Looking for the best campgrounds near Louisville, TN? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Louisville is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Louisville, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$30 / night
"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."
$18 - $31 / night
"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."
$30 / night
"I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."
"We stayed 3 nights so we could hike the surrounding trails! Loved learning about the history of the area while checking out the old cabins."
$28 - $38 / night
"The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve. We booked tent site 7 but when we got there someone was fishing off the point where our campsite was supposed to be."
"Our site us overlooking the lake and the view is beautiful. Close to downtown and the mountains. Only downfall is very spotty wifi in some areas."
"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."
$30 / night
"We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water."
"Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc."
$30 - $36 / night
"There is a state campground near the base, but it was crowded and noisy. Unfortunately I've been informed this campground is no longer in operation, so sad."
"This place has so many gorgeous camping spits and hiking trails! In the fall there is just so many different hues of oranges reds and yellows"
"The location wasn't far from Louisville which made it a great escape from the city yet close enough to get back easily."
"This campsite is perfect for anyone looking to get away from it all for a bit. With gorgeous lake views and a selection of sites that is impressive you will love it here!"
"The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."
"Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."
$50 - $94 / night
"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
ScoutThis place is amazing. Very clean. People are very courteous
ScoutMy dad and I visited in may and had a great time. Lots of bathrooms that were all clean. The grounds were very green and shaded, each site had a flat mulch spot for the tent, a firepit, and a picnic table. Very close to lots of different trails. Only problem is that there are a lot of sites and you’re pretty close to your neighbor (like your tent is 10 feet away and usually no brush between).
ScoutClean, mowed grass, gravel roads, basic campground without frills. It’s quiet, well off the highway, good camp store, friendly helpful staff. We will come here again when out this way.
TravelerVery clean campground,l creek near by for lots of fun .
GuideSites are big and level. Power hook ups if you need them and plenty of shade. The 3.5 mile trail around the lake is a good little walk for the dogs. Highly recommend this campground.
TravelerWe stayed here recently for our first time and really enjoyed it. The water park is great for kids and it has a restaurant and an ice cream shop. It’s spacious and the people who work there are so friendly. We will be back again.
TravelerSolid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry.
LegendFirst of all, GSMNP is amazing and blew us away. And the river running along the campground was great. We even had elk walk through one morning.
However this campground is way too cramped and too loud. The sites are on top of each other. Two nights our neighbors were starting up their fire with some device that made it roar several feet tall. The first time we actually thought our tent was on fire because their pit is so close to our tent pad and it was so bright lol.
Oh and about the fires, if you’re sensitive to smoke, avoid this one. The loop is in sort of a bowl and without wind all of the smoke from all the fires just sits there. I ended up wearing a mask most of one evening.
There is no enforcement of quiet hours at this campground. Every night people nearby (two separate groups covering all nights at two different sites) were talking loudly for much of the night. I’m a light sleeper and with ear plugs and my phone blasting white noise next to my ears, I still didn’t get any sleep.
I know it sounds like I’m just a whiner and shouldn’t be camping, but we camp a lot… not for the “camping experience” but just because we travel a lot and it’s cheaper and I do enjoy being in nature. I do fine at most campgrounds but this one was just too crowded for me.
I will say, though, that this side of the park was quieter than the other and I liked the Cherokee vibe more than the Las Vegas - style Gatlinburg.
Highlight hike was Alum Cave. Super cool!
ScoutThis was my first time taking out a travel trailer and this was a beautiful place to take my family. The owners were very kind people with very reasonable rules. Very laid back environment. Beautiful scenery
Camping near Louisville, Tennessee, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful campgrounds nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas, there's something for everyone.
Camping in Louisville, TN, and its surrounding areas offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family adventure, there's a campground that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Louisville, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 422 campgrounds and RV parks near Louisville, TN and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Louisville, TN is Cades Cove Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 97 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Louisville, TN.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Louisville, TN that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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