Tucked along the quieter Townsend entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Townsend Great Smokies KOA redefines what a campground stay can look like, especially for women planning a girlfriends’ getaway. Think cozy log cabins with real beds and private baths, riverfront views, evening fire pits and just enough structure to keep things easy.
Highlights
- Prime, crowd-free location: Stay on the peaceful side of the Smokies in Townsend, with quick access to trails, waterfalls and scenic drives and without the congestion of busier gateway towns.
- Stay your way: From rustic tent sites to fully furnished Deluxe Cabins, there’s an option for every camping comfort level.
- Beyond the park adventures: Sip local spirits at Company Distilling or explore the jaw-dropping underground chambers at Tuckaleechee Caverns for memorable off-trail experiences.
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.
With river views, a swimming pool, laundry, fire pits, outdoor movies and most importantly for non-campers like me, cozy log cabins, the Townsend Great Smokies KOA cabins have totally changed how I feel about campgrounds. At the end of my four-night girlfriend getaway there, I didn’t want to leave.
If you’re planning a girls’ trip to the most visited national park in the United States, this spot serves as a great home base. Whether you and your friends want to kick back with a glass of wine after a day on the trails or swim a few laps to cool off between adventures, this campground checks every box.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you!
Townsend Great Smokies KOA Overview
When you grow up in a family of five, camping means simple setups: a patch of grass, a fire pit and a picnic table. As an adult, even though I love to travel, I don’t have kids, so campgrounds aren’t usually on my radar. But staying in one of the Townsend Great Smokies KOA cabins flipped that script for me in the best way.
From the moment I check in, it’s clear this isn’t the camping experience I remember. It feels more like a nature-wrapped retreat, with comforts I don’t expect to find at a campground. If you’re planning your own Great Smoky Mountains getaway, here’s what I learned from my stay — and what I recommend so you can make the most of yours.
Pros of Staying at Townsend Great Smokies KOA
- Quiet location: Townsend is noticeably calmer than Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge with fewer crowds, less noise and more nature.
- Close to the Smokies: Easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park without staying in a tourist hub.
- Multiple stay options: Tent sites, cabins and RV sites let you choose your comfort level.
- Clean, well-maintained facilities: Bathrooms, showers and common areas are consistently tidy.
- River access: A huge perk, especially in warmer months.
- Open year-round: Not just a summer campsite, you can stay during peak fall foliage or enjoy winter camping.
- Family-friendly setup: Playground, seasonal pool and open spaces for kids to play.
- KampK9®: Fenced off area for dogs to roam off-leash.
- Good balance of nature + convenience: Wooded setting without feeling remote.
Cons of Staying at Townsend Great Smokies KOA
- No on-site restaurant: There is a camp store, but no full restaurant.
- Some sites feel less private: Especially closer to common areas.
- Cabins aren’t budget stays: Prices can rival nearby hotels during popular times.
- Structured campground rules: Quiet hours and policies are enforced.
- Limited nightlife nearby: Great if you want quiet, but not ideal if you want evening entertainment.
SheBuysTravelTip: You’re going to want a vehicle to fully enjoy the surrounding area, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re flying into McGhee Tyson Airport, pre-book your car rental from one of the many on-site rental companies.
Accommodations
The Townsend Great Smokies KOA Holiday offers a wide variety of accommodations, from plain-Jane tent sites to elevated, luxurious cabins. It doesn’t matter if your group of friends likes to rough it in a tent or sip champagne inside a heated cabin, this KOA has it all.
Tent Sites
For those who prefer to sleep on the ground, or at least very close to it, the Townsend Great Smokies KOA offers individual tent sites with no hookups. These primitive tent sites are ideal if you want a true back-to-nature stay without giving up campground comforts.
Set in a wooded, semi-secluded area, they feel peaceful and private while still being close to shared amenities. Each site includes a fire ring for campfires and a picnic table for easy meals, making it a simple, no-fuss option for campers who want to unplug and enjoy the outdoors.
RV Sites
Covering 14 acres of land, you’ll find a variety of RV sites, ranging from basic RV sites to ones with full hook-ups and patios. Some are nestled in the woods for privacy, while others back onto the river. For maximum space, select a KOA Patio Site. These are full hookup, pull-through RV sites and they are the largest in the campground.
SheBuysTravelTip: If you are traveling with your furry friend, book early to snag a site that includes a KOA Patio® with a Paw Pen. These are some of the most popular sites and they sell out quickly, especially during peak season.
Log Cabins
If, like me, you’re more of a glamper than a camper, fear not. The Townsend Great Smokies KOA cabins have you covered. My friends and I each stayed in our own Deluxe Cabin Studio Unit, which is the ultimate cabin camping experience.
These cabins boast a fully-furnished bedroom, a full bathroom with tub, a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker, as well as a patio area with a table and chairs, a fire pit and a grill. In true glamping style, these cabins are equipped with everything you need, including towels, dishes and extra blankets.
If you are traveling with a close-knit group and you want to share a spacious cabin, you can book a Deluxe Cabin. These two-level cabins sleep up to six people and have a full bath, as well as a patio with a balcony. Ideal for cooking on-site, the partial kitchen is equipped with everything you need, including cookware and dishware, to prepare delicious meals.
Townsend Great Smokies KOA Amenities
Operating seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, there is a large outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs where you can sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Campground events, including movie nights, take place in the Pavilion, an outdoor gathering space. During my stay, I joined in one evening when a family-friendly movie was screened on the lawn.
Wrapped in a blanket, I settled into a camp chair while kids ran around with popcorn and guests chatted under the evening sky. It felt cozy, communal and a little nostalgic — like a summer camp moment you didn’t realize you missed.
Even though I don’t currently travel with a dog, I love that the Townsend Great Smokies KOA has a fully-fenced dog area called KampK9®, which would be a huge perk for anyone bringing their canine companion. Saying hello to all the campers with dogs is always a highlight.
Families with children will love the massive playground built from repurposed downed Sequoia trees. It’s beautiful, sustainable and one of the coolest playground designs I’ve ever seen at a campground.
Campground Amenities:
- KampK9® Enclosed Area For Dogs
- Family Activity Area Pavilion
- Outdoor Movie Cinema
- Planned Recreation Activities
- Playground
- Basketball Court
- Wi-Fi
- Cable TV
- Seasonal Outdoor Pool (Open from May 27 – September 2)
- Community Fire Place
Amenities Available For a Small Fee:
- Bike Rentals
- Laundry Facilities
- Convenience Store
- Snack Bar
- Propane
- Fishing
- Firewood
- On-site Honey Wagon Pump
Dining
There is no on-site restaurant, so if you want to cook at your campsite, it’s best to go grocery shopping before you arrive. The KOA camp store sells essentials, but there is also a small grocery store located close by, should you need anything.
Cooking around a campfire brings back so many childhood memories. For me, cooking outside is a highlight of going camping, so we opted to cook most of our meals at our campsite and dine out for one breakfast and one dinner.
For a hearty breakfast to start your day, I recommend going to Elvira’s Cafe. This homestyle cafe specializes in fresh and flavorful food. Dine inside their log cabin, or on their patio overlooking the mountains.
For a rustic, yet elegant dinner, head to the Dancing Bear Bistro. This award-winning restaurant serves modern Appalachian Cuisine using fresh produce grown on-site. Their menu changes seasonally at this farm-to-table restaurant, but you can’t go wrong no matter what you order.
SheBuysTravelTip: Enhance your luxury camping experience by levelling up your s’mores game. Bring a variety of chocolates, including flavored ones such as peanut butter cups and make your campfire s’mores with chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. This is elevated camping at its finest.
Things to Do Near The Townsend Great Smokies KOA
Located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, this campground is on the quieter, less crowded side of the Smoky Mountains compared to Gatlinburg. While visiting the national park is a must, visiting the park is just one of many things to do in and near Townsend.
Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The KOA is just a few minutes’ drive from the Townsend entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Because most visitors enter through the Sugarlands entrance on the park’s north side, this entrance offers a quieter and often quicker route into the park.
With over 800 miles of trails to explore, visit the official Great Smoky Mountains National Park website to plan your hikes in advance. There are numerous hikes to waterfalls, which you’ll find listed on the website.
SheBuysTravelTip: No matter which hiking route you choose, be prepared by bringing water, snacks and an extra layer of clothing with you. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, becoming cooler than expected.
Sample Cocktails on The Whiskey Trail
You can’t visit Tennessee without sampling some of this great state’s whiskey. Tennessee whiskey is world-famous and there’s no better place to try it than nearby Company Distilling. I suggest ordering the whiskey and chocolate tasting flight— it’s delicious.
More than just a place that crafts award-winning whiskey, Company Distilling is a spot to gather with friends. Open for tours and tastings, it also hosts live music and events, including Trivia Nights.
SheBuysTravelTip: Purchase a bottle of whisky to enjoy later as a fireside nightcap. There’s something extra special about swapping stories under the stars with a glass of local whiskey warming your hands.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Visiting Tuckaleechee Caverns feels like stepping into a hidden world just outside Townsend. The guided tour winds through massive underground chambers filled with towering formations, crystal-clear streams and one of the largest cave rooms in the eastern United States.
The highlight is the Big Room, an enormous, cathedral-like chamber that feels equal parts dramatic and awe-inspiring the second you step inside. The experience ends at Silver Falls, a striking two-tier underground waterfall plunging more than 200 feet, adding just the right amount of drama to this polished, wow-worthy adventure beneath the Smokies.
SheBuysTravelTip: The temperature inside the caverns is 58 F. I recommend bringing a sweater or jacket to keep you warm during the 1.5-hour tour.
Getting There/Parking
The Townsend Great Smokies KOA cabins are a 30-minute drive from McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville. Located at 8533 State Highway 73 in Townsend, Tennessee, you will know you’ve arrived when you see the giant red and yellow sign behind a beautiful playground.
All sites come with parking for at least one vehicle. Additionally, there are a few visitor parking spots in front of the camp store, should you wish to drive there to purchase any necessities.
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