Closed for Winter Reopening March 1, 2026 Spring 2026 reservations open!

See you around the campfire soon!

BOOK YOUR 2026 STAY NOW

We look forward to seeing you.

Townsend, Tennessee, calls itself the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies". Here there are numerous mountain views, open green spaces and an abundance of elbow room to enjoy. Mountaineer Campground takes full advantage of the location in Townsend with lovely campsites on the sparkling Little River. Rest comfortably in a place where your nightly lullaby is the sound of water rushing over rapids and mountain breezes chasing through tree tops.

We are a wonderful family place with numerous activities nearby for all ages. Our campground has many amenities to offer such as all shaded sites (grass, gravel with patios, or concrete), river sites with large decks, swimming pool, children's playground, laundry facilities and a modern, super clean bathhouse.

Your camping vacation could also include river tubing, trout fishing, horseback riding (nearby), or take advantage of Townsend's bicycle and walking path.

Making a Reservation

Booking your perfect spot has never been easier. No need to call (although we're happy to chat with you) and you can reserve the exact spot you want.

Book Now

Cozy With Plenty of Room

All our Cozy Cabins have a screened porch with 2 rocking chairs. They are heated and air conditioned and come with a color TV, refrigerator/freezer, coffee maker, microwave, toaster, pots, pans, cooking utensils, dish drainer with dishwashing liquid and drying towels. The kitchens in cabins #38 & #39 include a small pantry and a 4 burner electric range and oven. #38 & #39 each have a queen sized bed. #37 has a full Size (double) bed. Cabins #38 & #39 are 4 feet longer.

Cabin #37 has a 2 burner electric cooktop - no oven. All three cabins have full bathrooms with a 5’ tub and shower and a carpeted sleeping bag loft for older kids. Sorry, no pets or smoking in the cabins. They all have a picnic table, grill and fire ring.

All you have to bring are your own personal linens and towels!

Local Activities

Mountain Biking

Ride Vee Hollow - It's our neighbor!

Located in Townsend, this 14-mile trail network is exciting and fun for all ages and abilities. With four distinct zones for riding, everyone can find an experience tailored to them. From the skills area to the jump trails, and up to the mountain trails, Vee Hollow is the kind of place where you can pedal into nature, find adventure, and progress your mountain bike skills as far as you want to go.

Cades Cove

Mountain Biking

The 11 mile Cades Cove loop road within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a favorite destination for bikers. This is a paved road with gentle slopes. It provides access to many hiking trails plus all the scenic attractions that make Cades Cove so popular: old log cabins, churches, an old grist mill, mountain streams, panoramic vistas, and many forms of wildlife.

Hiking

Fishing

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a large number of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous, offering enjoyment for everyone from novice to experienced backwoods hikers. Following is a list of a few of the trails in the area of the park nearest Townsend. This is not intended to be a complete trail list for the park. National Park trail guide books and maps may be purchased at the Townsend Visitors Center. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails in the national park.

Fishing

The Little River flowing through Townsend provides rainbow and brown trout fishing. The headwaters and tributaries of Little River rise in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offer some of the finest and most beautiful trout water. Abrams Creek, an excellent fishery, is only 20 minutes from Townsend. Hiking trails afford access to many smaller streams for anglers who prefer solitude.

The Park covers 500,000 acres with peaks over 6,000 feet. The streams from these mountains provide 750 miles of fishable trout streams. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are the species that you will find in these clear streams. Stocking ceased in the 1970's in the Park so you will not be fishing for hatchery trout.

The following outdoor supply stores can assist you with your plans for fishing in the Smokies.

Little River Outfitters Highway 321, Townsend
The Backcountry 8453 State Hwy. 73, Townsend

Mountaineer Campground and Cabins

Closed for Winter Reopening March 1, 2026 Spring 2026 reservations open!