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Tammy F.
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GuideLake Chatuge Dispersed
A sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
Camping near Madisonville, TN
533 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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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 Campgrounds near Madisonville (533)
1. Indian Boundary
"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 Availability2. Sweetwater KOA
"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."
3. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
"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
"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 Availability5. Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground
"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."
6. Lotterdale Cove Campground
"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 Availability7. Yarberry Campground
"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."
8. Tellico Plains/Cherokee National Forest KOA Holiday
"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 Availability9. Overnite RV Park
"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. Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
"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
Drive Time
- 44 min from Cleveland, TN
- 50 min from Knoxville, TN
- 1 hr 10 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 30 min from Morristown, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Madisonville, TN
646 Photos of 533 Madisonville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Madisonville, TN
1885 Reviews of 533 Madisonville Campgrounds
Adrian C.GuideNorth River Campground
Peaceful, low cost small campground with some creekside sites
This is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
- ssheila B.
ScoutJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Beautiful view on the water. Not very full, which was nice. I came for some quiet and privacy and while it worked, there were just some that were very social. Haha
- NNP
TravelerPigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground
Busy but Nice
This worked well for us while we were visiting Dollywood in our trailer, but we wouldn't stay here if we had been in a different type of site. Cons: Unless you have a site up against the river or on patriot park, you are packed in VERY TIGHT with other people, sometimes with your sliders only a foot or two away from your neighbor's sliders. We were in a site that was "on patriot park", but the few first sites of that type are really just behind the trolley parking lot and pick up with a path behind you (including ours). People are on the other side of the fence walking about two feet behind you all day and pretty late in to the night. Pros: There are lot of trees and campground is very pretty. Super close to Dollywood and other Pigeon Forge points of interest.
Mark 'Tony' Z.TravelerPoteete Creek Campground
Friendly host, crowded camp
Water was very low and poor quality. Host was friendly but don’t buy his wood - it doesn’t burn well. County water tasted funny, probably minimal treatment. We had quite a hike to the restroom, which wasn’t regularly cleaned.
Alicia B.ScoutTurkey Creek Campground
NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY
Beautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
- LLaura F.Scout
gee creek
Called the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
- CCalea C.Traveler
Quarry Trails Campground
Beautiful Veiws
Me and my cousin and my dog absolutely love staying here, we will be back. It has beautiful views from our campsite, and down a little trail to the quarry. It’s super clean and peaceful. Has a little bit of road noise, but honestly, I like a little bit of white noise
- MM H.Scout
Lotterdale Cove Campground
Tent Riverfront
This was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
Guide to Madisonville
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
What camping is available near Madisonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Madisonville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 533 campgrounds and RV parks near Madisonville, TN and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Madisonville, TN?
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?
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?
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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