Best Cabin Camping near Mount Carmel, TN

This is the first time I have stayed in a yurt, and it was definitely a learning experience. First of all, it is a cross between a tent and a cabin, and it has no electricity, bathroom, or running water. This was not so bad since the campground bath house was only a couple of hundred feet away. However, the temperatures were in the lower 90s outside, and once we walked inside the yurt, it was like walking into an oven. The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside. Immediately after opening the door, opening the window and opening the canvas window coverings, we could feel the heat pouring out of the yurt. Fortunately, I had two 100-foot extension cords and a fan in our car. I plugged into the closest campsite and ran the cord to the yurt. There is no way we could have stayed in the yurt without the fan, so if you decide to stay in a yurt at this park during the summer, make sure to take extension cords and at least one fan. One thing that my wife and I found strange was that there were handrails along the three steps to the deck around the yurt, but there were no handrails beside the rougher steps leading to the yurt. Once we got the yurt cooled off to a decent temperature(high 70s), it wasn’t too bad. It had a queen bed and a trundle bed, which our grandson stayed on. A couch, side tables, and a dining table was also inside. The overall appearance inside the yurt was pleasant, and there was a picnic table and rocking chairs on the outside on the deck. There was also a fire pit, another picnic table, and a lantern hanger included with this yurt on the ground outside of the deck area. You will have to take your own linens for the beds—a queen and a single. There are two campgrounds in this state park, and each one is quite different. The Lover’s Leap campground has space for larger RVs and appears to be the newer of the two campgrounds. Although there are playgrounds, a swimming complex, an amphitheater, and much more, some of these venues are closed for the season due to the pandemic. The one thing I was really looking forward to(the chairlift) is only open on weekends. However, we were able to hike a couple of trails and see the natural tunnel. There are also cabins in the campground and they have a variety of sleeping arrangements of up to sixteen people in one cabin. The historical background of the state park is varied and extensive, so there are a lot of things to see within the park and surrounding the park. My wife and I decided we really want to come back and camp here again when we have more time. Overall, the campground has a lot of opportunities for different types of camping, and a lot to do, but if you stay in a yurt, be prepared.

I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.

Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!

We arrived with a reservation and there was no spot because someone decided to stay longer and someone unreserved showed up. It was just not unorganized and no one seemed to want to move from the spot so we could park our camper. It was a unique campground and after overhearing lots of talk due to the place we were parked we learned they try and over pack the park with people. It’s not your ordinary state park or US park. There is definitely a vibe I’ve never seen before. More of a hippy vibe. We were given a dvd a lady made of here visions. No dogs were on leashes and no one seemed to care. Just bizarre. The river was beautiful if you could see passed the tents. Bathrooms were clean enough but very small. This campground sits on a half gravel/half paved road that is mostly one way as far as width. If you’re hauling a huge camper it’s gonna make you sweat getting to the campground. You will question if your even on the right road because it turns to gravel and cuts under a train bridge. The office was under remodel so there was no “working office” or store. You has to knock on the guys trailer(not creepy at all). They parked our camper in front of his since our spot was given away so we had many people thinking we were the camp manager. Very annoying. There is also a rafting company with cabin rentals in the same area so there are quite a few random people moseying around. It is in a private area but is not private. I would not recommend this place unless you are and old hippy that wants to raft the rapids. If you want a quiet woodsy getaway this is not it. You are likely to have strangers sitting on your picnic table and making themselves at home at your site.

KOA I-40/Crossville, TN - We stayed one night in October, full hook ups, 50 amp, good wifi until the evening but our cell service was good. $59.87 per night, $53.88 with KOA discount. Nicely maintained park with level concrete sites in the front with grass, fire rings and picnic tables that were in excellent condition. Friendly, welcoming staff with a nice gift shop/store. Hand dipped ice cream is available along with freshly made pizza and wings if you don’t want to cook. It does sit right next to Highway 70 into Crossville and can be noisy but it didn’t bother us. Each bathroom is a private toilet and shower, very clean, nicely tiled and plenty of hot water. Small laundry, two washers and two dryers but there may have been additional laundry towards the back of the park. The park seems to be broken down into three sections, concrete pad pull throughs in the front, then the office area, then a second section of sites with gravel pads and these are closest to the bathrooms, then further out is another area with a pond or small lake for catch and release fishing. Well manicured property. Would definitely stay again and the ice cream was really good.

This privately-owned campground in the heart of Hot Springs, NC is the perfect place to end a rafting trip on the French Broad River or take a break from an AT thru hike. We met some friends for a full weekend of water fun, including a rafting day and a kayaking day on the French Broad. If you don’t own your own equipment or the skills to navigate a Class III/IV river, there are plenty of companies in the local area that can provide you a guide.

While not the most scenic of campgrounds, it has all the things any rafter or hiker needs – bathrooms/pit toilets and showers, picnic table, and fire pit…and is located just a few minutes walk from a few great restaurants, wifi access at the public library/coffeehouse, and the Hot Springs Spa and Resort (if you want/need a massage and a soak in one of their natural spring water tubs). There are also a few cabins on the property for those not into roughing it.

Most campsites can accommodate multiple tents or sizable RV’s. You have a choice between non-electric and electric sites, which is great for those of us who run on solar power.

While not busy at all during the off-season, this campground can be full on during the high season. Reservations weren’t necessary, but they do take them during the busy times of the year.