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Why Do People Prefer Camping in the Smoky Mountains Rather Than Staying at a Hotel?

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April 24, 2025

If you have never gone camping before, you might be wondering why someone would choose to do it in the first place. After all, why spend the night in a tent when you could stay in a hotel room with amenities like iPhone charging stations and flat-screen televisions? There are actually many reasons why people prefer to camp over hotels and other accommodations, especially when it comes to staying in the Smokies! Here are a few reasons why people love camping in the Smoky Mountains more than a hotel:

Reconnects You With Nature

One of the primary reasons why people love to camp in the Smoky Mountains is to reconnect with nature! Camping offers the perfect opportunity to disconnect from technology and focus on the natural beauty of the world around us! For example, guests at our Smoky Mountain campground can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest, relax on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, and take advantage of some incredible stargazing opportunities at night! If you’re coming to enjoy the wonders of the Smokies, why ruin the experience by staying in a hotel?

Creates Unique Family Memories

Family having fun playing volleyball at Greenbrier Campground

Camping in the Smoky Mountains is also better for creating some unique family memories! For many families, tent camping is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Folks who camped as children now camp as parents and grandparents, passing on an appreciation for the great outdoors! Whether it’s helping to set up the tent, playing horseshoes, or cooking s’mores around the campfire, camping is a memorable experience that is sure to last a lifetime!

Improves Your Physical and Mental Health

Camping can actually improve your physical and mental health! Some of the physical health benefits are straightforward, as activities like setting up camp, hiking, and swimming do your body good! The mental health benefits are equally as beneficial as simply being outside can make you feel better (researchers have linked outdoor activity to a decrease in depressive thoughts). Sleeping under the stars also helps you get in touch with your natural circadian rhythms, which is a foundation for high-quality sleep and health!

About Our Smoky Mountain Campground

Scenic photo of the river at Greenbrier Campground.

After just one stay at our Smoky Mountain campground, you’ll never want to stay in a hotel again! We offer 120 full-hookup campsites, ranging from premier riverfront sites to wooded sites, as well as RV rentals, bell tents, and camping cabins for those who prefer a few extra amenities! The Little Pigeon River runs around our campground so that you can enjoy excellent trout fishing, a private beach, and the best swimming hole in the Smokies! We offer lots of other amenities too, such as a playground, recreational equipment, a free game room, and more! As if that doesn’t sound good enough, we’re also less than a half mile away from the Greenbrier entrance into Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Learn more about why we’re one of the best places to camp in the Smoky Mountains!

Find out for yourself why so many people love camping in the Smoky Mountains and plan a vacation at our campground in the Smokies today! We look forward to seeing you soon!