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Home » Camping

Anchor Down RV Resort | Dandridge, TN

Published: Aug 25, 2021 · Modified: May 21, 2023 by Lara This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... 7 Comments

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Anchor Down RV Resort is a gorgeous campground located in Dandridge, TN. It has beautiful views of Douglas Lake, where you can rent kayaks, lay on the beach, or go down the huge water slide! It's the perfect retreat for your next family vacation!

view of an RV site overlooking Lake Douglas

Anchor Down RV Resort

Whether you're camping with your kids, the entire family, or just you and the pups - Anchor Down is the perfect getaway! You'll do Lake Douglas camping the right way by staying here. There's so much to do at the resort you won't get bored.

Or, if you're up for a little adventure, it's close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge. Dandridge is one of those small towns that's close to a lot of things. It's a great place to stay if you want to make day trips to explore.

Or stay and relax in the pool area, check out the pickleball courts, stretch your legs on the walking trail, or relax with your family around the fire pit.

If you're going to stay in the area for an extended amount of time, be sure to check out the other Lake Douglas campgrounds in the area. Also, quite a few of the marinas in the area also have RV sites.

my campsite (#132) at Anchor Down RV resort
my campsite (#132) at Anchor Down RV resort

What to expect when arriving at Anchor Down

As we entered this campground in Dandridge, TN, we were greeted enthusiastically by the friendly staff. She handed us our paperwork and directed us to our campsite.

When I say this campground was gorgeous, it was breathtakingly beautiful and clean! As we drove to our site, we passed site after site, which had magnificent pavers and some with a stone fireplace! The grounds were so green and so well taken care of!

While looking out at the lake, it had gorgeous views of the great smoky mountains in the background. Check out the video below for our amazing views!

We were one row away from the lake, and the campsite across from us was empty, so we had beautiful lake views the entire trip! Also, we only booked our spot two days in advance because we went to Anchor Down on a whim. Our neighbors said we got super lucky because they had to book one year in advance!

Our site was #132, a pull-through site with full hookups and only $59 per night. It was such a steal for this great site! Plenty of room for our big rig. I can't wait to come back but for a much longer trip! Hopefully, we'll be able to get one of the lake view sites next time!

Book a site here.

view of an RV site overlooking Lake Douglas
view of the pool area from above at Anchor Down

Anchor Down Luxurious Amenities

  • 170 sites
  • 30 & 50 amp service
  • Basketball courts
  • Bath House with private bathrooms
  • Boat ramp - boat, jet ski, kayak & paddle board rentals
  • Buddy sites
  • Cable tv hookup
  • Cafe
  • Camp Store
  • Concrete pads
  • Covered Pavilion with grills
  • Fire pits & outdoor fireplaces
  • Fishing
  • Free wifi
  • Full hookups
  • GaGa Ball
  • Golf cart rentals
  • Lake swimming
  • Laundry facility
  • Dog park
  • Trash pickup (this was awesome!)
  • Golf cart & walking trail
  • Pickleball court
  • Picnic tables
  • Playground
  • Pool with waterslide
  • Kiddie Pool
view of Douglas lake with the smoky mountains in the background
stone fireplace at Anchor Down

Things to do in Dandridge, TN & around Anchor Down RV Resort

  • Pigeon Forge
  • Gatlinburg
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Show
  • Golfing
  • Fishing Charters
  • Historic Dandridge
view of Gatlinburg from the mountains
View of Gatlinburg

Marinas on Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake is a popular destination for boating and fishing in Tennessee, and there are several marinas located on the lake. Some of the most popular marinas on Douglas Lake include:

  1. Mountain Cove Marina: Located on the north side of the lake, Mountain Cove Marina offers boat rentals, slip rentals, and a full-service restaurant.
  2. Dandridge Point Marina: This marina is located on the east side of the lake and offers boat rentals, slip rentals, and a ship store.
  3. Indian Creek Dock: Located on the south side of the lake, Indian Creek Dock offers campsites, boat slips, and cabin rentals.
  4. Swann's Marina: Located on the east side of the lake, Swann's Marina offers boat rentals, slip rentals, a campground, and a restaurant.
View of lake Douglas from Anchor Down RV resort

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in the southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. It is known for its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history.

The park covers over 500,000 acres and is home to more than 1,500 species of plants, 200 species of birds, 66 species of mammals, and 50 species of fish. The park is also home to several historic structures, including old homes, churches, and schools, that provide a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in the region.

One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking, with over 800 miles of trails to explore. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Alum Cave Trail, the Chimney Tops Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.

Other popular activities in the park include camping, fishing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The park also hosts several annual special events, including festivals, concerts, and ranger-led programs.

Smoky Mountain National Park
Smoky Mountain National Park. Photo Credit: Yayimages.

Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg offers stunning natural surroundings with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as its backdrop. Visitors can explore the park's scenic trails, go hiking, and camping, or enjoy breathtaking views from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park.

The town itself is filled with quaint shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The main street, known as the "Strip," is lined with shops selling handmade crafts, artwork, and local souvenirs. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences ranging from traditional Southern cuisine to international flavors.

Gatlinburg is home to several popular attractions, including Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, featuring a wide variety of marine life, and Ober Gatlinburg, a mountain resort offering skiing, snowboarding, and an amusement park with a scenic chairlift and an alpine slide.

Additionally, Gatlinburg hosts numerous annual events and festivals, such as the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair and the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff, which attract visitors from all over.

a bridge and stream in Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg, TN. Photo Credit: Yayimages.

All in all, I loved Anchor Down RV Resort, and so did the pups! They loved the convenience of the dog park and went there multiple times per day.

There was plenty of room between us and the next site to set up our awning and an additional table to cook on. The family next to us had a bunch of people over (probably around 10), and they still had plenty of room!

This place has the luxury RV resort feel without the price tag!

Before going to Anchor Down, the only other place I'd taken the 5th Wheel was Guist Creek Marina and Campground. These are drastically different, and I loved them both! They just had different amenities and vibes, along with a different price tag.

This Fall, I'm hoping to take the pups to some of these camping sites near Acadia National Park and, maybe in the Spring, camping near Antelope Canyon. I've already been to Horseshoe Bend when I was driving the van with my dad across the country.

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  1. Fran

    August 25, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    Do u have RV rentals ???
    Thank you,
    Fran Glover

    Reply
    • Lara

      August 25, 2021 at 10:18 pm

      I do not but you can reach out to Anchor Downs and see if they do 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jean M Rist

    August 30, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Hello!
    We are planning a trip to Pigeon Forge next Easter, but I'd like to explore this area. Are there any cabin rentals nearby? Would like to check out your resort to for future travel. My husband talks about possibly retiring in that area.
    Thanks so much!

    Jean Rist

    Reply
    • Lara

      August 31, 2021 at 8:06 pm

      Hi Jean,

      Unfortunately I do not own Anchor Down (I wish I did though because it's amazing!) this was just my review of our trip here a few weeks ago.

      Reply
  3. Marilyn Kliment

    September 13, 2021 at 10:50 am

    Do you have a park map to look at?

    Reply
    • Lara

      September 14, 2021 at 8:15 pm

      Here you go http://www.anchordownrvresort.com/reservations/

      Reply
  4. Kathy Sturm

    September 25, 2021 at 11:23 am

    Do you have Campers on site to rent.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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