Best Campgrounds near Townsend, TN

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Townsend. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Townsend campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Townsend camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Townsend, Tennessee (541)

    1. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    10 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."

    2. Cades Cove Campground

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

    $30 / night

    "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."

    3. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

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

    "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."

    4. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    55 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "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!"

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

    27 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    5 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. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

    22 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-6363

    $60 - $185 / night

    "It’s right outside one of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains and about 20 minutes from Cades Cove."

    "It is right before the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park. Townsend is called the peaceful side of the Smoky Mountains."

    7. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    20 miles
    Website

    $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."

    8. Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    24 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    11 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."

    9. Up the Creek RV Camp

    19 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-8474

    "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."

    10. Mountaineer Campground

    12 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-6421

    $44 - $140 / night

    "it's a bbit claustrophobic, each site being quite close to the other. We were tent ccamping, and iit appears that most of the sites are a better desiggned for RV camping."

    "We have stayed in Townsend many times and love Mountaineer. Carolyn and Don are great owners and so good to get to know. The Little River runs along the back sites."

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Recent Reviews near Townsend, TN

2347 Reviews of 541 Townsend Campgrounds


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

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • 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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.


Guide to Townsend

Camping near Townsend, Tennessee, offers a fantastic mix of nature, adventure, and relaxation. With stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique charm.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails, like the Spruce Falls trail, which is just a short distance from the campgrounds. One camper mentioned, "We were able to go tubing and kayaking right by our camper and go hiking in the park not far from the campground."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground noted, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Tubing and Swimming: Enjoy the river activities available at many campgrounds. One reviewer at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA said, "The river passes by that is great for swimming, fishing, and tubing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Greenbrier Campground remarked, "The bathrooms were amazing."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families with activities for kids. One happy camper at Anchor Down RV Resort shared, "There is so much to do with the water activities and on-site that you could get away without a car."
  • Quiet and Peaceful: Campers enjoy the tranquility of the area. A reviewer at Cosby Campground said, "Cosby Campground offers a serene and less crowded camping experience."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Smokemont Campground mentioned, "No cell or TV service here."
  • Bear Awareness: Be cautious about food storage due to local wildlife. A camper at Cades Cove Campground advised, "Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just irritates the bears."
  • Site Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A family camping at Elkmont Campground noted, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A parent at Greenbrier Campground said, "Lots for the kids to do."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food that’s easy to prepare and store safely. A camper at Deep Creek Campground mentioned, "They do ask that you store coolers and cooling equipment sealed in your car overnight."
  • Choose the Right Site: Opt for sites that offer some space for kids to play. A reviewer at Cataloochee Campground said, "Very deep site that allowed for plenty of room for kids to play."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, "Super clean, bathrooms/showers, and plenty of room for your dog to have an equally good time."
  • Amenities Matter: Look for campgrounds with full hookups and amenities. A camper at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA said, "The campground is very close to everything, and it has all the amenities you'd need."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially in peak season. A reviewer at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA mentioned, "It was completely sold out."

Camping near Townsend, Tennessee, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while having access to various activities and amenities. Whether you're with family or friends, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Townsend, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Townsend, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 541 campgrounds and RV parks near Townsend, TN and 28 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 124 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 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.