RV camping near Shawanee, Tennessee offers sites scattered across the Cumberland Plateau and Great Smoky Mountain foothills, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,500 feet. The region receives approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush surroundings but also requiring campers to prepare for sudden weather changes. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more moderate conditions for outdoor recreation.
What to do
Water recreation at Douglas Lake: Anchor Down RV Resort provides direct lake access with custom amenities. "We love staying here. It is so well done. Each site is clean and roomy with private fire pit. The premium sites have custom fireplaces and the views are gorgeous. I imagine it's lots of fun in the summer with the lake and the private beach," noted one visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort.
Explore the Urban Wilderness: Located just 20 miles from Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park, Knoxville's Urban Wilderness offers extensive trail systems. "We were just passing through and it was the perfect spot to stay the night. We called that afternoon and they had a site for us, the gentleman who welcomed us was so kind and friendly. It's just off the highway, close to gas and coffee, yet it felt like we were way out in the middle of nowhere," reported one camper at Dumplin Valley Farm RV Park.
Disc golf and trail access: Leeman Field Park offers extensive outdoor recreation options beyond typical campground amenities. "Great little park located in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia beside of Leeman Field park in Pennington Gap. Easy sites to get into with full hookups. Neighboring Leeman Field park has multiple playgrounds, picnic shelters, swimming pool, tennis courts, and disc golf course," shared a reviewer at Leeman Field Park.
What campers like
River views: Many campgrounds feature waterfront sites with unobstructed views. "Very clean and beautifully landscaped! Location was great, right on the river bank, gorgeous views," noted a guest at Two Rivers Landing RV Resort.
Bathroom facilities: Clean facilities rank highly in camper satisfaction. "The Amenities - Bath House, restrooms and laundry are the finest I have ever encountered. Shower areas are large enough for families with young ones to be together with wet, dry, sink and commode area all in one room - some shower heads are adjustable for height and become hand held. Cleanliness was amazing," reported one Anchor Down RV Resort visitor.
Off-road access: Several campgrounds cater to ATV enthusiasts. "Level dry gravel pull through camper pads. I think all were full hook ups, some may have only been water and electric. Very clean and well maintained, quiet and no interstate noise. Safe for families, great for kids. The trails are well maintained and all levels of riders will have a full week of fun here!!" shared a camper at Royal Blue RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Popular resorts fill quickly, requiring advance planning. "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!" advised a visitor to Anchor Down RV Resort.
Campfire restrictions: Not all RV parks allow open fires. "Nice clean bathrooms, Nice sites with full hookup. Right in the middle of a lot to do, that's why we want to come back when it's warm!" noted a Two Rivers Landing visitor.
Site leveling issues: Some parks require additional equipment for proper setup. "Upon arrival there was no one at the office. Checkin is at 2 and we arrived at 4:53 pm. We had to call a number to get ck'd in which was a bit off putting. The one review that was posted said the sites were level. Where we parked which was 9 is not. It's uphill and was very difficult to level out the rv," warned a Cumberland Falls RV Resort visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple resorts offer swimming options for children. "We loved our time here. Very clean with paved sites, pool, basketball and lake. Great place to spend a whole week. We will be back!" shared an Anchor Down visitor.
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated children's areas. "This camp ground is nothing short of luxurious! From its level concrete sites to it's bathhouses, they have spared no expense in creating the nicest campground possible! There's a super cute and fun dog park, arcade room, very nice pool area, food truck with anything you could want to eat, and the workers are super nice," noted another Anchor Down camper.
Holiday activities: Some resorts organize seasonal events for families. "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!" shared a family who visited Anchor Down RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully based on rig size and requirements. "The sites have hedges on either side, which make the sites more private. Although the sites are very narrow. We are in the fifth wheel/trailer sites. We liked it here and would stay again," advised a Two Rivers Landing camper.
Electrical options: Verify available power connections before booking. "We stayed here recently for our first time and really enjoyed it. The water park is great for kids and it has a restaurant and an ice cream shop. It's spacious and the people who work there are so friendly," reported a visitor to Forest Grove RV Resort.
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have pressure regulators installed. "They have a pressure regulator on the water so showering was like a spit bath and took forever to get the shampoo out of my 'short' hair," warned a Royal Blue RV Park visitor.
Highway noise factors: Proximity to interstates affects site tranquility. "This a an RV park, not a resort. It has everything you need: full hook ups, dog park, laundry. Clean, well kept and friendly. Sites are small and close, but work even for the larger rigs. A safe and reasonably priced place to spend a night while traveling," reported an Escapees Raccoon Valley visitor.
