Tennessee Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- The Great Smoky Mountains anchor Tennessee’s outdoor identity — it’s the most-visited national park in the country, and booking Elkmont or Cades Cove early matters
- Norris Lake has been called the “Maldives of Tennessee” for its clear emerald water, and it was ranked a top swimming lake nationally in a recent readers’ choice survey
- Fall Creek Falls is one of the tallest sheer-drop waterfalls east of the Mississippi, with a suspension bridge that’s a genuine must-do
- Tennessee is landlocked, so every “beach” here is a freshwater lake beach — plan expectations accordingly
The Smokies Anchor Everything, But the Lakes Are the Real Surprise
Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains get most of the attention, but Norris Lake and Center Hill Lake’s clarity genuinely rival coastal destinations — worth building a lake-focused trip around if the mountains feel too crowded.
Campgrounds
Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The park’s largest campground, in a serene maple-and-poplar forest, famous for the June synchronous fireflies. No hookups, basic amenities. Books out early — this is the marquee Smokies campground.
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Cades Cove Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sits in the heart of the Cades Cove valley, near the loop road and abundant wildlife. One of two year-round campgrounds in the park.
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Fall Creek Falls State Park — Spencer (Cumberland Plateau)
Tennessee’s largest state park, with over 200 tent/RV sites, full hookups, and 56+ miles of trails to waterfalls. Very family-friendly — the suspension bridge is a genuine must-do. Gets crowded at peak foliage, but bathrooms are cleaned daily.
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Anchor Down RV Resort — Dandridge (Douglas Lake)
Frequently called one of the best campgrounds in Tennessee — concrete pads, full hookups, a pool with a water slide, and lake views with a Smoky Mountain backdrop.
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Big Ridge State Park — Norris Lake
CCC-era camping on clear Norris Lake, about 30 miles from Knoxville — a strong pick if the Smokies campgrounds are full.
Learn moreHiking Trails
Laurel Falls — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A paved 2.6-mile round trip to an 80-foot waterfall — the classic easy family Smokies hike. Can get crowded and slick near the falls.
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Grotto Falls (Trillium Gap Trail) — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A family-friendly walk to a waterfall you can actually walk behind — a top beginner waterfall pick.
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Abrams Falls — Cades Cove
A 5-mile round trip to a powerful waterfall, with the drive through Cades Cove itself being part of the experience — watch for bears, deer, and turkey along the way.
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Gorge Overlook & Woodland Trail Loop — Fall Creek Falls State Park
A 3.1-mile loop, the park’s most popular, crossing a suspension bridge over Cane Creek Cascades with overlooks of Fall Creek Falls, among the tallest sheer-drop waterfalls east of the Mississippi.
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Fiery Gizzard Trail — South Cumberland State Park (Tracy City to Foster Falls)
About 12.5 miles, considered one of the best hikes in the country — steep climbs, house-sized boulders, waterfalls, and a swimming pool below Foster Falls.
Learn moreBeaches / Lakes & Swimming Areas
Norris Lake — northeast of Knoxville
Widely called the “Maldives of Tennessee” for its clear emerald water, and named a top swimming lake nationally in a recent readers’ choice survey. Swim beaches at Norris Dam State Park and Loyston Point, with kayak and paddleboard rentals.
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Center Hill Lake — near Smithville
Famously clear water with sandy coves — swimming near Edgar Evins State Park’s marina area, with three state parks and waterfalls nearby.
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Tellico Lake — foothills of the Smokies
Sandy areas for swimming, tubing, and water skiing — calm and scenic, a good pick if you want lake time close to the mountains.
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Old Hickory Lake — near Nashville
Four distinct swim-beach areas with restrooms and picnic tables — genuinely family-friendly and easy to reach from the city.
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Cove Lake State Park — Caryville
A popular family beach in the mountains, good for a quick stop on the way to or from the Smokies.
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Anchor Down RV Resort — Douglas Lake (Dandridge)
Concrete pads, full hookups, a lakefront pool with a water slide — a genuine bucket-list RV resort near the Smokies.
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Fall Creek Falls State Park
Full-hookup 50-amp RV sites, big-rig friendly and open year-round, with unbeatable trail access right from camp.
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Pigeon Forge RV Resort / Pigeon Forge Landing
Full-hookup, big-rig-friendly resorts minutes from Dollywood and the Smokies, with pools and trolley access. Some Pigeon Forge parks pack sites tightly — confirm site dimensions if you’re in a larger rig.
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Raccoon Mountain Caverns & Campground — Chattanooga
Level gravel sites with easy back-in access, praised for cleanliness and scenery.
Learn morePlanning Your Trip
The Smokies should anchor a Tennessee trip if hiking and waterfalls are the priority — book Elkmont or Cades Cove as early as your window allows. If the mountains feel too crowded, or you want to add a genuine lake day, Norris Lake’s clarity is a real standout, not just a consolation prize. Fall Creek Falls is worth the drive either way — the suspension bridge and waterfall combination is one of the best short hikes in this whole series.