Look, roasting marshmallows and singing songs by the fire is great and all, but cabin camping is a much easier way to enjoy the sights of Tennessee. Finding a place to cabin camp in Tennessee is easier than ever. Each cabin site offers quick access to one or more of Tennessee's most popular destinations.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
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 recreation area is part of Center Hill Lake
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.
This recreation area is part of Center Hill Lake
$25 - $30 / night
All of the park’s 106 family campsites have a grill and picnic table and are located near a *bathhouse with hot showers. A dump station is located at the campground check-in. The campground has 86 RV sites with water and electric hookups and 20 tent sites, each with water. The tent camping area does not have electric hookups. There are no sewer hookups in the campground.
*Off-Season Bathhouse Closures: November 1st through April 15th Bathhouses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be closed during the off-season. The 94 Bath House located in the lower area around sites 10 and 11 will be the only bathhouse open during the off-season.
Dumpsters and recycling bins are also located at the campground check-in. Wi-Fi is available throughout the campground. A cell phone booster is also located at the campground check-in that Verizon Wireless customers may use to assist with cell service.
Four group sites, which will accommodate approximately 25 people each, are available. The group sites are located just south of the individual tent-only camping area of the Roan Mountain State Park campground. They have large gravel tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and water spigots at each site. There is no electricity, camping is only allowed on the gravel pads (not in the surrounding grassy areas), and it is approximately a 1/4 mile walk to the nearest bathrooms/shower houses. These four sites may be reserved up to 12 months in advance.
Located on TN Hwy 143 at the base of the majestic 6,285 Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain State Park encompasses more than 2,000 acres dominated by rich hardwood forest along rugged ridges. The cool, clear Doe River winds its way through the center of the park and supports a healthy population of trout. Wildflowers and wildlife inhabit the hollows and ridges of the Roan foothills in abundance.
There are 30 comfortable cabins, as well as RV and tent camping at the 106-site campgrounds. Each cabin has a front porch with rocking chairs, fully outfitted kitchen, full bath, wood burning stove and gas/electric heat. Each campsite has a grill and picnic table and is located near a bathhouse with hot showers.
Visitors can hike along the creeks and ridges, tour the century-old Miller Farmstead or enjoy cross-country skiing in the winter months. There are approximately 12 miles of hiking trails and 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails. Difficulty levels range from easy to strenuous.
$14 - $54 / night
Guide
sites: horse sites available. wooded area around campground. semi-private sites. amenities: lake. pool. other attractions: lodge/camping cabins. restaurant. I would go back again.
Guide
This was the second time staying at this campground. We used the camping cabins. The campground is nice. It has many things to do like a pool, cornhole, horseshoes. The cabins are ok. They have three beds. One double and a set of bunk beds. They have ac as well. They are small but do the job. The mattresses suck.
Guide
A nice campground with blacktop sites. Campground is hilly but most sites are fairly flat. Very nice hot showers. They also have tent camping, cabins, and camping with your horse. Small lake within walking distance to the RV campground. Camp store, gym, small amphitheater. Wifi was a free signup for 3 days but was too slow to be useful.
Traveler
Deer Creek properties is located in a secure gated community just minutes from fall Creek Falls State Park. All cabins are fully furnished, provide hall linens and towels, fire pits and many other amenities. We have a community pool and hot tub that is open from memorial day to Labor Day. Our grounds are very spacious and have three ponds available to our guest for fishing. We have a beautiful pasture with horses to pay it and feed.
Scout
Awesome people that run the campground pool was awesome hot tub and bath house clean heated and cooled
Scout
And the sound of the interstate then this is for you. The best part about this place is it’s close to the log cabin restaurant. Try the pie!
GuideClean, beautiful camp ground with pool & hot tub. Quiet. It was a bit of a squeeze with our 42’ RV.
Legend
This is a regular stop for our travels between Georgia and Illinois. Quiet campground with a pool and hot tub. Easy access to the interstate. Level, pull through sites.
Guide
We stayed here multiple times and it is alway a good one. We love the clean bathhouses and the arcade upstairs. It's level and easy to walk around in.. Great pool, hot tub and splash pad. Great location.
Legend
This is not exactly the camping in the woods without hookups atmosphere. This is more of a every want/need met glamping RV Resort. And it’s awesome!
The RV sites are large and level, full hookup. There are gorgeous cabins that look more like tiny homes, and the atmosphere at this park is a great way to retreat. 100 ft max for RVs.
Very kid friendly, pet friendly (Kamp K9), lots in the area to go do and see. Pools, hot tub, kitchen, firewood for sale, fishing access, snack bar, cable tv, and WiFi.
The staff here is awesome, very helpful and knowledgeable. The park is very clean and well kept.
Cellular service for TMobile was not very strong but AT&T provided plenty for streaming and working.
ScoutNice place, friendly staff drives you to you site some site are very tight newer sites and pull through are great. Awesome lazy river and hot tub. Very close to downtown and 2 or so miles to Dollywood I will stay again
RangerThe staff was very helpful. The campgrounds are gorgeous. The pool &hot tub weren't open yet but is is cold up here. Love the mountains they were calling!!! The campground is full on their first weekend open so book in advance!
Scout
This KOA is in a really convenient location near downtown Nashville! They have tons of amenities (shower, hot tub, pool, etc) so it’s not exactly backcountry camping if that’s more your thing. But they have a shuttle for $10 that runs round trip every hour to downtown Nashville, which is a must have if you want to save money on Ubers!
Traveler
We came with friends for Fall Break and shared a buddy site, it was wonderful! Fun activities (we did BINGO & Trivia), hiking, a very nice pool & hot tub with splash pad and walk-in pool entry. The shower houses & restrooms were immaculate! So clean! We were sad to see they were already booked for next fall break - if you’re considering, book well in advance!
Guide
This was a great little campsite. They had several activities for kids, a nice little fishing pond, a restaurant where they hosted bingo games and other activities, and a hot tub. The food at the restaurant was good and the staff were all very friendly. They even let me sit in their restaurant really early in the morning to teach some classes online. If you go in fall, there is a nice farm with loads of fun fall activities.
ScoutWe have stayed at this campground , at least once a year, for the last 15 years. This visit has not been great. Kids are running around with NO supervision, watched a little girl almost get hit by a car , twice . Went to the pool, again kids running around , no adult supervision. Several couples in the hot tub, openly drinking alcohol , not watching there kids . Other guests not being considerate of quiet hours. Loud music at 1:00 a.m. This campground has changed in the last year. Would not recommend if you like a more quiet experience!
GuidePremium site, fairly level, back in with crushed stone. Nice morning sun & afternoon shade. 50 amp with excellent voltage. Super nice wood deck/patio at the back of the site. Nice but small store with pretty good prices. Nice playground for the kids. The pool looked pretty good though we didnt use it. Also they have an older style, hot tub in a separate building, it looked very clean and well maintained. We were very happy with our stay. It was quiet, and staff & other campers were very friendly. We will stay here again in the future.
GuideWe arrived super late, but our checkin info was ready for us along with a map to our site. The campground had a ton of amenities, so good if you have kids. There was a pool/hot tub/lazy river, playground, trampoline, corn hole, and more. Bathrooms were clean, we didn’t shower there. There was even a dog wash! The spots were a little tight and our sewer connection was a foot up off the ground so drainage at site 122 was a bit of an issue. Foliage was very pretty and at its peak the first week of November! Close to gatlinburg and pigeon forge
Ranger
This is an extremely well maintained and clean park. Lots of amenities; 2 pools, lazy river, hot tub, arcade, picnic pavilion, large playground for kids and even an RV/Bus wash. Standard sites are mostly level with gravel parking and concrete pad for picnic table. Deluxe sites are fully concrete covered. The only drawback I noticed was what appears to be several permanent sites, but they were well kept. Prices are in line with others in the area and with amenities offered, a pretty good bargain. The park is outside the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge and was close enough to not be an issue. We will definitely add this to our list of favorites for future reference.
RangerSimilar to most KOAs we've stayed at, and this one does have a real "lazy river" along side - but is otherwise not the greatest place we've stayed in the area. We have a pop up, and it's difficult to level them in your site. The bathrooms are touch and go. They do clean them well, but it's the overly-careless campers here that are to blame. No one seems to care. Tent camping would be way to uncomfortable in these sites in my opinion. Large, enclosed RVs are the way to go, because even a pop up is a little loud. There's a pool and hot tub, and playground. Overall, good location but not great.
Traveler
Steve and Chris was there when we checked in. Steve helped my 80 year old husband unloaded our car and unhook the dolly. Chris told me about the park and what was available there and best places to eat. Steve showed me my RV spot and helped me park and level our RV. The bathrooms/ showers are neat and clean and have a security code to enter to use. The RV park is easy to find and is well kept and clean. Trash is picked up at each spot daily. There is a doggy park, swimming pool and hot tub. Denise and Barb also work there too and very nice. When we got to leave they helped us to hook up. We will be back because we really enjoyed it.
Guide
Camp sites were very small and situated on top of each other. Most campers are residents. Cabin camping also very close. Attendant gave us wrong directions to our site and we ended up on a very narrow dead end road.
Guide
Have to say this is by far the best campground I have currently been to. Such amazing sites with stamped concrete pads, some with gas fire pits, full hookups, great landscape with golf course quality grass, peaceful and respectful neighbors. Some of the amenities include a zero entry pool, hot tub, dog park, golf simulator, fitness room, event center, kids room, covered basketball court, golf cart rentals. With many more amenities to come; they are in the middle of a 3 phase opening. This place has only been open about 1 year so its still kind of a hidden gem. The building was previously a church and I believe they still do services on Sundays. There is a coffee shop and froyo right across the road from the resort. There are also tiny homes and glamping tents available to rent. I do try to come up with some kind of negative observations every review all I can come up with is your dog must go to designated areas to use the bathroom. You cannot just let them go at your site. Understandable though because the grass is well kept. Also to prevent the spread of invasive species, you must purchase firewood from the camp store. Not even heat treated firewood is allowed. These are the only quirks I could find. I'll be coming back here every chance I get.
Scout
Great sites right by the river for tents, various unique styles of “cabin camping” along the river and off the river, great staff (brings wood to you!) and if you have family members who don’t wanna rough it they have a great bar(beer, food, music)by the river with WIFI. Everybody wins. Launch your raft or theirs and enjoy the outdoors.
Ranger
Used to be a KOA park turned independent. The campground is introducing "Glamping sites" along with their cabin rentals and RV sites. The manager and staff have been great with accommodations. The campground is family-oriented, quiet at night, and offers activities on the weekends and holidays. Though stated in Goodlettsville, it is in Millersville proper. For restaurants and grocery runs, take I-65 South to exit 97. Of course, you have the Nashville scene, but check out Mansker’s Station for some rich history of true pioneer spirit. Opryland and Downtown Nashville are about 20 minutes away, respectively.
Legend
The park offers several campgrounds than can accommodate RV's, tent camping and primitive campsites. There are water and electrical hookups at all sites except the primitive. There are bathhouses and even cabin rentals for those who prefer that. You can purchase ice, firewood and food at the camp store on property and there is also a place to do your laundry for a small fee. Each site offers a table and grill. All are drive up except the primitive sites. This park has the highest free falling waterfall (256 feet) East of the Mississippi River! There are plenty of activities and hiking to explore just visit the parks website for more information!
GuideWe are traveling in our 33 ft travel trailer. We work full time remotely and use our hotspot to do so. The Verizon service in the rv section of the campground is very poor and we were not able to use the hotspot. The service is better higher up in the campground. The campground does offer wifi (paid) that was fast enough for me to work and do video calls. They kindly offered us vouchers for a couple of days as well.
The campground is super cute. The pool and hot tub area is gorgeous. They have a coffee lounge with communal board games which is cute. The bathrooms and laundry room are clean and very nice. Our dog also loved their dog park.
Their check in system was perfect for our late check in.
We visited in the winter and it was cold enough that they had us turn our water off every night at 6 which was inconvenient but not a real problem considering how nice the showers are.
We stayed in spot A1 which felt a little small because it butts right up to a yurt, but it was enough space for us. Especially considering how cold it was, we didn’t spend much time on the patio.
Cabin camping in Tennessee offers a unique blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home.
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