Elkmont is one of our go-to campgrounds in the Smokies because it has so many kid-friendly activities to do at or near the campground. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history… there is even a ghost town on site to explore. These are our family’s top 10 favorite activities when we camp at Elkmont.

Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the mountain balds with wild ponies grazing, the easy access to great trails with amazing views, and the high elevation of the park. The tent camping at Grayson Highlands, however, isn’t great. The sites are too small and close to each other. The work around? Stay in a yurt! Yurt 2, also known as “Split Rock” was our home for 2 nights during the first week of June. Read my full review.

Want to take a trip to the Smokies and camp in the woods but not sure what to expect? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Elkmont Campground in exhaustive detail- what campsites are the best, how to reserve, and all the little things that will help you plan your trip. This family friendly campground is one of our favorites in the Smokies and we return to it again and again.

Use this local’s years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. Best campsites, best activities, how to explore the cove without people- all the hacks and know-how I have accumulated over the years to make your family’s trip the best it can be.

Devil’s Fork State Park offers excellent camping sites next to the clear, cold water of Lake Jocassee which is located about one hour from Greenville, SC. The buzzword descriptions like “Lake Tahoe of the East” or “South Carolina’s Little Switzerland” are spot on for this wonderful spot in South Carolina.

Should you choose Elkmont Campground or Cades Cove Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Having camped at both as children and as adults, we give you the breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

Norris Dam State Park makes for a perfect place to spend a day (or a few days!) with the family. Go explore Norris Lake on a rented pontoon boat or a paddleboard or hike on one of the park’s many trails. Or maybe go fishing, camping, mountain biking, or learn some TVA and Appalachian history at the Dam Visitor Center or the Lenoir Museum. Norris Dam State Park is a fantastic family destination with something for everyone.

Hiking, biking, waterfalls, cabins, tents, and yurts- what’s not to love about Cloudland Canyon State Park. Oh yeah.. it also has some pretty spectacular views too. Find out everything you need to know about this wonderful state park.

Cummins Falls State Park is one of Tennessee's newest state parks (dedicated in 2013), but people have been trekking to the 75 foot high falls for generations.

It is not the easiest of swimming holes to get to, but the magnificent falls and swimming hole at the end are enough of a draw that 250,000 people visited the falls in 2015. I wouldn't go near this place on Labor Day weekend, but on a Monday morning in May, it was a gorgeous pit stop on a drive between Nashville and Knoxville on I-40.