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Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA

2.9 (68 reviews)

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Lynn Q.

We have camped at KOA Cherokee for the last 6 years while attending the Talking Trees Trout Derby with our granddaughters. This is our last year since she will be too old to participate. We have truly enjoyed each year. This place is truly a kids paradise. Bike riding at its best.

Coffee & the river!

Normally we travel in an RV, however, in March we traveled with our truck and motorcycle trailer as we wanted to ride the popular roads around the Smokies. So for the first time, We reserved a cabin (KT510), at the front of the campground, Deluxe, Full kitchen (stove top/no oven), over Raven River, One bedroom (queen), bathroom/shower, propane Weber grill. The negative reviews are mostly from 2020 & 2021 when Covid hit staffing issues. But, we thoroughly enjoyed our early Spring stay. Staff is exceptional !! A CLEAN cabin, windows function well, bed was extremely comfortable, they have pots, pans, dishes, cups and utensils. Though, I'd wash them before using. One small pan was great, but the other teflon cookware were destroyed by people using metal instead of plastic. Bring non-stick foil for the grill. And your own K-cups for the Keurig as they supply two, or you'll have to purchase more. Their store has snacks, beer, wine, supplies. The Cafe is only open seasonally, so bring your food and such if you don't want to eat out for every meal. They do have a full size refrigerator. Only about 6 minutes to town/Cherokee. We used the two wall heaters (one in bathroom and one in bedroom), but also used the electric fireplace to warm up the front room in the mornings. There is only one (remote controlled) AC located in the kitchen/front room, but each room has a ceiling fan. The front room had a couch/futon. And the river was an amazing bonus to listen to and watch. They allow trout fishing, get your license there. Lots of amenities, but in mid-March the pools and hot tub were closed as was the desire for corn-hole and community fire pit. We were able to park in a long space with our trailer to load and unload our motorcycles at our cabin lot, which worked perfectly. But if it's summer, you may not be able to use that particular space. (we never detached to use our truck). They have extremely helpful after hours staff who were able to explain how to get the fireplace to turn on, and that the grill is permanently attached to a propane line and doesn't need a tank. Smart/Streaming TV. Great WiFi. Dog park. Did not utilize the campground bathhouse or laundry. This was a great KOA in a great location, but not if you'd rather be in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge as it is up and over the Smokies which will make an early all day adventure. This was a great location for motorcyclists to ride toward Robbinsville, Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Cherohala Skyway and other areas away from Gatlinburg.

Home away from home
Anthony W.

AMERICAN as it gets! This place is tucked away beautifully in the great Smokey Mountains. As you arrive in Cherokee you will feel the Native vibe. As WE approached the KOA we were fortunate to be welcomed by elk feeding on the side of the road! Massively amazing. The Koa is large and spread out with plenty to do! We were an hour or so drive out of Pigeon forge right through the Smokey Mountains National park! and 1.30 min out of Asheville and the Biltmore estate. Perfectly located for many things to go. Mingo Falls is 4 miles out. Couldn't have asked for a better stay! Cabin was awesome... right on the river where we could hear the river 24/7 and we also were treated with a fishing tournament on the last day of our stay!! Would highly recommend this place and I will definitely be back! On a side note try the pizza at the pizza place located inside the KOA , you will be pleasantly surprised!! Live laugh and keep America beautiful!!

Six to seven cars for one cabin. They parked in vacant campsite and around playground.

Our site is across from the playground. On us because we had not been here before and didn't know sites. Screaming kids all day. We requested a change but told all sites were booked. They were not. Employee in trailer across from us- loud verbal family fight last night. Today, small cabin across from us with SIX cars parked there. Figure they are employees, or related to, because no one is addressing this. We were told they can have as many cars as they want. They played music and were very loud late into the night. I would not recommend this campground. KOA website states complaints should go to that campground but they do not answer the phone. Husband said bathrooms are dirty but I don't go in them.

Jennifer T.

Clean campground with lots of activities! Close to the casino and a lot of great hiking trails. Indoor pool and hot tub were a bonus!

Creek that runs through the campground.
Holly A.

BEAUTIFUL! The campsites are huge, the park is gorgeous, and there's an indoor pool with a hot tub! We checked in after hours and it was a breeze. There are people out until about 10 o'clock at night that check you in and show you to your site AND make sure you know how to hook up. (We were in an RV) They have firewood available for a price, a convenience store, and ice. There are cabins, tent spaces, and RV spaces. Spots near the water, mountain views, and beautiful trees! The showers and bathrooms were clean and full of hot water. Water pressure was great! The outdoor pool area was closed because we went during fall, but the indoor pool was awesome! The water is warm, and the hot tube is warmer ;) . There's a shower to rinse off right in the pool area. It's definitely worth the money, so just do it!

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Very nice and clean . Only downside no cable but you can stream. Definitely would recommend

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We have camped at KOA Cherokee for the last 6 years while attending the Talking Trees Trout Derby with our granddaughters.

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Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Our fifth wheel on pull-through site 61.  Bath house less than 100 yards away.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

3.6(11 reviews)
1.5 mi
$$

We had a great time here…read more We loved our site, and the staff was wonderfully helpful. WiFi was great, "cable" TV usable but not wonderful. Shout-out to Ranger Roy who was very helpful and fun to chat with.

I planned a trip away for my husband birthday and unfortunately it wasn't what I was expecting. The…read morelady that we checked in with on Thursday was very nice but there was a blonde haired lady was not nice at all. I sent my husband to put on a load of laundry and this lady refused to give him change unless he had $10.00 and then she would give him a roll of quarters. I don't feel like we should have had to do that just to get change. They had 6 dryers but only 2 would work and we had to dry our clothes on high 3 times. We were also set up beside a pop up tent and I watched one of the grounds keepers go to the tent while the ppl were away and stick his head inside look around and then zip it back up and drive off. Not weird at all. Lol The power flipped off and there wasn't a message put up on the app to tell us it had went off or come back on. But we knew it went off because we were there. Nobody could tell us anything at all. Honestly the place just wasn't kept up to the standards that I had heard they once were. Shower house had dead spiders everywhere. Pool was already closed and I'm not sure what they are calling a splash pad because all I seen was a blue and orange thing that shoots water out the side and it was closed as well. We just didn't have a good experience at all. Would not go back if someone paid for it.

Photos
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Stocked Trout River

Stocked Trout River

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Riding the Big Bikes

Riding the Big Bikes

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Tubing the River

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Tubing the River

Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park - Tepees were still standing but gutted because of hurricane damage.. still cool!

Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park

4.5(23 reviews)
10.4 mi

Beautiful view of River Sites are close together and short…read moreBathhouse was very clean Wigwams for rent to sleep in are really cute

We came just few weeks after area was hit by hurricane Helene. They got it quickly back up and…read morerunning. They have gorgeous spots right on the river and I could hear the river as I slept and it was so soothing!! The owners are wonderful people and really want campers to enjoy every aspect of their stay. They came out when we came in to help us back camper in our spot. It's very close to town like 5 min drive but felt out in country. Our spot had a picnic table and fire pit. They have a pretty good size bath house with vending machines and at as use washers and dryers which would be good for long stays! Shower stalls were individual bathrooms for privacy .. updated and very clean. We came before Halloween and it had decor for the holiday.. you could stay in camper, they had cabins, and tepees for unique stay. Most were damaged by storm but will be ready for following year. I thought that was really interesting.. i read reviews from previous years about wifi being terrible but we didn't have that issue. We didn't really spend all day at campground we came to see and spend time in the area so we were only using wifi at night and in morning with coffee. I would highly recommend this campground.. it was a great stay and I hated to leave.

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Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park - Laundry room, mini loaner library!

Laundry room, mini loaner library!

Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park - Laundry room area

Laundry room area

Grumpy Bear Campground & RV Park - Vending machines

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Vending machines

Flaming Arrow Campground

Flaming Arrow Campground

3.9(8 reviews)
6.6 mi

I have been here for three months now during the winter and I have come to know the owner and her…read moreson, Joni and (30? Year old son) William quite well. As they become comfortable with your stay, they become increasingly hostile over seriously nothing. A simple question about Wi-Fi or anything will elicit screams and hollers and even hanging up on you. Joni even yelled at my DoorDash driver who was still parked in my driveway. She has owned this campground for 28 years as she will remind you time and time again. In my opinion it's time to retire. She is burnt out and the most unhappiest woman I have ever met. This is not exclusive to me, but all of my neighbors as well. They are terrified of her. I think I'm the only one to stand up to her outbursts and not take her sh*t. The more scenic sites are at a 45° angle so be prepared to back your RV in up at that angle. Please know that if there is any rain, you will be quite easily stuck at your site due to slick mud and clay and ancient, well embedded gravel that is no longer helpful for your RV and vehicle. My Expedition was stuck just pulling into my drive, if that tells you anything. There are so many other great RV sites such as Tuckaseegee (River & Rails), Great Smoky Mtns RV resort, and the Great Outdoors ($$$$). There is no reason to deal with the hostility here. Hope this helps.

I have now stayed here several times and it never disappoints. Joni knows the campsite I like. This…read moretime, I came in with bad timing in a storm. Joni not only gave me a covered site (no extra) but also helped me rearrange the site how I needed. This has become a home away from home and I love it every time I come.

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Flaming Arrow Campground
Flaming Arrow Campground
Flaming Arrow Campground

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Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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