Top 15 Campgrounds Near the Great Smoky Mountains
A visit to the Smoky Mountains offers mountain views, incredible flora and fauna sightings, and endless outdoor adventures. Located along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the Smoky Mountains are also known for America’s most visited national park: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, you’ll find every outdoor activity imaginable, from challenging hikes to fishing expeditions.
With many RV campgrounds around the Smoky Mountains, this location is the perfect destination for your next road trip. You’ll find something for everyone to enjoy, no matter what type of group you’re traveling with. Planning a visit to this Tennessee RV hot spot soon? You’ll want to check out these 15 best RV campgrounds near the Smoky Mountains.
Best Time of Year to Visit the Smoky Mountains
Summer is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains, with warm daytime temperatures averaging 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit — perfectly suited for outdoor activities. Whether hiking or mountain biking, you’ll remain comfortable when you reach those higher (and slightly cooler) elevations.
Along with the best weather for outdoor activities, summer is when wildlife is most active. The season even offers flowing waterfalls to explore! You can also take advantage of many leisurely activities, such as horseback riding, fishing, and outdoor concerts. However, you should expect crowds to be highest during the summer.
Fall is another popular time to visit the Smoky Mountains on an RV vacation. Fall foliage is at its peak in October, offering stunning autumn scenes to admire. The average temperatures are usually around lows of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and average highs around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t miss your chance to take a stunning fall hike in the mountains!
15 Campgrounds for Your Smoky Mountain RV Adventure
1. Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park
Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park is among the top-rated campgrounds around the Smoky Mountains. Unlike many other campground sites, Smoky Bear Campground is entirely paved, providing a cleaner feel and smoother drive. Each RV site is equipped with everything you need for a great stay, including free Wi-Fi, full hookup sites, and bathhouses.
Located in the northeast portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this campground offers excellent access to your must-do mountain activities.
2. Whispering River Resort
The Whispering River Resort is another great place to park your RV rental while visiting the Smoky Mountains. This campground is located in Walland, TN, minutes from the national park. The Whispering River Resort is an excellent pick if you’re looking for a campground with plenty of on-site activities. You’ll find a swimming beach, volleyball courts, kayaking, fishing, and even horseshoes at this action-packed campground.
3. Creekside RV Park
Creekside RV Park is one of the best family-friendly RV campgrounds around the Smoky Mountains. It’s also only 4 miles from Dollywood and Splash Country! Creekside RV Park is near many popular Smoky Mountain destinations and offers plenty of on-site recreational activities. From creek fishing to shopping in the camp store, there’s something for everyone at this RV campground.
4. Honeysuckle Meadows RV Park
Honeysuckle Meadows RV Park offers full RV sites and cabin rentals within the Smoky Mountains, and it’s well-suited for RV travelers looking for a peaceful campground outside of town. Honeysuckle Meadows RV Park also offers flexible reservations, with daily and weekly rates available. All stays include full water hookups, cable, sewer, Wi-Fi, and onsite swimming pool and fishing pond use.
5. Camp Riverslanding
If you’re looking for an RV campground that is a vacation in itself, check out Camp Riverslanding.
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN, this RV campsite offers a pool, river tubing, playground activities, fishing, and many other great family-friendly activities. Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, there’s no shortage of fun at Camp Riverslanding.
6. Riveredge RV Park & Cabin Rentals
Riveredge RV Park & Cabin Rentals is a high-end RV campsite that will appeal to RV travelers who want to treat themselves! This campground offers high-speed WiFi, bathhouses with central air conditioning and heating, and even a hot tub. If you’re traveling with young kids, check out the on-site arcade.
7. Up the Creek RV Park
Up the Creek RV Park offers extra-large campsites with stunning views and plenty of privacy. Up the Creek is an excellent option for RV travelers who don’t need all the bells and whistles of more expensive campgrounds. This RV campground keeps prices low by not offering on-site amenities like a swimming pool or recreational activities.
8. River Plantation RV Resort
Located in Sevierville, TN, River Plantation RV Resort is slightly farther than other Smoky Mountain campgrounds listed. However, the modern appearance and updated amenities make it worth the drive!
9. Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday
Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is one of the newest RV campgrounds around the Smoky Mountains, located about 20 minutes outside town. This dog-friendly campground offers a dog park, perfect for groups traveling with pets. You’ll also find many resort amenities and activities, such as a playground, basketball court, and more.
10. Birds Creek Campground
If you’re planning to explore the Smoky Mountains for an extended period, you can’t go wrong with Birds Creek Campground. Their monthly pricing offers a flat-rate price with all amenities included. Located just 7 miles outside downtown Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge, this RV site has full RV hookups, free WiFi, laundry facilities, and plenty of space for fishing and birdwatching. You can’t beat the location of this exceptional campground.
11. Deer Springs RV Park
Deer Springs RV Park is a great campground choice for RV explorers who wish to stay on the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. While this small campground has limited RV sites, spaces are spacious and comfortable. Guests staying at Deer Springs RV Park have access to the Pines Pavillion and a Master Built BBQ Smoker, perfect for the ultimate grilling experience.
12. Smoky Mountain Premium Campground
Smoky Mountain Premium Campground offers large concrete RV sites with full patios and wood-burning fire pits. This prime location in Cosby, TN, is within 15-20 minutes of the most popular Smoky Mountain attractions, such as Ripley’s Aquarium and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Unlike many other RV campgrounds in the area, this location can accommodate large rigs.
13. Foothills RV Park & Cabin Rentals
This private campground offers everything you need to enjoy your Smoky Mountain getaway. Foothills RV Park & Cabin Rentals features 30- and 50-amp hookups, air-conditioned and heated restrooms, on-site laundry facilities, and more. From this campsite, guests can hop on the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley, with easy access to outlet shopping, restaurants, and trolley connections to Gatlinburg.
14. Pine Mountain RV Park
Open year-round, Pine Mountain RV Park offers modern amenities to make your camping experience memorable. Guests can access all expected RV amenities, including full hookups with water, sewer, and power. This popular location can book up fast, so reserve your pull-through or back-in RV campsite as soon as you plan your trip!
15. Arrow Creek Campground
Arrow Creek Campground is known for its friendly staff and clean campground facilities. This family-owned campground is situated in Gatlinburg, just minutes from all the major attractions on your to-do list. Nightly, weekly, and monthly rates are available.
P.S. Don’t Miss Your Chance to Visit Anakeesta
A trip to the Smoky Mountains is not complete without a day trip to Gatlinburg, TN, to check out Anakeesta. Anakeesta is the ultimate mountain theme park, offering everything from ziplining adventures to skywalks! This unique theme park is home to the only single-rail mountain coaster in the United States, known as the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster.
Located just minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anakeesta is worth extending your Smoky Mountain RV adventure by a day or two. Not to mention, they offer easy parking options for your RV rental.
With these great Smoky Mountain RV campsites to choose from, planning the perfect RV road trip is easy. After you’ve reserved a campsite, the next step in planning your getaway is to find an RV rental.
Rent an RV through RVnGO, with RV rental options to accommodate any size group.
