We would like to visit East Tennessee later this year and are looking for suggestions. We are not city specific but would like to be a 30 to 45 minute drive in to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, etc..We prefer electric (50 Amp) & water and don't necessarily need sewer as long as there is a dump station. Prefer wooded sites in a more natural setting. Typically we do not stay in "parking lot" style campgrounds.I have searched the archives on the forum but haven't been able to find the information.Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Panther Creek State Park, Morristown TN. TVA Douglas Lake Head Waters and Tail Waters campgrounds. Head waters is nicer but tail waters is good. High end is Anchor Down CG. Lots of campgrounds out 321 out of G'burg towards Cosby.

Dumplin Valley CG. Same exit as Gatlinburg. A former dairy farm loaded with character & home of a very popular bluegrass festival in September. Any other time nowhere near full. Great rates compared to others in the area.

Anchor Down RV resort. Nearby but far enough away. On the lake with great views. A great place to stay.

We enjoyed staying in Townsend earlier this year. About a 45 minute drive to Gatlinburg. It is much quieter and less crowded in terms of traffic and tourist traps. Also right at the gate of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We stayed at the KOA, but there are several other less expensive RV parks in town that looked fine.

Dumplin Valley CG is a good suggestion. There is also a Bass Pro and minor league baseball stadium (a nice one too) around the corner.In Townsend, we like Big Meadow which is adjacent to a rafting company as well.But know that these are both regular CGs with rows of sites. Not with the isolated sites like it seems you are looking for. For that, state/national parks is where you'll have to go. I'm local if you want to PM me.eta: whatever you do, stay away from Sevierville/pigeon forge unless you like fighting traffic and crowds.

East Tennessee | Good Sam Community

djsamuel
Nomad
May 29, 2019
I'll also add a big recommendation for Townsend. We've been there many times and always enjoy it. We stayed at Big Meadows Family Campground and really liked it.

In September we are going to try Little Arrow Campground. That is recently rebuilt and has new owners. Looks really nice.

In any case, Townsend is nice and quiet, near the National Park (especially the Cades Cove area), and a short scenic drive away from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Big Meadows is probably the most "parking lot" like followed by Little Arrow. The KOA has a lot of trees and looks nice.
CFerguson
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
Dumplin Valley CG is a good suggestion. There is also a Bass Pro and minor league baseball stadium (a nice one too) around the corner.

In Townsend, we like Big Meadow which is adjacent to a rafting company as well.

But know that these are both regular CGs with rows of sites. Not with the isolated sites like it seems you are looking for. For that, state/national parks is where you'll have to go. I'm local if you want to PM me.

eta: whatever you do, stay away from Sevierville/pigeon forge unless you like fighting traffic and crowds.
one_strange_tex
Explorer
May 29, 2019
We enjoyed staying in Townsend earlier this year. About a 45 minute drive to Gatlinburg. It is much quieter and less crowded in terms of traffic and tourist traps. Also right at the gate of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We stayed at the KOA, but there are several other less expensive RV parks in town that looked fine.
Whammon1
Explorer
May 29, 2019
Anchor Down RV resort. Nearby but far enough away. On the lake with great views. A great place to stay.
Veebyes
Explorer II
May 29, 2019
Dumplin Valley CG. Same exit as Gatlinburg. A former dairy farm loaded with character & home of a very popular bluegrass festival in September. Any other time nowhere near full. Great rates compared to others in the area.
ken56
Explorer
May 29, 2019
Panther Creek State Park, Morristown TN. TVA Douglas Lake Head Waters and Tail Waters campgrounds. Head waters is nicer but tail waters is good. High end is Anchor Down CG. Lots of campgrounds out 321 out of G'burg towards Cosby.

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