About Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
The Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday is a private, full-service campground at 8533 State Highway 73 in Townsend, Tennessee, on the road toward Cades Cove. It is open all year, and Townsend, the self-described "peaceful side of the Smokies," is the least crowded gateway to the park.
What you will find
The KOA page lists RV sites with a KOA Patio, premium tent sites, camping cabins and deluxe cabins with private bedrooms, bathrooms, a patio and grill. Amenities include 50-amp power, a 60-foot maximum rig length, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a pool (listed for late May to early September), a snack bar, propane, firewood, fishing and a pavilion. Extended stays and groups are welcome.
Booking
Reserve through KOA online or by phone at 865-448-2241. Rates vary by season and site type; KOA advertises fall RV sites from about $55 a night, but confirm current prices on the site.
Getting there
From Maryville, take US-321 north to Townsend, then follow KOA's directions along TN-73. Townsend has groceries, fuel and restaurants, and the Great Smokies Welcome Center. Allow about 20 minutes to reach Cades Cove, longer in summer and October, when the loop road backs up.
Nearby
- Cades Cove: The 11-mile loop has historic cabins, churches and wildlife. On Wednesdays from May 6 to September 30 in 2026 it was vehicle-free all day for cyclists and walkers.
- Little River Road and Tremont: Lynn Camp Prong Cascades and Spruce Flats Falls are a short drive.
- Townsend Wye: The park entrance is a few minutes away.
Park rules still apply once you leave the campground: parking more than 15 minutes in the national park requires a parking tag, and federal passes do not replace it.
Good to know
- How do I reserve a site?
- Reservations for national park campgrounds are made on recreation.gov. Summer and October weekends book up early.
- Do I need a parking tag?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.