One of the most popular travel destinations on the east coast is Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The area offers tremendous beauty and a host of activities. It draws tourists from all over the country. However, genuinely appreciating the area requires guests to spend several days there. This is why you need to consider staying at one of the many Pigeon Forge campgrounds during your visit.
Today, we’re sharing some of the best Pigeon Forge campgrounds that make it easy to enjoy your mountain getaway. Let’s get started!
Where Is Pigeon Forge?
Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination in eastern Tennessee. It neighbors the city of Gatlinburg and is home to Dolly Parton’s famous Dollywood amusement park. It is a short drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Due to its proximity to several major cities and access through the highway system, it experiences a massive amount of tourist traffic yearly.
When Is the Best Time to Camp in Pigeon Forge?
The best time to camp in Pigeon Forge is during the fall. While this can be a hectic time of year for the area, the natural beauty of the fall foliage paints the landscape with breathtaking colors. Summer is also an excellent time to camp and experience Pigeon Forge. However, this is the busiest season, as many families take advantage of school being out and plan vacations to explore the area.
Give yourself plenty of time to make reservations to avoid challenges with finding a spot to camp during your stay. You can’t expect to show up in this area and find a campsite without a reservation. Some campgrounds sell out for the entire season, especially during their peak.
Can You Camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
There are several camping options in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ll find back-country and front-country campgrounds. However, it’s essential to remember that there is a large population of black bears in this region. You must take every precaution to avoid attracting bears to your campsite. Keep a clean camp and use a bear canister to minimize potential risks to you or your fellow campers.
➔ In addition to bears, some tourists claim to have seen feral people living in the Smoky Mountains, but are these reports fact or fiction? Find out here: Do Feral People Live in the Smoky Mountains?
7 Best Pigeon Forge Campgrounds
There are some fantastic options for camping in Pigeon Forge. While all provide incredible views, some offer better quality or more luxurious camping experiences than others. You can find a campground to fit almost any camping style. Let’s examine some of the best Pigeon Forge campgrounds you might want to consider during your stay!
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort
Address: 149 Cates Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Amenities: You can book one of the RV sites or upgrade to their more upscale lodge rooms. However, all guests have access to the lazy river, activities lawn, entertainment center, duckpin bowling, darts, craft room, and so much more. Guests of all ages will have no trouble finding something to occupy their time.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, but they must remain on a leash, and guests must clean up after them.
Why You’ll Love It: Camp Margaritaville RV Resort is a luxury resort many know for exceeding guest expectations. The park offers various activities and entertainment that will make it easy to fill your schedule. It’s a first-class, luxury experience when you stay at Camp Margaritaville.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 10/10 – It’s always 5:00 at Camp Margaritaville. With everything you could need in a resort, you’ll have no trouble relaxing and enjoying Pigeon Forge at Camp Margaritaville.
Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday
Address: 122 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Amenities: The park offers everything you could ask for in an RV park and then some. The KampK9 dog park is an excellent place for four-legged friends to run and play, and the hot tub and sauna can help campers soak and relax. The campground provides many opportunities for entertainment through scheduled activities. The community fire pit and various games are excellent ways to meet fellow campers.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, never leave them alone, and always keep them on a leash.
Why You’ll Love It: The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday offers many unique amenities that make this an attractive place to stay. You’ll find an outdoor cinema, ladder ball, horseshoe pits, a pool, a lazy river, and much more. You can have a fantastic time enjoying Pigeon Forge without leaving the campground.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 – The easy access to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area makes this resort appealing. You can camp right along the Little Pigeon River all year round. You can also float away your stress in the park’s lazy river!
Clabough’s Campground
Address: 405 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Amenities: The property is approximately 50 acres and has 325 campsites. It also offers cabin, cottage, and vacation rentals for guests. The Claboughs focus on making the guest experience as pleasant as possible. You’ll find free WiFi, laundry facilities, a fitness center, a game room, a pool, and live music throughout the year. Kids needing to burn off some energy will enjoy the multiple playgrounds and can even learn to play gaga ball with other campers.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, but there is a two-pet maximum per campsite, and all pets must stay on a leash less than six feet long. Not cleaning up after your pet will result in a $30 fine and possible ejection from the campground.
Why You’ll Love It: The Clabough Campground property has been in the Clabough family for more than five generations, and it still has the personalized touch that only a family-run campground provides. The younger generation of the Clabough family runs and maintains the park.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10 – the park has multiple pools, a broad playground, and a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. Dogs have plenty of space to play at the dog park, and the camp store offers some delicious treats.
Riverbend Campground
Address: 2479 Riverbend Loop #1, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Website: https://riverbendcampground.com/index.html
Amenities: The campground offers full hookup and pull-through sites on concrete pads. They’re spacious, shaded campsites, some on the river. Guests can enjoy cable TV and WiFi and use the laundry facilities. If you want to enjoy a bit of nature while at the campground, you can try your luck at fishing or floating on the river. The park is within walking distance of a trolley stop to explore the area.
Pet-Friendly: Yes; however, guests must follow all state and county laws for keeping their pets on a leash. Owners are responsible for cleaning up any waste.
Why You’ll Love It: Riverbend Campground in Pigeon Forge is well taken care of, and the staff is amiable. You’ll love being close to all the action but in a setting that makes it easy to enjoy nature. You won’t feel like you’re in the middle of one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 – Riverbend Campground has served campers for over 40 years. They know how to welcome customers and provide a first-class experience to have campers returning annually.
Up the Creek RV Camp
Address: 1919 Little Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
Amenities: The park provides a low-key and calm setting. The park sits between Walden and Cove Creeks, among a forest of hardwood trees providing plenty of shade for campsites. All the sites have water, sewer, and 30/50-amp power service. Guests enjoy cable TV and WiFi at their site, and anyone is welcome to enjoy the open spaces by the creek. Make sure you scout out future campsites, as each location has unique attributes.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, there is a dog park where dogs can run free. However, dogs must stay on a leash whenever not inside an RV or playing in the dog park.
Why You’ll Love It: Up the Creek RV campsites are enormous. If you’re not traveling with kids and looking for a comfortable place to stay in Pigeon Forge, Up the Creek RV Camp is it. There are very few amenities like a pool or playground, but those without kids will enjoy the quiet of the campground.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10 – While they may not have a pool or a fancy clubhouse, they have spacious sites. Many campgrounds in the Pigeon Forge pack RVs close together. However, Up the Creek RV Camp has the largest places in the area and provides a tranquil environment to relax and enjoy the views.
Camp Riverslanding
Address: 304 Day Springs Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Amenities: With more than 103 campsites, 11 RV rentals, and two vacation rentals, there are many options for staying at Camp Riverslanding. The campground sits in the heart of Pigeon Forge, making exploring all the best tourist spots accessible. Sites are concrete pads, and guests can access free, reliable WiFi and cable TV at their site. The campground also has access to fishing, river tubing, and the local trolley stops.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, but you cannot leave them outside or off-leash at any time. Pets cannot be in the bathhouse or pool area. Owners must clean up after their pets.
➔ Every campground has its own rules, especially about pets, but here are 7 RV Park Rules You Should Never Break.
Why You’ll Love It: Camp Riverslanding has served the area since 1968 and sits on the 60-acre former Broady Dairy Farm. Since 2015, the campground has significantly renovated its infrastructure and facilities. The owners have spent more than two million dollars to bring it up to modern RV standards.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 – Camp on the banks of the river and listen to its soothing sounds as you fall asleep. Whether you’re coming for a weekend or longer to explore the Pigeon Forge area, Camp Riverslanding is an excellent place to call home.
Riveredge Campground
Address: 4220 Huskey St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Amenities: Riveredge Campground in Pigeon Forge sits on 10 acres and has 175 RV sites, 21 camping cabins, and five fully-furnished log cabins. The park first started welcoming RVers in 1970 and has continued to expand and grow over the last half of a century. It’s a family-owned and operated campground, and you can sometimes spot the original owners, Ronald and Ricky Huskey, putting their personal touches on the campground and its facilities.
Pet-Friendly: Yes, keep your pet on a leash, clean up after them, and avoid leaving them alone.
Why You’ll Love It: The management does an incredible job maintaining the facilities and keeping everything clean and up to date. There’s something for everyone between the pool, splash pad, and hot tub. Little ones can burn off some energy at the playground.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 – The location and live music make this one campground you don’t want to miss! You’ll have easy access to hopping in your vehicle and exploring Pigeon Forge or using the nearby Fun Time Trolley stop to jump on and off the public transportation around the area.
Enjoy Your Mountain Getaway in Pigeon Forge
A mountain getaway in one of these Pigeon Forge campgrounds is an excellent way to spend your vacation. Experiencing the Smoky Mountains and all of the area’s excitement means not having to worry about being bored during your trip. Luckily, if you choose one of the campgrounds we’ve shared, you’ll have a relaxing place to return to after a day of adventuring. Some of the campgrounds can be a vacation themselves. Where will you stay during your Pigeon Forge adventures?
Hoping to do some boondocking in the Smoky Mountains instead? Try using the Best Boondocking Apps and Websites to Find Amazing Free Camping.
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