89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Primitive tent camping options span the landscape surrounding Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with a variety of sites positioned throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cosby Campground offers established tent sites from mid-April through mid-October, while several backcountry shelters like Mount LeConte and Mount Collins provide more remote camping experiences for hikers willing to trek into the wilderness. These locations serve as strategic basecamps for exploring the park's extensive trail network.
Surface conditions at walk-in tent sites vary significantly depending on location and elevation. Most backcountry tent camping areas require permits through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reservation system, with sites like Mount LeConte Shelter requiring advance planning. According to one visitor, "It's a tough hike in to this shelter as it sits just below Mt Guyot, one of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi." Primitive tent areas typically provide bear cables for food storage, but campers must bring all necessary water or locate natural sources. Toilet facilities range from compost privies to no facilities at all, particularly at more remote tent locations.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Pigeon Forge offers exceptional isolation from crowds and development. Sites at higher elevations can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding areas, providing relief during summer months. A camper noted that at Tricorner Knob Shelter, "The shelter was surprisingly clean. The privy was too, shockingly. Water source was very close to the shelter." Many walk-in tent sites feature small clearings surrounded by dense forest, creating natural separation between camping areas. Tent campers accessing the park's interior often experience wildlife encounters, including black bears, which necessitates careful food storage. Most backcountry tent sites connect directly to the Appalachian Trail or other significant hiking routes, making them popular with both thru-hikers and weekend backpackers exploring the region's extensive trail system.
"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
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Water source was very close to the shelter. We had zero issues with bugs or critters bothering us at night. I was also able to get cell/satellite service outside the shelter and up on the AT."
"The area around the shelter is high, rocky, and remote. Expect 10-15 degrees less than the Park headquarters."
"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
Check Availability"Each one has a firepit, picnic table, lantern pole, and a very large tent pad. There are no RV's allowed. Nearby is group camping and horse camping. You cannot park your car right on the campsite."
"Located at the base of the Baxter Creek Trail, which leads to Mount Sterling, this drive-in campground provides a picturesque backdrop for nature enthusiasts."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Panther Creek SP Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home."
"The park is quiet and well patrolled by rangers and sheriff, so very safe. Store closest to campground is open 2-7:30 PM. Visitor Center at the entrance opens at 7 AM."
"I picked this site because it met my criteria for quick tent camping and has the awesomely easy instant book feature. More of that please!"
"Currently there are no hookups, conveniently located off I40 and a perfect place to overnight for us. An additional 40 sites are currently being built."
from $35 - $100 / night
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.
ScoutWe stayed for a week in late October. Quiet and secluded but right outside of Franklin. Very. Nicely decorated. Has small campstore, very nice laundryroom, and a guest event center. Rick, the campsite host, helped me get backed in and asked if I needed any more help. Some pull-throughs. Some sites are a little tight but others really nice. We will definitely come back.
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!
TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
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 campground has a great location in maggie valley, close to Waynesville with plenty to do in close proximity. While it is a traditional campground, they have very competitive rates for weekly and monthly stays. For us its the perfect getaway destination for the summers and fall. The staff is super welcomming and friendly. You find a cute creek on the backside of of the campground with trout as some fisherman told me. The staff takes pride in all the flowers, landscaping and seasonal decorations. Also nice to know is you are not being looked down to with an older camper. As long as your rig is decent and functional you are admitted.
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.
Tent camping in Pigeon Forge, TN encompasses a range of primitive sites extending beyond Great Smoky Mountains National Park to areas like Cherokee National Forest. Campgrounds at lower elevations average 70-85°F during summer months, while backcountry sites can drop to 50-60°F overnight, creating variable conditions for tent campers. Rainfall averages 50-60 inches annually across camping areas, necessitating proper waterproofing and site selection.
Trail exploration near Cosby: Cosby Campground provides direct access to multiple hiking paths. "Great sites available without reservations. Trailheads conveniently located inside the campground. Peaceful trails," notes one camper who appreciates the easy access to nature.
Swimming opportunities: The area around Big Creek features several natural swimming spots accessible from camping areas. A visitor to Big Creek Campground mentions, "The falls were beautiful, and jumping into Midnight Hole was fun. Even at midnight."
Ranger programs: Special educational events run throughout camping season. "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," shares a Cosby Campground visitor.
Water-based recreation: Douglas Lake adjacent to some camping areas permits fishing and paddling. According to a Lakeside Getaway visitor, "There is a sitting area and a dock with paddle sport launches."
Quieter camping experiences: Less crowded sites exist for those seeking solitude. "Cosby campground tends to be a little quieter than Cades Cove or Elkmont, but I like it that way! There is ample parking nearby and trailheads," explains a camper at Cosby.
Water proximity: Many primitive tent campers value sites with natural water access. At Bote Mountain Campsite 18, "West Prong of the Little River runs right through both separated sites, so plenty of water is an understatement. Ground is flat and plenty of room to spread out."
Easy backcountry access: Some tent sites require minimal hiking while delivering remote experiences. A Bote Mountain visitor describes, "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."
Wilderness immersion: Tent sites often provide immediate forest surroundings. "The campground has sites for tent camping & RVs. Within the campgrounds are several hiking trails for a variety of hiking abilities," explains a visitor regarding hiking options directly from campsites.
Permit requirements: Most primitive tent sites require advance planning. At Tricorner Knob Shelter, "Remember that all overnight stays (other than AT thru-hikers) must be reserved through the GSMNP backcountry office or online."
Limited facilities: Remote sites typically provide minimal amenities. "There is a wash house with toilet and sink but no showers yet," notes a Lakeside Getaway visitor, which is common for primitive camping options.
Site availability variations: Some areas fill quickly while others remain available. "Was directed to Cosby by a NPS Ranger as an overlooked, beautiful campground. Arrived close to dark and had our pick of gorgeous, wooded sites- even on a weekend in July," reports a camper.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require proper gear. A Tricorner Knob visitor advises, "The area around the shelter is high, rocky, and remote. Expect 10-15 degrees less than the Park headquarters."
Short hiking options: For families with younger children, select sites with minimal approaches. "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," mentions a Bote Mountain visitor about convenient supply access.
Pet restrictions: Rules vary significantly between camping areas. "Note that dogs are welcome in the campground but not on the majority of the trails," cautions one camper at Cosby about important limitations for families bringing pets.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds maintain quieter atmospheres. "It's a good spot for families. Dogs are allowed to camp but not permitted in the Midnight Hole hiking area next to the campground," explains a Big Creek camper.
Parking logistics: Tent sites may require gear transport from parking areas. "You cannot park your car right on the campsite. There is a parking lot and you need to carry your gear in. It's about 100 feet to the sites," notes a Big Creek visitor.
Size limitations: Many primitive sites cannot accommodate larger vehicles. "The only tent-only campground in the GSMNP considered frontcountry. Well maintained sites and restroom area," explains a visitor about Big Creek's restrictions.
Alternative options: Some areas near tent campgrounds can support RVs. At Lakeside Getaway, a camper observed, "There were tents/yurts for rent. A few other tent campers, a full size RV motorhome and a camper van. There was plenty of room and it was peaceful and quiet."
Hookup availability: Most primitive tent camping areas near Pigeon Forge lack RV services. "Currently there are no hookups, conveniently located off I40 and a perfect place to overnight for us," notes a Lakeside Getaway visitor about this important consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do tent camping sites in Pigeon Forge typically offer?
Tent camping sites in Pigeon Forge typically provide level tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, and grills. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers these basics plus flush toilets and drinking water. Many sites feature lantern poles and adequate spacing between campsites for privacy. Private campgrounds like Gateway to the Smokies often provide additional amenities such as hot showers, electrical outlets, and WiFi access. Some campgrounds also offer camp stores, laundry facilities, and recreational areas. Expect more amenities at private campgrounds closer to town, while national park campgrounds provide a more rustic experience with basic necessities but greater natural surroundings.
Where are the best tent campgrounds in Pigeon Forge near Dollywood?
For tent camping near Dollywood, consider Riverside RV Park & Resort in nearby Sevierville, which offers convenient drive-in access and clean facilities just a short drive from the theme park. Another excellent option is Great Smoky Mountains Under Canvas, which provides a glamping experience while maintaining proximity to Pigeon Forge attractions. Both locations offer easy access to Dollywood (typically within 15-20 minutes) while providing a more natural setting to return to after a day at the park. For a more traditional camping experience, there are several campgrounds along the main routes into Pigeon Forge that cater specifically to tent campers visiting area attractions.
Are there family-friendly tent camping options in Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge offers excellent family-friendly tent camping options. Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for families, featuring spacious tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, and nearby hiking trails along a beautiful creek. The small size (only 12 sites) creates an intimate, safe environment for children. Lakeside Getaway on Douglas offers waterfront camping with family activities like swimming and fishing. Many family-oriented campgrounds in the area provide playgrounds, game rooms, organized activities, and easy access to Pigeon Forge attractions. For families seeking more comfort while still experiencing nature, consider campgrounds that offer both primitive tent sites and sites with electrical hookups for convenience.
Which Pigeon Forge tent campgrounds are open year-round?
While many Pigeon Forge area campgrounds close during winter months, several remain open year-round to accommodate tent campers. Windrock Ridge Campground offers year-round tent camping with stunning mountain views. GlampKnox provides year-round accommodations with heated options for winter camping. Most National Park campgrounds in the area, including Cosby and Big Creek, typically close from late October/November until April, though exact dates vary annually. Before planning a winter tent camping trip, be prepared for cold temperatures that can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevations. Call ahead to confirm winter availability, as some campgrounds may adjust their schedules based on weather conditions and seasonal demand.
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