326 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Rutledge, Tennessee provides access to campgrounds along Cherokee Lake and within the surrounding rural landscape, ranging from lakefront RV sites with full hookups to more secluded spots in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Camping near Rutledge spans tent sites and full-hookup RV campgrounds, with several options offering direct Cherokee Lake access for fishing and boating. Greenlee May Springs Campground, located directly in Rutledge, offers waterfront sites with RV hookups and basic amenities. Nearby Panther Creek State Park Campground in Morristown features full-hookup sites for both tent and RV camping along with extensive recreation opportunities. The region's camping areas range from lakefront locations with boat access to more secluded spots in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Most developed campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though some seasonal facilities close between late fall and early spring.
The camping experience in this region centers around Cherokee Lake, with several campgrounds offering direct water access and lakefront views. Many sites require reservations, particularly during summer months when water recreation peaks in popularity. "The lake views are amazing, however the grass on our site had not been cut," noted one camper about Greenlee May Springs, highlighting the variable maintenance across facilities. Road access to most campgrounds is well-maintained with paved routes suitable for RVs and trailers, though some areas experience occasional flooding during heavy rain periods. Temperature fluctuations can be significant, with hot, humid summers and occasionally freezing winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Campers consistently mention fishing opportunities and water access as major highlights of the Rutledge area. Panther Creek State Park receives praise for its extensive trail system and clean facilities, with one visitor noting, "Panther Creek has great hiking trails, pool, playground fire pits and so much more!" Several reviewers highlight the family-friendly nature of these campgrounds, with playgrounds and recreational facilities available at many locations. Cherokee Dam Campground stands out for its well-maintained waterfront sites and responsive camp hosts. While campgrounds closer to the lake tend to be more developed with full hookups and amenities, they also experience higher occupancy rates, especially during summer weekends and holidays. The quieter, more secluded camping areas typically offer fewer amenities but provide better opportunities for wildlife viewing and peaceful outdoor experiences.
"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."
"Nuzzled into the East Tennessee hills. Very pretty. Nice State Park. Would stay here again."
"Anchors Down is just outside Severville Tennessee and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located on Douglas Lake with the Smokie Mountains in the back ground."
"This campground is one of the best you will find in Tennessee. "
from $49 - $139 / night
Check Availability"Sites along the lake. Clean campground. They need to clean up around edge of sites along the lake to make it easier access."
"There are some really great lakefront sites here, and the tent spots are great, note- they are walk in sites, and you can get in the water from these sites."
"Located in the Cumberland Gap where TN, VA and Ky touch borders. Very beautiful mountains with hiking trails ftom short distances to overnight primitive camping trials."
"This is near the borders of KY, VA, and TN in Cumberland Gap park. Convenient to the park, the AT, and the nearby town for supplies, restaurants, and grocery."
from $18 - $39 / night
Check Availability"I was right next to the bathroom so there was no odor and hardly any foot traffic going back and forth. The views of the lake at night were pretty."
"Had a site back in by their cabins that was just off the lake which was great for fishing and the kids to explore!"
"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."
"Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."
"I was need of a place to camp to breakup a long drive and this certainly did the trick!"
"There are cows across the way that would get as close to the fence as possible and just stare at us as we drove by . I would recommend this place a million times it was absolutely beautiful."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"I was very lucky to find this spot near the Great Smoky Mountains. It was October, cool and fine, when I backed up to the French Broad River in this immaculate campsite with super friendly hosts."
"Driving distance to locations for exploring."
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We can be flexible with parking situations for those of you traveling with larger rigs pulling trailers, etc."
"We planned an overnight stop at Dumplin as it was close to the interstate. It is very nice! Sites were part gravel and easy to pull through. We were in a pull through with full hook ups."
from $33 - $38 / night
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GuideWilderness rosd campground is awesome!! Beautiful area, with electric hookups and nice restroom and shower facilities. Smooth paved level sites and easy to find the site. We loved our stay here. They also have beautiful trails that are pet friendly. Will come back here again.
ScoutWe booked online and it said there were 40 sites available. We booked site 7. Upon arrival, there was a gated entrance. We called the number provided and there was no answer, so we could not get in. Another resident entered a code, so we followed behind. Our site 7 was booked. Nearly all of the sites were booked with presumably long term residents. I attempted to call the owner again, with no answer. Very dissatisfied.
TravelerGreat site! Right on the water. Nice water hole on the backside of the site. I was able to take a WILD BATH 🛀🧼
ScoutDog park, laundry. Showers,come by pick up trash, have lawn chairs, outdoor sports item to rent, have over flow area to park extra vehicles, lot size ample for extra large trailers or tents cabins to rent popular places to eat or shop in walking distances had arts and craft show going that was going to be there a month kept clean water walk with duck's
TravelerWhat a gem! Small friendly campground with owners, that care, on property. Perfect stay in my 21' Class B but I saw HUGE Class A campers have plenty of room to maneuver into their spots while there. EVERY site is creekside! I loved coffee in the morning near the creek. Nice fully enclosed (with a latch) outdoor shower available(ahhh), wifi, electric, water and dumping OR boondock. The tent sites are super nice, too. My dog was not just welcome but spoiled with attention. Laundry available at a reasonable fee (bonus). RV sites have fire pits and cool wood swing benches. Wildlife abounds turkeys,crows, deer, rabbits, otters, squirrels and such plus 2 pet chickens (super cute). I'll be back!!
TravelerLong Creek Haven is such a peaceful place to stay! I really enjoyed listening to the creek flow and the birds sing. There’s a great little trail along the creek to walk among nature which our dog and cats really love! I also love how kind and accepting the owners are and they welcome skoolies too! Highly recommend!
GuideNice quiet campground. Big rig friendly. Long pull through sites. Very nice camp host. River along one side. Mostly open. A few shady spots. Great location for being just outside the National Park away from the busy cities.
GuideGreat stop for the night. No shade but, had a full hook up pull thru. Dog friendly. And very nice people, And there's a pizza place that Delivers 😀
ScoutWe’ve been coming at this campground for 13 years and it is always an enjoyable experience. The past owners, Barry and Chong, have turned over the day to day management to their son and daughter-in-law. They are so pleasant and accommodating. It is a small campground but drive thru spaces are big enough for big rigs. They keep the campground in immaculate condition…. Would give it 6 stars out of 5!
Cherokee Lake is a primary recreational hub for camping sites near Rutledge, Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 feet across the surrounding terrain. The region experiences significant temperature variations with summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F and winter temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain operational from March through November, though seasonal availability varies by location.
Hiking at Panther Creek: Extensive trail networks surround many campgrounds, with Panther Creek State Park offering 60+ miles of trails for various skill levels. "Very nice bathrooms. The sites aren't the most private we've ever stayed at, but the mountain biking was so much fun we didn't care! Hiking and biking was an A+," notes one visitor to Panther Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Cherokee Lake provides ample fishing access with multiple shoreline spots accessible from campgrounds. One camper at Cherokee Dam Campground explains, "The campground had just reopened from being shutdown due to Covid, so the place was extremely clean. The camp hosts were so awesome... There is a playground and a swimming area, lots of picnic spots, kayak rentals, etc."
Historical exploration: Some campgrounds offer unique historical features worth exploring. The campground at Elkmont Campground provides access to interesting historical sites. As one camper noted, "This camp site is great for hikers! We visited this site while participating in the Dirty Bird Dirt Circuit! We camped while running the race through the trails of the park."
Private wooded sites: Many visitors appreciate secluded camping spots with natural surroundings. At Rocky Meadows Farm, one camper shared: "For those who want peace and quiet, it doesn't get much better than this! It's secluded but clean, and lots of fireflies and a great view! My girls loved exploring and catching fireflies."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned as a positive feature. A visitor to Big Ridge State Park Campground remarked, "The two showerhouses are next to pavilions. All well maintained. The upper pavilion has a very cool fire pit area. And can accommodate a small gathering."
Waterfront access: Direct access to water is highly valued by many campers. "Cherokee Dam campground is literally one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the area! The grounds are so well-kept, and the lake is just breathtaking," explains a visitor to Cherokee Dam Campground, adding "There's a swimming area, boat launch, and walking trails."
Maintenance varies by season: The condition of campsites can fluctuate throughout the year. A visitor to Greenlee May Springs Campground noted, "My campsite was a little small but it was right on Cherokee Lake. A lot of permanent residence that are there during the season and I was there offseason so not a lot of people."
Wildlife considerations: The area has active wildlife, including bears in some locations. As one camper at Big Ridge State Park Campground mentions, "This is a great place to camp. Clean and friendly, quiet and relaxing. There is truly something for everyone here."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! Staff is very nice, park is clean and I'm sure in the summer it is bustling," reports a visitor to Anchor Down RV Resort.
Look for multi-activity campgrounds: Sites with various recreational options keep children engaged. At Panther Creek State Park, a camper shared: "Panther Creek State Park has a great campground for families to spend time at. For a lesser known state park, they have a lot of amenities. Playgrounds, hiking, horseback trails, mountain bike trails, tennis courts, disc golf, baseball field, volleyball, lake access, swimming pool."
Consider proximity to bathrooms: Families often prefer sites near facilities. "I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table," notes a visitor to Panther Creek State Park.
Check for seasonal activities: Some family-friendly features operate on limited schedules. As one camper at Big Ridge State Park observed, "Lots of hiking trails, easy access to Cherokee lake. Playground is good for kids. Pool closes before Labor day."
Site leveling considerations: Many RV sites in the region require leveling equipment. At Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park, a visitor noted: "Sites were part gravel and easy to pull through. We were in a pull through with full hook ups. The area is so nice and if you were looking for things to do, it's close to Pigeon Forge and not terribly far from Gatlinburg."
Campground access challenges: Some roads leading to campgrounds have limitations. "There is a railroad tunnel on the route our GPS took us, so if you are pulling a camper, you will be able to take a side road and go around the tunnel," explained a camper at Cherokee Dam Campground.
Hook-up availability: Electric, water, and sewer connections vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Anchor Down RV Resort shared, "Beautiful views from all campsites, level concrete pads for easy set up. Each site has plenty of room on both sides. The staff is friendly."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rutledge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rutledge, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 326 campgrounds and RV parks near Rutledge, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rutledge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rutledge, TN is Panther Creek State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rutledge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Rutledge, TN.
What parks are near Rutledge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Rutledge, TN that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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