The Madisonville area offers camping options within Tennessee's southern Appalachian foothills at elevations between 800-1,500 feet. Several campgrounds in the region provide direct access to waterways including Parksville Lake and the Ocoee River. Weather patterns change quickly in these mountains, with summer thunderstorms common from June through September.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: 10 minutes from Parksville Lake RV Campground visitors can experience Olympic-level whitewater. "Close by Occoee White Water center where the Atlanta olympics took place. Plan your visit around the water release. There schedule is online. Pretty cool to see the water trickle and then mass if water come at you," notes Linda B.
Hiking trails: Accessible directly from campsites at Chilhowee Recreation Area. "25 miles of hiking and biking trails starting right from our campsite," reports Katrin S. The area includes trails for all experience levels, with multiple waterfall hikes within a short distance.
Creek exploration: Wade through mountain streams at multiple campgrounds. At Little River Campground, "You can't see it well from the road, but there is a huge sign out by the road. Trust it! You're in the right place. You drive across a small bridge across the Little River when you get to the campground," writes Lisa C., who adds "you're allowed to swim, play, tube, etc. in the river at your own risk."
What campers like
Quiet mountain settings: Peaceful environments away from highway noise. At Top of the World RV, campers appreciate the tranquility. "We have been coming here for the last 3 yrs. Each and every time it has been exactly what we needed. Quiet, Relaxing and good for your soul," explains Duane M., adding, "If you are looking for the 'Resort' hustle and bustle this is not for you."
Spacious sites: Room to spread out at select rv parks near Madisonville. "The RV sites are well shaded and well spaced and many will accommodate large R.V.'s," notes one camper about Parksville Lake. At Little River Campground, a guest mentioned their "pull through site was very large spot as far as rv sites go."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean campgrounds with attentive staff. At Up the Creek RV Camp, "Within a few minutes of checking out, groundskeepers are Johnny on the spot with a weed eater, leaf blower, and a bucket to shovel your fire out for the next camper," reports Michael W. While not directly in Madisonville, this camp provides an example of the quality found in the region's rv facilities.
What you should know
Mountain roads: Challenging access to some campgrounds. For Chilhowee Recreation Area, one camper advises, "Coming up the mountain has some steep grades and a few switch backs that you can't see around. There are often oncoming vehicles who are often driving too fast and not considering those of us in large vehicles."
Variable cell service: Plan for limited connectivity throughout the region. At Top of the World RV, "Cell service with T-Mobile not existent. They have WiFi but not very fast," reports Jeremy B. Another camper noted, "Used an AT&T MiFi worked well."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experiences year-round. Campgrounds at higher elevations like Chilhowee close seasonally (April through November). Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms while winter can see unexpected freezing temperatures, especially at higher elevations.
Tips for camping with families
Creek-side sites: Natural playgrounds for children. At Little River Campground & RV Resort, "We had a great experience at this little campground. There are several sites along a beautiful little creek," says Robert G. The campground is "close enough to Gatlinburg and pigeon forge to go do things there far enough away you don't have to deal with the commercialism if you don't want to."
Low-key activities: Simple outdoor fun works best in this region. Lindsay C. observes of Parksville Lake, "The small loop is perfect for a family get away. Close Creek and hiking provided plenty of activity for little ones and not overly crowded like bigger campgrounds."
Limited amenities at some sites: Plan accordingly when selecting campgrounds. Up the Creek RV Camp, while peaceful, has "no playground" and one camper noted, "We were the only family there with kids." Consider bringing your own entertainment for children at more rustic campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research carefully before booking. At Blue Moon RV Park (formerly Overniter RV Park), one camper shares, "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. Water hook-up was a little wonky but the friendliness of the office staff made up for it."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with proper equipment. At Top of the World RV, "Because sites are loose gravel, leveling can be a challenge if your rig does not auto level," warns Jeremy B. Some campgrounds have recently improved their sites with concrete pads and more level surfaces.
Full hookup availability: Varies by location across Madisonville area rv parks. Scott H. advises about Parksville Lake, "We were in 35 foot trailer but some tight turns in camp ground. If large rig then call for advice on site. Our site was exactly what we needed."
