A Riverside Escape Near the Great Smoky Mountains
Nestled along the Little Pigeon River just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this campground is perfect for relaxing by the water, floating the river, and enjoying a shady campsite.
Site 34: Our Favorite Spot
During our stay, we booked Site 34, and we couldn’t have been happier with it.
The site sits directly on the river with easy access to a calm section where you can walk down to the water, dip your feet in, or simply sit and enjoy the sound of the river. We spent plenty of time relaxing by the water and watching people float past.
One of the things we appreciated most about Greenbrier Campground was how well-shaded it is. Mature trees cover the campground, keeping the sites cool even during the warmer months. Combined with the breeze coming off the river, it made for some incredibly comfortable afternoons outside.
Tubing the River
Of course, we had to spend some time tubing!
The river is beautiful, but it’s worth mentioning that it can be pretty rocky in places. I learned that lesson the hard way after scraping my tube across a few rocks early in the float. The rest of the trip I kept wondering if my tube was going to make it to the end without completely deflating!
Even with the rocky sections, it was still a fun way to spend the afternoon and one of the biggest reasons we’d return.
Don’t Camp Without a Surge Protector
One unexpected lesson from this trip happened on our very first night.
The campground experienced a power surge, and thankfully we had our RV Watchdog surge protector connected.
It did exactly what it was supposed to do and protected our camper. If you own an RV and don’t already travel with a quality surge protector, we’d consider it one of the best investments you can make. You never know when campground power issues will happen, and replacing RV electronics is far more expensive than buying a surge protector.
Bean’s Favorite Part
Bean had an absolute blast on this trip.
We rented a golf cart and spent time cruising around the campground together, checking out the different sites and enjoying the scenery. Between the walks around the campground and swimming in the river, he definitely slept well each night.
There is also a dog park available. It was a bit of a walk from our riverfront site, but honestly, we didn’t end up using it much because the campground itself is such a great place to walk. The large loop and shaded roads gave Pork and Bean plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs throughout the day.
What to Expect
- 🌳 Beautiful, heavily shaded campsites
- 🌊 Riverfront sites with direct water access
- 🛟 Great tubing (just bring a durable tube!)
- 🐾 Dog-friendly campground with a dog park
- 🚗 Golf cart rentals available
- 🍃 Cool river breezes throughout the campground
We paid around $150 per night for our stay, which felt reasonable for a waterfront site during the season.
Final Thoughts
Greenbrier Campground offers everything we’re looking for in a relaxing weekend getaway: riverfront campsites, plenty of shade, dog-friendly amenities, and easy access to the water.
Would we change anything? We’d bring a tougher tube next time!
Overall, it’s become one of our favorite campgrounds within easy driving distance of home, and we’re already looking forward to another trip back.
Pork & Bean Rating
🐾 Dog Friendly: 9/10
🌊 River Access: 10/10
🌳 Shade: 10/10
🛟 Tubing: 8/10 (beautiful, but rocky!)
💰 Value: 8.5/10
Would We Stay Again?
Absolutely. Greenbrier Campground is one of those places that’s perfect for slowing down, spending time on the river, and enjoying a peaceful weekend with the dogs.
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