26 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Sevierville, Tennessee serves as a gateway to camping opportunities near the Great Smoky Mountains, with options ranging from riverside RV resorts to rustic cabin rentals. Established campgrounds like Ripplin Waters Campground and Two Rivers Landing RV Resort offer full hookup sites along riverbanks, while the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides more natural settings at Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds. Accommodations vary widely across the region, including tent sites, RV parks with 50-amp service, cabin rentals, and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the Sevierville area maintain proximity to popular attractions while providing scenic water views along the Pigeon River and French Broad River.
Seasonal considerations impact availability throughout the area, with many campgrounds like Elkmont operating from spring through fall (April to October), while others remain open year-round. Full hookup RV resorts typically charge premium rates during peak summer months and fall color season. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for riverside sites which fill quickly during vacation periods. Road access varies between locations, with most private campgrounds offering paved entrances suitable for large rigs, while national park campgrounds may have more limited accommodations for oversized vehicles. According to one visitor: "Easy to get from Knoxville without going into the craziest part of traffic in Sevierville. There are many RV sites and cabins along the bend of the Little Pidgeon River."
Water features dominate the camping experience near Sevierville, with riverfront sites commanding both higher prices and better reviews. Campers frequently mention the peaceful ambiance created by flowing water, with one reviewer noting "We camped on a river site and it was a very nice view and quiet." Private campgrounds typically feature amenities like swimming pools, laundry facilities, and camp stores, while offering more predictable cell service than more remote locations. Several visitors highlighted the convenience of staying near town while still enjoying natural settings. Privacy varies significantly between locations, with some reviewers noting close proximity between sites at certain campgrounds. The region's growing popularity means helicopter tours and other tourist activities may create ambient noise at campgrounds closest to commercial areas.
"This campground is one of the best you will find in Tennessee. "
"We had site 157 this time, and close to all of the amenities. We rented a golf cart ($50 a day) and pontoon boat (about $250 for 4 hours plus gas….40 for us)."
from $49 - $139 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $30 / night
"Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."
"Walking path along river. Walking distance to shops. Nice camping spots, clean showers and bathrooms. Lots of kids amenities, pool open most of the time."
"Had a blast at The Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We had a view of the river which was right next to.our campsite."
"The campground is surrounded by a little river so many sites have river views. Most are relatively spacious. There are also a few spots on the road side of the island. The amenities were spotless."
from $35 - $258 / night
"Being in this area the traffic is awful but this place is away from that traffic but still close enough to enjoy everything. The back way into Gatlinburg is a direct shot from the entrance."
"Very clean and beautifully decorated campground located on the backside of Sevierville away from all those crowds on the main strip."
from $40 - $50 / night
"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 a spot right on the river and it was always quiet - even being right next to the hotel."
"Located right by Parkway, it has easy access to plenty of things to do."
from $76 - $92 / night
"This is our "go-to" campground now in Eastern Tennessee."
"This campground is a short drive off the main strip in Pigeon Forge which makes for some peacefulness while camping."
"THINGS I LIKED:
Proximity to Pigeon Forge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the surrounding tourist area
Hospitable staff
Onsite Jeep rental
Clean and well-appointed"
"Clean, well maintained campground close to everything Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge has to offer. Also super close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park which we enjoyed during our visit."
Available this weekend
from $45 - $229 / night
"The sites had water and power and were with in reasonable walking distance to the bath house that was there at that time."
"This is perfect for fishing of swimming right next to your site. The moving water was also pleasant to listen to at night when the campground got quiet."
from $70 - $109 / night
LegendBeautiful campground with all the amenities. If you like rustic in the woods this is not your place, but they advertise what they are. Top dollar for top service and gorgeous sites. All the frills if that’s what you want. We love both. Lots of grass for dogs and good dog parks if that’s important.
TravelerNext door to trolley depot, and Old Mill heritage. Walking path along river. Walking distance to shops. Nice camping spots, clean showers and bathrooms. Lots of kids amenities, pool open most of the time.
GuideWell it was my first time and I went with this guy Brandon and his family. We had the lake in front of us, cooked out, had our music, restrooms, and showers. I loved the experience we should have brought us an air conditioning battery operated air conditioning unit or a fan. So I loved the beauty and the ones I was surrounded by. We even went out on the lake in a boat. We had a lot to keep us occupied, and happy for our 4 day stay! Wonderful sunrises and sunsets to make your days and nights perfect!
TravelerWe have stayed here several times over the years. It's nothing fancy but it is on the creek, sites are level and spaced fairly good. Kids have a pretty good play area and like to feed the goats. Love the tubing access!
TravelerVisited in October of 2025 to go to Dollywood. Close to everything yet feels private. VERY well maintained and super friendly hosts. Nighttime activities like bingo, games for kids, large tv area, loved the creek. Would stay there again.
TravelerMy family and I stayed here for our first ever family trip since we’ve all been grown - 5 kids, 3 boyfriends/husbands, 2 parents, 1 dog, so much fun. My parents stayed in one of the rentable RVs and my mom booked the 2 campsites next to each other on the little “island” for the kids, which gave us awesome privacy. The running water was amazing to listen to at night. My biggest complaint is the road noise, it’s close to an occasionally busy road for that area. Big 18 wheelers and motorcyclists using the road at times. But the campsite itself was beautiful and had so much open sunshine. They had recently added a bathhouse with 2 toilets and a shower, which was great. I will be back here.
TravelerSuper clean park, friendly hosts that had planned activities for evenings, close to most everything but yet felt out of the hub. would stay again
TravelerShowers give you maybe 20 seconds of warm ish water. The. Pretty much tap temps. Amazingly it’s still completely fogs up the bathhouse mirrors due to the inadequate exhaust. That may. Be due to the temp, exhaust, and venting strings are easily manipulated by one of the million children in the “Resort”. It’s not a resort in any way. It’s a campground that has really nice pads. Marginal hookups. Lots and lots and lots of bears. Big BIG bears. I’m a bear hunter. There isn’t one I’ve seen that isn’t a legit Pope and Young. The toilets are clean. The floor and showers are gross. The lazy river is cold. Hot tube warm. If you are a camper spending $250 a night and a resort fee per person, you still don’t get given a towel to use the pool. Front desk actually said the towels were NOT for campers but for “ hotel resort” guest. So why am I paying the fee? We stayed here because it was a Margaretaville property. There are many other nicer and cheaper options in town. It’s expensive. The bar car does not exist. There is wood delivery. But it’s a bundle of twigs for $10. It is dry. The food is Sysco crap and the inside bars are just part of the kids arcade or cafeteria. Live music was super strange. The guy literally was standing in the doorway to the cafeteria bar. Don’t waste your money here. If you do anyway, plan on bears digging thru your stuff every night. Kids? Dogs? And Bears……not good.
LegendWe took US-321 into the back side of Gatlinburg to avoid the downtown craziness. RV Life GPS guided us directly to Twin Creek RV Resort, while Waze suggested a few shortcuts that we wisely passed on. The campground (CG) entrance was a little tight and downhill, but we had no trouble getting to the office for check-in. One of the very friendly and helpful staff members escorted us to back-in site 14, where backing in was easy. We wanted to lower our toy hauler patio to enjoy the creek running behind the sites, and the staff kindly allowed us to park our F-450 in site 38 across the road to give us more room. Our site had a nice patio area with a long bench, picnic table, and nearby fire pit. CG Wi-Fi was so-so at 6.17 Mbps download. Verizon had 2 bars and T-Mobile had 3 bars, while our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered a respectable 106 Mbps download. There was considerable road noise from US-321, especially during daylight hours, although evenings were noticeably quieter. The fenced dog park was small, but there was plenty of room around the CG to walk our pup. Overall, we enjoyed our creekside site, the helpful staff, and the convenient location away from the busiest part of Gatlinburg.
Camping areas near Sevierville, Tennessee sit at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet, creating a transitional zone between valley campgrounds and higher mountain sites. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 30s at night, making seasonal campgrounds like Up the Creek RV Camp close from December through mid-March. The proximity to both river valleys and mountain slopes creates diverse camping conditions across the region.
Morning wildlife viewing at Cades Cove: Located about 25 miles from Sevierville, the loop road opens at sunrise when animals are most active. "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience," notes one camper at Cades Cove Campground.
Water activities at Douglas Dam: Fishing, kayaking and swimming options available at the tailwater area. "Woke up early enough to watch them release water from Douglas Dam," reports a visitor at Douglas Tailwater Campground. The campground provides direct river access with rentals available seasonally.
Hiking from campgrounds: Several trails accessible directly from Elkmont Campground. "Great hiking opportunities and close to Gatlinburg if you run out of supplies," mentions a camper. Another adds, "It's located only a short drive from Gatlinburg and several major hiking trails including Chimney Top."
Private bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds offer individual bathrooms rather than communal facilities. At Greenbrier Campground, "The bath houses were awesome with individual rooms equipped with toilet, sink and shower," reports one camper. These private facilities frequently receive praise for cleanliness and privacy.
Riverside camping spots: Sites along the Little Pigeon River provide natural sound barriers from nearby tourist areas. "The Little Pigeon River was just steps off the back of our camper. My kids enjoyed the swimming hole as well although the water was freezing," notes a visitor at Greenbrier Campground.
Seasonal activities: Fall color viewing peaks in October with campground decorations at some locations. One camper at Anchor Down RV Resort shares, "Every Saturday in October, campers decorate their site and hand out candy to the costumed campers! My kids LOVED that. We have already booked for this next October and plan to make it a tradition!"
Traffic considerations: Many campgrounds near attractions experience heavy traffic, especially during peak seasons. "Easy to get from Knoxville without going into the craziest part of traffic in Sevierville," notes a visitor to the region. Plan early morning or late evening travel for smoother access.
Reservation requirements vary: National park campgrounds book months in advance while private options sometimes have availability. "It is so hard to get a reservation here, so we decided to take what we could get so we could try it out! A tip to get reservations! Call and put your name on a waiting list for the dates you need. If they have cancellations, they call the people on the list instead of releasing the dates on the website!" advises a camper at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Noise levels differ significantly: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby attractions despite natural settings. At Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA, one visitor notes: "Campground is full of RVs that you can hear humming constantly. Decent location next to a river that you can tube in. Not secluded at all, but clean."
Look for campgrounds with dedicated kid activities: Some sites offer structured programs beyond playgrounds. At Clabough's Campground, "They also offered other activities throughout the day. My son was able to participate in making his own tye-dyed shirt, for $15. They also have free movies, concerts, etc. in the evenings at the pavilion."
Water features for summer cooling: Creeks, rivers and pools provide relief during hot months. "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults," says a camper at Greenbrier Campground.
Consider proximity to bathroom facilities: When camping with children, bathroom location matters. One visitor suggests, "I don't like to wander around in the dark for long distances because of animals," when selecting a campsite near Sevierville. Many campgrounds have site maps indicating bathroom locations.
River sites command premium rates: Waterfront RV sites cost more but provide better experiences. At Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground, "We had a spot along the river and it was very relaxing. The campground feels homey and everyone was friendly. Everything (bathhouse, front office, etc.) was close."
Off-season camping offers better value: Lower rates and fewer neighbors during spring and fall. "We stayed here over Christmas time in a 20' travel trailer. Very clean with heated bathrooms washing machines and other amenities. The sound of the rushing river is a plus," notes a winter visitor to Buddy Bear Campground.
Site selection affects privacy levels: Many RV parks have tighter spacing than state or national parks. "Sites are a little cramped but they did a nice job separating with trees and such. Location is perfect with tons of stuff to do within very short drives," comments a visitor to Greenbrier Campground, highlighting the common trade-off between location and site spacing at campgrounds near Sevierville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best tent camping spots near Sevierville, TN?
For tent camping near Sevierville, Douglas Dam Headwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) offers stunning lakefront sites with beautiful sunrise views over Douglas Lake. The campground provides essential amenities while maintaining a natural setting. Another excellent option is Greenbrier Campground near Gatlinburg, which features tent sites along a mountain stream with easy access to hiking trails. Both locations provide a peaceful alternative to the busier RV-focused parks in the area while still being within a short drive to Sevierville's attractions, Dollywood, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What campgrounds are available in Sevierville, Tennessee?
Sevierville offers diverse camping options to suit different preferences. Buddy Bear In The Smokies Campground is a small, well-maintained campground with excellent access to Gatlinburg via the back roads, avoiding heavy tourist traffic. Riverside RV Park & Resort sits along the Little Pigeon River with fire rings along the water's edge and easy access from Highway 66. Other options include Bear Cove Village near Dollywood, Anchor Down RV Resort on Douglas Lake, and Up the Creek RV Camp. Most campgrounds in the area offer full hookups, and many provide convenient access to Sevierville's attractions while being a short drive from the Great Smoky Mountains.
What is the cost of camping in the Sevierville area?
Camping costs in Sevierville vary significantly based on amenities and location. Budget-friendly options include Ripplin Waters Campground, with full hook-up sites ranging from $40-60 per night depending on the season. For those looking to save money, Cracker Barrel — Sevierville offers free overnight parking for self-contained RVs (with the expectation you'll enjoy a meal). Premium resorts like Anchor Down can cost $75-150+ per night depending on view, season, and site type. Most campgrounds charge additional fees for amenities like golf cart rentals ($50/day) or boat rentals. Many parks offer weekly rates for longer stays, providing savings of 10-15% compared to nightly rates.
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