Camping Opportunities Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Plan a perfect summertime adventure while camping in Gatlinburg. Located just minutes from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg has plenty of scenic hiking and biking trails, historical settlements, shopping, eateries, fishing, golfing, and more. Those who love the outdoors can explore the numerous camping opportunities in the region.

Camping grounds are plentiful in the Gatlinburg area. They’re the best way to take advantage of the breathtaking Smoky Mountains in their full glory. While camping in Gatlinburg, guests can pitch a tent near the river, stay in a cabin, or even stay at an accessible RV site. These Gatlinburg campsites are equipped with amenities like accessible showers, WiFi, water, and water and sewer hookups for RVs, to make your stay comfortable and relaxing.

Elkmont Campground

Located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this area can accommodate hundreds of tents and supports RV camping, yet it’s only eight miles from Gatlinburg and the Parkway. These grounds are open year-round (except for severe weather), equipped with a playground, bathrooms, fire pits, grills, and more. Guests can fish and even explore the numerous hiking trails. A convenience store is right on the grounds if you need snacks, food, firewood, or ice.

KOA Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Campground

This campground has an abundance of features for the entire family to enjoy. The fully furnished camping cabins are like a home away from home. There are several nearby attractions like Dollywood and The Old Mill, plus shopping, dining, and hiking. Enjoy on-site features like the Gravity Roll, Outdoor Cinema, a playground, and gem mine to search for fossils. RVs are welcome. There are also several areas to pitch a tent.

Twin Creek RV Resort

Located just inside the Gatlinburg city limits, this RV park ranks high among visitors. This campground has beautiful grounds and two rippling streams, hence the name. The camp has free WiFi, a playground, a grocery store, a fire pit, a community center, and more. This particular ground does not allow tent camping. If you want to do some sightseeing, there is an on-site car rental office.

Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove is one of many Gatlinburg campgrounds located about 27 miles from the city limits and right within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This campground is known for its beautiful scenery. Hikers love the 11-mile Cades Cove Trail. You will need to reserve one of the 159 campsites that accept RVs and tents. Amenities include picnic tables, dump stations, RV power hookups, fishing, and more. There are several historical spots and hiking trails around the camp. You can pick up some very nice gifts from the onsite general store.

Greenbrier Campground

This campground is easily accessible to several hiking trails and a swimming hole with a white sand beach. Enjoy great amenities like a tenting area with plenty of grass, water, electricity, primitive tent sites, power plugins for RVs, a bathhouse, camp store, playground, and billiard table. A charcoal and gas grill is available for a little outside cooking. If you prefer, riverside cabins are available for rent.

Outdoor Resorts at Gatlinburg

Outdoor Resorts is a gated camping community that holds hundreds of RV sites. It’s situated near the Gatlinburg city limits but is only a short drive to nearby towns like Townsend or Sevierville. There are plenty of activities to keep guests happy and entertained. This resort area has bathhouses, a pool, a stocked lake where you can fish, and several other amenities. Guests can take advantage of the large picnic area, basketball court, mini-golf, tennis, and volleyball. The camp is also equipped with a coin-operated laundry area, a children’s playhouse, and a recreation center.

Adventure Bound Camping Resorts

This place is a great escape for families when camping in Gatlinburg. This campground is the perfect hideaway with too many amenities to name. You can pitch a tent, bring your RV, or rent one of the many lights and airy cabins. During your stay, race down the 500-foot water slide, fish at the nearby lake, hike a trail, or participate in any number of family-oriented events.

Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday

This family-friendly resort is about 15 acres of fun in the sun. It has all the amenities a camper needs for a relaxing stay. This site has both graveled streets and pavement. You will find dozens of RV hookups, cabins, and tent sites. This area also has a lot of nice hiking trails to explore. The area is landscaped and kept in pristine condition. Be sure to book your stay as soon as possible because this one fills up quickly. It is also close to the downtown area and has plenty of entertainment and shopping venues.

Smoky Bear Campground

The versatile Smoky Bear Campground has accommodations for every camper: full hookup sites for RVs, cabins rentals, and tent sites. Their RV sites are almost a full glamping experience, with 30 or 50 amp pull-throughs, basic cable TV, water, sewer, picnic tables, WiFi, and fire rings. Their cabins are heated and air-conditioned, but their tent sites are secluded and simple for those looking to absorb the wilderness. Smoky Bear Campground even sports a clubhouse to host gatherings and family reunions! Best of all, they’re conveniently placed near the Greenbrier and Cosby entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Check-in to Adventure

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular visitation spots in the United States. In 2021, the park received over 14 million visitors who came to enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and white water rafting. Many choose to reside at one of the campgrounds during their stay. In addition to the camping areas at the Great Smoky Mountain National park, there are several private campgrounds within an hour’s drive. All of these camps offer a wide range of convenient amenities to suit your needs — whether you are pitching a tent, staying in a cabin, or RV. If you need a ride to downtown attractions, take the nearby Gatlinburg Trolley.

Campers should understand that campgrounds are diverse and have their own set of rules and regulations. Most of the campgrounds offer amenities like shower facilities, electricity, flush toilets, restrooms, dump stations, and more. Discover what they offer before you book a stay. The cost and operating hours of camping in Gatlinburg vary for each facility. To find out more information like attractions and cabin rentals, check out Relax Gatlinburg.