Gatlinburg is a beautiful mountain located in East Tennessee. There is a lot this location has to offer, but undoubtedly its biggest claim to fame is being known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of the primary entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the country, lies just a few miles outside of Gatlinburg and it offers the start of many outdoor adventurers. Including some amazing Gatlinburg campgrounds.
Of course, if you are going to head to the Gatlinburg area for outdoor adventures, why not make your entire trip about the outdoors? There are a lot of fantastic campgrounds in this area that offer their own attractions as well as being close to big area attractions like the Smokies.
Check out the top 6 Gatlinburg campgrounds:
1. Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
1739 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-8831
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Photo Credit by @heather_the_realtor on Instagram
This is not your standard campground. When they put luxury in their name, they meant it! Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort is conveniently located right on East Parkway and just about across the street from the Little Duddly Horse Trail. There you can find stables where guests can rent a horse and join in on a guided tour through the forested mountains.
The amenities at Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort are a bit sparse, primarily offering a pool and a short but well-landscaped walking trail. Rather, where this location really shines, is in its accommodation offerings. Here, they really took to the term glamping and accommodations for guests include luxury tree houses, vintage (but beautifully rehabbed) trailers, unique safari tents, and, of course, more traditional camping spots for tents and RVs. Their upgraded accommodations are incredibly well done and offer a perfect retreat for those who like the idea of camping, but want to enjoy it with style.
2. Roamstead Smoky Mountains Campground
4946 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722
423-487-5534
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Photo Credit: Roamstead Smoky Mountains Campgrounds
A more modern outdoor resort in Cosby, just 20 minutes outside of Downtown Gatlinburg, Roamstead Smoky Mountains Campgrounds offers room for a little bit of everything. Whether you want to set up your RV or camper, you want to stay in a Yurt, or you want to set up your tent! The lodge includes a pavilion and heated pool that offers the perfect relaxation for your camping experience.
This campground not only offers a more modernized and vibrant feel to camping, but it also has partnered with Friends of the Smokies which dedicates proceeds for efforts in preserving the park.
3. Greenbrier Campground
2353 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-430-7415
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Photo Credit by @greenbriercampground on Instagram
Greenbriar Campground is located near the intersection of East Parkway and Pittman Center Road, just north of the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a fantastic location as it offers a great base camp spot for outdoors enthusiasts who want to explore deep into the park.
This campground features traditional camp amenities and accommodations. Here, you can reserve a site for your tent or for your RV or similar camping set-up. Each camping site features a picnic table and a fire ring, with WIFI available throughout Greenbrier Campground. This location also has a lot of great on-site activities to keep both kids and adults in your group active and engaged. Such amenities include a private swimming beach, volleyball, and badminton courts, children’s playgrounds, luxury bath houses, and more.
4. Adventure Bound Camping Resorts
4609 East Pkwy, US-321, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-4434
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Photo Credit by @jgeyer1987 on Instagram
Adventure Bound Camping Resorts in Gatlinburg is a busy place with over 150 tent spots, RV pull-ups, and other accommodation sites. In fact, those looking to stay here can opt to enjoy their time in a deluxe cabin, log cabin, or a more luxurious option called the Tennessee Cabin. Of course, no matter what type of lodging you and your family choose, you will still get to enjoy all of the outstanding amenities offered at this location. And there are a lot of amenities.
Gatlinburg’s Adventure Bound Camping Resorts is exceptionally kid-friendly. This location has a complete water fun zone that includes a thrilling 500-foot water slide as well as a swimming pool. There is also an activity center and an arcade that offers a perfect hang-out spot during rainy weather. WIFI is available throughout the campground as part of the camping rate. While the campsites here may be a bit closer together than more avid campers might like, the affordability and massive array of amenities make Adventure Bound Camping Resorts a great value choice. This is especially true for those traveling with young children in need of plenty of attractions to keep them entertained.
5. KOA Holiday Campgrounds at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg
3122 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
800-562-7703
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Photo Credit by @haley.morgs on Instagram
Are you a person who likes to know exactly what to expect with your camping experience? If so, then you would probably love the experience offered by KOA Holiday Campgrounds. KOA Campgrounds is the most recognized camping brand with over 500 campgrounds across the United States and Canada. But while we call it a brand, it is important to note that each KOA Campground is privately owned, each operating as a franchised location that adheres to certain guarantees. For campers like you, that means when you book or pull into a KOA Holiday Campground, you know that you can expect clean facilities, premier amenities, and outstanding service.
The KOA Holiday Campground at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is no different. Amenities abound at this campground with every site, including individual tent sites, featuring water and electricity, fast WIFI access, a fire ring, and a grill. Pets are allowed in all tent and RV sites and available activities include a pool, lazy river, outdoor cinema, pet walk, gem mine, Frisbee golf, and so much more. If you’ve been bored at your last campsite, then you’ll love all that this Gatlinburg campgrounds has to offer.
6. Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park
4857 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-8372
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Photo Credit by @ctheusa_thompsonsgarage on Instgram
Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park is a cozy campground located on East Parkway. This location offers concrete padded pull-through sites as well as gravel back-in sites for RV owners, private wooded pea-stone tent campsites, and premier cabins with air conditioning and heat. Those cabins are even pet-friendly for those traveling with smaller dogs! Amenities at this Gatlinburg-area campground include a swimming pool, hot tub, a camp store that features a free book and DVD lending library, and a playground.
Where to Go After You’ve Settled Into Your Gatlinburg Campsite?
Once you’ve chosen your Gatlinburg campgrounds and have your set-up all cozy, the next decision is where to visit come sunrise. This area has as many exciting attractions as laid-back ones, like meandering trails along small valley ponds. Be sure to check out our other pages to learn more about all this area has to offer, including top places to eat out and shop for souvenirs during your stay.
