10 Best Smoky Mountain RV Campsite

No matter if you are heading to the Smokies for a weekend or for a month, the only way to experience these majestic mountains is camping. You have options, you can stay in a cabin tucked away in the mountains, or you can bring your RV. We have done both and honestly, I recommend doing it both ways. In this article we are going to cover some RV campsites that you must stay at. All have their own unique personality and amenities. All are worth the visit. In this post we cover our top 10 favorite Smoky Mountain RV Campsite.

Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday

The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday may be the best location for a Smoky Mountain RV Campsite. This KOA is located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge, directly behind the trolley depot. This allows you to easily utilize the trolley to go almost anywhere in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Keep in mind the trolley will not take you into the National Park. In order to go and explore one my favorite parks, you will need to have your own vehicle or rent a vehicle.

The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday offers up to 50-amp service. You can enjoy a variety of site types including deluxe patio back in, deluxe patio waterfront (this butts up too Little Pigeon River), and deluxe patio pull through sites. The sites are able to accommodate up to 100’ max length. Site include water, sewer, electric, and cable tv.

Family camping is what the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday is all about. You can enjoy a large jump pillow, zero gravity rail, gem mine, train rides, the list goes on and on. My favorite part of this park is the pool that is open year-round. Not only do you get to soak up some sun in the pool, but they also have a lazy river and a hot tub! If you would prefer to play some outdoor games, you can enjoy the gaga pit, horse shoes, or cornhole. There is even an outdoor theatre, sure to be a big hit.

As you can tell the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday, has put everything together for you to enjoy your vacation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Camping here is nothing short of perfect. The location is superb if you have children that are going to want to enjoy all that Pigeon Forge has to offer.

Anchors Down RV Resort

Anchors Down RV Resort is located at Dandridge Tennessee. This will put you approximately 18 miles from Pigeon Forge and approximately 26 miles from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This extra drive is well worth what you are going to receive staying at Anchors Down RV Resort. This is the most luxurious Smoky Mountain RV Campsite on our list.

Anchors Down RV Resort is the most luxurious Smoky Mountain campsite we have on the list, in my opinion. The views here are breathtaking and the campsites are top of the line. You honestly will forget you are staying at a campsite and not a 5-star resort.

The campsite is located lake side on Douglas Lake. This offers some nice beaches to enjoy when you want to get away from the crowds the surround the National Park. Other amenities include 30 amp and 50 amp service. Large concrete pads, including water, sewer, electric, cable tv, picnic tables, and a beautiful large brick fireplace. Other enjoyable features include paddleboards and kayak rentals, boat dock/slip, a pool with waterslide (open Memorial Day until Labor Day) and a saltwater pool for the kids.

All roads are paved in the park. This seems like a small almost unmentionable perk but once you have been to a park that only has dirt/rock roads. You grow to appreciate not having to constantly wipe down the counter tops in the camper from all the dust getting kicked up. If you don’t mind a 45 minute drive in order to get to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then I highly suggest Anchors Down RV Resort. You will be hard pressed to find a higher quality campsite in the area. We appreciate the extra attention that has been put into the site, in order to make your stay extra enjoyable

Foothills RV Park and Cabins

Foothills RV Park and Cabins is a pretty basic campsite. What is does offer is excellent location. It is located in Pigeon Forge, right before you head out of town toward Gatlinburg. This is going to put you right in the center of everything you could want to do. There is also a trolley stop right at the beginning of this campsite. Very convenient.

Amenities at Foothills RV Park and Cabins include 30 amp and 50 amp service with water, electric, cable tv, and sewer hookups. They can accommodate up to a 32 ft camper and a 36ft motorhome. You get 1 additional vehicle on site, any other vehicles need to park at the store.

Once again, this is another campsite that has all paved roads and campsites. Always a nice feature for me. I personally love not having to spend an hour leveling the camper, and letting the boys ride their scooters on a paved site and road.

A very nice feature is the swimming pool. It is a large heated pool. No need to wonder if the weather is going to be warm enough to let the kids go for a swim. Bring the suits because the water is always perfect here.

Alpine Hideaway Campground

If you are looking for a small affordable Smoky Mountain RV Campsite, look no further than Alpine Hideaway Campground. Located in Pigeon Forge directly next to Foothills RV Park and Cabins. This campsite gives you 62 campsites, tucked away in between 2 mountains offering lots of shade and solitude. Alpine Hideaway Campground is easily within walking distance of a trolley stop and offers a nice pool on site.

Alpine Hideaway Campground offers gated sites up to 45 ft long. All RV sites have cable tv, water, sewer, and electric. They offer 30 amp service as well as 50 amp service. Planning on staying for an extended period of time? They have you covered with discounted rates for monthly stays.

There is no extra fluff at this campsite. Nothing above and beyond, but that is perfectly ok. This campsite excels at offering you a clean, friendly campsite with full hookups, excellent location, all at an affordable price.

One tip I have is to give yourself extra room when booking. Our camper is 32 ft long and when I booked, I told them 32 ft. Well 32ft is all we got, rear bumper into the mountain behind us and front bumper right on the road. No wiggle room. So, when booking I suggest giving yourself a few extra feet right from the get go. 

Camp RiversLanding

Camp RiversLanding is one the most unique Smoky Mountain RV Campsite, located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge. It is a great place to be if you don’t mind being in a park that is a little more “awake”. What I mean by that is no matter what time you go through the park, there is always people outside, kids playing, and noise to be heard. Some people don’t mind that and other hate it, I just wanted to let you know about that. The sites are a little close together for my liking ( I actually have seen some campers collide while maneuvering within the sites).

Now after saying all that I am going to say this. If you are wanting to park the RV and visit the area on foot. This park has the best location to do that hands down. Camp RiversLanding is located right on the Pigeon River and right off the main strip in Pigeon Forge. There are 3 trolley stops within the park alone. You can easily walk to most restaurants, shopping, and activities your family will want to enjoy.

Amenities include 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups. Water, sewer, and cable tv. Jump pad, playground, game room, dog park, and free Wi-Fi. The kids will enjoy the pool and splash pad that is open from March until October. One of the most unique amenities offered at the site would be the tube floating down the river. You can put in and relax on a innertube, floating down past your campsite. This is a fun way to slow down, and enjoy the nature without ever leaving your camp.

Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park

The Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park is everything you come to expect of any of the Jellystone Parks. It is very family friendly!! You will not have to worry about the kids making too much noise for the neighbors, as this is exactly why the Jellystone Parks where created.

Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park has 2 pools, 2 playgrounds, a jump pillow, and free Wi-Fi. There is a large pond that is stocked on a regular basis, they even sell fishing gear. All sites are concrete pads to park on, premium sights offering a large concrete camping area and patio furniture. All sites have full hookups, including water, sewer, electric, and cable tv.

One of my favorite activities Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park offers is milk and cookie with Yogi Bear. I think this is the cutest experience you could do with young kids. You can book Yogi bear himself to come to your campsite and have milk and cookies with the kiddos. It is sure to be an experience that the kids won’t be soon to forget.

Location of the Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park is pretty decent. You are a little further off the main road in Pigeon Forge. Not saying that is a bad thing, a lot less traffic just off the main drag. The park is located only 1 mile from Dollywood. So, if you are planning on spending time at Dollywood, this campsite offers prime location for you.

No matter how you slice it, Jellystone is just a great family friendly park. They are held to a high standard and always are kept very clean and friendly. If you are traveling with kids, you just cannot go wrong staying at Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park.

Gateway to the Smokies RV Park and Campground

So we have covered a lot of family campsites, but I thought it is just as important to add some quieter Smoky Mountain RV Campsite. A campsite that is a little lower key. That is what you get with the Gateway to the Smokies RV Park and Campground. This campsite offers cabins as well as tent campsites, but I would like to cover the Premium RV campsites.

Premium RV campsites are all back in only. They feature a large concrete pad in your camping area, and many have built in premium fire rings. The sites have a 40 ft long concrete parking pad, with an additional 10 ft of asphalt driveway. This gives you plenty of space to spread out and enjoy. All premium RV sites have 30 amp and 50 amp service. They offer water, electric, sewer, Wi-Fi, and cable tv.  It is worth noting that the campsite does allow for 2 cars to be included with the reservation. That is something you don’t see very often at many campsites.

Location of the campsite is off the main road by a few miles in Pigeon Forge. Not really located by anything. Making the Gateway to the Smokies RV Park and Campground just perfect for a relaxing weekend in the mountains. It is close enough to everything that you can have a short drive to get anywhere, but far enough away that you will get away from all the traffic noise.

They do recommend reservations, even though they are not mandatory. They also require a 3-night stay on most holiday weekends. Not really a big deal but something I like to mention.

Twin Creek RV Resort

Twin Creek RV Resort is a excellent campsite that is perfect for everyone. It is super clean and well kept. All internal roads are paved and all RV sites are paved. All sites have a 12’ by 15’ cement pad. Twin Creek RV Resort is the only campsite on our list that is located in Gatlinburg. That is because if you are looking for a Smoky Mountain RV Campsite in Gatlinburg, this is the only one to stay at in my opinion.

With this being a Resort, you can expect all the amenities and all the comforts. All sites have 30 amp and 50 amp service. Giving you full hookups including electric, water, sewer, cable tv, and Wi-fi. RV sites can accommodate up to a 45’ unit.

The location of Twin Creek RV Resort is fantastic. They are located only 2 miles from Gatlinburg. The property has 2 creeks that run through the campsite (who would have thought that). The property butts up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What more could you want?

Twin Creek RV Resort has some unique features that set them apart. One of those are the POOLS!!! They have large in ground pools for adults, as well as a good-sized kiddie pools that only have a depth of 1 ft. The best part is they have a hot tub that is kept at 104 degrees. Keep in mind a hot tub is no place for children and that is why the resort has a strict rule of nobody under 16 in the hot tub!

Some other unique features is the jeep rentals. You can rent a car or Jeep right on the property. No need to go anywhere else. This gives you a unique way of experiencing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You may also enjoy the boutique located in the store. Offering an arrange of shirts, purses, and jewelry.  Always a hit with the wife!!

Clabough’s Campground

There are not too many campsites out there that I can honestly say have thought of everything. Clabough’s Campground is in fact one of those campsites that have almost everything you could ever want in a family friendly campsite. Clabough’s Campground has 310 sites, 70 of them are pull through. The offer 30 amp and 50 amp service, with sewer, water, Wi-Fi, and cable tv.

Much of the amenities are focused on family fun time in the park. They have a 2 swimming pools, a lazy river, and jump pillow. Not only are the kids going to be entertained but Clabough’s has decided that it is no fun having to leave the campsite for your everyday essentials. So, they have a restaurant on site serving breakfast and lunch. As well as gas and diesel for the rigs. You can even enjoy heading to the grocery store for any of those items we thought we packed, but now cannot find.

There are 4 bath houses and 3 laundry rooms. Now these laundry rooms are not just a single washer and dryer in a glorified closet. These are nice laundry rooms. They are huge, you actually might enjoy getting away from the kids for a minute in order to catch up on the laundry.

One thing that caught my attention is they even have a workout room on site. Not that I plan on working out on my vacation (or not on my vacation for that matter) but it is a nice feature that you normally do not see at your everyday campsite. Like most of these other sites there is a trolley stop at the park. Allowing easy cheap travel to most of everywhere you will want to go.

Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday

I am saving one of my favorites for last. The Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA Holiday. This is located in Cherokee North Carolina. So it is a lot farther out than all the other campsites on this list. That can be a bummer if you are planning on hitting all the tourist attractions in Pigeon Forge. If you are planning on spending all your time in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park then this campsite is for you.

The KOA has 30 amp and 50 amp service. Full hookups including water, sewer, electric, and cable tv. There is W-Fi available. They have a awesome pool and hot tub that is open year round, thanks to its enclosure, making it a indoor pool with the feeling of being outdoors. The KOA can accommodate up to 136’. So plenty of room for your big rig.

The best thing about this park is its location to the National Park. From leaving the site, to entering the gates you are only around a 5 minute drive. Barely any traffic, unlike coming from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. The campsite is quite and very dark. Giving you a beautiful night sky full of every star you can imagine. The site is nestled ibetween 2 mountains and the beauty is stunning here.

We visited here during the fall and the leaves changing gave us some great views. Also a added plus is the Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA Holiday is all about Halloween. Completely decorating the entire site. They have a large outdoor movie screen playing family friendly movies that everyone will enjoy.

Large trout ponds welcome you when you pull into the campsite, offering great fishing for the family. Added bonus the campsite is only 1.5 miles from Mingo Falls. One of the largest falls in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Camping in the Smokies

No matter what Smoky Mountain RV Campsite you decide to go with, you will not be disappointed. All of these sites offer great amenities and great memories. Onced you have camped in the Smokies, your soul will scream to go back year after year. Heck you might was well, there is plenty to see and plenty to do. One thing is for sure, you will never get bored of the Smoky Mountains.

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