579 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Townsend, Tennessee serves as a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with several established campgrounds providing access to mountain scenery and river recreation. The area features a range of camping options from Cades Cove Campground within the national park to private options like Townsend-Great Smokies KOA and Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Accommodations vary from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping facilities. Many campgrounds in this region sit along the Little River, offering water access for fishing, swimming, and tubing while providing proximity to park attractions like Cades Cove and hiking trails.
Campground availability follows seasonal patterns with most facilities operating from March through October, though some private campgrounds remain open year-round. The KOA and Little Arrow operate throughout all seasons, while national park campgrounds like Cades Cove and Elkmont typically close for winter. Road access remains reliable in this lower-elevation section of the Smokies, with most campgrounds situated along paved highways. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months and fall color season when facilities regularly reach capacity. Most campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, though amenities vary significantly between developed private resorts and more rustic national park sites. According to one visitor, "Townsend is a very pretty and nice area with lots to offer, with easy access to Cade's Cove Loop and the state park."
Campsites along Little River receive consistently positive feedback, with many visitors highlighting the water access as a primary attraction. Several campgrounds feature riverfront sites where campers can enjoy the sound of flowing water and direct access for recreation. One camper noted, "We had a spot right by the water and wonderful view, we were able to go tubing and kayaking right by our camper." Mixed-use campgrounds combine tent camping areas with RV sites and rental cabins, appealing to different camping preferences. The national park campgrounds offer a more natural setting with fewer amenities but greater immersion in forest environments. Most camping areas provide basic facilities including restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, while private campgrounds typically add showers, camp stores, playgrounds, and organized activities, particularly during summer months.
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Plenty of trails and wildlife to see. 15 minute drive Townsend. Very quiet at night so you can hear the night owls and coyotes at night."
"We were in site C-16 which was towards the back of the campground and only 2 sites away from the bathrooms and a bear proof dumpster."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."
"Close to everything, right in the heart of pigeon forge. Best bath houses we’ve ever been too, all other reviews were spot on!"
"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."
"The Townsend KOA is located close to the entrance of Cades Cove. It has many rv, tent, and cabin sites. The sites on the river seem to be the best."
"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."
from $50 - $94 / night
Check Availability"Biking trail less than 100 yds away. Borders the National Park, Townsend is a Great place to stay, close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and even closer to Cades Cove."
"It’s right outside one of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains and about 20 minutes from Cades Cove."
from $60 - $185 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"Way if they beaten path and reservations can ONLY be made online. No cell service no internet for at least ten miles away from camp.. absolutely gorgeous location and rangers keep it clean every day."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area."
"There are some good restaurants and stores in Townsend, plus there is easy access to the park."
from $30 - $160 / night
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TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
GuideA sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
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.
ScoutBeautiful Campground, but Absolutely NOT Family-Friendly! I rarely leave negative reviews this strongly, but our experience at Turkey Creek Campground was so disappointing that I feel compelled to warn other families. First, I’ll give credit where it’s due. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the creekside sites are incredibly peaceful and serene. It’s a lovely setting, and during the day, the owner is friendly enough and seemingly hospitable. Unfortunately, the hospitality comes to a screeching halt the moment the clock strikes 10 PM.
We were two families camping together with six well-behaved kids who absolutely love the outdoors. We understand and respect campground quiet hours. We weren’t looking to throw parties, blast music, or disturb anyone. But apparently, at Turkey Creek,“quiet hours” doesn’t mean keeping noise to a respectful minimum. It means absolute silence, complete darkness, and seemingly no normal human activity whatsoever.
I’m not exaggerating.
* We were told to turn off ALL our lights at 10 PM.
* We were confronted for opening our vehicle’s trunk because it made a brief beeping sound.
* Our children were startled by a large spider near the bathhouse, and the owner actually yelled at them to be quiet.
* One evening around 11 PM, we were talking quietly INSIDE OUR OWN TENT, barely above a whisper, when the owner approached our tent door to reprimand us for talking.
* On another occasion, he approached us to complain that our children had left TWO STICKS on the ground near the bathrooms. Two sticks! At a campground surrounded by woods, where the kids had just walked down a wooded trail to reach the bathhouse!
And don’t even think about enjoying a little background music while sitting around your campsite. Music of any kind played through a speaker is prohibited, regardless of volume. Apparently, even a little John Denver played quietly while enjoying the mountains is too much to ask. I fully appreciate that some people camp specifically for peace and quiet. We respect that, too. But there is a massive difference between enforcing reasonable quiet hours and making paying guests feel like they’re constantly being watched, monitored, and reprimanded for simply existing. The owner’s enforcement of these rules felt excessive, confrontational, and completely out of proportion to what was actually happening.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying our family vacation, we found ourselves walking on eggshells, worried that the smallest sound, light, or ordinary childhood behavior would result in another confrontation. What makes this particularly frustrating is that our kids were doing exactly what we’d hope children would do on a camping trip: spending time outside, exploring nature, enjoying each other’s company, and making memories away from screens. Yet somehow, even that seemed unwelcome. If we hadn’t already paid for five nights, we would have packed up and left after the very first night. That’s how uncomfortable the experience became.
If you are someone who wants a meticulously maintained campground where everyone retires to complete silence and darkness by 10 PM, Turkey Creek might be perfect for you. But if you’re a family hoping to enjoy a campfire, share some laughs, quietly socialize in the evening, and let your children experience the simple joys of camping, I cannot recommend this place strongly enough AGAINST it.
There are so many beautiful campgrounds in this area, and I cannot imagine choosing to return somewhere that made our families feel so unwelcome. Beautiful property. Extremely disappointing hospitality. Absolutely terrible experience for families. We will never return.
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.
TravelerMe and my cousin and my dog absolutely love staying here, we will be back. It has beautiful views from our campsite, and down a little trail to the quarry. It’s super clean and peaceful. Has a little bit of road noise, but honestly, I like a little bit of white noise
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
Townsend sits at approximately 1,070 feet elevation in a valley known as the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies," offering campers more moderate temperatures than higher-elevation areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Little River flows through most campsites near Townsend, Tennessee, providing water recreation opportunities with temperatures that remain cool even during summer months. The area's lower-elevation terrain creates easier road access in winter when higher park roads may close.
Bicycle rental at Cades Cove: During designated days, the 11-mile Cades Cove loop closes to vehicles for bicycle-only access. "What a great campground!! This is away from the craziness of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It puts you back into the outdoors as the National Parks should be... on certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the Cades Cove Campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate," notes Jeremy H.
Tubing from upstream locations: Many campgrounds offer easy river access for tubing. "The river is beautiful," reports Steve D. about Townsend-Great Smokies KOA. For more adventurous water recreation, some campers drop in upstream: "Even if your camp spot is not on the river, there are two or three places to access it, making it possible to cool down on a hot muggy summer day by wading in the very cold stream, or even tubing down to your campsite by having someone drop you upstream," explains Ric M.
Historic exploration at Elkmont: The former vacation community offers a unique walking tour. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails... you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes. Some are open for exploration, others are cordoned off, and some are undergoing renovation," describes Jean C. about Elkmont Campground.
Private bathrooms at riverfront locations: Higher-end campgrounds offer surprisingly comfortable facilities. "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower," explains Erin H. about Greenbrier Campground.
Riverfront sites with direct water access: The ability to step from campsite to water ranks as a top feature. "We loved the campground. Clean and staff are awesome. The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," shares Cathy O. about Townsend-Great Smokies KOA. Similarly, Taylor M. appreciates the more adult-oriented atmosphere at Up the Creek: "Easy to get into spots with nice picnic tables, concrete patio, and small fire pit."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers exceptional animal sightings from safe distances. "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," writes Ashley Y. about Cades Cove. For firefly enthusiasts, Phoebe A. recommends: "This year my partner and I stayed there during the peak of firefly season, and once the sun went down we we walked down the short gravel road that leads to the parking lot for day-hikers. There is a meadow here where we watched fireflies for hours and it was MAGICAL!"
Limited or no cell service throughout area: Most campers report minimal connectivity. "Cell service wasn't great for me here, but then again in all the Smoky Mountains I cruised around with pretty much 1 bar or less," notes Crystal C. about Elkmont. Similarly at Cades Cove Group Campground, visitors report "No phone service so you get to completely relax," according to Brittni F.
Campsite density varies significantly: Proximity to neighbors differs between campgrounds. At Cades Cove Group, Michelle A. notes: "These sites are very close together, not a lot of privacy but I guess that is to be expected in the most visited national park in the country." Conversely, at Little Arrow, sites have "plenty of space between the campsites. I was pleased with my site and the privacy," according to Jean C.
Strict food storage requirements: Bear activity necessitates proper precautions. "Remember to lock your food in your car, this is bear country and they do not encourage you to entice the bears into camp!!" warns Crystal C. Sites provide specific storage options: "It's bear country, so your food and toiletries need to be locked in a vehicle or hard-side camping unit; there are some food storage lockers provided for the walk-in sites."
Swimming holes for hot days: Natural water features provide refreshment. At Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, "river around campground is amazing. Nice pool very clean bath houses," reports Ward. Similarly, at Greenbrier: "The swimming hole was a blessing during the hot days! (Think ice bucket challenge). The tubing was fun for the older kids and adults," explains Elizabeth B.
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds include dedicated children's facilities. "Very kid friendly KOA. Was always very busy with comers and goers due to the area being touristy," explains Laurie B. At Little Arrow: "This place is amazing! Great place for kids, so much to do," says Cain S.
Indoor activity options for rainy days: Some campgrounds provide covered spaces. "Best kept secret was the free arcade room in AC with couches to boot," shares Elizabeth B. about Greenbrier. At Mountaineer Campground, "There is also a big pavilion used by some church group every Sunday morning, offering worship services to vacationers, and doing Sunday school crafts with the little kids," according to Ric M.
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate big RVs equally. "Approx 20 miles from main visitor center. The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic... All driveways shaded, paved, and level. Very pleasant place," reports Kim L. about Cades Cove Campground. For larger vehicles, Up the Creek offers "some new larger campsites, and there is a dog area that is fenced in," according to Amanda F.
Hookup availability varies significantly: Different campgrounds offer various connection options. "We spend thanksgiving here every year," says Nicole B. about Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, which offers full hookups year-round. However, national park campgrounds like Elkmont have limited services: "a couple of accessible sites do have electricity for medical equipment."
Off-season access considerations: Winter camping options exist but with limitations. "The KOA and Little Arrow operate throughout all seasons," while national park campgrounds close. "Very helpful and accommodating to a tent camper," says Shelby N. about off-season camping at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Townsend, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Townsend, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 579 campgrounds and RV parks near Townsend, TN and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Townsend, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Townsend, TN is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 127 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Townsend, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Townsend, TN.
What parks are near Townsend, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Townsend, TN that allow camping, notably Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Croatan National Forest.
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