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Smoky Waters Campground










Smoky Waters Campground Overview
Rating
Phone (865) 324-9483
Address 346 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Website https://www.smokywaterscampground.com/
Hours
Monday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, 12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Smoky Waters Campground Location & Map
TennesseeBlount CountyTownsendWears Valley Road
Smoky Waters Campground About
For Tennessee residents seeking a serene and accessible escape into the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Smoky Waters Campground in Townsend offers an idyllic retreat. Nestled in "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies," this charming campground provides a perfect blend of natural beauty, convenient access to outdoor adventures, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it an ideal choice for both seasoned campers and those new to the joys of outdoor living. This article will provide a comprehensive look at Smoky Waters Campground, detailing what makes it a highly suitable option for locals looking to explore their own beautiful state.
Smoky Waters Campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV; it's a tranquil haven designed for relaxation and reconnection with nature. The campground is praised for its peaceful and serene environment, particularly its creekside sites, which offer the soothing sounds of flowing water. This focus on a quiet experience, away from the heavier traffic and noise often found in more bustling tourist areas, is a significant draw for those seeking true relaxation. The owners, including Sheila, are consistently highlighted for their helpfulness, accommodating nature, and eagerness to please, contributing to a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes guests feel truly welcome.
The appeal of camping for many Tennesseans lies in the ability to immerse themselves in the state’s stunning natural landscapes, and Smoky Waters Campground provides just that opportunity. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enjoying local outdoor activities like biking and hiking, or simply unwinding by a campfire. The commitment to creating a peaceful and friendly environment ensures that visitors can fully enjoy their time, making Smoky Waters Campground a top recommendation for anyone looking for a refreshing outdoor getaway right here in Tennessee.
Smoky Waters Campground boasts an exceptional location in Townsend, Tennessee, a town affectionately known as "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies." The campground is situated at 346 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA. This prime address offers a fantastic balance of secluded tranquility and convenient access to a multitude of regional attractions and the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
One of the most significant advantages of Smoky Waters Campground's location is its proximity to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, specifically the Townsend entrance. This allows for easy and quick access to countless hiking trails, scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop Road, historic sites, and wildlife viewing opportunities within the most visited national park in the United States. Visitors can spend their days exploring the vast wilderness and return to the comfort of their campsite without a lengthy commute.
The campground is located off the main street of Lamar Alexander Parkway, which contributes significantly to its peaceful ambiance. This strategic placement ensures much less traffic noise compared to campgrounds situated directly on busier thoroughfares, allowing campers to truly enjoy the sounds of nature, particularly from the creekside sites. Despite being off the main road, accessibility remains excellent, making arrivals and departures straightforward for all types of vehicles, including RVs.
Furthermore, Smoky Waters Campground offers easy access to the local bike trail in Townsend. This popular multi-use path provides a fantastic way to explore the charming town and its surroundings, whether on two wheels or on foot. The close proximity to local amenities in Townsend, such as restaurants, gift shops, and outdoor outfitters, also adds to the convenience, ensuring campers have everything they need within easy reach while still feeling immersed in nature.
Smoky Waters Campground is dedicated to providing a comfortable and accommodating camping experience for its guests, with services designed to enhance convenience and relaxation.
- Creekside Sites: The campground offers desirable creekside sites, allowing campers to enjoy the serene sounds and views of the water directly from their spot.
- Fire Pits: Guests can request and receive a fire pit, which will be brought directly to their site, perfect for cozy evenings and campfire cooking.
- Helpful and Accommodating Owners: The owners, including Sheila, are consistently praised for being very helpful, nice, and accommodating, eager to please guests and ensure a positive stay.
- Easy Access to Bike Trail: The campground provides straightforward access to the popular Townsend bike trail, allowing for easy recreation right from the park.
- Waste Disposal: While specific details on trash disposal facilities are not always publicly listed for every campground, common practice dictates that designated areas are provided for guest waste.
- Site Maintenance: Campsites are maintained to provide a functional and enjoyable space for campers, whether for tents or RVs.
- Quiet Environment: The park's location off the main road and its overall atmosphere cultivate a peaceful camping experience.
Smoky Waters Campground stands out with several key features and highlights that contribute to its appeal as a premier camping destination in Townsend, TN.
- Great Location: Its prime spot in Townsend offers easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, local attractions, and charming town amenities, making it a perfect base for exploration.
- Peaceful and Serene Atmosphere: Consistently highlighted by guests, the campground provides a tranquil environment, significantly less affected by traffic noise due to its position off the main road. This is ideal for relaxation.
- Creekside Camping: The availability of creekside sites is a major draw, offering beautiful views and the soothing sounds of the water, enhancing the natural camping experience.
- Friendly and Helpful Owners: The accommodating nature and eagerness to please demonstrated by the owners, like Sheila, create a warm and welcoming environment that guests frequently praise.
- Easy Access to Townsend Bike Trail: Direct access to the popular multi-use bike trail is a significant feature for outdoor enthusiasts, providing immediate opportunities for cycling and walking.
- Flexible Fire Pit Provision: The convenience of having a fire pit brought to your site upon request adds to the enjoyment of traditional camping experiences.
- Suitable for Various Weather Conditions: Despite heavy rain during some stays, guests have reported enjoying their time, suggesting the sites and park facilities are robust enough to handle varying weather.
- Great Value: Many guests find the campground offers a positive experience relative to its cost, indicating good value for their camping investment.
- Smaller, More Intimate Feel: While not explicitly stated, the peaceful nature and owner involvement often imply a more intimate and less crowded atmosphere compared to larger, resort-style campgrounds.
Smoky Waters Campground, as a local business focused on providing a welcoming and quality camping experience, may offer various promotions or special rates to enhance guest stays. While specific, publicly advertised long-term promotions are not always readily available, it is always recommended for interested individuals to contact the campground directly for the most current information.
Campgrounds frequently provide various types of discounts, which could include:
- Longer Stay Discounts: For those planning extended visits, weekly or monthly rates are often available and can significantly reduce the per-night cost, making longer explorations of the Smokies more affordable.
- Seasonal Promotions: Special offers might be available during off-peak seasons (e.g., late fall, winter, early spring) when demand is lower, encouraging visits during quieter times.
- Return Visitor Incentives: Loyal customers who frequently return to the campground might be offered special rates or perks as a token of appreciation.
- Membership Discounts: Some campgrounds offer discounts for members of specific camping associations or clubs, such as Good Sam Club. It is always worth inquiring if such affiliations provide a benefit.
- Holiday or Event Specials: During certain holidays or local Townsend events, the campground might have specific packages or promotions.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on any available promotions or special offers, the best approach is to directly contact Smoky Waters Campground using the provided phone numbers. Speaking with the owners, who are noted for their helpfulness and accommodation, can often provide insight into any unadvertised deals or flexibility with booking that might be available for your specific travel plans.
For reservations, inquiries about availability, or to learn more about Smoky Waters Campground, please use the following contact details:
Address: 346 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Phone: (865) 324-9483
Mobile Phone: +1 865-324-9483
The owners, including Sheila, are known for being very accommodating and eager to please, so reaching out directly is highly recommended for personalized assistance and to ensure a smooth booking process for your stay.
For Tennessee residents, particularly those in the Eastern part of the state, Smoky Waters Campground in Townsend offers an exceptionally suitable and highly appealing option for their next outdoor getaway. Its primary strength lies in its prime location, which perfectly balances peaceful serenity with unparalleled access to the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This means locals can enjoy a tranquil retreat in "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies," away from the more crowded tourist hubs, while still being minutes away from world-class hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities within the national park.
The campground’s commitment to providing a calm and quiet environment, significantly reducing traffic noise by being off the main thoroughfare, directly caters to those seeking true relaxation and a genuine connection with nature. The availability of creekside sites adds another layer of tranquility, allowing residents to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of flowing water. Furthermore, the consistently praised helpfulness and accommodating nature of the owners, like Sheila, ensure a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, making every guest feel valued. This personal touch is a significant advantage for locals looking for a friendly and reliable camping experience.
Additionally, the easy access to the Townsend bike trail right from the campground provides an immediate and convenient avenue for outdoor recreation, aligning perfectly with an active Tennessee lifestyle. Whether it's a short weekend escape or a longer stay to fully immerse in the beauty of the Smokies, Smoky Waters Campground offers a great value proposition for locals. It's an ideal base from which to explore one of Tennessee's most cherished natural treasures, providing a comfortable, peaceful, and truly enjoyable camping experience right in their own backyard.
Customer Reviews
Great location. Rained a lot while we were there but we really enjoyed our stay. Easy access to bike trail in Townsend. Owner Shelia was very helpful and nice. Would definitely recommend and we will be back.
The owners were very accommodating and eager to please. We stayed on the creekside and it was peaceful and serene. They will bring you a fire pit if you want one. Facility is off the main street of Lamar Alexander Pkwy so much less traffic noise. Great location. We will be back.
So quiet and relaxing. We stayed an extra night. The pull through sites are extremely generous and the turn into the campground VERY big rig friendly. Loved it
Sheila and her husband go above and beyond to ensure their guests are well taken care of! We booked 2 nights during the last week of March 2025 in order to use this location as a hub for exploring GSMNP, and we loved it so much and it was so convenient that we ended up staying a total of 5 nights. The location is great; Townsend is truly the quiet side of the Smokies, and the campground is quiet and peaceful with great views all around. They do not have dug in fire pits, but will happily bring you a standalone fire pit if asked, as well as firewood for sale on site. We have a 40' coach conversion with a 24' car trailer for a total length of 68' and we easily fit in one of the pull through sites, site P4 I believe. They do not have a bathhouse, but with full hookups on our site this did not bother us at all. If you are concerned about high water pressure perhaps bring a pressure regulator as the water pressure seemed a bit higher than other places, but this did not cause an issue for us. We came in through Knoxville and took 129 to Maryville where we got on 321 and took that to Townsend. Not only would I recommend Townsend TN as a base to explore the GSMNP, but I would highly recommend staying at Smoky Waters Campground. Thank you Sheila! Things to do in the area: -Spruce Flats Falls - moderate hike to a great waterfall, approx 2 miles round trip. Park at the ranger station in Tremont -Middle Prong Trail head - easy hike along a cascading river/stream, hike as far in as you'd like -Chimney Tops Trail - moderate hike(be ready for a good workout) with a great view of Chimney Tops, 3.8 miles round trip Luftee Overlook - beautiful Overlook of the valley, and far less busy than the Newfound Gap parking lot -Peaceful Side Social - local tap house and outdoor seating/play area for kids with great beer from their brewery in Maryville TN
Highly recommend this campground! Sheila text us prior to our arrival and greeted us upon arrival. We only live 14 miles from the campground and plan on coming back for another weekend getaway. Thanks again!
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