Best Campgrounds near Madisonville, TN

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Madisonville, Tennessee (508)

    1. Indian Boundary

    28 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-8400

    $20 / night

    "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."

    2. Sweetwater KOA

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

    "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."

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

    3. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

    29 Reviews
    Delano, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 263-0050

    $35 - $85 / night

    "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. "

    4. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    34 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."

    5. Yarberry Campground

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

    "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."

    6. Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tellico Plains, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-6061

    "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."

    7. Lotterdale Cove Campground

    6 Reviews
    Greenback, TN
    13 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. Tellico Plains/Cherokee National Forest KOA Holiday

    5 Reviews
    Tellico Plains, TN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-3513

    $40 - $60 / night

    "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."

    9. Overnite RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Athens, TN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 507-0069

    "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."

    10. Top of the World RV

    8 Reviews
    Coker Creek, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 519-2967

    $45 / night

    "This place is a true gem hidden in the Tennessee mountains."

    "Close to grocery stores & TONS of mountain goodness."

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Recent Reviews near Madisonville, TN

1756 Reviews of 508 Madisonville Campgrounds


  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Two seperate areas

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Trash..

    This area was easy to find with Apple Maps and T-Mobile and Verizon had signal. When we drove in it was around 9pm in a Saturday night and all sites was taken with what looked like people living there. And the road dead ends. All along the water. Tents and tarps everywhere. We found one spot not on the water and set up. Fire rings and picnic tables are at every spot. But when I woke up and it wasn't pitch black my heart broke. There was bags of trash and litter everywhere around us and tossed in the forest around us. The forest had a lot of thorns but I was able to get three large kitchen bags of trash out. From propane tanks to over twenty cans of food. Just tossed into the woods. We camp all over the United States, and this is our first place close to home and it broke my heart to see how our state treats these beautiful places. Please don't come if you don't appreciate nature enough to not use it as your trash can.

    So on Dyrt there's two sites with this name and same gps but you can follow around the lake and find the other one. Both areas are a lot alike. But definitely more fit for tent camping on the water. Park by the road and walk down sites so none fit for us since we camp in the truck. The sites all looked like the other areas around here where people very much lived there and never left, so not one site at either camping area was open.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Bobbi Jo P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hickory Gap

    One of our favorite places!

    Nice small campground with 5 sites. Fills up during hunting season. Can't beat the peaceful sounds of the creek and nature at its finest!


Guide to Madisonville

Camping near Madisonville, Tennessee, offers a variety of beautiful spots to enjoy the great outdoors. From stunning parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this scenic area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails available in the area. At Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "Good hikes nearby," making it a great spot for those who love to hit the trails.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground," highlighting the area's rich biodiversity.
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming or tubing in nearby rivers. A camper at Greenbrier Campground noted, "The river ran close enough to our site that we didn't feel like we needed a premium spot," perfect for water lovers.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Elkmont Campground said, "The bathrooms were adequate—sinks and toilets and cleaned daily," which is a big plus for many.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A visitor at Vogel State Park Campground remarked, "The kids had loads of fun playing by the little rivers," making it a great choice for family outings.
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful landscapes. A guest at Anchor Down RV Resort mentioned, "Looking south towards Sevierville over the lake into the mountains. Amazing!"

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some popular spots can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, "The park is a top visited park in TN - it’s crowded."
  • Limited Privacy: Many sites are close together. A visitor at Elkmont Campground mentioned, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • No Cell Service: Be prepared for limited connectivity. A camper at Cades Cove Campground shared, "There is no cell service with T-Mobile, so have a good book," which is good advice for those who like to unplug.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Ahead: Make reservations early, especially for popular campgrounds. A camper at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground said, "We reserved a year in advance," which can help secure a good spot.
  • Bring Activities: Pack games and outdoor toys. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed the "multiple playgrounds, a gagaball court, volleyball court," which kept the kids entertained.
  • Check for Events: Look for local events during your stay. A visitor at Harrison Bay State Park Campground mentioned, "The website has an event page so you can attend events happening during your stay."

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Choose sites that accommodate larger rigs. A camper at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, "All sites paved and many have handmade fire places," which is great for RV setups.
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground mentioned, "It was completely sold out... it was absolutely silent at night," which is a pleasant surprise in busy areas.
  • Check Amenities: Make sure the campground has the amenities you need. A reviewer at Greenbrier Campground said, "The campground had great amenities, really awesome service from the staff," which can enhance your stay.

Camping near Madisonville, Tennessee, offers a mix of adventure, relaxation, and family fun. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Madisonville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Madisonville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 508 campgrounds and RV parks near Madisonville, TN and 34 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 34 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.