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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Townsend, Tennessee (535)

    1. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    123 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

    54 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."

    "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."

    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

2338 Reviews of 535 Townsend Campgrounds


  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    Labor Day weekend

    Overall a positive experience. We stayed in the tent camping area. Absolutely beautiful site with a wonderful river view, but be aware that the direct river bank is considered common area including day use so it had a lot of traffic while we were there. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. Overall the facilities including bath house are were very nice though I believe the large crowds caused issues with the crew being able to keep up with keeping them clean. The location is very convenient to Townsend and we rode bikes out to explore and get food in the evening. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mountaineer Campground

    Pleasant Stay

    Lovely campground on the river and close to amenities. Biking, hiking, tubing, swimming. My favorite experience here has been the pavilion prayer and fellowship on Sunday mornings hosted by Charm ministry volunteers. Very casual with lots of singing and great conversation in a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. The bathrooms and showers were kept very clean as well as the laundry and pool area. The camp hosts were very helpful and work hard to keep the above clean. The campground offers a 50% discount on a 28-day stay which I took advantage of. They allowed me to stay an extra 28 days due to my dog passing away so I could wait for his remains. They were very understanding, thoughtful and gracious during this sad time for me and I am very grateful to the management and hosts for the time, space and respect they extended to me July & August.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Big Ridge State Park Campground

    Big level site

    Site 43. Big site. fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc. Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Triple Creek Campground

    Would recommend!

    It got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
    I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.

  • Mandi R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Fort Wilderness RV Park

    Just passing theough

    The staff was friendly enough. The credit card machine wasn’t working, luckily I had cash. It’s more like a mobile home park not a campground. It was very quiet though.

  • Melissa C.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Dudley Creek RV Resort

    Great place with nice hosts

    Beautiful campground very close to Gatlinburg. We love the black bear theme, the pool, and the playground. Some sites are right on the creek.

  • Mary D.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Notchy Creek Campground

    Peaceful and Pretty Place

    Site 42. The site is right across the water. Easy to carry a kayak to! The sites are very well kept, and the bathrooms are honestly the cleanest I’ve come across at any campground. It makes such a difference. There are several long-term residents, but it's quiet and everything feels well cared for and peaceful.

    The only drawback (for those who love to lounge in a hammock like I do) is that they don’t allow hammocks to be hung from the trees. Other than that, it’s an excellent place to stay and definitely worth visiting! Would like to stay at site 44 next time! I have US Cellular and there is just enough service to send and receive texts. Not sure about calls.


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 535 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 123 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.