East Tennessee

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

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).

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.

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

https://www.upthecreekrvcamp.com/

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.

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.

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

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.

Thank you all for the recommendations!