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Douglas Headwater Campground
Overview
Douglas Headwater Campground provides a tranquil retreat for travelers seeking a direct connection to nature without being too far from the action. Managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, this park sits gracefully on the shores of Douglas Lake. It offers a relaxed atmosphere where the primary focus is on the scenic beauty of the water and the surrounding East Tennessee hills. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, the park offers a scenic backdrop for any road trip, serving as a quieter alternative to the bustling tourist hubs nearby.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Sevierville, TN, the campground is positioned right at the headwaters of the reservoir. The setting is dominated by the expansive views of Douglas Lake and the iconic Douglas Dam. Visitors are surrounded by lush greenery and rolling landscapes, providing a refreshing escape from the neon lights of the neighboring cities. The drive into the park is manageable for most rigs, offering glimpses of the dam's impressive structure along the way. The proximity to the water ensures cool breezes and picturesque sunsets that define the East Tennessee experience.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features well-spaced sites equipped with electric and water hookups, accommodating a variety of RV sizes. For convenience, guests have access to clean bathhouses with hot showers and a central dump station. Since the park is centered on lake activities, it includes a public boat ramp and a designated swimming area. The grounds are well-maintained, providing a clean environment for pets and children to enjoy the fresh air. The picnic tables and fire rings at each site encourage a classic outdoor living experience, making it easy to enjoy a meal under the canopy of mature trees.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Anglers and boaters will find plenty to do right at the campground, as Douglas Lake is famous for bass and crappie fishing. Just a short drive away, the excitement of Pigeon Forge and Dollywood offers world-class entertainment and dining. Nature enthusiasts can quickly reach the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for hiking and wildlife viewing. Exploring the local Sevierville downtown area offers a charming look at Tennessee history and local boutiques. This location provides the perfect balance between quiet lakeside relaxation and high-energy attractions.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families who prioritize natural scenery and water access over commercial amenities like pools or game rooms. It is a fantastic choice for those traveling with boats or jet skis. It caters specifically to those who value simplicity and the sounds of nature. Budget-conscious RVers looking for a serene home base near the Great Smoky Mountains will find that Douglas Headwater Campground offers the peace and quiet they crave after a busy day of sightseeing.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
James
stayed 5 nights at Douglas Headwater campground in a 26’ travel trailer. I reserved site 18 which I believe is the longest site in a row of pull thru sites. Arriving at the campground you pass the dump station on your left when heading to the camp store / registration. The dump station is set up kind of odd in that it’s easier to access when entering the campground than when leaving. When entering the campground the store is right in front of you but there’s no designated parking for your trailer when registering inside. You can either block the store parking or the pavilion parking or stop in the road. When I parked in front of the store I had to turn around to head to my site but this was easy as there was plenty of room available in the boat parking lot. Check in was quick, easy and friendly. This campground doesn’t accept some of the federal passes but they do accept my access pass so I was able to get a partial refund when checking in (thanks TVA). The discount made my site $24 daily. Roads to my site were paved and easy to travel following the directions provided at check in. When driving down the road for pull thru sites 12-18 you could see that many of the sites both pull thru and back in are pretty much perpendicular to the road instead of angled. My site, 18, is a long mostly level site that is also wide but half of the width has low tree branches. The site had 50 amp, water, picnic table and fire ring. The site surface is gravel with an oddly located broken concrete pad in front of the connections. The pad is too small for a trailer but too close to the connections for it to be a patio surface. We had 2-3 bars of AT&T cell service at this site and could receive 9 Over The Air TV channels. Fortunately the TV channels weren’t all PBS like usual. The bathroom closest to my site was clean and had 3 dumpsters there. Many of the back in sites at this campground slope downhill or uphill so they may be harder for long rigs to level. There were no low branches to drag on tall rigs while driving through the campground but many sites need tree branch trimming. Sites 7, 8 & 9 are a sort of pull thru site but they are located on a dead end road. If you can drive through a vacant site to arrive or leave at those they would be easy but if there are no vacant sites to drive through then I guess you must back down the road to depart. If you stay longer than your tank capacity they have a honey wagon service that charges $20 to empty your tanks. We enjoyed our stay at the campground, it was very quiet and peaceful and conveniently located to many attractions. I would stay here again and I wish I had been able to stay for the halloween activities. I rate my stay as 4 of 5 stars because of the site perpendicular to the road and the low tree branches. If I had one of the many steeply sloped sites I would have rated it lower. The easiest route is take exit 407 off I-40 and head south on Hwy 66 which is a pretty congested area the weekend I arrived. Turn left/east on Hwy 139 which is somewhat narrow and then turn right/south on Hwy 338 which is also somewhat narrow and could use some trimming of their trees. Turn left on boat ramp road and follow it to the campground.
Hugo G.
Amazing spots with beautiful view of the lake. Electricity/water worked great. Nice picnic table and fire out. Pretty spaced out and private, depends on spots if course. The bathroom are very dirty and in poor condition, doors not closing well, and way insufficient stools per bathroom. Still a great campground passed that.
Steve
Beautiful location. Very large, mostly level, well maintained campsites. Most are shaded and many with a great view of the reservoir. There are 3 bathhouse that are in need of repairs and cleaning. The dumpers are in front of each bath creating an eye sore and they are smell . Perhaps they could be moved to the boat ramp parking lot. I know, people would have to carry their trash to the dumpster but, how times do you see trash bags on the hood of a truck to take it to the dumpster? Think about it. LOLOL
Lindsay Mason
We recently returned from a 5-night stay at Douglas Headwater Campgrounds and had an absolutely wonderful time! The views were gorgeous and fellow campers were mellow and respectful. April & Chuck (campground managers) were terrific and made us feel at home. We were sad to pull away and can't wait to return next year!
Larry Smith
We really enjoyed our stay here in July 2025! Very clean and quite. Staff were friendly. The campsites are spread apart, and the ones on the water have beautiful lake views! Nice little beach for swimming. Some sites are fairly steep. Ours required a little more work to get it level. Compared to other campgrounds in the Smokies - this is a hidden gem!