Go glamping this summer at these top East Tennessee campsites ranked in the 10BEST
Nothing says "summer" quite like late-night chats around a campfire, overflowing oozy s'mores and nights spent under the stars.
You could go camping in your own tent, or you could go "glamping," where you can enjoy nature AND air conditioning.
There are plenty of glamping sites around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for travelers or locals looking to connect with nature, but some stand out above the rest.
If you're a nature lover - or looking for a glamping retreat - here are the best spots to pitch your tent or park the camper in East Tennessee, according to the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort has been a longtime honoree of the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Awards.
The campground won "Best Glamping" in 2020 and is once again recognized in that category in 2025. The Townsend camping spot also ranked No. 6 in the "Best RV Campground" category this time.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is tucked away in Townsend, Tennessee, the quieter alternative to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You'll still have epic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and near access to America's most-visited national park.
At Little Arrow, you can choose to stay at an RV site, cabin, tiny home or "glamping" tent.
All guests enjoy access to a coffee lounge, swimming pool, splash pad, dog park, playground, laundry facilities, basketball court and, of course, a community fire pit.
Safari West (Santa Rosa, California)
Beaver Island Retreat (Beaver Island, Michigan)
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort (Townsend, Tennessee)
The Destination (Dadeville, Alabama)
Sky Ridge Yurts (Bryson City, North Carolina)
Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa (Jackson, New Jersey)
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo (River Ranch, Florida)
Naturluxe & Stars (Watkins Glen, New York)
Paws Up Montana (Greenough, Montana)
Glamp Michigan (Benzonia, Michigan)
Normandy Farms (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Jellystone Park Pelahatchie - Yogi on the Lake (Pelahatchie, Mississippi)
Inn Town Campground (Nevada City, California)
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Mill Run (Mill Run, Pennsylvania)
Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country (New Braunfels, Texas)
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort (Townsend, Tennessee)
Dark Sky RV Campground (Kanab, Utah)
Spacious Skies Campgrounds - Minute Man (Littleton, Massachusetts)
Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground (Buellton, California)
Gulf State Park Campground (Orange Beach, Alabama)
Want to be wastin' away in Margaritaville? Try the Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge in Pigeon Forge.
This outdoor resort won No. 9 in the Best Luxury RV Resort category for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains and its plethora of amenities.
Every RV site includes Wi-Fi, cable TV, a picnic table and a fire ring. Guests also have access to the hot tub, pool and an entertainment center on the property.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins (Auburndale, Florida)
Firefly Resort (Fredericksburg, Texas)
Resort at Canopy Oaks (Lake Wales, Florida)
Mountain Falls Luxury Motorcoach Resort (Lake Toxaway, North Carolina)
Motorcoach Country Club (Indio, California)
Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Bluewater Key RV Resort (Key West, Florida)
Great Escapes RV Resorts North Texas (Perrin, Texas)
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge - Pigeon Forge (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
Naples Motorcoach Resort (Naples, Florida)
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort is a family-owned campsite that took the No. 6. spot in the Best Vintage Trailer Hotel category.
This unique campground sits at the foot of Mount LeConte and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
You can choose to stay in a luxury tree house, a European safari tent or a 1960s retro camper. Guests also can park their own RV or camper, or pitch a tent on site.
Starlite Vintage Resort (Cañon City, Colorado)
The Vintages Trailer Resort (Dayton, Oregon)
SkyStream Resort at SkyPark Camp + RV Resort (Skyforest, California)
Lake Bastrop North Shore Park (Bastrop, Texas)
Ardovino's Desert Crossing (Sunland Park, New Mexico)
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground (Buellton, California)
The Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court (Bisbee, Arizona)
Hart's Camp (Pacific City, Oregon)
JuneBug Retro Resort (Weaverville, North Carolina)
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best in travel, food and drink, and lifestyle, and are voted on by the public. A panel of industry experts nominate their favorite interests and attractions across a wide range of categories every week, and then 10BEST editors vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented for a public vote.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Go glamping at these top spots in Great Smoky Mountains this summer
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