Best Campgrounds near Tallassee, TN

Camping opportunities in eastern Tennessee's Tallassee area include both developed facilities and dispersed options within the nearby Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The region encompasses campgrounds like Citico Creek Area offering primitive sites along streams, while Jake Best Campground provides basic facilities with vault toilets. Established campgrounds such as Indian Boundary feature electric hookups and picnic tables. Calderwood Lake offers primitive waterfront camping accessible by boat or hiking trail. From tent sites to cabins and RV spots, the area supports varied camping styles and needs.

Road conditions vary significantly across the camping areas, with many sites accessible via unpaved forest roads that may have potholes or require higher clearance vehicles. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, particularly those at higher elevations in the Smokies. Dispersed camping in Cherokee National Forest typically allows up to 14-day stays. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in more remote areas such as Citico Creek. Many campsites require payment through self-registration drop boxes. A visitor noted about Jake Best Campground: "The campground is on the river, and I have never seen such crystal clear water anywhere on this side of the country."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with creek-side and lakefront sites being highly sought after. Citico Creek campsites are noted for their privacy and spaciousness, though visitor reviews indicate inconsistent site cleanliness. Several campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, fishing, and swimming opportunities. Jake Best Campground users highlight the peaceful setting and trout fishing possibilities. More remote options like Calderwood Lake Primitive Campground require additional effort but reward visitors with solitude. As one camper described their experience at Calderwood: "If you are willing to bring everything with you, pack everything out, and paddle multiple miles on a nonmotorized finger lake, this is the place for you." Visitors frequently mention the area's scenic beauty and the opportunity to disconnect from technology.

Best Camping Sites Near Tallassee, Tennessee (584)

    1. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."

    "We camped in the middle of a hot sticky Tennessee summer and felt just fine in all of the shade."

    2. Indian Boundary

    28 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 253-8400

    $20 / night

    "The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."

    "The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."

    3. Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    24 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water."

    "Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc."

    4. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $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."

    5. Cades Cove Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    27 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $50 - $94 / night

    "There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."

    "I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."

    6. Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    14 Reviews
    Maryville, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 436-1261

    $30 - $36 / night

    "There is a state campground near the base, but it was crowded and noisy. Unfortunately I've been informed this campground is no longer in operation, so sad."

    "This place has so many gorgeous camping spits and hiking trails! In the fall there is just so many different hues of oranges reds and yellows"

    7. Jake Best Campground

    6 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    8 miles
    Website

    "Purchased wood and some other things from the nearby camp store at nearby Indian Boundary Campground (IBC)when I arrived."

    "Hiking trail near by and close enough to Tellico if supplies are needed. Recommend bringing firewood although we found burnable wood nearby. Also bring small bills as the fee is $6 per night."

    8. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

    28 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-2241

    "The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."

    "Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."

    9. Citico Creek Area

    6 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    7 miles
    Website

    "This campground is great for being right next to great day hikes and easy access to Citico Creek, which was just across the gravel road from our site."

    "My only complaint was there were cars frequently driving by throughout the night on the dirt road. Other than that, really enjoyed this place."

    10. Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 479-6431

    "Nice lakeside side with good lake views. Park next to site. Toilet facility available, site next to marina on north side. Cellphone service with Verizon ok 1or 2 bars."

    "Our site has been very well-kept and is right next to the boat launch on Lake Santeetlah, at Avey Creek."

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Recent Reviews near Tallassee, TN

2362 Reviews of 584 Tallassee Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Yarberry Campground

    Beautiful views

    Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it.

  • B
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    beautiful and peaceful

    It was perfect weekend getaway, the camp ground wasn’t full, bathrooms clean, the camp ground was clean. The sites along the water were amazing, and the sites were level.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Forever a Special Place

    I have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.


Guide to Tallassee

Camping near Tallassee, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful." This trail offers stunning views and a chance to connect with nature.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground." You might spot deer, turkeys, or even bears!
  • Water Activities: Enjoy tubing or kayaking in nearby rivers. One camper at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA said, "The river was awesome for swimming and tubing." It’s a great way to cool off during the summer.

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful settings. A review for Elkmont Campground noted, "The campground is beautiful, and the park rangers were awesome." The natural beauty of the area is a big draw.
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors appreciate the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA mentioned, "The staff was awesome and it's a great facility." Friendly faces can make your stay more enjoyable.
  • Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and well-maintained grounds are important to campers. A visitor at Gee Creek Campground said, "The bathrooms were clean, hiking close to the campground, we really recommend." Cleanliness can enhance your camping experience.

What you should know

  • Site Privacy: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, "Most sites are close." If you prefer more space, consider booking early or looking for specific sites.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A review for Abrams Creek Campground mentioned, "There is a narrow and washed-out road to get back to the campground." Be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Bear Awareness: Bears are common in the area. One camper at Elkmont Campground advised, "Bears are everywhere, be smart!" Always store food properly and follow safety guidelines.

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. A visitor at Gee Creek Campground mentioned, "The kids loved the playground." This can keep the little ones entertained.
  • Easy Access to Trails: Choose campgrounds near hiking trails. One family at Indian Boundary enjoyed, "The campground can be very crowded, but the trails are great." This way, you can easily explore nature together.
  • Plan for No Cell Service: Be ready for limited connectivity. A camper at Cades Cove Campground noted, "There is no cell service with T-Mobile." Bring books or games to keep everyone entertained.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Dimensions: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Melton Hill Dam Campground mentioned, "The sites dimensions are not the same for every site." Always confirm before booking.
  • Be Prepared for Busy Weekends: Expect crowds during peak times. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA said, "It was completely sold out." If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the week.
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A camper at Deep Creek Campground advised, "There are ample places to buy tubes." Stock up on essentials before you arrive.

Camping near Tallassee, Tennessee, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the campfire, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tallassee, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tallassee, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 584 campgrounds and RV parks near Tallassee, TN and 39 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tallassee, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tallassee, TN is Cades Cove Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 98 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tallassee, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 39 free dispersed camping spots near Tallassee, TN.

What parks are near Tallassee, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Tallassee, TN that allow camping, notably Croatan National Forest and Tusquitee National Forest.