This Tennessee Campground Named a Top Hidden Gem for 2025

Choosing the right campground can make or break your experience when it comes to spending time outdoors, but if you're looking for a spot that's got everything you need without a lot of hassle, you'll want to check out this "Top Hidden Gem" in Tennessee.

Camping Is the Ultimate Digital Detox

Look, I love spending time outdoors, and camping is one of my favorite ways to get away from all of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Camping offers me the opportunity to disconnect and take a much-needed digital detox.

In addition to checking out of the digital world for a while, camping gives me the chance to relax, and I get to enjoy fresh air and the natural beauty of the planet. It also offers the perfect opportunity for stargazing for us astronomy nerds!

Get our free mobile app

Smaller, Quieter Campgrounds Shine in 2025 Campspot Awards

When I am spending time with friends and family around our campfire, I tend to be drawn to places that are a little more off the beaten path - think "hidden gems." These are typically smaller and quieter campgrounds.

Recently, Campspot revealed its 2025 Campspot Awards. Each year, the company analyzes millions of pieces of data, including guest ratings and park features, as well as reservation data, to determine the best campgrounds in the United States (and Canada).

Doe River Landing via YouTube

Discovering a Hidden Gem Worth the Trip

Since I enjoy a more low-key camping experience, I was especially interested in Campspot's picks for Top Hidden Gems. Among them, I discovered a little spot that I cannot wait to experience on my next outdoor adventure!

Doe River Landing: Tennessee’s Top Hidden Gem

The Top Hidden Gem in the entire state of Tennessee is located in Roan Mountain. Doe River Landing is a small campground near Elizabethton, and not far from Johnson City. Doe River Landing offers something for everyone, making it clear why it landed among the best in the nation.

Spend your days hiking the trails that lead you to swimming holes, secret fishing spots, and breathtaking Appalachian scenery, jump in the Doe River to swim or tube, or bring your tackle box for a day of trout fishing. Let the kids explore the playground, zip line, and Toy Barn while you challenge your friends to a game of volleyball or horseshoes. Then, at sunset, relax fireside with your loved ones. - Campspot

Doe River Landing via YouTube

What You’ll Find at This Quiet Appalachian Campground

The campground offers RV sites where you can bring your own or rent one of the on-site RVs. If an RV isn't your style, Doe River Landing also has 1, 2, and 3-bedroom cabins perfect for the whole family, including your four-legged family members.

Why Doe River Landing Is a Must-Visit for Nature Lovers

It's easy to see how Doe River Landing would make the perfect getaway. Just off the beaten path enough to feel private and secluded, while being nearby to civilization. Learn more about Doe River Landing and the other Top Hidden Gems in the U.S. at Campspot.

You Can Stay in a Lighthouse on an Island in Tennessee, Seriously!

When I first saw photos of this Airbnb listing, I thought for sure it had to be fake. I mean come on, a lighthouse on a private island with Smoky Mountain views? This sounds like a dream, but it's real!

Gallery Credit: Melissa

Sleep Next to a Sloth at This Airbnb on a Tennessee Farm

When searching for accommodations on a peer to peer marketplace like Airbnb travelers will often look for places that are either convenient for their destination or that provide a unique and novel experience. If you fall into that second category, do yourself a favor and check out this cool Tennessee condo that gives you the opportunity to not only peer through the floor to see camels and kangaroos, but you can sleep next to a sloth!

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Tennessee

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Tennessee using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.