Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg

We are staying at Riverside in Seviervile TN beginning 10/21. Got these reservations about a month ago. They were the 3rd CG I called, so as others have said, your choices will be limited. I'd go to RVParkreviews.com or RVParky.com and just start calling any places that look decent per the reviews.

Our favorite place is Pine Mtn RV Park in Pigeon Forge.

As many have indicated, it may be hard to find a spot this late in the game. The sites fill up quickly.

We have a site the weekend of Oct 20-22 at Douglas Dam Headwater campground (water/electric only) and we made ours in May. This is just outside of Pigeon Forge and right on the lake and is $25/night instead of $50 and 60 per night.

They do have 3 bath houses and the sites that are NOT on the water, but have a water view are nice. We usually stay in sites #14-20.
I just checked their website and they do have several sites still available for the first week and weekend of October. You will not be in the mountains, but you will be on the lake. They have usually dropped the level of the lake by October, but you still plenty of water to paddle around. We had both of our kayaks there last year and had a blast. The weather was perfect - warm during the day and cool enough in the evenings for a good fire.

Douglas Dam Headwater Campground

At this time, I think it may be where you can find a site. We are staying at Smoky Bear the first weekend in Oct. We wanted to be closer to Cades Cove, but the campground with the best reviews was booked, and this was 2 months ago. Smoky Bear has great reviews, but we've never stayed there before.

I would stay on the south/east side of the park near Fontana Lake for the kayaking and camping and make some day trips into PF/GB, that is about the only lake water near the park worth kayaking on, there is junaluska lake over near Maggie Valley but it is not what I would call a nice kayaking lake.

Camp LeConte was nice last year.Sites were decent, not huge but big enough, plus there is a trolley stop right out front if you are going to Gatlinburg or even Pigeon Forge. No reason to take the truck all the time.

Smokey Bear, about 20 minutes east of Gatlinburg. Quiet, away from the commotion of PF and Gatlinburg, squeaky clean, and the hosts are wonderful people. There is a nice full grocery store about 10 minutes away.

Pine Mtn in PF. It appears that you waited to the last minute. Your selection will be limited. October is leaf peeping month in the area. Good luck.

There are many campgrounds in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon forge area, but I would steer you towards the Townsend/Cades Cove side of the Smokies. It is much quieter. Big Meadow Campground can handle just about any size rig. Back in G/PF, Black Bear Campground is right in Dollywood's backyard.