Campgrounds Near Gatlinburg: Greenbrier
Our first RV trip was one night at Greenbrier near Gatlinburg: a 108° heat sign, two dogs, a dry toilet, and a black bear. Here's what we'd tell a first-timer.
Carlos Lopez
10/8/20267 min read
What's It Like Camping at Greenbrier Near Gatlinburg?
Greenbrier Campground near Gatlinburg was a good first RV campground for us: a back-in site on the river, full hookups, and helpful registration staff. Go when it's cooler. In early September the temperature signs read 108°, too hot for our older dogs, and the narrow road in was nerve-racking in a wide Class C.
Here's the situation. This was our very first RV trip. Nancy and I rented a 26-foot Class C, loaded up Macie and Mindy, and headed for Greenbrier Campground outside Gatlinburg for two nights and three days. We made it one night. Nothing broke and nobody got hurt. The Smokies just had other plans for us, mostly involving heat.
The drive up was a "We're New To This" shirt kind of day, and that turned out to be the most accurate thing either of us said all weekend. You'll find it, and its follow-up, on our funny RV camping shirts page.
Before the Highway: The Fridge Door We Almost Didn't Latch
After our first gas stop, we heard the fridge door knocking. Nancy realized it wasn’t latched and latched it before we got on the highway. That saved us a big mess on the floor of someone else’s RV, and trust me, we’d stuffed that fridge with enough food to last a month.
If you rent, ask the owner to show you how the fridge latch works, then check it at every stop. It’s one of those things nobody thinks about until something hits the floor. Also ask whether the fridge can run while you drive. Ours could, and it was an awesome perk.
The Narrow Road Into the Campground
Our route took us through Gatlinburg. The part that got us was the road leading to the campground. It wasn't very wide, and a 26-foot Class C is wider than it feels from the driver's seat. Take it slowly, give oncoming traffic room, and let anybody behind you wait. They will. From what we saw, all kinds of RVs and travel trailers use this road. Most important, don’t get nervous and start overcorrecting your steering. Take it at your speed, not anyone else’s. Trust me, that’s the best way to avoid trouble.
Finding Your Site: Look Past the First Marker
The registration staff were helpful. Then we drove right past our site. Twice. The sign for our site sat farther in than the signs for the sites next to it, behind a big bush at the entrance.
If you can’t find your site, slow down and look deeper in. Not every marker sits at the edge of the road. I finally got out and walked around to find it, and when I did, it felt like finding a long-lost brother.
Our Site: On the River, Full Hookups, 30 Amp Only
Our site was a back-in with a view of the river. It's a small river with fast water running over the rocks. The campground has full hookups. Ours had water, sewer, and electricity available. Since we were leaving the next day, I hooked up the 30-amp power and nothing else, and we ran on the freshwater tank.
That's how we learned about the water pump. When the toilet wouldn't flush, the pump switch turned out to be off. It sat on a panel by the entrance with a bunch of other switches. The owner had walked us through the rig at pickup, and we'd forgotten. One flip and a press of the foot pedal, and we had water. The whole story, plus what we found out afterward, is in RV Water Pump Not Working.
We didn't connect the sewer either. When we asked about dumping the tanks, the owner told us not to worry about it on such a short trip and took care of it at no extra cost. If you rent, ask about dumping before you leave. The answer may save you a stop.
Smoky Mountains RV Camping Through a Thunderstorm
The thunderstorm hit the first night. We had a river view and a storm, so of course we watched the water. It stayed at its normal level, and we never lost power. Cell service held up too. Our rental had 5G, another great perk, and it was good enough to watch football during the storm. I wish we could have sat outside with a fire and cooked on our griddle, but at least we stayed dry and caught some football. If you’re bringing a griddle, here’s how we seasoned ours.
Camping Near Gatlinburg With Dogs in September
The AC in the rental worked perfectly. That was never the problem. The problem was that the temperature signs read 108° the day we arrived, and the next day was supposed to be the same. Macie and Mindy are older dogs, and we didn't take them to the mountains to sit inside an air-conditioned box for three days. Keeping them inside the whole trip would have defeated the purpose of going. So, we went home early.
If you're camping with dogs, here's what we'd do differently:
Go when it's cooler. Greenbrier is a beautiful campground with beautiful grounds. We'd go back in a cooler month.
Bring three fence sets, not one. A portable fence gives the dogs a safe outdoor space. We'd bring three sets.
Block under the steps. Find a fence setup that closes off the space under the RV steps. That gap is exactly where a curious dog goes.
We wrote up how we set up a portable dog fence in Camping With a Portable Dog Fence.
Bears in Gatlinburg: The One We Saw a Mile From Camp
On the way out, about a mile down the road from the campground, we saw a black bear walking through the woods beside the road. We saw it from the safety of the RV. Neither of us wanted to end up in one of those YouTube videos where somebody tries to feed a bear and it goes wrong.
Staying in your vehicle is exactly what the National Park Service recommends when you see a bear near a road. The park also says not to let a bear approach you. If the bear stops what it’s doing, watches you, or changes direction because of you, you’re too close. With Macie and Mindy along, one more line from the park stuck with us: dogs are involved in most incidents between people and black bears. Keep your dogs leashed and close.
Other RV Camping Options Near Gatlinburg We're Researching
We've only stayed at Greenbrier. But the first question most people ask is "which campground?", so here are three more we're looking at, and why each one would fit a different trip.
Twin Creek RV Resort — closest to town. It's on the East Parkway, about two miles from downtown Gatlinburg, with a trolley stop at the entrance. It has full hookups and a fenced dog run, which is on our list for next time. Its 2026 season runs March 28 through November 29, and it lists some pet restrictions, so call ahead if you're bringing dogs.
Elkmont Campground — inside the national park. It's about eight miles from Gatlinburg, with 200 tent and RV sites plus 20 walk-in tent sites. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups, except three accessible sites with low-power electric for medical equipment. In heat like we had, that means no shore power for the AC. Pets must stay on a six-foot leash and can't be left unattended, and food storage rules are strictly enforced. There's no dump or fill station at the campground. The nearest one is about six miles away, across from Sugarlands Visitor Center. Some sites suit tents better than RVs, so check each site's measurements before you book.
Cosby Campground — quieter, east side of the park. It sits at about 2,460 feet and is usually quieter than the park's busier campgrounds. There are no hookups, but there's a dump station, and every site is reservation-only. One catch for us: the RV sites we looked at list a 25-foot maximum, and our 26-foot rental would have been over the limit. Check your rig's length before you book anywhere in the park.
First-Time RV Camping Tips From Our Trip
Go when it's cooler, especially with dogs.
Latch the fridge before you leave, and check it at every stop.
Take the road into the campground slowly in a wide rig.
If you can't find your site, look past the first marker.
If the toilet won't flush, check the water pump switch.
Ask the owner about dumping before a short trip.
Bring three fence sets and block under the steps.
If you see a bear from the road, stay in the vehicle.
For step-by-step setup and departure lists, see our RV camping checklists.
We survived our first RV trip. It was one night instead of two, but it counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Yes, with limits. The National Park Service allows pets in campgrounds, in picnic areas, and along roads. Only two trails allow leashed dogs: the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and the park says never to leave them unattended in a vehicle or RV.
Are there bears in Gatlinburg?
Yes. We saw a black bear walking through the woods about a mile from our campground. The National Park Service says the Smokies have the densest black bear population in the country, and bears do wander into developed areas. If you see one near a road, stay in your vehicle. If you see one in town, the park asks you to contact local officials.
What's the weather like in Gatlinburg in September?
On average, warm days and cool nights. The National Park Service lists Gatlinburg's average September high at 83°F and low at 55°F, and the higher elevations run much cooler. Averages aren't promises, though. The day we arrived, the temperature signs read 108°. Check the forecast before you go, especially with dogs.
Can you go RV camping with dogs near Gatlinburg?
Yes. We camped at Greenbrier with Macie and Mindy. Park campgrounds allow leashed pets, but the park says never to leave them unattended in an RV, so plan to keep them with you. Private campgrounds set their own rules. Greenbrier and Twin Creek both list dog areas. Bring a portable fence that blocks the space under the RV steps.
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