Cabin camping near Townsend is a great way to escape into nature, yet still have all the comforts of home. Find the best information on cabins near Townsend, including photos, reviews, and tips. From secluded to easy-to-reach, these Tennessee cabin rentals are perfect for any adventurer.
Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago.
Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' most famous tourist towns, is located about nine miles from Elkmont and offers organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
$30 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activities here include hiking, biking, touring the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road and observing wildlife. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cades Cove never disappoints.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (865) 448-4103 for general information.
If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$30 / night
Greenbrier Campground TN is surrounded by the Little Pigeon River and offer RV sites, tent camping, RV rentals, cabins, and bell tents. Located only 6 miles from downtown Gatlinburg and 8 miles from the entrance to the GSMNP, we are convenient to all area attractions.
$35 - $258 / night
This KOA campground in Pigeon Forge is perfectly located to take everything the Great Smokies has to offer. Spend the day taking in the local area attractions such as Dollywood theme park, Dolly Parton's Stampede, Wonderworks, or the Old Mill just to name a few. Pigeon forge is bursting with over 70 attractions the whole family will love. Gear up for an adventure of hiking, fishing, biking or driving in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The options here are endless! For a home away from home, try our fully furnished Deluxe Cabins or Camping Cabins. Park your RV at our Pull-Thru RV Site with KOA Patio®, all with free cable and Wi-Fi. Pitching a Tent? We have beautiful waterfront sites conveniently situated with picnic tables and fire rings. Whatever accommodation you choose, you can rest assured you will enjoy your stay in this beautiful location. Explore our abundant entertainment options such as the NEW Gravity Rail, pan for fossils and gems at our Gem Mine, play at the NEW Playground, rent bikes or play in the zero-entry pool complete with a Rain Tree. There's even a safe place for Fido to play within the Kamp K9® Dog Park. As your day winds down, settle in to watch a movie at the Outdoor Cinema, sit around the Community Fire Pit or relax in the Hot Tub.
Rich history with fresh adventure! Just steps away from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Little Arrow invites you to take aim at adventure. Our cozy accommodations have been thoughtfully designed with perks like wood-burning fireplaces, plush bedding, and more to meet your unique needs! With RV Sites, Cabins, Glamping Tents, Tiny Homes, an Airstream, and a Vacation Home, escaping to your own wilderness retreat has never been easier! We're passionate about the mountains that surround us and strive to make the most of our stunning environment. From a swimming pool, easy river access, 24/7 coffee lounge, a club house, hiking trail, and exciting activities onsite, your visit will be full of adventure!
$60 - $185 / night
$37 - $63 / night
Open year round, spacious RV sites, full hook-ups, WiFi, laundry, fishing & kayaking. Watch the bald eagles. Conveniently located at 1518 Dolly Parton Parkway in Sevierville.
$40 - $50 / night
Clabough's campground features over 300 shaded, full-hookup sites with support for back-ins, pull-throughs and tents. Picnic tables on every site. They also offer offer a variety of vacation rentals including cabins, cottages, homes, and a suite. Amenities include a lazy river, swimming pools, bath houses, laundry rooms and more.
$34 - $109 / night
Stay your way in our conveniently located campground - only a few minutes from Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Traveler
Great place great people and great management. Clean environment. And clean club house and showers and bathrooms. Has laundry room and fire rings at camp sites
Scout
Visiting in 2 weeks
Scout
Spent Labor Day weekend there. Awesome trip! Super clean campground and showers. Lots for the kids to do. Trolley that goes into Gatlinburg. Friendly, Christian atmosphere. Great Sunday service. .
Traveler
We should have heeded warnings in other reviews and avoided this place. Managers are lazy and rude, do not respond to messages calls or texts. Moved our booked spot without speaking to us and told us it was an upgrade, it was not in a spot we desired due to having a toddler near the busiest part of the park. They had someone else parked in our spot so we had no choice. We had to figure this all out ourselves because when we got there no one was around and they simply left a map at the door with a different site number on it. The WiFi password was never sent and management did not email it until the next morning. The bathrooms were newly renovated but no shower curtains and were dirty. The pool was closed both days and locked, no notice given to campers. Email said pool was to be open. There are nice common areas that look very inviting, but whenever you go near them, a camera loudly broadcast that you were being recorded, and this continues all around the building with multiple cameras it just makes you feel very strange and unwelcome … When we finally reached a manager she was rude and told us that it seems we simply aren’t happy and that we could vacate immediately with a refund. We declined, as it was 8pm and we had a toddler asleep and a fully set up camp. This was truly the worst experience and expensive for the type of park that it is. Anywhere else this would maybe be a $40 at night stay however it was $90 a night here. From the photos, we thought this park was out in a quiet part of the country, but it is not and is on the edge of a city with a lot of traffic and an intersection with a Walgreens for a view..
Traveler
That's a great recommendation! Elkmont Campground sounds like a wonderful place to experience the Great Smoky Mountains. The variety of accommodation options makes it accessible to campers of all preferences. Therefore SRSLY Low Carb helps me stick to a diet and it reflects well on my body. I love active recreation. However, I always take care of my diet because I have health problems. Have a nice trip and take care of your health.
TravelerWe had an amazing time, the campground is beautiful and the park rangers were awesome. Hoping to come back soon.
Traveler
If you're looking for peace and quiet, then this is the place to be. Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground. Note... Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just erritates the bears.
Guide
It was a nice campground. But it is set up to be too crowded. Not my kind of camping. But they stated was friendly. The restrooms weren’t so bad considering how many kids was there. Couldn’t let the dogs walk free so that sucked.
Scout
Joe was amazing. Great guy. The free ice and firewood made the nightly stay virtually half price! Great if you are looking for calm, quiet and laid back.
Scout
I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND this place. They completely do not respect their guests. I booked a half a year in advance and asked the question if they have a separate bed for each and they assured me they do. Unfortunately, my child ended up sleeping on the table. I tried to ask for an additional mattress or a partial/full refund but they didn’t want to hear me. They offered me to go to the store and buy one for myself. A complete disrespect I drove for six hours to be as disappointed as I had never been in life. Please, beware that coming here you’re going to sleep either on the floor or on the table and the staff doesn’t care about you or do not respect you. People, please do not come here.
Scout
They always went above and beyond to make sure that they elderly couple that I take care of accommodations were met.. and always done it with a true southerns hospitality
Scout
Very tiny cabin, grass overgrown, far distance from pool. We paid in advance for 2 nights but checked out after 2 hours. Very gross, unkept. Because it’s pigeon forge I expected it to be good but it’s disgusting. The videos of JellystonePark show trampolines and water park like activities but this park had one small pool with no parking. Even my kids wanted to leave. Do not go here it is a Huge disappointment!
ScoutVery welcoming, friendly place with nice toilet and shower facilities. We camped in tents and found the site we had to be large and quiet.
Guide
Clean, well maintained campground close to everything Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge has to offer.
Also super close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park which we enjoyed during our visit.
Guide
I absolutely love this place!
Guide
We booked for a week here simply because we couldn’t find anywhere for a weekend at the beginning of May of 2024. Then we extended 3 days, then 3 more, then 5 more…you get the idea. Upon arrival I was disappointed. Simply because I booked a spot I thought would A. Not be directly across from the dumpster and be able to see the horses from our campsite. We are directly behind the dumpster and there’s no enclosure. Then the horses were in a different pasture the first 2 weeks we were here. The spots are close together but most people aren’t even here. If it were full, and you don’t like your neighbors, you’re screwed. BUT, that’s not the case here. Many things that are available aren’t listed on the website. Here’s all the positives: The horses are friendly, walk over, I’ve pet them all and even fed fresh fruit, (not too much!) it’s the best part of my day! Verizon, when connected to campsite wifi is full bars and at times 5g. Take advantage of mapping out your mountain drives because you will not have reception “up there!” No complaints! The owners are absolutely hospitable. If you need anything, they live onsite and will accommodate. We were able to order from Amazon and simply go pick up in open office when no one is there. They are able to see who goes in and out, so no worries about the security of your stuff. The walk around the road is cool. If you don’t walk, you’ll miss the creek that travels the backside of the property. It’s cold and rocky, but I just put on water shoes (big lots in town $9.99). It’s gorgeous!!! The evening lightning bug show has been unreal. They light up the back side (by dumpster) for hours! BIRDS GALORE!!! Song sparrows, chipping sparrows, chickadees, northern parulas, ravens, house finches and swallows with babies in bird houses-awesome nature! Shaded spots but still sun! Also only one amber light by shower house. If you want to stargaze, book away from it. Showers and bathrooms are good. 3/3 excellent water pressure. I played my music and enjoyed a roomy shower! Bugs are around but nothing too crazy. Weather dependent for sure. I simply use eucalyptus oil mixed with lotion and the biters don’t come near me. Otherwise just gnats. Mosquitoes love my husband and the 3 weeks we have been here, no bites. And he doesn’t use anything. Firewood available if you get it yourself, charge for bringing it to you. We were missing a fire ring and I had messaged the owner and by the time we got back, a brand new one was all put together at our site for us! Laundry is super convenient because they aren’t monetarily operated. It’s an honor system. 2 washers 2 dryers. One is an HE washer, so if you have that detergent, you’ll be happy! Now, the rest. You’re in Franklin. About 7 miles from downtown, easy to get to Walmart, restaurants, gas, ice, groceries (INGLES) including liquor. Not open on Sundays. You are centrally located to Asheville, Knoxville and Atlanta. The trails, rafting, gem mining, rock hounding, hiking, the drives to the balds and gaps are absolutely stunning, if you aren’t athletic. The waterfall loop from Franklin is Google searchable and highly recommended. Just drive around and get lost. It’s beautiful. Drove to a town west, (Murphy) and it was also incredible! Just come, relax, go have appetizers at Gracious Plates on Main Street, walk the area, the garden club of Franklin has done some beautiful gardens and the history is cool. Graff’s has great food (burgers, fried shrimp)as well, so while you feel far from things, you really aren’t. There is some road noise but you can’t really see the vehicles much since you’re low and covered by trees. Perhaps because our site is closer to the bend in the road above and no one is here. With everything else, not a complaint. I would stay here again without a doubt. The locals are awesome, the fellow residents that own property that I originally thought was part of the campground but is not, are as nice as could be. We even hung out and bought the dogs treats for their daily walks! Good community. Lovely area!
Guide
Very nice place to camp. The bath houses are kept very clean. The owner is very friendly. The fishing is great and so is the environment. Already looking to book again.
Guide
This campground had it all: pretty landscaping, Large trees and open sites, lovely creek, level sites, very nice bathrooms/showers, attentive staff. Staying at Creekwood was a great start to our cross country trip. The entire property was very well maintained. I wished we could have stayed longer.
Scout
Not in a bad way there were plenty of trees providing shade. We were there for the Bigfoot festival it's close enough to Gatlinburg and pigeon forge to go do things there far enough away you don't have to deal with the commercialism if you don't want to Full video review on YouTube https://youtu.be/HKIFIes9rE4
Scout
Camp staff was very helpful! Sights are close but looking at other campgrounds it’s very comparable. Showers, restrooms and laundry were all clean! Some seasonal campers and everyone was friendly! Would stay here again if we are in the area.
ScoutBooked a place to stay for vacation and ended up having to cancel in enough time for a refund. They said they would do a full refund wait 10-15 business days. Waited the time frame and no deposit was made. Ended up calling and they told us to email someone, emailed said person and haven’t heard anything. Careful if you might end up canceling cuz they will take your money. Just seen another post where the same thing happened with someone.
Traveler
Great clean campground close to the smokey mountain national park. Level sites,nice size sites,clean laundry facility ,enclosed dog area. Alsoa on a river with a very nice 1/2 mile trail and fly fishing. We stayed for 6 nights. Highly recommend.
Guide
Loved our stay here. Staff friendly & helpful. Beautiful wooded park with good space between sites. Very clean!
ScoutVery pleasant campground. Not to busy. Very quiet. Exceptional staff.
ScoutIt looks so good so far. Thank you so much for sharing. Have a very good day!
Guide
We had a little bit of a rough start here with the reservation. But all of that was forgotten once we arrived. The place was not even close to capacity while we were there, and they kept us all spaced very well. In fact, we couldn't even see another camper from our porch side. The place was well kept and beautiful!
ScoutCampground did not follow advertised online information. No escort to spot, no dog park, no food delivery, just to name a few. It also appears that with the volume of rules you are required to comply with, your camp sites of individuals staying annually should also have to follow. Sites 64, 99 and 102 were a real disappointment to see each day when leaving. The camp spots were so small to be able to park our single vehicle. We were overall disappointed and our bi annual stay in the area, will not include Jellystone.
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.
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
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Townsend, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Townsend, TN is Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 121 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Townsend, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 158 cabin camping locations near Townsend, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
