Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday Introduce
Hello, local adventurers and those seeking a convenient "camping near me" experience in the heart of the Smoky Mountains region! Let us introduce you to the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday, located at 8533 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA. As part of the well-known KOA network, this campground in Townsend offers a range of camping options and amenities for those looking to explore the peaceful side of the Smokies.
When you search for "camping near me," the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday provides a well-situated basecamp. Townsend is often referred to as the quiet side of the Smokies, offering a more relaxed atmosphere while still providing easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a reasonable drive to the attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This KOA Holiday location aims to cater to various camping preferences, from RVers and tent campers to those seeking the comfort of cabins.
Based on recent customer reviews, the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday has several notable aspects. One reviewer describes it as a "nice campground, clean, with very friendly and helpful staff." This positive feedback highlights the cleanliness of the facilities and the welcoming nature of the staff, which are often key factors in a pleasant camping experience. The location is also noted as "easy to access, right off the main road (TN-73)." This convenience can be particularly appealing for travelers with larger vehicles or those who prefer easy in-and-out access.
However, the same reviewer also points out a potential environmental consideration: its proximity to the main road and the river. They mention that being "right off the main road" places it "stuck between traffic and the river." While acknowledging that the sound of the river might help to "drown off the sound from the road," this suggests that some noise from traffic might be noticeable. The reviewer also found the campsites to be "nice, clean and comfortable, but small and really close to each other," indicating that while the sites are well-maintained, they might offer less privacy and space compared to some other campgrounds.
For families traveling with children, it's important to note that, according to this review, "the playground is closed for maintenance." The reviewer anticipates it will be "awesome come this summer," but advises awareness of its current closure. This is valuable information for those for whom playground facilities are a significant part of their camping experience.
Another reviewer shares a highly positive experience, praising the "fantastic service from the desk staff" who were "very helpful in accommodating our trailer and motorcycles." This reinforces the earlier comment about friendly and helpful staff. This reviewer also provided details about the cabins, noting that they are "clean with comfy mattresses as advertised," and equipped with "heaters, AC, TV, and refrigerator" as well as "a camp grill and fire pit." This gives us insight into the amenities offered in the cabin rentals at this KOA Holiday. The gravel lots and roads are described as "well kept," and the reviewer noted that they "never saw any trash around the sites," further supporting the cleanliness aspect.
This second review also highlights the strategic location, just outside of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and within a reasonable driving distance (35-40 minutes) from the Tail of The Dragon, a famous scenic driving route. The reviewer concludes that it's a "great place to stay on a budget with family or close friends."
Considering these reviews, the environment of the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday is characterized by its convenient location off the main road (TN-73) in Townsend, placing it within easy reach of the Smoky Mountains and nearby towns. While its proximity to the road might result in some traffic noise, the presence of the river could provide a natural sound buffer. The campground itself appears to be clean and well-maintained, with gravel lots and roads.
In terms of services and features, the campground offers friendly and helpful staff, RV sites, and cabin rentals. The cabins are equipped with comfy mattresses, heaters, AC, TV, and a refrigerator, along with a camp grill and fire pit. The playground was under maintenance at the time of one review. The campground seems well-organized with clean sites and maintained grounds. The desk staff is noted for being accommodating.
The phone numbers provided, (865) 448-2241 and +1 865-448-2241, allow local users to directly contact the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday for reservations and inquiries. Regarding promotional information, the provided text does not contain specific offers. However, as a KOA Holiday location, they often participate in KOA's national promotions and may have seasonal or local deals. Calling the provided phone number or checking their official KOA website would be the best way to learn about any current promotions.
For local users seeking "camping near me" in the Townsend area, the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday offers a convenient and generally well-regarded option. Its easy access, friendly staff, and clean facilities make it appealing for various types of campers, including RVers and those preferring cabins. While the proximity to the main road and smaller, closer campsites are points to consider, the overall positive feedback, especially regarding service and cleanliness, suggests a comfortable stay. Families should note the temporary closure of the playground.
In conclusion, the Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday provides a "camping near me" experience in a strategic location for exploring the Smoky Mountains and nearby attractions. With clean facilities, friendly staff, and a range of camping options including cabins with amenities, it caters to a broad spectrum of campers. Local users interested in staying here are encouraged to call (865) 448-2241 to inquire about availability, pricing, and any current promotions, as well as the status of the playground.
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday Photos










Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday Location
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
8533 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday8533 TN-73
Mountaineer Campground8451 TN-73
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort118 Stables Dr
Vee Hollow Campground8429 TN-73
Riverstone Campground8277 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Ye Olde Mill Campground8277 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Smoky Waters Campground346 Wears Valley Rd
Big Meadow Family Campground8215 Cedar Creek Rd
Cozy Cove Cabin236 Mountain Ave
Orchard Cove Stables1263 Schoolhouse Gap Rd
Mountain Dew (Cabin)4228 Wears Valley Rd #181
SUMMIT VIEW4228 Wears Valley Rd #171
Little River Campground7269 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday Reviews
It’s a nice campground, clean, with very friendly and helpful staff. The location is easy to access, right off the main road. Down side is that it’s right off the main road, stuck between traffic and the river. But I guess that if you are near the river, its sound will drown off the sound from the road. The sites are nice, clean and comfortable, but small and really close to each other. And if you are currently traveling with children, be aware that the playground is closed for maintenance. I’m sure it will be awesome come this summer, but for now it was a bit of a bummer.
Mar 19, 2025 · Philippe GolazFantastic service from the desk staff, they were very helpful in accommodating our trailer and motorcycles for our trip. Cabins are clean with comfy mattresses as advertised, heaters, AC, TV, and refrigerator provided as well as a camp grill and fire pit. Gravel lots and roads are well kept and we never saw any trash around the sites. Great location just outside of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and many other great spots. 35-40 minutes from the Tail of The Dragon. Great place to stay on a budget with family or close friends.
Mar 14, 2025 · Nathan CollinsBeautiful camp ground. Lots of both tent and RV spots. We stayed in the deluxe patio spot with full hookups. It was VERY easy to back in with the help of their friendly staff. I would definitely recommend staying here.
Apr 21, 2025 · Tim JonesStay at any KOA but this one! I don’t write reviews often but I wanted to share our experience with this particular location. We travel often and wanted to stay at this particular location because it’s on the river. We had a problem with our reservation due to a family emergency (sudden death from a heart attack.)Called to cancel the reservation, the money hungry manager whom was such a coward relayed the message through her innocent employee which was… “we don’t care what the problem is we don’t refund.” I am a KOA member, have been for years and she ruined my experience with KOA. I absolutely will not stop here!!!!This lady was awful, incentive and rude! Stay at Cherokee, the pool is better, the staff is sweet and the grounds are cleaner! Townsend KOA is a joke dirty and quite honestly a complete disgrace to KOA. KOA should be embarrassed of the Townsend location and how it’s run. So sad!!!!
Mar 19, 2025 · Dixie Lu GeorgeWe have been coming down here for the past 5 years and we love it. We love the quiet side of the smokies so much more than the busy side. It is relaxing and so peaceful. Our kids have fun at the KOA park, they fish and swim in the river, and we are about 10 minute drive from trails. This KIA is well kept, the staff are friendly, and the park is clean. We are already booked for fall break next year!
Oct 14, 2024 · Jonah Odum
More Camping Near Me
Mountaineer Campground4.0 (309 reviews)8451 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort4.0 (1073 reviews)118 Stables Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Vee Hollow Campground3.0 (16 reviews)8429 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Riverstone Campground4.0 (97 reviews)8277 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Ye Olde Mill Campground4.0 (82 reviews)8277 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Smoky Waters Campground5.0 (30 reviews)346 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Big Meadow Family Campground4.0 (311 reviews)8215 Cedar Creek Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Cozy Cove Cabin4.0 (7 reviews)236 Mountain Ave, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Orchard Cove Stables5.0 (8 reviews)1263 Schoolhouse Gap Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Mountain Dew (Cabin)0.0 (0 reviews)4228 Wears Valley Rd #181, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
SUMMIT VIEW4.0 (5 reviews)4228 Wears Valley Rd #171, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Little River Campground4.0 (150 reviews)7269 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
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