 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Close to fun things in Tellico , not too far from Athens , Etowah , Madisonville , and many near by attractions in the mountains. We drove to Cleveland quite a bit too, about 45 min."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This park is very conveniently located North of Chattanooga and South of Knoxville. They have easy proximity to the interstate and a park that is easy to get into and back out of."
"There are small grass spots in between the sites for pets, but also a larger grassy area "pet walk" at the end. Nice and clean bathhouse. Will stay here again if passing through."
"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."
from $18 - $31 / night
Check Availability
RangerFirst thing--be sure you check your route here. Do not end up on Happy Valley Rd with a big rig. My RV life app took me that way with a 30ft TT and the park explicitly says to avoid it. The campground itself is somewhat unremarkable. It was nearly empty during my stay. My site was not remotely level, but no big deal to me. The views around the area made it all worthwhile to me.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
ScoutShakedown trip. Offered lots of help, friendly staff, clean campground, plenty of amenities, safe good views. Traveled with a pet and it worked well.
ScoutSpent a nice 5 days relaxing. Camp host was very friendly. Shower house and toilets well maintained and clean.
GuideIt is difficult to find a spot. It appears a lot of unhoused people live here full time. There is a lot of trash littering the trees and down by the lake. There is good cell service and overall it is a nice area.
GuideGreat campsite. No cell service at all. Has nice toilets and dish washing area.
TravelerCampsites are close together. We were only there 1 night. It was peaceful and quiet. All sites are gravel with fire ring and picnic table. They have some sites FHU, some water & electric, and primitive sites. A nice pool is on site. Looked like a nice playground and dog areas.
TravelerI was a visitor to this park. Doris has zero interest in being friendly or welcoming. The only signage that reads, you must visit their dirty little office and register, is what you see in the photos posted, partially hidden by tree branches as you approach. It was my third visit before I actually saw it and that’s only because it was pointed out by the person I was visiting. And they don’t care if you give them your info, doesn’t even ask, just demands your $5. After the owner Doris read a Google review left by another person that was treated poorly by her, she assumed it was left by me for spite and kicked my friend that stayed there out. Had she bothered to actually take my info instead of my money she would have realized I wasn’t the one that left her a bad review, but another visitor leaving an unsatisfactory review perpetuated by her rudeness.. if you value your peace and want your visitors to feel welcome, please choose another place to give your hard earned money to.
ScoutIf you’re looking for chill sights with minimal needs and no electric this place has been lovely. Creek access with some sites. Not all for direct creek. Lake access to entire campground tho! Will be back for us !!!
Madisonville sits at the foothills of the Cherokee National Forest with elevations ranging from 870 to 1,100 feet. Camping options span from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with seasonal considerations impacting water levels at Tellico Lake and accessibility to mountain campgrounds. Most tent sites cost between $12-30 per night while full hookup RV sites typically range from $35-50.
Hike around mountain lakes: Indian Boundary Campground features a 3.5-mile trail circling its lake. "The 3.5 mile trail around the lake is a good little walk for the dogs. Highly recommend this campground," notes Jim M. The relatively flat terrain makes it accessible for most fitness levels.
Rent watercraft: Yarberry Campground offers kayak, paddleboard, and paddle boat rentals during summer months. "They also rent bikes too. The store has firewood, essentials, floats, ice cream, etc.," according to Lori H. The swimming area includes a sandy beach entrance.
Drive scenic routes: Use Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground as your base for exploring the Cherohala Skyway. "Conveniently located to the Cherohala Skyway. Would definitely stay here again. Well worth the $12 to pitch my tent for the night," reports Jon D. The Skyway rises from 900 feet to over 5,400 feet with numerous overlooks.
Fish local waters: The Hiwassee River near Gee Creek Campground provides trout fishing opportunities. "The park also offers a boat launch for river access," explains Gregg G. Licenses required from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Clean bathroom facilities: Gee Creek Campground maintains well-kept facilities year-round. "The park has a nice size bath house that is heated during the winter. The showers are push valve with no temperature control, so you will periodically have to push the valve for water," advises Gregg G.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open during colder months. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," notes Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground.
Level camping pads: Overnite RV Park provides accessible sites for travelers. "Perfect for what their name implies. An overnight stay on your travels. Full hookups and our campsite was very level," mentions Jeff T. Accessibility becomes especially important for campers with mobility concerns.
Camp stores with essentials: Indian Boundary Campground supplies necessities on-site. "Amenities as described, pretty basic (which is how I like it). Obey the rules about bears! We met people who saw one recently," cautions Amber A. The campground maintains bear-resistant trash containers.
No-alcohol policies: Some campgrounds prohibit alcohol on premises. "No alcohol is allowed on the grounds," reports Jacob S. about Lotterdale Cove Campground. This rule applies to several public recreation areas.
Seasonal operating schedules: Many facilities close during winter. "Busy campground with nice amenities, including a camp store. Friendly staff," says CJ C. about Indian Boundary, which operates from April through early November.
Bear safety requirements: Cades Cove Campground enforces strict food storage protocols. "You drive around a valley with rivers running through and you're surrounded by mountains. Tons of wildlife, even saw a bear from a distance," reports Dan N. Food must be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers when not in use.
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies widely across the region. "Cell service with T-Mobile not existent. They have WiFi but not very fast," notes Jeremy B. about Top of the World RV. Sites closer to Madisonville generally have better connectivity.
Playgrounds and activities: Sweetwater KOA offers structured recreation. "Plenty for the kids to do -- arcade room, jump pad, and playgrounds," observes Jovee S. The campground also organizes weekend events during peak season.
Swimming areas with amenities: Yarberry Campground provides designated swimming zones. "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, etc.," details Lori H.
Educational opportunities: Cades Cove includes historical structures. "Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest," recommends Buck R. The 11-mile loop road takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete with stops.
Kid-friendly hiking: Indian Boundary offers accessible trails. "Great camping area, great for family camping. Hiking trail around lake fun to kayak and fish on also has a swimming area and large picnic area that's covered," shares Kaitlyn.
Site access challenges: Narrow roads impact larger rigs. "Getting to it can be tricky as TN-68 has steep grades and decent curves but is doable for all but the absolute longest of rigs," warns Jeremy B. about Top of the World RV.
Leveling considerations: Gravel sites may require additional equipment. "Because sites are loose gravel, leveling can be a challenge if your rig does not auto level," explains Jeremy B. Bring leveling blocks even for sites advertised as level.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. "They don't have sewer hookup, they come by Mondays and Thursdays to dump your tanks for you with a truck, that's great... but... you have to really watch your water usage so you don't overfill your tanks as you're waiting for a dump day," advises Ginger V. about Mecca Camp Resort.
Spacing between sites: Some campgrounds position RVs quite close. "I'd give this five stars if the sites were a little bigger. We had one hell of a time getting out in the morning. Wound up having to wake the guy next door up to move his car," cautions Janice M. about Overnite RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Madisonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Madisonville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 530 campgrounds and RV parks near Madisonville, TN and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Madisonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Madisonville, TN is Indian Boundary with a 4.8-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Madisonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Madisonville, TN.
What parks are near Madisonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Madisonville, TN that allow camping, notably Croatan National Forest and Tusquitee National Forest.
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