The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Norris, TN

1,610 Reviews

Norris, Tennessee serves as a gateway to multiple camping destinations centered around Norris Lake, a clean reservoir known for recreational opportunities. Loyston Point Campground offers lakefront sites for tents, RVs, and cabins with direct water access, while West Campground at Norris Dam State Park provides full hookup sites in a quieter setting. TVA Public Land at Fork Bend offers free primitive camping along the shoreline for those seeking a more rustic experience. The region includes both developed state park facilities and undeveloped public lands managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Access to most campgrounds remains open year-round, though some facilities like Loyston Point operate seasonally from March through October. Norris Lake campgrounds feature varying degrees of amenities, from primitive sites with no facilities to full-service campgrounds with showers, electric hookups, and dump stations. Many lakefront sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when water recreation is most popular. Campers should be prepared for potentially challenging leveling at some sites, especially those with lake views. According to one visitor at Loyston Point, "Leveling can be a challenge. Super friendly and helpful staff."

Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Norris area, with multiple campgrounds offering direct lake access. Norris Lake's clean water receives consistent praise in camper reviews, with many highlighting swimming and boating opportunities. Several visitors mentioned the spaciousness of sites at Loyston Point and the cleanliness of bathhouses throughout the area. For those seeking more seclusion, the wooded sites at TVA Public Land provide a more primitive experience. A camper noted that Fork Bend is ideal "if you want to get away from people" and described it as "a heavily wooded forest surrounded by Norris Lake, which is known for being the best lake around the area." Mountain biking trails near Loyston Point offer additional recreational opportunities, with trailhead parking areas frequently filled with enthusiasts regardless of season.

Map showing campgrounds near Norris, TennesseeExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Norris, Tennessee (284)

    1. West Campground — Norris Dam State Park

    29 Reviews
    Lake City, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 425-4500

    "Norris Dam has two campgrounds in different sections. We stayed in the west campground which is a loop with playground and showerhouse in the middle. Nice showerhouse."

    "Norris Dam State Park is my absolute favorite place to go camping! It is so beautiful and the views on the water are breathtaking! They do interactive classes and have a museum on site."

    2. Cove Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    La Follette, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 566-9701

    $25 - $55 / night

    "Only downside is not being able to swim in Cove lake. I mean you can, but I certainly wouldn't. If you want to swim just drive 15mins to Norris lake. I would camp here again happily."

    "Great location just off I75, close to easy shopping (Walmart), Urgent Care facility just minutes away, nice BBQ place right in the park, local eatery’s just up the way (less than 2 miles)."

    3. Big Ridge State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Maynardville, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 992-5523

    $8 - $100 / night

    "Several campsites here are conveniently located along Norris Lake. If not on the lake a short 5 minute walk from other sites."

    "I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."

    4. Loyston Point Campground

    18 Reviews
    Andersonville, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 494-9369

    "Stayed at a premium lakeshore site on Norris Lake. Advertised as a pull through, but that must be for travel trailers, as I have an RV."

    "Located on the beautiful Norris Lake. Our tents were right on the water and a short swim/walk to paddle boats and kayaks! Only thing I don’t like is how close each site is. Their cabins are adorable!!"

    5. Volunteer Park Family Campground

    13 Reviews
    Heiskell, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 938-6600

    $30 - $65 / night

    "Bathrooms and Showers with hot water. 20 minutes outside Knoxville and extremely quiet."

    "The campsite is nestled in trees and conveniently located to the Knoxville area. They have a small store for small forgotten items as well as a place to fill propane."

    6. TVA Public Land- Fork Bend

    11 Reviews
    La Follette, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 632-2101

    "I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."

    "Norris lake is so beautiful. We drove a car and took our time going down the dirt road. There were no problems going in or out. There were some deep ruts but it was easy to avoid them."

    7. Clinton-Knoxville North KOA

    6 Reviews
    Norris, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 494-9386

    "When passing through this area going to the Smoky Mountains I made a pit stop in Clinton, TN, just a few short miles away from one of the entrances to Smoky Mountain National Park."

    "A great stop right off the highway. Super nice staff, easy in and out (make sure you pay attention to the left turn in past the gas station). Not the roomiest of sites, but fine for what we needed."

    8. Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Heiskell, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 947-9776

    $23 - $30 / night

    "Easy access to the highway."

    9. Knoxville Campground

    2 Reviews
    Norris, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 342-1111

    $55 - $115 / night

    10. Frozen Head State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Petros, TN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 346-3318

    "The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."

    "It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee.

    There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 284 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Norris Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Norris, TN

558 Photos of 284 Norris Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Norris, TN

1610 Reviews of 284 Norris Campgrounds

  • Mary D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Forever a Special Place

    I have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.

  • Mary D.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.

  • Kody Bear A.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Redbird Boat Ramp

    It's nice and private

    Nothing special there is a boat ramp. Plenty of space for a couple RVs. No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

Guide to Norris

Camping near Norris, Tennessee, offers a fantastic mix of nature, adventure, and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many campers rave about the scenic hikes, like the Little River Trail, which offers stunning views and a chance to see wildlife. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for bears, elk, and other wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground noted, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy the nearby rivers and streams for fishing or swimming. Campers at Greenbrier Campground loved the river access, saying, "The river ran close enough to our site that we didn't feel like we needed a premium spot."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Elkmont Campground said, "The campground is beautiful, and the park rangers were awesome."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are noted for their cleanliness. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort mentioned, "Bathrooms/showers are super clean, and plenty of room for your dog to have an equally good time."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Greenbrier Campground offer activities for kids, making it a great spot for families. One family shared, "There were bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, and a lazy river with a swimming hole!"

What you should know

  • Site Privacy: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, "Most sites are close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Cosby Campground, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "It was a clean and decent campground, but there was no drinking water."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be cautious of wildlife, especially bears. A camper at Bandy Creek Campground shared, "There are several bear/critter safe trash collection sites."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. One camper at Greenbrier Campground said, "The sites are well spaced, and the tent pad is nice and even."
  • Pack Entertainment: Bring games or books for downtime. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground noted, "No cell service with T-Mobile, so have a good book or downloaded shows."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Smokemont Campground mentioned, "The sites are a little close together, although there are some that are farther away from each other."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park said, "The campsites are exactly the length as indicated. Not an inch more!"
  • Use Amenities: Take advantage of the facilities available. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort shared, "We rented a golf cart and pontoon boat, which made our stay even better."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be busy. A camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground noted, "It was completely sold out, and the spaces were close together, but it was absolutely silent at night."

Camping near Norris, Tennessee, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or family fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Norris, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Norris, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 284 campgrounds and RV parks near Norris, TN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Norris, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Norris, TN is West Campground — Norris Dam State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Norris, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Norris, TN.

What parks are near Norris, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Norris, TN that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Keep Exploring