East Tennessee

[Piddlers]

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!

[Piddlers]

Thank you again everyone! I appreciate your knowledge and suggestions!

[DouglasC]

A new section of the Foothills Parkway between Townsend and Wears Valley was opened last November (it been under construction for years). Great views of the Smokies. Also, as has been mentioned, Townsend is close to the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - - and must see if you are in the area (there is a GSMNP visitor center in Townsend on US 321 that will have lots of information about the Park).

[Braces]

Greenbrier CG north of G"burg up 321 might be what you would like. SWim in creek, nice open common area in center and sites next to or near creeks. Not a paved parking lot. Very close to Greenbrier entrance to GSMNP with some
nice, easy, shorter hikes that can be stretched to much longer strenuous ones. Kind of like park cgs but FHUs.

[crawford]

Anchordown is the cat's behind great place to camp.

[TxGearhead]

https://www.upthecreekrvcamp.com/

[Campinghoss]

We have stayed at Anchor Down. While it is nice, it is very hot and not a lot of shade. Mostly asphalt.

We go to Up the Creek cg. It is just outside of P Forge and a easy drive to the areas desired. It is also as country as you can get in that area.

[spoon059]

Anchor Down is a great campground, but doesn't really sound like what the OP is looking for. OP, just above the dam and across the river from Anchor Down is Douglas Dam Campground (also called the Headwater Campgrounds). Just under the dam and right on the water is the Douglas Tailwater Campgrounds.

They both look right up your alley, wooded and less commercial and both offer water and electric. We really liked how Tailwater looked, its literally on the water a little ways below the dam.

https://www.tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/content/douglas-dam-headwater-and-tailwater-campgrounds/ten33694afd6f5839141

For those considering Anchor Down, it is really gorgeous. Its up on a hill, so you have to walk down a path to get to the water. Really nice pool with a pretty good snack bar, very pretty campground with great views and nice pads. Main office and restrooms were very nice. Not a lot of trees, it gets toasty in August when we went. We loved it and will go back again (8 hour drive though). Pretty easy access to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg too.

[Cocky_Camper]

We are looking at Anchordown sometime in 2020. Never stayed there, but it looks very nice.

[monkey44]

A little farther, but "Land of the Lakes" is a great place - large enought to have fun, but small enough to enjoy. Hummingbirds, elk, deer and other interesting views. It runs a hose section too, if interested.

[Piddlers]

Thank you all for the recommendations!

[djsamuel]

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]

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]

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]

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