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When most people think of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the first thing that comes to mind is Dollywood. This world-famous theme park offers something for everyone, from thrilling roller coasters to family-friendly shows and rides. But there’s more to Pigeon Forge than just Dollywood! There are also plenty of great campgrounds near dollywood for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors while also visiting the theme park.
Why Camp in the Smoky Mountains Near Dollywood?
The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful, natural setting for a camping trip. And when you camp near Dollywood, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the great outdoors and the world-famous theme park. Here are some of the top reasons to camp in the Smokies near Dollywood:
1. Convenient Location: When you camp near Dollywood, you’ll be just a short drive away from all the fun of the theme park. And when you’re ready to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find that’s it’s also just a short drive away.
2. Beautiful Scenery: The Smoky Mountains are home to some of the most stunning scenery in the country. And when you camp near Dollywood, you’ll be surrounded by this natural beauty.
3. Plenty of Activities: In addition to Dollywood, there are also plenty of other great activities to enjoy in the Smokies. You can go hiking, fishing, biking, and more. Dont forget to check out downtown Gatlinburg, too!
4. Great Campgrounds: The Smoky Mountains are home to some great campgrounds. And when you camp in one of these campgrounds near Dollywood, you’ll have your pick of the best, with great amenities like pools, game rooms and more. Many of the campgrounds have cabins if you don’t want to tent camp or bring your rv!
Best Campgrounds Near Dollywood
As a kid, Pigeon Forge was about the only place we went tent camping and I have so many great memories of the KOA on this list! I want to make memories like these with my own kids, so we pack up and head out to the Great Smoky Mountains many times a year (and we always get Dollywood season passes, so be sure to check out all of our great information about Dollywood!).
All of these campgrounds have your basics, like electrical and water (full hookups) and picnic areas, as well as fire rings, a dump station, and concrete pads for RV campsites. Many have laundry rooms and all offer easy access to the theme park.
Here are the closest campgrounds to Dollywood, listed by proximity to the park.
Pigeon Forge Jellystone
This is the closest campground to Dollywood theme park, and it really has everything you need! This company has over 75 campgrounds across the US and Canada, so they really have thought of everything. This is a great location if you are in the area to enjoy Dollywood but still also be near the other attractions of Pigeon Forge.
Accommodations: They have many options here, but don’t plan on bringing a tent. You can get one of three types of RV sites: premium, standard, and economy. You can also rent a 2 or 5 person glamping tent, rent an RV or a cabin.
Amenities: This is really a great campground if you are looking for things to do at the camp site. There is a playground, 2 pools, a jump pad, and fishing pond. There is also free wi-fi and even a fenced dog park if you bring your furry friend along. They have nice, clean bath houses, an on-site camp store, and laundry facilities (you do have to pay a little extra, but for us if we are staying more than 3 nights we want to wash our clothes).
Location: 3404 Whaley Drive, Pigeon Forge
Learn more about Jellystone and make a reservation here
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Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA
This is the campground I remember as a kid! KOA is also a national chain of campgrounds and they have been around for a long time (which is why I remember them lol). This campground is really nice and we see it every time we drive to Dollywood and I have such fond memories of the place.
Accommodations: This is where you want to go if you want to tent camp near Dollywood. They have tent sites, which is great for families who prefer to tent camp. They also have RV sites, cabins and even special sites for groups. I love their adorable cabins! They have small cabins with no restrooms (you use the camp bath houses) all the way up to larger cabins with full amentities.
Amenities: They have a ton of fun things here: games and activities for the whole family including bocce ball, corn hole, gaga ball, ladder ball, a pool with lazy river, bicycle rental, fun train, gravity rail, jumping pillow, outdoor cinema, horseshoe pits, gem mine, frisbee golf, and basketball. They also have a place for your pet, free wifi and a nice pavilion.
Location: 3122 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge
Learn more about this KOA and reserve your site or cabin here
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Alpine Hideaway Campground
This is a local campground without a lot of amentities, but it has wonderful rustic charm. It’s also super conveniently located right off the Pigeon Forge Parkway, so you’re close to the action and less than 4 miles from Dollywood.
Accommodations: This campground offers 62 RV campsites and 8 rustic cabins of differing sizes.
Amenities: They have a playground and a heated pool. They have bath houses and games are available for rent at the office. Cabin rentals include TV, cable, microwave and refrigerator.
Location: 251 Spring Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge
Learn more about Alpine Hideaway and make a reservation here
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Foothills RV Park and Cabins
This quaint campground is right on the Pigeon Forge Parkway very close to the Alpine Hideaway Campground. They have adorable cabins and also offer nice RV sites. One thing I love about this campground is that they are on the Pigeon Forge Trolley route, so you can get around town without worrying about traffic. They are also within walking distance to the Little Pigeon River, which is nice for the kids.
Accommodations: This is another campground that does not allow tents, but they do have lots of RV sites and rental cabins. You must call to make a reservation at this campground and they are not open November through March. (Jellystone and the KOA are open year-round).
Amenities: Concrete patios and picnic tables, heated outdoor swimming pool, laundry facilities, free wifi, and air conditioned and heated restrooms. Trolley service, too.
Location: 4235 Huskey St, Pigeon Forge
Learn more about Foothills here
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Gateway to the Smokies RV Park and Campground
This nice campground is close to the Parkway, but far enough away that it still feels more secluded, which we enjoy. This is a newer campground, which opened in 2019, so if newer cabins/sites are important to you, this is where you should go. It’s one of the best rv parks in the area.
Accommodations: Another campground that allows tents!! Tent campers rejoice! You can get primitive tent sites, which have a patch of grass, place to park and no hook ups (although you can request a fire pit and picnic table, some sites have these). There are also standard tent campsites, which do have electric and water and either a gravel area or grass to set up your tent. These sites include a fire ring and picnic table. They also have standard and premium RV sites with concrete pads as well as different sizes of log cabins.
Amenities: Swimming pool, wading pool, wifi, shower and restroom facilities, a really nice playground, basketball court, dog park, horse shoes and store.
Location: 210 Conner Heights Rd, Pigeon Forge
Learn more about Gateway to the Smokies and reserve a site here
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Tips for making the most of your camping visit to Dollywood
- Make sure you reserve early, especially if you are coming on a holiday weekend or anytime during the month of October, when everyone is coming to view the fall foliage.
- If you have a big rig, make sure you let the campground know in advance so they can accommodate you.
- Be aware that some of the roads leading to the different campgrounds are steep and windy, so go slow and enjoy the scenic views. (The ones near the main roads should be fine, but if you approach from Gatlinburg you might find some winding roads. It depends on which way you approach the area.)
- Check out Dollywood’s website for their operating hours and special events that might be going on during your visit. You can also purchase tickets in advance online to save time when you get there.
Have fun and enjoy your camping trip at one of these awesome campgrounds near Dollywood!
Final Thoughts on Campgrounds Near Dollywood
If you’re looking for a great place to camp near Dollywood, then look no further! In this article, we’ve shared our top picks for campgrounds in the Pigeon Forge area.
All of these campgrounds offer RV and cabin rentals, and two offer tent camping sites. So whether you’re traveling with a big rig or just your tent, there’s something for everyone.
Be sure to check out the amenities each campground offers, as they vary quite a bit. And don’t forget to check out Dollywood’s website before your visit to see what special events might be happening during your stay.
We hope you have a wonderful time on your next visit camping in the Smoky Mountains – our favorite place on Earth!
