Cabin camping near Maryville, Tennessee provides direct access to the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet. The area receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and active waterways throughout cabin camping locations. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing between November and March, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable during these months.
What to Do
Tubing adventures: The Little River runs through many campgrounds, providing natural water recreation. At Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, campers can enjoy this popular activity right from their accommodations. "We loved the campground. Clean and staff are awesome. The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," noted one visitor who immediately booked for the following year.
Bicycle rental: Some campgrounds offer bike rentals for exploring local trails and scenic routes. At Cades Cove Campground, certain days are reserved specifically for cyclists. "They close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate. We took the entire family on the loop bike ride. This was so much fun," a camper reported.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife populations including black bears, which can be observed from safe distances. "I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience," shared a visitor about their stay at Cades Cove Campground.
What Campers Like
Private bathrooms: Modern facilities distinguish many cabin camping locations. At Greenbrier Campground, visitors appreciate the private bathroom facilities. "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower."
River access: Many cabin sites provide direct access to waterways. "We stayed in site #16 and it was perfect! It's one of their wider sites so we didn't feel we were on top of our neighbors. The Little Pigeon River was just steps off the back of our camper," noted a camper at Greenbrier Campground.
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds coordinate special events throughout the year. "The owners live onsite and are present and interacting with the campers. They run the office and shop, they checked us in and sold us our firewood. One weekend we were there (Fall) they had a live band for entertainment, on a Saturday evening, and it was awesome. They also had a S'mores bar set up for the kiddos," reported a visitor about Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Sites at popular campgrounds fill quickly. A Cades Cove visitor advised, "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!" This applies particularly to cabins during summer months and fall foliage season.
Traffic considerations: Traffic in the region can affect travel times significantly. "Long and windy road to get to the area," noted one camper about accessing Cades Cove, while another mentioned, "The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic."
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds have varied site quality based on location. At Little River Campground & RV Resort, "The bathhouse is seriously impressive and is, by far, the nicest campground bathhouse I've ever used!" Specific cabin selections matter as "Large campground but had level, shaded, and private camp sites."
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to pool facilities. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults," shared a visitor at Greenbrier Campground.
Playground facilities: On-site playgrounds help keep children entertained. "The playground is beautiful and the kids loved it. There is a community firepit with rocking chairs around it, and it looks like it came out of a Martha Stewart magazine," noted a visitor to Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.
Indoor alternatives: For rainy days, some campgrounds offer indoor spaces. "Best kept secret was the free arcade room in AC with couches to boot," reported a family staying at Elkmont Campground. Other locations provide similar facilities with television or gathering spaces.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. "Our site was pretty, right on the water. However, there is a A LOT of road noise coming from the other side of the little river at all hours of the day and night," reported one RVer, noting that location affects noise levels significantly.
Connectivity considerations: Cellular service varies widely across cabin camping areas. "We needed to work and do school while there and the Verizon cell service was limited and the WiFi signal was not great at our rig. The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it," shared an RV traveler at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA.
Site selection for size: Larger RVs require careful site selection. "Very clean with heated bathrooms washing machines and other amenities. The sound of the rushing river is a plus," noted a visitor with a 20-foot travel trailer at Greenbrier Campground, indicating that even smaller rigs appreciate the amenities.
