These luxurious RV resorts, tranquil state parks and year-round dispersed camping opportunities shine as bright as any of the jewels of the Southeast. Whether lounging on the beach, walking along the riverbank or sitting lakeside with a cold drink in your hand, waterfront camping is quite popular in these parts. For those who prefer to stay dry, inland camping in the rural woods of this region also can’t be beat.
Anchor Down RV Resort in Tennessee (No. 3 in 2023) assumes the top spot on the 2025 Best Places to Camp in the Southeast Region list after being absent last year. Perched on Douglas Lake with stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains and an impressive lineup of amenities, Anchor Down is so much more than an RV park. Four campgrounds on this list are located in state parks and one, Meriwether Lewis Campground, comes with a built-in history lesson.
Check out these and the rest of this year’s Best Places to Camp Regional Award winners in the Southeast Region, which are based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s vast community of campers.
1. Anchor Down RV Resort — Tennessee
Location: Dandridge, TN
What makes it great: Anchor Down RV Resort offers a luxurious camping experience on Douglas Lake with picturesque views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The resort features 170 spacious, paved sites equipped with full hookups, picnic tables and fire pits.
Guests can enjoy a range of activities such as swimming — in the pool or the lake — kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. Golf cart rentals are available for getting around the resort. It’s also an ideal location for boating and jet skiing.
The resort’s proximity to attractions like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park make it an ideal base camp, but once you arrive at Anchor Down, chances are you’re going to want to … anchor down.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Fantastic! This place lives up to the hype and deserves to be called a resort! Very clean and well-manicured sites. Beautiful views.” — Joy B
“Best Campground in the area. We loved our time here. Very clean with paved sites, pool, basketball and lake. Great place to spend a whole week. We will be back!” — Jake W
Campground details
Price: $49-$139
Number of sites: 170
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
2. Spacious Skies Bear Den — North Carolina
Location: Spruce Pine, NC
What makes it great: Spacious Skies Bear Den is family-friendly camping nestled in the Pisgah National Forest along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground provides a variety of accommodations, including full-hookup RV sites, tent sites and cozy cabins.
Guests can enjoy a range of amenities such as a private swimming lake, stocked fishing lake, hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, and a recreation hall with an arcade. There are more than 13 miles of wooded trails in total and activities like basketball, cornhole and ping pong await back at the campground.
Linville Falls Winery is within close proximity and, for more family fun, check out the Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine and search for emeralds, rubies and aquamarines.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “What a great campground. First off, it has some of the best campsites — wooded and with some level of privacy — that I’ve experienced in awhile. Kids loved the playground and there were a lot of other kids to make friends with. Also we enjoyed Cascades Trail on site. Just a very peaceful and well maintained campground!” — Caroline T
“Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens. Great hiking right from the campground.” — Ken K
Campground details
Price: $24-$242
Number of sites: 124
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
3. Devils Fork State Park Campground — South Carolina
Location: Salem, SC
What makes it great: Devils Fork State Park Campground is situated along the pristine shores of Lake Jocassee. There are plenty of sites for RVs of all sizes and dozens of rustic tent sites with elevated pads.
Outdoor amenities include a beach and rental kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the Oconee Bell Trail, and fishing opportunities abound for trout and smallmouth bass.
The park’s tranquil atmosphere, coupled with its natural beauty and recreational offerings, makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers and families seeking a peaceful getaway. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, to ensure a spot at this popular location.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “The lake was a short walk and absolutely stunning! Crystal clear water allowed us to look at the schools of fish swimming with us. There are plenty of small mouth bass to be claimed as well! We will definitely be back!” — not weird but different
“Outstanding Experience! Our trip to Lake Jocassee at Devil’s Fork was beyond anything we had imagined. The lake was beautiful! So many fun things to explore.” — Rhedonda L
Campground details
Price: $16-$172
Number of sites: 107
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
4. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground — Florida
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL
What makes it great: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground is a blend of natural beauty and modern amenities on the Florida Panhandle. There are more than 150 RV sites with full hookups in addition to tent sites and cabins.
The bathhouses are heated and the action gets even hotter on the shuffleboard courts, but you can cool off in the swimming pool or with an iced coffee at the on-site coffee shop. The property provides easy access to the beach via a tram, bicycle or walking trails, ensuring a peaceful environment by limiting vehicle traffic.
Make your way through the 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, discover countless birdwatching opportunities, and explore unique coastal dune lakes. There’s also plenty of wildlife that adds to the natural charm of the area.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Topsail is more like a RV resort. It is a state park & surprisingly it has sewer hookups. We come down here at least once a year. And have never had any complaints. There is no bad camping spot.” — Nickie F
“Five-stars well-earned. My wife and I are frequent campers in NW Florida and Alabama. Topsail is certainly one of our favorites. Excellent access to the beach, hiking, biking (many miles), lakes, great campground. One of the best!” — jim
Campground details
Price: $24-$145
Number of sites: 178
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
5. Blue Heron Campground — Arkansas
Location: Flippin, AK
What makes it great: Blue Heron Campground offers a serene riverside retreat along the White River, renowned for its excellent trout fishing. The campground provides a variety of accommodations, including RV sites with full hookups designed for hassle-free parking. Each site comes with its own fire pit and chairs.
Guests can enjoy amenities such as a riverfront pavilion and access to canoe and kayak rentals for water adventures. The location allows for easy fishing directly from the bank or wading into the river, enhancing the outdoor experience.
Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, friendly staff and the peaceful atmosphere. Blue Heron Campground provides the pleasure of a natural Ozark Mountain hideaway except it’s right off the highway.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “You will love this campground. It’s a beautiful RV resort next to the water. Step out of your RV and you will see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the United States.” — Wanda S
“We stay at Blue Heron 3-4 times a year and love it! Excellent concrete pads with easy back-in markings for RVs. Great cement patio so there is no mud in case of rain.” — Jodie C
Campground details
Price: $20-$40
Number of sites: 35
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
6. River Run Campground — North Bend State Park — West Virginia
Location: Cairo, WV
What makes it great: River Run Campground offers a family-friendly camping experience in beautiful North Bend State Park. The campground features 49 campsites, split evenly between RV sites and tent areas. Each site is furnished with a picnic table and fire ring.
Campers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fishing in the nearby pond, hiking on the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, and exploring the park’s nature center. In lieu of doing the full 72 miles on the trail, go for a peaceful stroll along the river and observe the local wildlife.
Amenities such as a playground and basketball court are available and the friendly staff and well-maintained facilities contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Great Family Campground. We had a wonderful time. The Park is great and we have stayed at lodge 4 times before but this was first camping trip. We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool, and with the ice cream store nearby.” — Jeremiah S
“Great place to stay! We were at site 13, right on the water. Check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly! … Plenty to do around the park — biking the rail trails, hiking, fishing, basketball, and a nice playground, to name a few! We definitely plan to make another trip there this year!!” — Julie C
Campground details
Price: $35-$123
Number of sites: 49
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
7. Skidaway Island State Park Campground — Georgia
Location: Savannah, GA
What makes it great: Skidaway Island State Park Campground is a tranquil coastal retreat for RVers and tent campers, but there are also three camper cabins and three pioneer group campsites available.
Nature enthusiasts can explore over six miles of hiking trails that wind through maritime forests and salt marshes, offering opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. The park’s interpretive center provides educational exhibits, and an observation tower offers panoramic views of the Skidaway Narrows.
While there is no on-site swimming or boating, Tybee Island’s beaches and Savannah’s historic district are both nearby must-see attractions.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Sites are really large, spaced out and private. Lots of hiking trails right at the campground and two large playgrounds for kids. Close to shopping for food, restaurants etc. The whole campground is just very peaceful, quiet and serene. It is also beautiful with all the Spanish moss.” — Elizabeth E
“This campground is beautiful, with clean facilities and hiking trails within walking distance to campground. We spent one night and loved to experience the park on top of exploring Savannah which is a 20 minute drive. We would definitely return!” — Brian and Janet S
Campground details
Price: $45-$165
Number of sites: 87
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
8. Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites — Louisiana
Location: West Monroe, LA
What makes it great: Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites is a unique combination of camping and wine appreciation. The working vineyard has 11 designated RV sites, each equipped with 30/50 amp electric hookups and water connections.
All sites are conveniently located within walking distance of the tasting room and winery buildings. Guests can indulge in tastings available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and participate in guided tours of the vineyard, cellar and bottling facility on Saturdays.
The vineyard hosts outdoor concerts on Saturdays during spring and fall, providing a lively atmosphere for visitors. It’s also pet-friendly, so those traveling with furry friends are welcome.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “We’ve stopped at Landry Vineyards on our travels, at least a half dozen times. This alone can tell you how much we love it there. This time however, was even better! We were able to time it to coincide with a Saturday afternoon/evening event there at the vineyard and it was spectacular.” — Mike T
“This family-owned vineyard, nestled in rolling hills, offered a peaceful escape. The welcoming staff made us feel right at home, from the first communication to the wine tasting. We stayed at a spacious hookup site with water and electric, offering stunning vineyard views. The peaceful campground was perfect for unwinding. The Saturday evening concert was a highlight, with live music adding a vibrant and memorable touch to our stay.” — Tyler T
Campground details
Price: $40
Number of sites: 11
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
9. Meriwether Lewis Campground — Tennessee
Location: Hohenwald, TN
What makes it great: Meriwether Lewis Campground is located at Milepost 385.9 along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
This free, first-come, first-served campground features 32 sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and paved parking area. While there are no hookups, showers or dump stations, potable water and flush toilets are available on-site.
The campground is situated on a ridge near the burial site of explorer Meriwether Lewis, providing a unique historical backdrop. Guests can explore the nearby Old Trace Trail, which offers scenic views and a glimpse into the area’s history. The campground’s peaceful atmosphere, combined with its proximity to hiking trails and historical sites, makes it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “As busy as it was I still found a quiet spot. Level pads, table and fire ring at all the sites. Will definitely add this to my repeat stop list.” — David R
“Better than a lot of paid campsites. Clean, well maintained, quiet. Spots have some space between them but sparse trees for separation. I am just travelling through the area but if I lived within a day’s drive of here I’d be here regularly.” — Tiel M
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: 32
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: No
10. George Washington National Forest off 812 — Virginia
Location: Glasgow, VA
What makes it great: Free, dispersed camping along Forest Road 812 in George Washington National Forest is accessible via a gravel road, providing a secluded environment ideal for tent campers.
Sites are equipped with fire rings and are situated near a serene creek, enhancing the natural ambiance. The absence of amenities like restrooms or potable water encourages campers to practice Leave No Trace principles and come fully prepared.
The Appalachian Trail provides numerous hiking opportunities and the Blue Ridge Parkway is nearby. Cell service is extremely limited, so this is a true off-grid escape from the digital world.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “We had the absolute best time. It was so peaceful being by the creek and just relaxing. You are off the road of the national forest so cars come by but nobody bothers you and it stays quiet. Will definitely be back soon!” — Kenlei B
“Nice camping spot in George Washington NF. There are multiple spots along the road — some are drive in and some require you to park and walk in. Definitely get there early to get a prime spot.” — Sarah and James H
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes