12 Amazing Campgrounds Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campground of the Week

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire country and one of the most popular places to camp. The park is spread out over 500,000 acres with dozens and dozens of campground options, it can be overwhelming to choose from all of the amazing campgrounds in the area. In fact, one of the most frequently questions asked in the RV Atlas private Facebook group is, "What's the best campground in the Smokies?"



There's no single answer to that question. Where decision of where to stay should be based on the geographical area you wish to be in, the type of environment you wish to experience, and the amenities you are looking for in a campground. There are resort campgrounds smack dab in the middle of Pigeon Forge and dry campgrounds tucked away in the national park. And yes, it's hard to pick just one out of all the amazing options. Perhaps that's why we often end up staying at a few different campgrounds during our visits. Just call us campground hoppers.



Whether you choose one campground or three, here's a roundup of 12 of the most amazing campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park region. All of these campgrounds come highly recommended from experienced campers in the the RV Atlas community. Good luck finding your perfect place. Here's a Google Maps list of the 12 campgrounds we are featuring in this roundup, and we've personally visited each one.



The campgrounds are organized into loose geographical areas. However, close is a relative term in the Smokies, and you should map your campground choice to calculate the distance between your basecamp and chosen attractions, hikes, and drives. For example, we stayed at Imagination Mountain to be near Gatlinburg, but it's still a 25 minute drive. That's mountain life for you.

Campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is arguably the most popular tourist hub in the Smokies. It's known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the main visitor's center, Sugarlands Visitor Center, is just 10 minutes from downtown. Some of the most famous park hikes and drives are near the main drag as well, such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Chimney's Picnic Area. Some campers love to be right in the middle of the action, and others will cringe at the streets full of tacky t-shirt and fudge shops. If you want a quiet getaway, Gatlinburg is not your best option in the Smokies. However, if you love to mix your hikes with amusement park rides and aquarium visits, check out these fabulous campgrounds near Smoky Mountains National Park.

Greenbrier Campground





The Little Pigeon River runs around the Greenbrier Campground, offering guests a swimming hole, private beach, and onsite trout fishing. There are full hook up sites--some with direct river access--and some wooded options, plus tent sites and cabins. Campers rave about the pet-friendly policies and cleanliness. Greenbrier offers plenty of recreation for families including volleyball, gaga ball, badminton, bocce ball, and corn hole. The campground is less than a half mile from the Greenbrier entrance to GSMNP.

Imagination Mountain





Imagination Mountain (previously known as Great Smoky Mountain Jellystone Camp Resort), is a short 20-minute drive to Gatlinburg but feels like a million miles away. Almost all of the sites are creekside, and the friendly camp hosts will get your RV situated perfectly in a snap. There is a pool, arcade, ice cream parlor, and well-stocked camp store. Organized activities are available on a daily basis for the kids during the summer season. The combination of natural beauty and family-friendly amenities has made this campground a favorite for a lot of campers.

Campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Pigeon Forge

People seem to either love or hate staying in the Pigeon Forge ar...