Fun Things to Do When Camping in Gatlinburg, TN


This post may contain affiliate links and ads. Read our disclosure policy here.

Are you interested in going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Check out this guide to Gatlinburg and where you should eat, stay, and play while there. 

Gatlinburg Skyway (1)

Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area is no stranger  to nature-lovers and all different types of thrill-seekers. The area receives well over 12.5 million visitors every single year. Whether you find your relaxation by camping underneath the stars, hiking to a magnificent waterfall, or you’re simply searching for your next epic adventure, Gatlinburg has about everything you could possibly think of in a camping destination. 

After you’ve set up camp, be sure to mosey on down to Gatlinburg’s Main Street. There you will find museums, fantastic places to eat, and adorable little shops that offer samples of their delicious homemade fudge, mouth-watering jerky, and, if you dare, irresistible flavors of Tennessee moonshine. Check out some of the best places to stay, eat, and play while you’re there!  

Typical Gatlinburg Weather

No matter what season you plan on visiting, Gatlinburg and the Smokies offer beautiful views all year-round. The months of May, September, and October are some of the most pleasant months to go camping in the Gatlinburg area, but keep in mind that May tends to be rather rainy at times. The summer months get plenty hot, but there are dozens of different watersports activities to do there that will help cool you down. 

Because it’s surrounded by such majestic mountain scenery, Gatlinburg puts on a dazzling display of autumn colors during the fall. The best time to visit to witness these vibrant hues of reds, oranges, and yellows is towards the end of October. You will also be greeted with cooler temperatures, making sleeping quite comfortable most nights. During the winter there is the occasional snowfall, with cool to cold temperatures, but there are still a few campers that brave these weather conditions. 

Fall Foliage Gatlinburg Mountains

Popular Campgrounds in and Near Gatlinburg, TN

  1. Alpine Hideaway Campground (Sevierville) 
  2. Camp Leconte (Gatlinburg)
  3. Duvall in the Smokies RV Campground (Sevierville) 
  4. Elkmont Campground (Gatlinburg) 
  5. Greenbrier Campground (Gatlinburg) 
  6. Riverbend Campground (Pigeon Forge) 
  7. Smoky Bear Campground (Gatlinburg) 
  8. Smoky Mountains Glamping Tiny House (Glamping in Samuel W.’s Land) 
  9. Twin Creek RV Resort (Gatlinburg) 
  10. Up the Creek RV Camp (Pigeon Forge)  

Great Smoky Mountains

Popular Restaurants in and Near Gatlinburg, TN

  1. Alamo Steakhouse (Gatlinburg) 
  2. Bennett’s Pit BBQ (Gatlinburg) 
  3. Calhoun’s Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg) 
  4. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp (Gatlinburg) 
  5. Local Goat (Gatlinburg) 
  6. New Orleans Sandwich Company (Gatlinburg)  
  7. Smoky Mountain Brewery (Gatlinburg) 
  8. Split Rail Eats (Gatlinburg) 
  9. Taste of Italy (Gatlinburg) 
  10. Tennesee Jed’s (Gatlinburg) 
Old Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Band
Photo Credit: Brett Wilshe

Popular Attractions in and Near Gatlinburg, TN

  1. Anakeesta Mountaintop Park (Gatlinburg) 
  2. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge) 
  3. Grotto Falls Trail (the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
  4. Laurel Falls (the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) 
  5. Mount LeConte (the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)  
  6. Ober Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg) 
  7. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg) 
  8. Skylift Park (Gatlinburg) 
  9. Sugarlands Distilling Company (Gatlinburg) 
  10. The Village Shops (Gatlinburg) 
  11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Gatlinburg)
  12. Titanic Museum (Pigeon Forge)

Gatlinburg Skyway

Ripleys Aquarium Gatlinburg

For those of you that have visited or camped in the Gatlinburg area before, what destinations and attractions were some of the highlights of your trip that you would recommend to others? Leave a comment below! 

Other Camping Guides to Checkout!


PIN THIS POST TO PINTEREST!

Gatlinburg Camping Guide PIN

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.