Top 10 RV Parks Near the Gatlinburg, TN Area

Top 5 reasons why it is a fun place to visit:

1. Visit the Sugarlands Distilling Company
2. Check out the Ole Smoky
3. Hike the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4. Visit the Gatlinburg SkyLift park
5. Stroll through the Village Shops

List of top 10 RV Parks in the Gatlinburg, TN area:

(Disclaimer: information is a compilation of researched info as published online and does not necessarily reflect the experience or opinion of the author)

The RV parks have been ranked and are listed from “Most Recommended” to “Least Recommended” based on reviews, feedback, amenities, and preference. Cost was not the primary ranking driver. Please note that weekend RV families with children might have different needs than full-time RV “snowbirds”.

1. Douglas Lake Campground

According to their Website, “[c]ampers have access to a boat ramp, walking trail, swimming beach, wildlife viewing area and bird watching. The campground is near Trotter Bluff Small Wildlife Area, which has walking trails that span through 30 acres of hardwood forest with limestone sinkholes. It offers great opportunities for photography with vistas of Douglas Dam and its tailwaters. It is also a great area for wildflower enthusiasts.” (Source: Douglas Dam Headwater Campground – Douglas Lake (douglas-lake.org))

What makes this park unique?

This park is one of seven camping parks (of the park cluster at Douglas Lake). It is a self-serve park, yet very clean and laid-back, surrounded by nature and with lake views and lake access.

2. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

This park has amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the lake. This is a seasonal park, closed December through March. It is close to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.

What makes this park unique?
This is a great summer resort RV park: located on a lake, it offers sandy beaches to relax on and to access the lake for the many water activities. There is a camp store for camping necessities, such as ice cream or marshmallows.

2. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

Nestled in the wilderness of the Smoky Mountains, this resort prides itself on having perfected glamping: with luxury RV sites, tiny homes, glamping tents and cute rental cabins, this park is a great venue to spend time outdoors without having to compromise luxury and comfort.

What makes this park unique?

This park has sites on the Little River, with covered decks at the sites that are located directly on the water. One can spend an evening at the community campfire, roasting marshmallows and listen to the twittering birds.

3. Anchor Down RV Resort

This park has amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the lake. This is a seasonal park, closed December through March. It is close to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.

What makes this park unique?
This is a great summer resort RV park: located on a lake, it offers sandy beaches to relax on and to access the lake for the many water activities. There is a camp store for camping necessities, such as ice cream or marshmallows.

4. Duwall in the Smokies

This park has 650 ft of riverfront and is located at the base of the Smoky Mountains. It’s a refreshing and relaxing vacation getaway.

What makes this park unique?
This park is very quaint, by the river and with access to hot tubing and other water activities. One can rent out a “Bonanza 5th wheel”, which is a covered wagon-to experience the olden ways of travel stay.

5. Two Rivers Landing RV Resort

This resort is a luxurious beautiful place that mingles nature and relaxation in one area. The water views are spectacular, and the resort is close to Gatlinburg.

What makes this park unique?
The riverfront and private sites are only available for motorhomes, while the $68 sites are for all RV types and classes. The park is meticulously manicured, and the views are spectacular. There are many amenities so that one can stay a while; in fact, the $100 motorhome private sites require a 3-day minimum stay.

6. Cove Creek RV Resort

This resort is a five-star luxury resort in pristine nature. One can unwind and relax here, with no worries about being comfortable with all the amenities on site.

What makes this park unique?

This spectacular park is in the Smokies, with mountain views and gorgeous sites. This park offers monthly rates and is set up for extended stay. One can go fishing at the stocked pond during the day or gaze at the stars at night.

7. Up the Creek RV Camp

Right on Cove Creek, this park has pull-through and back in sites that face the creek. This is a serene and laid-back park with a beautiful view of all that the area has to offer.

What makes this park unique?

One of the quietest parks in the Pigeon Forge area, this park is a wonderful getaway and a well-kept secret for those who come and return each year. The sites are level and well-landscaped.

8. Foothills RV Park

Nestled in the woods, this park has plenty of space for one’s RV, as well as cabins for guests during family reunions and getaways. This 5-star rated park (according to Tripadvisor) is a relaxing spot to unwind, unplug and still within short distance to all the activities in the area.

What makes this park unique?

This is a quaint little getaway in the Smoky Mountains, minutes away from Dollywood and within an hour away from everything there is to see in the Smoky Mountains. This park is also on the Pigeon Forge Parkway Fun Time Trolley Route (say that ten times fast!).

9. Cades Cove Campground

This campground is managed by NPS. According to their Website, “Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible.” (Source: Cades Cove – Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov))

What makes this park unique?

According to their Website, “Vehicle-free access along the Cades Cove Loop Road takes place each Wednesday, from May 5 through September 1, 2021. On these days, the 11-mile loop can be enjoyed on foot or bicycle.
An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area’s trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. While driving the loop road, please be courteous to other visitors and use pullouts when stopping to enjoy the scenery or view wildlife.” (Source: Cades Cove – Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)) The max RV length is 35 ft. The season is 5/15-10/31.

10. Riverside Campground and Resort

This is a family-owned and operated business with over 40 years in the hospitality business industry. There are cabins, as well as RV and tent sites. The park is surrounded by mature trees, water, and mountains. The views are spectacular.

What makes this park unique?

Located on the Little Pigeon River, this park is a large resort with many amenities to keep visitors comfortable while visiting the area. Unfortunately, the size of the park is felt by the tight sites and little space in between each site.

TIPS TO GET TO GATLINBURG

Gatlinburg, which is located about 40 miles Northeast of Knoxville, is a tourist destination for several reasons. There are many tourist attractions and outdoor adventures for the whole family. Gatlinburg can be accessed via US-441 from Pigeon Forge or via US-321 when coming from Newport. When traveling from Townsend, TN, it is advisable to take US-321 toward Pigeon Forge and then drive South to Gatlinburg, as SR-73 is not a good road to take with RVs.