Camping near Maryville, Tennessee offers varied terrain from the lowlands at 900 feet to the higher elevations reaching 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-50°F while summer brings 70-90°F days with higher humidity. The region features a mix of developed campgrounds with hookups and more secluded options along rivers that provide natural cooling during summer months.
What to Do
River tubing access: At Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, the Little River provides perfect tubing opportunities during summer months. "We loved the campground. Clean and staff are awesome. The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," shares Cathy O.
Bicycle riding on Cades Cove loop: The 11-mile scenic loop near Cades Cove Campground offers dedicated bicycle days. "What a great campground!! On certain days 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," notes Jeremy H.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning or dusk provides the best wildlife spotting times in the region. "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. 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," reports Ashley Y. about her Cades Cove experience.
What Campers Like
Riverside camping spots: Many campers praise the water access at Greenbrier Campground. "Sites are a little cramped but they did a nice job separating with trees and such. Location is perfect with tons of stuff to do within very short drives. Great place for kids as well as there is plenty for them to do," explains Mark W.
Premium bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained facilities stand out at many area campgrounds. "The bathhouses were FABULOUS. SERIOUSLY. I've never wanted to bathe in a campground bathroom before, but I do it out of necessity. Well these bathrooms were luxurious and modern and so SO clean," shares Jenny J. about her stay at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities rank high with families. "This campground is beautiful only if you love lakes on top of a mountain! Great family spot or just you and your happy camper. The bathrooms are very clean and spacious. Great beach area and they rent SUP and kayaks," notes Tiffney B. about Indian Boundary.
What You Should Know
Bear safety protocols: All camping areas require strict food storage compliance. "Very strict rules regarding food storage and park has managed to control bears and raccoons," reports Kim L. about her stay at Elkmont Campground.
Seasonal operating schedules: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Approx 20 miles from main visitor center. The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic. Camp store is near campsites. Also a ranger station. Several hiking trails are accessible from campground," explains Kim L. regarding Cades Cove's layout.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise or commercial activity. "The camp is located right along a busy highway, the noise level was not too big of a problem since the campsites are not directly next to the highway but rather back in further, with some of the more coveted spots being right next to the river," shares Richard W. about Mountaineer Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation options. "It's a beautiful setting with rivers running through it. Despite being one of the busiest campgrounds it was also very well maintained. Everything was in great condition from my table to the site itself," reports Crystal C. about her Elkmont experience.
Organized activities: Check campground schedules for planned events. "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," shares Jenny J. about Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.
Yurt camping Maryville, Tennessee options: For families seeking unique accommodations, Mountaineer Campground offers alternatives to traditional tent camping. "When we were there, they had also installed a couple of restored teardrop trailers from what appeared to be the 1960s. On our last night, we decided to switch from tent camping to renting one of the teardrops, which was quite small but quite fun," explains Richard W.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Choose sites with adequate space and hook-ups. "Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park. After walking around the river front patios are amazing followed by the river front decks," advises John about Townsend-Great Smokies KOA.
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer full hookups. "Highs- Very friendly folks in the office, playground for the little ones, crystal clear swimming pool as well as kiddie pool, basketball court, laundry facility, clean bath and showers, vending machines and camp store. Newly cemented sites that require little to no leveling, full hookups with cable, fire ring and grill," notes Rich H. about Gateway RV Campground.
Cell coverage awareness: Service can be spotty in mountain 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," advises John about connectivity challenges at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA.
