This private campground borders the cystal clear Little River, which flows out of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If we stayed here again, we'd know to ask for a more private site on the river.
The spacious, shady riverside sites have only water and electrical hookups (and no cable), rather than the full hookups available in the main loop. Sewage hookups are not an issue if you're only staying a night or two because like all KOAs, this one has a dump station included in your nightly fee.
The rainy Sunday night we stayed here in early May was only a few days before a popular annual blue-grass festival in Townsend. The campground was already filled with extended families and friends staying for the week. We got sandwiched between grandparents and grandchildren who were fond of big smoky fires and shouting back and forth between campsites.
No matter. We closed the windows and cranked up the AC -- one of the perks of staying in a campground with electrical hookups. We also had the chance to catch up on some work with free high-speed internet access, and on some news (including nearby tornado warnings) with free cable TV.
But it's easy to see why people would stay here for a week or more. The area offers plenty. There's the river, with its fishing, tubing, kayaking and wading. The first town outside the northwest entrance to the Great Smokies, Townsend is considerably more relaxed than the frenetic Gaitlinburg and Pigeon Forge entrance.
Craft shops abound here. We counted a half dozen chainsaw carvers offering everything from the ubiquitous black bear statues to gorgeous cedar mantels.
We took a ride up a narrow, winding country road to a shop run by the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry of area Presbyterian churches. The crafts here are made in seven Applachian states and proceeds benefit mostly low-income crafters. The hand-made broom we bought not only does a dandy job on the RV's floors, it helped its young creator fund his college education.
The campground itself offers a store, restaurant, and crafts, ice cream and fudge, as well as the usual amenities of laundry and showers. Other features include a large playground, pool, barbecue pavilion, horseshoe pits and an arcade.
In season, you can rent tubes for a lazy float down the river, or bicylces for a spin on the five-mile public bike trail across the street. If that's all too ambitious, you can wander down to the river and while away the hours on one of several wooden swings.
The facilities are spotless and the staff helpful. Bathrooms and showers are free, but require a code to access.
Campgrounds Guide 
