369 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The rural landscape around Bulls Gap, Tennessee features several established campgrounds suitable for various camping styles. Within a 25-mile radius, campers can find options ranging from full-service RV resorts to lakefront camping areas. Baileyton KOA Holiday provides year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, while Share the Farm offers a more intimate setting with 22 sites and a private pond for fishing. Lakefront camping is available at Cherokee Lake Campground and Lakefront Glamping Resort, where accommodation options include tent camping, RV sites, and glamping tents or yurts.
Camping facilities in the Bulls Gap area vary widely in terms of amenities and accessibility. Most developed campgrounds offer electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though sewer hookups are less common at public parks like Cherokee Lake Campground. Many sites require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season from May through September. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, including Baileyton KOA, Around Pond RV Park, and Panther Creek State Park. One visitor noted, "Cherokee Lake is beautiful. As for the sites there are some good ones and some not so good. Be prepared to level your rig because East Tennessee has very little level ground."
Waterfront access ranks high in camper preferences throughout the region. Cherokee Lake provides popular shoreline camping at several locations, though sites vary in quality and levelness. Travelers seeking more amenities gravitate toward privately-owned campgrounds like Baileyton KOA, which one camper described as having "immaculate facilities, easy access off I-81" and being "family friendly, well maintained and can handle big rigs." For those wanting a quieter experience, Share the Farm received praise as "a very friendly and quiet campground" with a private fishing pond. Lakefront Glamping Resort offers a unique experience with glamping tents and a micro A-frame accommodation that can be opened for an open-air experience. The bathhouse facilities at many campgrounds receive positive reviews, with visitors frequently commenting on cleanliness and accessibility.
"Conveniently located close to highway 81 and town!"
"Even though it's very close to the interstate, it was very quiet. We had a full hook up site, relatively level. It had a picnic table and fire ring."
"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."
from $40 - $60 / night
"Open May-September, this property is located on Cherokee Lake. There are four glamping tents (two with king beds and two with queen beds) and the newest addition is a Micro A-Frame with a king bed."
"Open May-September, this property is located on Cherokee Lake. There are four glamping tents (two with king beds and two with queen beds) and the newest addition is a Micro A-Frame with a king bed."
from $149 - $299 / night
Check Availability"Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."
"The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."
from $14 - $32 / night
Check Availability"Did a couple of days at Around the Pond Campground in Greenville Tennessee.( mtns.) It was a awesome trip with our friends Ronni Herold& Dean."
"Close to highway."
"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"Drive in is a nice paved road, got our information on where our sites where from the Camp Host, Who was super informative."
"Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute. A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Several Lake front spots. Shower and bathroom buildings on site. Several pavilions. Dumpsters, Lots of walking trails. As well as a boat ramp."
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.
Traveler✨ I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about our stay at Glamping on the Clinch River!❤️ It was truly one of the most relaxing, beautiful experiences, and waking up to such a breathtaking piece of God’s creation was something special that I will never forget. The views are absolutely stunning, the peacefulness is unmatched, and it’s the perfect place to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the beauty God has blessed us with.🙏🏻🤍 But what makes this place even more special is the incredible family behind it. Bonnie and Rusty are truly two of the sweetest, most generous, and kindhearted people you could ever meet! Their hospitality goes above and beyond, and you can feel the love they put into making sure every guest has the most wonderful experience. From preparing breakfast for their guests to the thoughtful little touches like making s’mores around the outdoor campfire, they make you feel so welcomed and cared for.❤️🔥 The tipi itself was absolutely beautiful, exceptionally clean, and decorated so thoughtfully to create the perfect glamping experience. Every detail made our stay feel cozy, comfortable, and magical while still allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.🏕️✨ Places like this are a reminder that sometimes the best experiences aren’t about fancy hotels or extravagant vacations. They’re about beautiful surroundings, genuine kindness, peaceful moments, and the wonderful people who make you feel right at home. If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and hosted by people with truly golden hearts, you NEED to experience Glamping on the Clinch River! I would recommend it a thousand times over, and we are so grateful we had the opportunity to stay here. Bonnie and Rusty, thank you for sharing your beautiful place with others and for making our experience so incredibly special. You two are such a blessing!❤️🙏🏻 We will absolutely cherish these memories and hope to be back again soon!🌿🤍✨
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.
GuideThis is a really nice place, my only issue is that I think $110 with Good Sam is too expensive. I needed a place to stay, so I did. They have laundry and restrooms but I didn't use them.
GuideClean nice little campground for the weekend.
GuideWe really enjoyed our stay at Gateway RV Campground! After spending plenty of time on the road, it’s always nice to find somewhere you can park up, relax, and feel at home.
The campground has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and was a great place to unwind.
One of the real bonuses is the trolley that stops right outside the campground office. What a fantastic convenience! It makes getting out and exploring the local area so much easier without having to pack everything up and take the RV. Such a simple touch, but one that makes a big difference when you’re traveling.
We’ve stayed at plenty of RV parks during our travels, and it’s often the little things that make a place stand out.
All in all, a very enjoyable stay, and we’d happily return if we’re passing through the area again. Definitely worth a stop!
TravelerThe view is worth it and is as advertised! We were in the first spot as you enter the park. We were concerned with noise, but it was not even an issue.
Our spot was right on the ridge and was stunning. I don’t think I closed the blinds on that side of the trailer.
Loss of star because of the road in/out. It’s one lane gravel and windy. It’s ok as long as you don’t meet anyone on the road. Dryer took 2 cycles to dry 2 towels and a few tshirts.
TravelerI had a brain fart and screwed up our dates and needed just one night last minute. Their online booking won’t take reservations less than 24 hours in advance. Quick call and they had us a spot and even offered early check in if we wanted it.
I appreciated a table and chairs instead of a picnic table. We had a little shade. Hookups were middle of the pad… super easy.
Lots to do right in the park. Well maintained and good location. We will try to stay longer next time.
Camping sites near Bulls Gap, Tennessee provide easy access to the scenic Cherokee Lake and several state parks within the Appalachian foothills. The area sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation with relatively cool summers compared to lower-lying regions. Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round due to the mild climate, though winter temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing between December and February.
Fishing opportunities: Cherokee Lake Campground offers waterfront sites with direct lake access. "Several Lake front spots. Shower and bathroom buildings on site... Lots of walking trails. As well as a boat ramp."
Water recreation: Lakefront Glamping Resort provides paddleboard and kayak rentals. "We chose the SUP n Stay package (middle price option); included in our reservation was the rental of either a SUP or kayak. The Stay package includes accommodations plus a floating lake mat."
Historic exploration: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park features a replica historic farm with educational programs. "There's also a sweet man who gives tours of the replica farm of David Crocket.. in character and costume. Clean bathrooms. Overall a great place to camp, particularly with kids."
Smaller crowds: Cosby Campground attracts fewer visitors than other Smoky Mountain locations. "This location is a great choice for anyone who wants to visit GSMNP while avoiding some of the crowds. This campground rarely fills up, allowing for the opportunity to pick your site when you get there."
Clean facilities: Baileyton KOA Holiday maintains well-kept bathrooms and campsites. "The bathrooms and showers were so clean! As clean as any hotel. I would definitely recommend this campground." Another reviewer noted: "We were only here for one night in the rain but it was quiet and the bath hall was spotless!"
Private fishing: Share the Farm offers a personal fishing pond exclusive to campers. "Quiet campground with a private pond for fishing." The 22-site campground provides a more intimate setting than larger facilities in the region.
Site levelness: Finding level ground can be challenging at some Bull Gap area campgrounds. "Beautiful clean park. We stayed here overnight just as a stopping point on our trip, but we were pleasantly surprised! Nice pool, very clean park, lots of things for the kids... We stayed in a pull through site and it was not very level."
Weather considerations: The region experiences four distinct seasons, with potential for inclement weather year-round. "The rain resulted in a very muddy area around the A-Frame and Tennessee mud is no joke. We accumulated about an inch of the thick gooey mud on our shoes."
Pet policies: Panther Creek State Park Campground allows pets in camping areas but restricts them on trails. "Note that dogs are welcome in the campground but not on the majority of the trails." Some facilities near Bulls Gap prohibit pets entirely, so check before booking.
Playground access: Panther Creek State Park offers multiple play areas. "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+. Great place for families because of the surrounding wooded activities."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds schedule special weekend events. "They have activities on the weekends. We stayed in a pull through site and it was not very level (we had planned to not even unhook from the truck but had too bc of this) looks like a lot of seasonal campers here but maintained very well."
Educational opportunities: Bring children to ranger programs when available. "The rangers have programs regularly. Lots of trails leave at the campground and also nearby. There's a touristy town nearby with more attractions...try the rafting trips from any of the companies in town."
Highway accessibility: Most campgrounds near Bulls Gap offer quick access from I-81. "This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are common, but sewer hookups vary. "Overall was impressed with the grounds! Well kept, and huge park. Only reason for 4 stars, is no sewer hookup on site. Several Dump stations on grounds, though they are free for guests."
Site selection: Request specific sites when making reservations. "The sites in the upper curve are bigger then the ones on the hill. There are several that offer tent pads and small vehicle pads. Check your lengths and bring your leveling boards."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bulls Gap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bulls Gap, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 369 campgrounds and RV parks near Bulls Gap, TN and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bulls Gap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bulls Gap, TN is Baileyton KOA Holiday with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bulls Gap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Bulls Gap, TN.
What parks are near Bulls Gap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Bulls Gap, TN that allow camping, notably Cherokee National Forest and Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.
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