RV campgrounds near Vonore, Tennessee sit along the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,200 feet. The area experiences warm summers with high humidity and mild winters, though mountain elevations can see significant temperature drops at night. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, with peak season running April through October when temperatures average 75-85°F during the day.
What to do
Kayaking on Little River: Several campgrounds provide direct river access, making water activities convenient. At Little River Campground & RV Resort, campers can enjoy the river right from their site. "The tent spots are literally on the bank of the river and you're allowed to swim, play, tube, etc. in the river at your own risk," notes one visitor.
Smoky Mountain exploration: Campgrounds in Townsend provide easy access to less crowded park entrances. "Great location for day tripping to several great hikes in the Smokies," reports a camper at Little River Campground. The surrounding mountains offer hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging.
Fishing opportunities: Creek and lakeside camping sites are available throughout the region. At Parksville Lake RV Campground, visitors appreciate the convenient water access. "Great site. Easy to navigate around sites. Lots of shade. Close by Occoee White Water center where the Atlanta olympics took place," explains one camper.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Natural water features are a major draw for campers seeking relaxation. "Beautiful campground right on the Little River. It's tucked away off the main road but only minutes from Smoky Mountain NP," explains a visitor at Little River Campground.
Mountain views: Top of the World RV delivers on its name with panoramic vistas. "Campground has great views of the smokes. Getting to it can be tricky as TN-68 has steep grades and decent curves but is doable for all but the absolute longest of rigs," notes a reviewer who gave it 4 stars.
Private sites: Many campers appreciate proper spacing between sites. One visitor to Top of the World RV states, "HUGE spots, and that's even the 'small' ones. Great views. Great spot to wander a little with a pet."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Different carriers perform better in certain areas. At Top of the World RV, "Cell service with T-Mobile not existent. They have WiFi but not very fast." Another camper noted, "Used an AT&T MiFi worked well."
Site leveling challenges: Mountainous terrain creates uneven camping surfaces. A visitor mentioned that at Top of the World RV, "Because sites are loose gravel, leveling can be a challenge if your rig does not auto level."
Winter precautions: While many campgrounds stay open year-round, facilities may be limited. At Southlake RV Park, one winter visitor noted, "Smaller park on a pond that looked like much of the water had drained from it. Possibly just for the winter."
Tips for camping with families
Campground selection: Not all sites cater equally to children. At Top of the World RV, a visitor observed: "Not much area for pets or stuff for kiddos yet." Consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas for younger campers.
Noise considerations: Proximity to roads affects the camping experience. "The tent spots towards the point are apparently very close to the highway and morning commute traffic was pretty loud. It is probably not near as loud on the weekends," notes a camper at Southlake RV Park.
Bathroom access: At Creekside RV Park, a family advises: "There's only one bathhouse, so if you plan on using that a lot, work with the office to make sure that will work for you."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Mountain roads require careful driving. A Top of the World RV visitor warns: "Getting to it can be tricky as TN-68 has steep grades and decent curves but is doable for all but the absolute longest of rigs."
Site spacing considerations: At Blue Moon RV Park (formerly Overniter RV Park), be aware of site limitations. "We have a 30' travel trailer and the pull-thru site wasn't long enough for us to stay hooked up to our truck for the night," reports one RVer.
Seasonal crowding: Holiday weekends bring increased traffic. A Little River camper advises: "Being a holiday weekend it was very crowded and very noisy, including a few neighbors without regards to quiet hours. We would definitely go back just probably not on a holiday weekend."
