3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park dominates the tent camping landscape near Maryville, Tennessee, with several established campgrounds offering tent-only sites within a 30-45 minute drive. Cosby Campground, located in the northern section of the park, features over 100 tent campsites with designated tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Big Creek Campground provides a more intimate experience with just 12 tent-only sites and large tent pads. For primitive tent camping options, Lost Creek in Cherokee National Forest offers free camping with concrete picnic tables and fire rings along a creek. Poland Creek in Louisville and Camp Birdsong also provide dedicated tent camping areas with varying amenities.
Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Cosby Campground typically open from mid-April through mid-October. Tent sites at these locations feature level pads on dirt or gravel surfaces, though some sites at Cosby are positioned on slopes requiring stairs to access. Vault toilets or basic flush facilities are standard at established campgrounds, while backcountry tent sites may require carrying in all supplies including water. Bear safety is essential throughout the region, with food storage regulations strictly enforced. Campers should bring water treatment supplies for creek-side primitive tent camping areas. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, particularly at Cosby where complete disconnection from technology is part of the experience.
Tent campers frequently report the peaceful atmosphere as a primary draw to these areas. According to reviews, Cosby Campground "stays fairly quiet so we could really enjoy being in nature" despite sites being visible to neighbors. The varied terrain and trees help provide privacy between tent sites. At Rock Creek Campground in Obed Wild and Scenic River, one camper noted the sites have "a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole" with some walk-in tent sites requiring carrying gear about 100 feet from parking. Backcountry tent camping options on the Appalachian Trail provide even greater solitude, though proper preparation is essential as these areas lack amenities. Early arrival is recommended for first-come, first-served tent campgrounds, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly.
"This is a medium size campground which offers both RV and tent camping. There is a recreational facility which can be used for day use as well. Overall everything is grassy green and beautiful."
"This spot is kid and tent friendly with a boat ramp and beautiful small lake with lots of fishing opportunities."
"Camp Birdsong is here to provide an excellent spot to setup your tent, with a platform for a level setup, and a mini kitchen so that you can prepare some great meals while listening to the morning birds"
"Luv the fact it tells you about the camping space"
from $40 - $49 / night
"Cosby is a small town about a 45 minute easy drive from Gatlinburg. Heavily wooded, lends itself nicely to hammock camping."
"Most of the sites are better suited to tent campers, though a few of them are designated RV sites offering a back-in parking pad."
from $50 / night
"Great site & fairly easy hike in from Laurel Creek rd. Camp site is about .5 miles downhill from the Bote Mountain and West Prong Trail Head."
"I chose this campsite as the location of my first backcountry overnight experience, and I was not disappointed. Loved every minute of it. Short hike from your vehicle on Laurel Gap Rd."
"I rounded a turn and the trail turned rocky. Then the brush disappeared and the view off the side of the mountain was breathtaking."
"This spot is new, and the set up is awesome. Perched on top of a hill, the site has great sunrise views."
"This spot is new, and the set up is awesome. Perched on top of a hill, the site has great sunrise views."
from $75 - $175 / night
"After checking it out and realizing we were unprepared to set up a tent in a gravel mud puddle we checked out frozen head's campground and it was so nice."
"There is a primitive tent area along a creek branch and there are some primitive hike-in areas) Tennessee seems to have a thing for larger rock pieces in their gravel on tent platforms... otherwise no"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when available"All secluded and away from overpopulated areas. Bring your fishing pole!"
"Plenty of trails, swimming and fishing!!"
"Primitive campsite on trail near highest mountain peak. There were several primitive campsites in close proximity. Our campsite had a large metal bear box in which you could store food and packs."
"The only way to get to the site is to hike in for several hours on one of the many trails that get you up the mountain."
"Great campground with very friendly and helpful rangers. Was pretty empty the night we were there."
"The ranger was very friendly when we checked in. The site was a great site for winter camping, since the loop beside it was closed for the season (so there was only one neighbor)."
TravelerBeautiful spot in the smoky mountains. State park style amenities, no showers. No hookups. Very busy very open campground. Nice that some trails are walking distance from campground. I would not camp here again as I prefer more separation and privacy. No cell service. STARLINK is usable but obstructed with tree canopy
GuideDrove 5 hrs from our last campground to here for event Campground was very well maintained and liked the site. Wasn’t overly crazy about the event not a lot of vendors mainly jeeps went to a few local shops in town had a great lunch at the cookie dough monster.
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
TravelerFantastic National Park! Elkmont is really nice but lacking in hookups and there are no showers. Hard to stay too long without power, water, sewer and showers. Still, an amazing site along the river!
GuideThis 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.
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutBeautiful 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.
ScoutCalled 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.
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
Tent camping options near Maryville, Tennessee range across Cherokee National Forest and the western edges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with elevations between 850-3,000 feet creating distinct microclimates. Summer nights remain cool at higher elevations, with average temperatures 10-15 degrees lower than in Maryville proper. Spring and fall camping brings temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night, requiring layered clothing and appropriate sleeping gear.
Creek fishing access: At Double Camp/Citico Creek, campers enjoy clear, cold waters with regular trout stocking from February through early September. "TWRA stocks plenty of trout Feb-early Sept. I have met some of the nicest folks here too. Leave your phone at home, you won't have a signal, broadcast radio barely makes it in," notes reviewer Todd R.
Short backcountry hike: The Bote Mountain Campsite 18 provides creekside camping with minimal hiking effort. "Great site & fairly easy hike in from Laurel Creek rd. Camp site is about .5 miles downhill from the Bote Mountain and West Prong Trail Head. There are 2 sites that can be used and they are separated from one another," shares Kristin M.
Local horseback riding: Young Branch Horse Camp accommodates equestrians with medium-sized maintained sites and basic amenities. "Located in between campsites 7&8, Young Branch is the more 'civilized' part of Citico Creek. There is a toilet, but no hookups. About 6 different sites within the campground," explains Zane P.
Less crowded alternatives: Cosby Campground offers a quieter experience than other park facilities. "This location is a great choice for anyone who wants to visit GSMNP while avoiding some of the crowds. This campground rarely fills up, allowing for the opportunity to pick your site when you get there," reports Janine B.
Swimming holes: Citico Creek area provides cooling water access during summer months. "Family oriented, clear & cold waters, beautiful views, peaceful thoughts, and convenient campsites. Great to visit with your friends and family," writes Tonya R. about Double Camp/Citico Creek.
Convenient trailhead access: Cosby Campground connects directly to multiple hiking trails. "Great sites available without reservations. Trailheads conveniently located inside the campground. Peaceful trails," states Stephani K., highlighting the immediate access to nature.
Tech disconnection: Most remote campsites have zero connectivity. "Leave your phone at home, you won't have a signal, broadcast radio barely makes it in," warns Todd R. about Double Camp/Citico Creek.
Water access considerations: Creek-side sites offer water for filtering but require proper equipment. "West Prong of the Little River runs right through both separated sites, so plenty of water is an understatement," notes Christina Z. about Bote Mountain Campsite 18.
Seasonal availability: Many higher-elevation sites close during winter months. "The camping season here is April through October so if you are trying to stay during off season you will need to contact the City of Louisville to make arrangements," explains Crystal C. about Poland Creek.
Site spacing variations: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites. "This is a medium size campground which offers both RV and tent camping. Sites are well shaded and even. I really enjoyed the campground as a whole because even if it was highly occupied it didn't seem as though you were right on top of your neighbor," reports Crystal C.
Beginner-friendly backcountry: Bote Mountain Campsite 18 works well for first-time backpackers. "I chose this campsite as the location of my first backcountry overnight experience, and I was not disappointed. Loved every minute of it. Short hike from your vehicle on Laurel Gap Rd," shares Christina Z.
Grocery proximity: Stock up on supplies before heading to more remote sites. "IGA grocery store in Townsend is only 20 minutes away, makes for a great place to pick up last minute food ideas before hiking in to your site," advises Christina Z.
Educational programs: Cosby Campground hosts ranger-led activities. "On Fridays they have special Ranger programs. We were lucky enough to learn about moon-shining from guys on the moonshiner TV show. It was very interesting!" mentions Janine B.
Animal awareness: Teach children proper wildlife protocols. "Note that dogs are welcome in the campground but not on the majority of the trails," reminds Janine B. about Cosby Campground policies.
Riverside options: Riverside RV Park & Resort provides water access while maintaining full hookup convenience. "There are many RV sites and cabins along the bend of the Little Pidgeon River. Fire rings all along the river with everyone out at night sitting along the river. Had all the amenities you would want in a full service RV Park," describes Jeff T.
Highway accessibility: Some campgrounds offer easier interstate access for larger rigs. "Convenient to highway 66 that runs from Interstate 40 to Sevierville. Not particularly charming, but seems to be clean and well run. Worked well for a one night stay," notes Seth P. about Riverside RV Park.
Non-electric alternatives: For those seeking the best tent camping near Maryville, Tennessee while still using an RV, Poland Creek offers budget options. "My site was not located right on the water, those sites are reserved for those wanting electricity. Instead I was a short distance from, still very doable. I paid $18 for the site and it was great. I had full access to all the amenities at a fraction of the $30 charged for electricity," explains Crystal C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Maryville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Maryville, TN is Poland Creek with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
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