I’ve never been to a KOA. I’ve never been to the Great Smoky Mountains. The area and campground were a wonderful introduction for me. This campground has great amenities including an awesome shower house, laundry facility and camp store. Plus an outside patio and indoor recreation area. You could rent ATV’s, swim in the pool, rent bikes and enjoy a group bbq. The owners were always available and staff were very friendly and helpful. And you’re right smack in the middle of this beautiful area. I’d come back in a heartbeat.

If you want seclusion away from the parking lot atmosphere down the road at Yankee Springs this is your place. There is much more space at each campsite and lots of old growth trees. The sites over looking Deep Lake are wonderful if you can snag one. This is a rustic campground and they have NO electricity or water and many are smaller tent sites. But the peace and quiet is great. You are just a short drive away from Yankee Springs and Gun Lake with the huge beach, plus you are basically right on the NCT and have access to miles of hiking and biking trails. This is a great campground if you don’t mind “roughing it”.

We have been camping here for 30+ years. It’s our local go-to campground. The sites are large, lots of old growth trees so you don’t feel like you’re in a parking lot. Modern showers and bathrooms are available as well as rustic out houses. The draw for us is the miles of biking and hiking trails and the two lakes for kayaking. There are designated areas for horses as well. You can fish, swim at the beautiful beach, get a snack from the store and kick back at your campsite. We love this place. Great family atmosphere with on site host during peak months. Come out and enjoy this gem.