Morristown, Tennessee provides access to several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Panther Creek State Park Campground offers both tent and RV camping with full hookup sites, while Cherokee Dam Campground operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority provides waterfront camping opportunities along the Holston River. The area includes a mix of state park facilities, TVA-managed recreation areas, and private RV resorts. Most campgrounds in the region feature electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, with some offering premium amenities like sewer connections. Camping areas range from lakeside settings to mountain locations, with several options within 30 minutes of downtown Morristown.
"Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN, in Morristown," noted one camper. The campground elevation affects weather conditions, with higher elevation sites experiencing cooler temperatures even during summer months. Most campgrounds in the Morristown area remain open year-round, though some TVA-managed sites like Cherokee Dam operate seasonally from March through November. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service is generally reliable at established campgrounds near Morristown, though coverage may be limited in more remote areas. Many campgrounds feature paved, level sites of varying lengths, so checking site specifications before booking is advisable for RV campers.
Campers report high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites throughout the region. The proximity to Douglas Lake and Cherokee Lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming at several campgrounds. A reviewer mentioned that Panther Creek State Park offers "a lot to do recreation wise" with mountain biking trails, horseback riding paths, and hiking opportunities. Mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping are common in the area, though some private resorts cater exclusively to RVs with premium amenities. Public bathhouses and restroom facilities receive positive reviews for cleanliness at most established campgrounds. The region's campgrounds balance natural settings with convenient access to Morristown's services, making them suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays while exploring eastern Tennessee.
$26 - $42 / night
"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."
"Visitor Center at the entrance opens at 7 AM. Tent pads appeared to be 8x8’ max, so if you have a family size tent you’ll need to find flat grass to pitch on YOUR site."
$49 - $139 / night
"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. "
"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."
$50 / night
"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."
$35 - $258 / night
"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."
"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."
$35 - $100 / night
"The Lakeside Getaway on Douglas is new to the Dyrt but has an amazing location to share with everyone, they have glamping tents but also spots for car camping by the river. "
"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."
"Had a site back in by their cabins that was just off the lake which was great for fishing and the kids to explore!"
"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."
$30 / 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."
ScoutOvernight stop that was quieter than expected for so close to I40. Not a fan of the access road and condition- narrow and a couple potholes swallowed up my left front; too narrow a road to avoid. Close to Walmart and Tractor Supply- always a plus. We hit up Copper Ridge Tavern and Grill- good service, small menu.
GuideStoping here for one night for a road trip. People were very curious about our set up. One of the workers was our neighbor and helped more than we needed, however he was great and we were very thankful. Pulled in kinda late. Helped us start a fire and kept it going with some fun tools. We do a lot of dispersed camping in RMNP and like to take our time with things. He was great to speed up our set up so we could relax. Talked with him about an hour. The grounds kept well. No issue. Bath house was good. Only improvement would be AC(if you care about that) But not needed. Fun activities to do aswell; driving range. Basket ball. Pool. Big slide(Saturday 11-noon). Super friendly staff.
GuideThere is a beautiful drive to get to this campground once you get through the traffic jam of Sevierville. Enjoy the scenic and winding river road! Only loop C is open in the off season. Generators are allowed at this time of year, but must be off by 8pm. The women's restroom was revoltingly smelly (some animal had sprayed in there, smelled like male cat x100). I hope this was a temporary situation.
The sites have nice new pads(not perfectly level though) and the tent pads are spacious and flat. Cade's Cove loop was definitely worth taking, and I would do it again and stop at every stop. Take the pull outs and let the people pass you so you can really soak it all in. Also, make sure to get a parking pass and a brochure at the first stop, which explains the sites along the loop. I saw many turkeys showing off their fan tails. And a large black bear chowing down on the sweet, fattening, tender spring grass. Also there were quite a few deer out. The scenery was magnificent!
TravelerStayed at Peaceful Peak off Picadilly Lane in the Cobbly Nob and Bent Creek Golf Resort. The views- I felt like I was in another world! I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I felt as to what I was seeing. If you're looking for Luxe and Comfort- this is it! The cabin accommodates large groups and has ample amount of parking. We saw a Mama Bear and her 3 cubs while enjoying our morning cup of coffee- which they provide!! We will definitely be returning for our next stay.
ScoutWe stopped for just one night very impromptu. The hosts were awesome and very accommodating. The sites are beautiful and spacious. Hookups are great and convenient and the sites are level. Being right by the creek was awesome and the entire area was beautiful. I would definitely recommend and would stay here again. Oh, and cell service was great too!
GuideWe spent 2 weekend nights in site C21...it was severely unlevel as advertised. Most sites in this loop are either very sloped, or flat with picnic tables down a set of stairs. The campground was very quiet, although you could hear some traffic from the highway. The sites were mostly shaded, clean, and somewhat private. The bath houses were clean and modern. The office/store was not open the entire time we were there, and the host mentioned that there were some electrical issues that caused it to be closed. So we had to head through "the tunnel" into Middlesboro for firewood. Found plenty at the Tractor Supply store on the north side of town. Middlesboro has lots of places for supplies and food. Other than the sloping sites the only other real drawback to the campground is the limited water. In the C loop we only found water by the bathhouses, so the walk to get water was quite long.
ScoutClean and well-kept campground. Nuzzled into the East Tennessee hills. Very pretty. Nice State Park. Would stay here again.
ScoutAbsolutely love camping here at warriors path State Park it's beyond one of my favorite places to camp
GuideAt this koa there's alot of stuff to do on the property. One cool this is the axe throwing thing and the big jumping pillow and the pool and hot tub. I tent camped at the sand pad with water and electricity. It was right in front of the lake. There where frequently duck in it . This koa was also very close to tiwn/in town.
Camping options near Morristown, Tennessee range from lakeside settings to mountain locations that offer varied experiences based on elevation. Campgrounds in this area typically sit between 1,000-1,500 feet above sea level, with cooler temperatures common even during summer evenings when overnight lows can drop to the mid-60s. Several camping areas provide direct water access for fishing and water recreation at Cherokee Lake and Douglas Lake.
Hiking trails: The Cosby area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers less crowded hiking options within driving distance of Morristown. "Most sites are walk up, so you don't need a reservation, and there are probably 100+ sites, so even during the busiest of times you can find a good site," notes a camper at Cosby Campground. "The trailhead for Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap leaves from here also, and that was a great hike, the first 3+ miles are rough and steep, but once you hit the AT it gets easier."
Kayaking: Cherokee Dam Campground provides excellent water access. "The lake is great to kayak. The store is well stocked," reports one visitor to Cherokee Dam Campground. The campground offers rental options for those who don't bring their own watercraft.
Mountain biking: Multiple trail systems are available within 30 minutes of Morristown. "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," shares a reviewer about Panther Creek State Park.
Clean bathhouses: Douglas Tailwater Campground maintains well-kept facilities. "Very clean campground, friendly and helpful staff. The sites are a little close to each other. Go for the river view sites, you won't be disappointed," recommends a camper at Douglas Tailwater Campground. "Clean showerhouses and amenities are the cleanest we've ever witnessed by far," notes another camper about area facilities.
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer water-adjacent camping spots throughout the region. "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," shares one visitor to Cherokee Dam Campground. "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."
Privacy between sites: Greenbrier Campground uses natural features for separation. "Sites are narrow and fairly close together, although they've done an excellent job of maintaining the heavy trees around the river and on the 'treelawn' area which separates each site. This helps to make a narrow space seem deceptively private," explains a camper at Greenbrier Campground.
Seasonal operation: Most TVA campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Cherokee Dam Campground is open from "Mar 18 to Nov 7" according to their information, while other TVA sites have similar schedules. Some private campgrounds like Anchor Down RV Resort operate from "Mar 1 - Dec 1."
Weather fluctuations: Evening temperatures can vary significantly from daytime highs, especially at higher elevations. "We were there when it was a little cooler and there was hardly anyone there, which was nice!" notes a visitor to Cosby Campground about shoulder season camping.
Reservation requirements: Lakeside Getaway on Douglas and other popular waterfront sites require advance planning. "Super easy booking, great host communication. This is brand new lakefront campground with tent and RV sites," shares a camper at Lakeside Getaway on Douglas. First-come, first-served sites are limited in the best places to camp near Morristown.
Playgrounds: Greenbrier Campground offers dedicated children's areas. "The campground is very well maintained. Our group was in tents, campers and the only cabin on property. The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults. Best kept secret was the free arcade room in AC with couches to boot," shares a family who stayed at Greenbrier Campground.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature water recreation areas for children. "There is a playground and a swimming area, lots of picnic spots, kayak rentals, etc. Several people were walking/running across the dam," mentions a visitor to Cherokee Dam Campground about family-friendly activities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Panther Creek State Park has educational wildlife exhibits. "Lots of wildlife here, even a rescued barred owl to view near the gift shop. It can get lively throughout the day, but most people are respectful and keep the noise down at night," notes a camper at Panther Creek State Park Campground.
Site selection: Anchor Down RV Resort provides premium lakefront options. "Price is a little higher than most but you get what you pay for. Great amenities and great views. There is so much to do you don't even need to leave the campground," advises one RVer at Anchor Down RV Resort. "Each site is clean and roomy with private fire pit. The premium sites have custom fireplaces and the views are gorgeous."
Leveling requirements: Panther Creek sites may require additional equipment. "Check your lengths and bring your leveling boards," recommends a visitor. "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."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited at some campgrounds. "It's a gradual uphill drive through the camp, you curve to the left and then back down the hill," explains a reviewer about Panther Creek State Park Campground, noting the campground is "limited on full service sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Morristown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Morristown, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 375 campgrounds and RV parks near Morristown, TN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Morristown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Morristown, TN is Panther Creek State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Morristown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Morristown, TN.
What parks are near Morristown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Morristown, TN that allow camping, notably Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Cherokee National Forest.
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