When you stay at Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you’re not just getting a place to park your RV for the night. You’re getting an immersive experience in all things fun set among some true natural beauty. From the moment you check in, you’ll be treated to great music, food, and entertainment. You can spend your days lounging by the pool, playing games in the arcade, or exploring the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And of course, no visit to Margaritaville would be complete without sampling some of their delicious food and tasty margaritas.

We were so lucky to have Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge invite us down for a sponsored stay to check out their fabulous campground. And even though we didn’t pay for our stay, we can assure that we are being completely truthful in our review. In fact, we loved our stay so much, we’re already making plans to go back with our kids and grandson on our own dime.

Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast at their breakfast buffet or dinner at their on-site restaurant, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. So if you’re looking for a vacation that’s equal parts fun and relaxing at the best campground in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, be sure to check out Camp Margaritaville, a luxury RV resort for the entire family.

Campsites

Camping at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is an experience like no other. The campsites at this new campground are all back in and paved, offering a spacious and level area to set up your RV. As you can see from the photo above, the RV resort is beautifully landscaped and surrounded by mountain views. All sites have a fire pit and picnic table as well. They offer three different site lengths so you can pick one best suited to your RV. Prices range based on the site size, as well as its proximity to the amenities.

If you don’t have an RV or have family visiting, the Lodge at Camp Margaritaville is a hotel located on the same property.

Amenities

The amenities are really what makes Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge stand head and shoulders above any other RV resort we’ve ever stayed at. We enjoyed it so much, the only time we left was to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rest of the time, we stayed & played at Camp Margaritaville.

Highlights include:

• Laundry / Bathhouse – The bathhouse offers private showers and an adjacent laundry room. There is even a dog wash area.
• Barkaritaville – Our dog loved running around the large, off-leash dog park.
• Playground – Centrally located among the campsites is a large playground and game pavilion.
• Swimming Pool – The pool had a splash pad, waterslide, and hot tub. The bar opens to the pool so you can order food and drinks while you watch the kids play. When we were there it was open from 9am to 11pm, the longest pool hours we’ve ever experienced at a campground or hotel!
• Lazy River – The lazy river is located on the opposite side of the lodge. Both the pool and Lazy River have recorded music playing for your enjoyment.
• Entertainment center – The entertainment area has the largest arcade we’ve seen with numerous games, as well as duckpin bowling, billiards, darts, and a snack bar.
• Bar & Grill – This is one of the few RV resorts with a full-service bar and grill. The food was tasty American casual and the margarita menu is as long as the food menu. Each morning, they offer a fabulous breakfast buffet.
• Camp Store – In addition to camp items and souvenirs, the camp store has fancy coffee drinks, smoothies, and grab & go food items like sandwiches and salads.

Local Area

Situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Just 15 minutes from Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is the Sugarland Visitor Center, the Tennessee gateway to the park. With over 800 miles of trails, there is something for everyone, from easy strolls through the woods to challenging climbs to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. The variety of hiking trails is matched by the diversity of the natural world on display. From the lush forests and rushing waterfalls to the open meadows and streams, you’ll get a taste of the real beauty of nature. Read our guide to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park to learn more.

Book Your Stay

If you’re ready to camp at the best campground near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, book your stay today. And if you’re looking for other great campgrounds we’ve visited around the United States, see our campground reviews here.

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We love camping by the water any time of year, but it sure is extra nice when the temperatures are soaring outside. Nothing beats the breeze coming off a lake or ocean to cool you down. We are so fortunate that there are so many waterfront campgrounds across the country including those on rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and the ocean. We want to help you choose the right campsite to build memories for your family. Below are a few of our favorites divided into categories by cost: free, budget, and luxury options for RV camping by the water.

Free Waterfront Campgrounds

For those seeking a truly off-the-grid experience, waterfront boondocking sites can’t be beaten. Boondocking, or dry camping, means staying at a campsite with no water, electricity, or sewage hookups, relying solely on your RV’s onboard facilities. These sites are often free, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in nature without breaking the bank.

Thanks to the Bureau of Land Management, there are many opportunities around the U.S. Just search “free camping by the water” on the internet or your favorite trip planning app and you’ll find that there are numerous options, particularly out west. A popular option due to its proximity to Las Vegas is Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There are several different areas where you can camp off-grid at Lake Mead — one even has bathrooms. Just note that while boondocking is free there, you will need to pay an entrance fee if you don’t have a National Park pass.

Budget Waterfront Campgrounds

There are three basic options that we’ve found for moderate or budget waterfront campgrounds: state parks, Corps of Engineer campgrounds, military campgrounds, and small, privately owned campgrounds.

Waterfront State Park Campgrounds

State park campgrounds are a fantastic choice for those who desire a blend of natural beauty, affordability, and various recreational activities. Some of our all-time favorite state parks are located on rivers. Most of these state parks are reasonably priced and they often offer additional discounts for seniors or state residents. In addition, the majority of them have power and water at the campsites, and a few even have full hookups.

It’s hard to pick just one favorite, so we’ll share two. The first is Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida. It is located on a crystal clear, freshwater spring-fed river. Seriously. The water is so clear it looks like a swimming pool. Another great thing about this state park is that the campground is separate from the main attraction area so you can enjoy a quiet day looking over the river.

Shenandoah River State Park in northern Virginia has 5 miles of waterfront access along the Shenandoah River. Another great thing about this campground is that it is only a 10-minute drive to Shenandoah National Park. That makes it a great place to stay as an alternative to the national park.

If you’d rather be on the ocean, Bahia Honda State Park and Curry Hammock State Parks in the Florida Keys are not only excellent spots for water-based recreation like fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking but also come with a reasonable daily fee.

Waterfront Corps of Engineer Campgrounds

Corps of Engineer or COE campgrounds offer some of the best waterfront camping in the country. They are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers but are not the same as military campgrounds. In fact, they are available to the public. Typically found on rivers, lakes, dams, and reservoirs, these waterfront campgrounds offer water and sewer at your site (some have full hookups, but that is less common), a centrally located dump station, bathhouses, walking trails, fishing piers, and swimming areas. If you have the Senior or Access (disability) National Parks Pass, you can even get 50 percent off your stay. We’ve loved every single one we’ve stayed at, but here’s just one example, Gunter Hill COE Campground located just outside of Montgomery, Alabama.

And here’s another gem on the Virginia – North Carolina border, Rudd’s Creek Campground. As you can see in the cover image of the video below, many folks come with boats and tie them up right behind their campsite! This campground also had a sweet little swimming area blocked off from the substantial boat traffic.

Waterfront Military Campgrounds

If you can access military bases, there are some phenomenal waterfront campgrounds to enjoy. If you’d like to know more about eligibility and reservations, read our Guide to Military Campgrounds. We have several that we’ve gone back to more than once. One of our absolute favorites was Sigsbee Campground in Key West, Florida. It has both a dry camping and a full hook-up area.

A second runner-up was Patrick Air Force Base. It is located on the Banana River, but the ocean is just across the street from the main base. The base has bike, kayak, and paddleboard rentals at the Outdoor Recreation office. I had a lot of fun trying to learn how to stand-up paddleboard there. The base also has a waterfront dining facility that is open to military retirees as well.

Inexpensive Privately Owned Campgrounds

Don’t forget about the small, locally-owned campgrounds. Typically no-frills, you will get full hookups in some of the most magical spots. For example, we stayed at the Wagon Circle campground along the Red River in Heber Springs, Arkansas for only $26 a night. It was in such a peaceful location and had stairs leading down to a dock on the river. Another fantastic one is Damascus Creekside RV Park in southwestern Virginia. It has eight RV sites and two rental cabins that back up to a serene creek.

Luxury Waterfront Campgrounds

Luxury and waterfront often go hand-in-hand. If budget isn’t a concern and you’re looking for a luxurious, resort-style experience, check out the upscale waterfront RV campgrounds. These privately owned properties offer top-notch amenities, like full hookups, swimming pools, restaurants, and spas.

We’ve stayed at some top-notch resorts along our RV travels. Here are just a few of the best.

The first is Catherine’s Landing, an absolutely gorgeous RV resort with a mile of waterfrontage on Lake Catherine. It is only about a 20-minute drive to Hot Springs National Park. The resort is packed with amenities and plenty of activities like boat & kayak rentals, zip lining, disc golf, and a huge pool.

We love beachfront RV resorts and two of the best (Gulf Waters Beachfront RV Resort in Port Aransas, Texas, and Bluewater Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys) have privately owned lots with cabanas. They offer different levels (pricing) of sites depending on what amenities you want.

As you can see, the options for camping along the water are abundant across the United States.

Do you have a favorite waterfront campground? Please tell us in the comments below.

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