Campgrounds near Loudon, Tennessee cluster around Tellico Lake and Melton Hill Reservoir, providing waterfront camping opportunities with scenic views. The area features several established campgrounds including Yarberry Campground, Melton Hill Dam Campground, and Lotterdale Cove Campground, all offering a mix of tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in this region maintain well-developed facilities with electric hookups, water access, and restrooms, while several also provide sewer connections for extended stays. The proximity to water bodies makes these locations popular for boating, fishing, and swimming, with many campgrounds providing direct lake access.
Seasonal availability varies across the region's campgrounds, with some operating year-round while others like Lotterdale Cove are open from May through October. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for lakefront sites which tend to book quickly during summer months. While most developed campgrounds are accessible via standard vehicles, some access roads may have rough sections or significant potholes. Full hookup sites for RVs are widely available, though not universal, and visitors should confirm specific amenities when booking. A review for Lotterdale Cove noted, "The road in is rough with potholes and the transition from blacktop to cement at the gate is a huge jarring transition."
Lakefront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers, with visitors highlighting the water views and recreational opportunities. Yarberry Campground earns particular praise for its layout, with one visitor noting, "The campground is set up perfectly for every site to be good! Most sites are lakefront, and I believe all have a lake view." Several reviews mention the clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere at most campgrounds in the area. While some locations like The Crosseyed Cricket have reportedly shifted toward long-term residents, limiting availability for weekend campers, the region overall maintains good options for both short and extended stays. Campers interested in more natural settings can find options at nearby Frozen Head State Park, which offers a more forested camping experience approximately 30 miles north of Loudon.
$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."
"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."
"For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball, I’m not sure what the game is next to the blob."
"Very nice area, close to a historic area and site seeing underground lake."
"We were in a pop-up camper and had a lakefront site, which was awesome, except for the highway noise."
"The primitive tent sites are amazing, I didn’t give it 5 stars only because you can hear a little bit of road noise, as the campground is near the interstate."
"It's a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, especially in beautiful locations like The Crosseyed Cricket Campground in Tennessee."
$26 - $48 / night
"Would have been nice to have, but the view being right next to the lake made up for it four-fold. "
"Great family location with dry camping for tents, travel trailors and places for RVs. Some are on the Tellico Lake Reservoir. Many of the sites are occupied by seasonal residents."
$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."
"They brought my firewood everyday and even took all the kids for rides on the golf cart around the campground. We had 8 kids with is so that took a few trips."
"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."
GuideI drove quite a ways to get here. I’ll need to find a locked gate and assigned saying that the area was closed for hog hunting. Despite it being the last day of February and the sign dating to December, it did seem to be inaccessible.
ScoutVery nice, peaceful campground along Little River. Well maintained and great launch point for Smoky Mountain exploring and the whole area. Be warned about heavy stink bug season in September/October
GuideWe stayed at the first campsite of your entering with west. Creek close by and river on the other side with additional campgrounds. Large open sites, fire pit and this site has a tree down next to it that’s multi purposed into a table/bench. And of course, the stars ⭐️
RangerIf it’s not the best site of my camping life, site L04 is at least the best in Elkmont if you want to be by the water. We had 2 nights here in May after a lot of rain, so the river was full and drowned out the noise from an equally full campground. Another perk is that this site was uniquely set apart (just slightly) from your neighbors due to the shape of the riverbank. We loved it so much we hardly even explored the park until after we checked out.
There is no cell service and the bathrooms are serviceable, but there is a small camp store run by an outside vendor with some food and camp necessities.
GuideThe sites are not very level. This is an old Campground and it doesn't look like it's been upgraded for a very long time. The bathrooms were clean but old. The first sight they gave me was extremely unlevel, so they moved me to a different site that still wasn't level but better than the first.
ScoutReally enjoyed the site very quite and peaceful
GuideThis is absolutely the best campground near Pigeon Forge. Very quiet. You feel as though your out in the middle of nowhere, but you are only 5 minutes away from all the action. Very large sites that are very well manicured. The staff here take pride in their work and it shows.
GuideWe have camped 6-7 times in the past 10 years. Gets better every time we go. Not the cheapest, but amenities, service, and quality are over the top. Our favorite sites are the river side with a pavilion at each site. Biking trail less than 100 yds away. Borders the National Park, Townsend is a Great place to stay, close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and even closer to Cades Cove.
TravelerVery friendly staff and well maintained grounds, showers and bathrooms are clean and have hot water
Camping spots near Loudon, Tennessee center around two major water bodies - Tellico Lake and Melton Hill Reservoir - with elevations ranging from 790 to 830 feet above sea level. The region experiences moderate temperatures with average summer highs in the mid-80s and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing. Several campgrounds operate with staggered seasonal schedules, creating varying availability throughout the year.
**Fishing access: Many campgrounds like Melton Hill Dam Campground offer dedicated fishing areas with boat ramps. "Really great experience, the people running this location are fantastic and they made the stay all the more relaxing and worthwhile," notes Amanda F. about the fishing-friendly atmosphere.
**Hiking trails: Frozen Head State Park Campground provides access to over 50 miles of trails through forested mountains. "Lots to do with the hiking. Waterfalls were beautiful and everyone we talked to was super helpful and nice," explains Brittni F. about the park's natural attractions.
**Swimming opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with depth markers and some sandy shorelines. "The swimming area is in a great spot with a sandy beach. There are also other areas around the campground where you could enter the water with floats, kayaks, paddle boards," shares one visitor about Yarberry Campground.
**Kayak rentals: Seasonal rentals available at several lakefront locations from approximately $20-30 for half-day use. "The campground has a store with essentials, and rental kayaks and such," notes a camper at one lake property, making water exploration accessible for visitors without their own equipment.
**Privacy between sites: Yarberry Campground earns high marks for site layout. "The sites are large and spaced out so you don't feel right on top of your neighbors," reports Lori H., highlighting a common preference among visitors.
**Seasonal beauty: Fall brings dramatic color changes to the hardwood forests surrounding these camping areas. "We really appreciated the area. It was beautiful with changing leaves. Not too crowded," shares Amanda E. about her autumn experience at Melton Hill Dam.
**Friendly management: Several campgrounds receive praise for their attentive staff. "We stayed here during the eclipse. Nice walking trail, large RV sites, nice water area," comments Scott H. about his experience, underscoring how helpful staff enhanced his stay.
**Calm water access: Protected coves create safe areas for water activities at certain campgrounds. "The cove offers calm waters which allow the kids to kayak and explore without worry," explains Loretta H. about Soaring Eagle Campground, pointing to family-friendly water conditions.
**Road conditions: Several access roads have reported issues. "The road in is rough with potholes," a camper notes about one location, recommending vehicles with adequate clearance for comfort.
**Highway noise: Lotterdale Cove Campground and others near I-40 experience traffic sounds. "We were in a pop-up camper and had a lakefront site, which was awesome, except for the highway noise," Lori H. mentions about Soaring Eagle, advising noise-sensitive campers to select sites farther from main roads.
**Reservation policies: Most lakefront sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. "This campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam," describes one visitor, noting the secure but restrictive access.
**Site leveling: Many campsites require leveling equipment. "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling," explains Sara M. about her experience at Melton Hill Dam Campground.
**Swimming areas: Look for designated beach zones with gradual entry points. "Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake... The day use area is nice, with a roped off swimming area, kayak rentals, picnic tables, a basketball court, etc.," shares one visitor.
**Recreation options: Sweetwater KOA offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "The park has a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball," explains Laura H., detailing the range of activities available.
**Safety considerations: Check for water depth markers and supervised areas. "We had a site on the water and it was beautiful. The shower house and bathrooms were clean and worked good," reports Teresa P. about Soaring Eagle, mentioning the clean facilities that make family camping more comfortable.
**Weekend activities: Several campgrounds host scheduled events. "Lots of planned weekend activities," notes Mary D., describing how organized programming keeps children engaged during their stay.
**Site selection: Cades Cove Campground offers well-developed RV sites with specific amenities. "Cozy sites, clean bathrooms, scenic area...Picnic table, fire ring and grill, sand tent area, level driveway- all make for a good choice for any type of equipment," explains Carol B. about the practical setup.
**Hookup availability: Water and electric connections are standard at most locations, but sewer hookups vary. "We stayed at campsite 8 (primitive section) we loved the site, it was huge, and we had a great time," shares Liz A. about Frozen Head State Park, noting the difference between primitive and developed sites.
**Length restrictions: Verify maximum RV length before booking. "This was just an overnight passing-through stay... The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling," advises Sara M., highlighting potential challenges for larger rigs.
**Seasonal considerations: Most full-hookup campgrounds reduce water service during winter months. "Taller rigs may see some low branches on the road in. Most sites 30 amp I did find one site with 50 amp and stayed at it while I worked on upgrading the electrical system," shares Greg H. about his off-season experience at Riley Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Loudon, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Loudon, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 378 campgrounds and RV parks near Loudon, TN and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Loudon, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Loudon, TN is Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Loudon, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near Loudon, TN.
What parks are near Loudon, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Loudon, TN that allow camping, notably Croatan National Forest and Tusquitee National Forest.
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