Cherokee Campgrounds: Best Camp Sites in North Carolina

Camping at Cherokee can be a fantastic experience for anyone who would appreciate a Mountain Retreat, especially camping beneath the stars after a day of exploring the forest haven and the area's many trails and streams. Cherokee boasts many campgrounds with riverfront sites for such a little town.

You'll discover scenic camping that fits your style, whether you need camping cabins, pop-up or tent sites, or RV parks at a lakeside getaway.

Enjoy the beautiful outdoors while remaining only minutes from Cherokee's attractions, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores filled with family fun when it comes to Nature Camping.

Cherokee, North Carolina, is a popular family holiday destination with some excellent camping possibilities so whether you prefer tent or RV camping, you're sure to find a suitable home base for your visit.

Campgrounds in and around Cherokee, North Carolina, fill up quickly, especially during the summer and holidays, so plan. Reserve your preferred campground when you know when to visit the region.

Where is Cherokee Campground Located?

This Smoky Mountain campgrounds are located one hour west of Asheville, three hours from Atlanta and Charlotte, and two hours from Greenville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Cherokee is the Cherokees' original homeland, with its present site down in the Eastern Part of Cherokee, which has been the home to the Cherokee Indians for over 11,000 years.

The KOA campsite in Cherokee, NC, down in the hills of the Great Smoky Mountain close to the heart of Cherokee tribal country, is one of the best campgrounds in Cherokee, NC, boasting of a clear and vast 360-degree sight of the mountains and also room for fun-filled activities which will bring everlasting memories of a blissful camping experience. 

Coming from a peaceful campground that provides a rural retreat with a touch of wilderness stay. A breath of fresh air from the rush and bustle of everyday life to quiet nights, allowing you and your family to experience the finest that nature has to offer, some serenity base.

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Attractions at Cherokee Campgrounds

Camping in Cherokee gives you access to many activities, sites, and adventures. There's something for everyone, so if you're a thrill-seeker eager to try something new, Cherokee KOA is an excellent base camp for a Smoky Mountain Hideaway. 

You can take a lovely trip across the Blue Ridge Mountains or Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Visit the artisan businesses in your area or probably try a thrilling new adventure such as white water rafting or tubing.

Visit one of the many hiking trails in the region. There are many other things to do in Cherokee, NC—barely one hour from the world-class attractions in adjacent Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

These cities are well-known for family-friendly attractions such as Dollywood. We're also just an hour's drive east of Asheville, NC, and the opulent Biltmore Estate and Gardens. There are also various museums in Bryson City, which is about 30 minutes away from our campground.

Reservations and the Rates at Cherokee Campground

To make a reservation, call Floyd at (717) 486-8000. Visitors who want to stay on time must go by 10 p.m., with a charge of $5.00 during the daytime. Daytime visits are only available during evenings with entertainment and on holidays for $10.00. 

Overnight stays are $10.00 at any time. Cabin One, which costs $60 a night and beds three people, has a dorm-size fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, table and chairs, air conditioning, and electric heat. 

In cabin two, a night charge is $100, with a maximum of three people in a room equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, table and chairs, sofa, TV, air conditioning, and electric heat.

Cabins three and six cost $70 per night, and five people are equipped with a dorm-sized fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, table and chairs, air conditioning, and electric heat.

Cabins four and five cost $70 per night and sleep four people, with a dorm-size fridge, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, table and chairs, air conditioning, and electric heat, while sites one and two cost $30 per night and have water and electricity. Site AA costs $35 per night and includes water, sewer, and electricity.

Amenities at Cherokee Campgrounds

It can take time to choose the ideal spot to stay for your family trip. After all, it's the little things that make a vacation memorable, so you'll need a location that provides something for everyone. 

Fortunately, there are numerous activities available at the Cherokee KOA campground! We endeavor to present you with experiences that will bring memories forever. You don't even have to leave our campground to enjoy beautiful amenities like:

1. Weekends with a theme, then a playground and indoor or outdoor pool.

2. A movie theater in the open-air bounce cushion.

3. Off-leash dog park Kamp K9 for your animal friend, and there's the Campfire Grill, where you can get a bite.

If more is needed, there are other activities nearby the campground. Call our office beforehand to reserve your tickets for fun activities like horsing around; tubing is available for hire. Then there’s canopy zipline tours and the Cherokee Indian Museum.

Other Sites at the Cherokee Campground

Numerous excellent Cherokee NC campgrounds are excellent grounds for visiting the National Park at the Great Mountains and even the Blue Ridge in North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway's southern terminus lies at the national park's entrance, just 3.5 miles north of Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary.

Other notable sites in GSMNP near Cherokee include Soco and Mingo Falls, Mingus Mill, the Mountain Farm Museum, and the Cataloochee Valley elk.

The Oconaluftee Indian Village, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, and the historical drama "Unto These Hills" are also located in the North Carolina mountain town.

Cherokee, NC, has a number of high-quality campgrounds where tourists can take advantage of the historic sites, natural wonders, and national park attractions. They are:

1. Happy Holiday Campground

The Happy Holiday Campground, nestled on 40 acres and surrounded by mountain streams, is located at 1553 Wolfetown Road and can be reached via (828) 497-9204).

Proud to be immersed in Cherokee culture and heritage, this campsite accommodates both RVs and tents and features a good shower block/bathroom, coin-operated laundry facilities, and free WiFi.

A swimming pool, a stocked fishing pond, a game room, golf cart rentals, and a shuttle service into Downtown Cherokee are all available at the campground.

Soco Falls, Harrah's Casino, and Blackrock Mountain are accessible from the Happy Holiday Campground. The distance from downtown Cherokee is around 4.5 miles, and the distance to the visitor center is approximately 8 miles.

2. Indian Creek Campground

The Indian Creek Campground, bold enough to proclaim itself as one of the top campgrounds in Cherokee, NC, has much going on. RV and tent camping are available, as well as cabin rentals. There are numerous creekside campsites available, and the waterways are stocked with trout.

This kind of Cherokee camping focuses more on the natural beauty of the area; though there is no pool, children can enjoy playing in the creek. Indian Creek Campground is also a little off the beaten path. It's roughly a 20-minute drive from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and a 20-minute drive from Downtown Cherokee.

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3. Cherokee KOA

Situated at 92 KOA Campground Road, it is the ideal family-friendly campground in Cherokee, with plenty of amenities to make everyone's stay enjoyable and comfortable.

This campground features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a jumping pad, and an outdoor movie screen, in addition to full hook-up RV and tent sites and cabin rentals.

It also has a playground for children and hot tubs and saunas for adults. The Cherokee KOA has a laundry facility, a dump station, and various bathroom blocks across the park.

There is also free Wi-Fi and cable TV. The KOA Cherokee campground is a short walk from Mingo Falls, 6 miles from Downtown Cherokee, and 5 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

4.  Mile High Campground

Mile High is a Cherokee campground founded around 25 years ago by a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and today, it sits at 346 Balsam Mountain Road, Cherokee. It has remained pretty rustic, as it was in the early days of camping. 

There are hot showers and limited internet access, but no electricity or water hookups are available at their campgrounds.  The amenities here are primarily geared toward camping and socializing. Just bring your favorite tent and coolers and relax in all the natural beauty. 

Wildlife, particularly elk, is also frequent at the campground. Mile High is around 7 miles from Maggie Valley, NC, and Soco Falls. However, Downtown Cherokee is only 15 miles distant.

5. River Valley Campground

River Valley Campground, a popular and well-liked Cherokee campground, must be updated. While this isn't one of the best family RV parks in Cherokee, their campsites provide full hookups and laundry facilities. 

Wi-Fi and cell connection could be more reliable in this area. River Valley camping is pure and straightforward. There's an excellent creek near the campgrounds, many trees, and few structures. There are no playgrounds or swimming pools. Everything revolves around getting away from it all!

The River Valley Campground is located just beyond the national park's boundaries. It's 5 miles from downtown Cherokee and a few miles from Mingo Falls by the south side.

6. Yogi in the Smokies

The Yogi Bear Campground in Cherokee, North Carolina, is also known as the "Yogi in the Smokies" campground at 317 Galamore Bridge by Cherokee, NC with the contact, (828) 497-9151). It's a well-known name among the numerous family campgrounds in Cherokee, North Carolina, alongside KOA.

Yogi in the Smokies offers full hook-up RV sites, rental cottages, and rustic tent camping areas. There is also a laundry room and lots of restrooms located throughout the property. A pool area, the Ravenfork River, and playgrounds are noteworthy features.

They also have a game area, a craft center, a camp store, and an outdoor theater, as well as daily activities. Yogi's campground in Cherokee, North Carolina, is less than ten miles from downtown, nine miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and two miles from Mingo Falls.

7. Smokemont Campground

Located in the National Park of the Great Smoky Mountains, it is one of our favorites for Cherokee NC camping just by Road A. It's a large property with flush toilets, drinking water, and kitchen sinks. There are RV sites with electricity and a dump station, but showers must be equipped. 

Smokemont is built around a beautiful creek, and there are trailheads right in the campsite for some fantastic Smoky Mountain waterfall hikes and backcountry camping.

This campground is located within the national park. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is 4 miles away, the Blue Ridge Parkway is 5 miles away, and Downtown Cherokee is 7 miles away.

We'd love to be a part of your family vacation in Cherokee, NC, so reserve your campground today. If you enjoy the Smokies, visit our other Smoky Mountain locations, Townsend/Great Smokies KOA Holiday and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday.

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Benefits of Camping at Cherokee Campgrounds

Staying in Cherokee, North Carolina, means the ideal combination of camping and fishing. Cherokee, NC, is an angler's dream, whether you're a pro seeking new challenges or a novice picking up a rod and reel. 

Fishing

It is an ideal place for fishing enthusiasts in Cherokee. Cherokee boasts a 30-mile stream system that is clear, clean, and attractive, always stocked with various trout. There is another breathtakingly magnificent fishing site around every corner. 

There are about 40 stores in town that can give you legal fishing permits. In addition, if you need to get your gear, local tackle shops can outfit you with beginner or expert gear with a fishing guide. 

History

A journey to Cherokee, North Carolina, would be incomplete without learning about the area's rich Native American history. Cherokee is the Cherokee people's original home. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still lives here. 

You can discover Cherokee Tribal Country's Heart since the region has 11,000 years of history and culture just waiting for you and your family to uncover. Unto These Hills, an outdoor drama performed at the Mountainside Theater is one of Cherokee's unique attractions, and then there’s The Indian Village of Oconaluftee.

Safety Rules and Regulations at Cherokee Campground

Cherokee Campground tries to make your camping experience enjoyable, family-friendly, and safe. The following guidelines must be obeyed to ensure the safety of our campers and visitors. 

1. The use of fireworks and firearms is prohibited in the campground. Motorized vehicles (4-wheelers, trikes, scooters, etc...) are not permitted at the campground.

2. The campground's speed limit is 5 miles per hour. Unless they have paid to remain overnight, all guests must register at the office and leave by 10:00 p.m.

3. Campfires are only permitted in fire rings. Before going to bed, all fires must be extinguished. Moving fire rings from other locations is not authorized.

4. Before leaving, all waste should be dropped in the placed plastic bags and must be trashed in the dumpster. It is not permissible to wash your vehicle. Moving picnic tables is only permitted if authorized by management.

5. It is not permissible to use nails or screws as fasteners in any of our trees. No tree or firewood chopping is permitted in the campground. Outside supplies of firewood are not permitted.

6. Quiet hours are between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. By 10:00 p.m., all minors must be at their campground. Pets must be leashed at all times, and you must clean up after them. 

7. After dark, no swimming or biking as bikes cannot be ridden through campgrounds. When riding, children aged 12 and younger are required by law to wear a helmet. Glass bottles are not allowed in the pool or pavilion area, and all beverages, whether cans or bottles, must be in a cozy.

8. Children under six should be accompanied by an adult to the restrooms and playground, and teenagers about 14 years should be followed by an adult to the pool area; children 14 and older may be there without an adult if they are proficient swimmers. 

There are only a few lifeguards on duty. Swimming is entirely at your own risk. Using campsites as a walkway is prohibited for the benefit of other campers.

Amenities at Cherokee Campground

Cherokee Campground is the place to stay if you need a place to stay for a night or two on your journey, a place to stay short term due to relocation, or even a long-term stay. There is room for enjoying helping extended-stay and short-term guests by offering fair prices, calm and safe settings, and a simple "hometown" feel.

The Wi-Fi has a maximum amp rating of 50 and a maximum length of 136 feet, then there’s a cable TV and a swimming pool, which is open all year. Also, a sauna/jacuzzi and propane, a jumping pillow for indoor swimming, fun-filled activities like fishing, golf cars, firewood gathering, and bike rentals. 

Although swimming is prohibited, the 16-acre lake remains a popular destination for those who want to go river camp or even walk around. With an Alabama license, our guests can fish from the bank, but this is a personal lake.

Braxton Enterprises, Inc. leases and operates the park, providing a family-focused environment for short-term and extended-stay camping.