Going back to a campground says a lot. There are too many places to explore for us to return somewhere we did not enjoy, so our second stay at Clabough’s Family Campground already began with a positive opinion.
We are a family of three traveling with a six-year-old, a senior hound, a Border Collie named Dolly, and a travel trailer. That means a campground has to work for the person towing and setting up, the person trying to relax, the child looking for the pool, and two dogs with very different ideas about a good vacation.
Clabough’s handled that mix well. It felt peaceful and wooded, had plenty for Lily to do, gave the dogs places to walk and sniff, and kept us close to everything in Pigeon Forge. Our stay was not perfect, but it was comfortable, relaxed, and easy to enjoy.
Our quick verdict: We would gladly return to Clabough’s, but we would research the exact campsite more carefully next time. Some sites looked excellent, many looked perfectly comfortable, and a smaller number would not work well for our family and setup.
Close to Pigeon Forge, but it does not feel that way
One of Clabough’s strongest features is its location. The campground stretches back away from the main road, so the farther you travel into it, the more removed it feels from the traffic and activity outside.
Sami described it best: even though the campground is about five minutes from the Pigeon Forge strip, it can feel like you are 30 minutes away. The trees and layout create more of a camping-in-the-woods atmosphere than we expected from somewhere so close to grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, laundry, and attractions.
This is not remote backcountry camping, and that is part of the appeal. You can relax at the camper, then leave for food, supplies, or an attraction without turning it into a major trip.
An easy arrival when you are towing
The check-in process is one of the details we appreciate most. We pulled up near the RV check-in sign and stayed with the rig. A host came to us with the paperwork, campground information, and a map, then led us to the assigned site by golf cart.
That simple process removes a surprising amount of arrival stress. When you are towing a travel trailer through an unfamiliar campground, being guided directly to the site is much better than missing a turn and discovering there is nowhere convenient to turn around.
The campground is good, but the exact site matters
Our original assigned site was Site 119. For our setup and the way we like to use a campsite, it had too little usable grass, an awkward shape, close neighboring campers, and limited comfortable outdoor space. We did not want to spend five days trying to make it work.
We were fortunate to move to Site 73. It was much better. We had shade, a better view, a concrete patio, enough room for our chairs and essentials, and a setup that felt comfortable for the stay.
Site 73 still was not perfect. The usable space was a mix of gravel, grass, exposed roots, shade, and smaller outdoor areas rather than one big open lawn. Neighboring campers were visible, and Sami probably would have chosen another site if every option had been available. Still, it was a perfectly comfortable place to settle in.
That experience gave us our biggest practical lesson from the trip: research the campsite number, not only the campground. Check the campground map, satellite view, available site photos, and reviews that mention specific sections or site numbers. A site that works beautifully for one rig or family may not fit another family’s outdoor setup.
A relaxed campground with activities spread throughout
Clabough’s has plenty to do, but the amenities are not gathered around one central recreation building. The main pool and snack shop are in one area. The well-equipped market, restaurant, game room, and another pool are in another. The lazy river, playground, and jumping pillow are in the upper activity area.
The layout never felt unreasonable to us, and most amenities were still walkable. It is simply helpful to understand that your site location will affect how close you are to the activity your family uses most.
The campground also felt active without feeling packed into a resort complex. Children rode bikes, scooters, mini bikes, and other ride-on toys through the campground. That was never a problem during our stay, but drivers should move slowly and stay alert, especially when arriving, backing, or driving in the evening. The fact that families felt comfortable letting their children ride around also said something positive about the family-friendly atmosphere.
Pools, lazy river, playground, and the jumping pillow
Lily’s favorite part was simple: “My favorite part was the pools.”
The main pool area had lounge chairs, picnic tables, blue shade umbrellas, and room for adults to stay nearby while children swam. A shallow splash section with a mushroom water feature gave younger children another place to play. Posted signs noted that there was no lifeguard on duty, so parents and caregivers need to supervise children and follow the posted rules.
The separate lazy-river-style area added another water option, and the upper playground had multiple slides, climbing areas, and equipment for different child sizes.
The jumping pillow is normally one of our favorite kid-friendly amenities. During this particular stay, however, it was not fully inflated and was not really usable. We would treat that as a condition from this visit, not a permanent problem.
Snacks, activities, and helpful text updates
The pool-area snack and ice cream shop made it easy to grab a treat without loading everyone into the truck. During our stay, it offered Blue Bell ice cream, snow cones, sundaes, floats, specialty drinks, and other snacks. It also had an indoor sit-down area where families could cool off and take a break from the pool.
Clabough’s sent campers text updates during the stay. Ours included changing activities and specials, including a fresh-produce market setup, karaoke at the pavilion, and a snack-bar special with a burger, fries, and a drink for $8.99. Activities, menus, and prices can change, but the text-message system was a convenient way to know what was happening without repeatedly checking a bulletin board.
During our visit, covered adult beverages were permitted in the pool area, and the area accommodated smokers. Those are visit-specific observations, so guests should confirm current policies and follow the posted signs.
The pavilion is one of the campground’s best gathering spaces
Across from the dog park is a large covered pavilion with oversized Adirondack chairs, a community fire pit, cornhole boards, ceiling fans, music, and plenty of covered seating. Weather screens could be lowered during rain or harsh sun, which was a thoughtful touch.
Outside the covered area, more chairs sat on a large concrete pad near a permanently mounted charcoal grill. Campers could bring their own charcoal and food and cook beside the pavilion.
It felt like a real gathering place rather than an empty shelter that happened to be on the campground map. Families relaxed there, talked with neighbors, listened to music, and spent time together outside their individual campsites.
A useful dog park—with one entrance detail to know
The fenced dog park was not huge, but it was shaded, clean during our visit, and covered in wood chips rather than bare dirt. It included a waste-bag station, trash can, tunnel, hoops, a small platform, and a stump.
The park used a single entrance gate rather than a double-gated entry. Dog owners should pay extra attention when entering or leaving, especially if another family is using the park.
Our Border Collie appreciated a place to move and explore. The senior hound was less interested in agility equipment and more committed to inspecting every tree, post, and scent left behind by previous visitors. By his standards, the park had everything important.
Most campers we saw followed leash expectations. We did see one off-leash dog enter the campground road to approach people and other dogs. Nothing happened, and this was one camper—not a campground-wide pattern—but it was a reminder that leash rules matter, especially for families traveling with a reactive dog or a young child.
The campground store is genuinely impressive
This is not the usual shelf of marshmallows and forgotten extension cords. The campground store had one of the best RV-supply selections we have seen at a campground.
We found a large hardware and fastener wall, sewer-hose supports and kits, leveling blocks, jack pads, water hoses, fittings, small tools, repair parts, fishing supplies, food, drinks, and other setup essentials. It felt closer to a small RV repair stop combined with a full market than a basic campground convenience store.
We still prefer buying common supplies before leaving home, when prices and choices are easier to compare. But if a hose washer disappears, a fitting starts leaking, or someone realizes the sewer-hose support never made it into the camper, having that selection onsite could save a trip.
Same campground, five different reviews
Jason: driver and setup crew
Clabough’s was easy to reach, the guided check-in was helpful, and the campground roads were manageable. My biggest takeaway was that site shape and usable outdoor space matter as much as the campground’s overall reputation. I would return, but I would research the exact site much more carefully.
Sami: comfort and atmosphere
Sami found the campground clean, relaxing, and peaceful. Noise was minimal, Site 73 was comfortable, and the wooded feeling so close to Pigeon Forge was her favorite part. Her verdict: she would return, but she would choose the site carefully.
Lily: pools first
Lily enjoyed the pools, arcade, playground activities, ducks, campfire time, and the simple freedom of being at the campground. She wants to return, although the beach still holds first place in her camping rankings.
The senior hound: follow the nose
He approved of the walking routes, dog-park smells, and post-adventure naps. He also independently reviewed leftovers when the trash can was left accessible, which brings us to a permanent family rule: when the hound stays alone in the camper, the trash can goes into the bathroom or gets a locking lid.
Dolly: keep everyone together
Dolly liked having enough activity to stay interested, walks to take, and a place near the family to settle once the campsite was set up. Active dogs still need exercise and stimulation, plus a shaded, secure place to relax close to their people.
A few practical notes from our stay
These did not overshadow the trip, but they may help another family choose a site or arrive with the right expectations:
- Some rows had steep transitions between one campsite and the row behind it.
- On one unoccupied site, we noticed erosion and visible red conduit or cable near a utility pole. We could not confirm whether it was an active safety issue, but it looked unfinished and seemed worth campground attention. This was a specific-site observation, not a campground-wide condition.
- We would appreciate another bathhouse toward the rear camping sections. The existing facilities appeared more concentrated toward the front, so convenience may depend on the site you choose.
- The atmosphere was relaxed, and at times certain rules felt more like suggestions than strict enforcement. We did not have a problem with other campers; the people around us were respectful and simply enjoying their stay.
What we would pack and check next time
Our short practical list for a return trip would include:
- Research the exact campsite number and section.
- Bring a water-pressure regulator and a 90-degree water elbow.
- Keep spare O-ring hose washers in the camper.
- Carry bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and both dogs.
- Bring dog-waste bags and use a secure or locking-lid trash can.
- Add the refrigerator and freezer to the final departure walk-through.
- Pack a small fan to move cool air into the closed bedroom.
- Measure the RV mattress before ordering a topper.
- Drive slowly and watch for children, scooters, bicycles, pets, and parked vehicles.
- Check current amenity conditions, activity schedules, and campground policies before the trip.
Would we return to Clabough’s?
Absolutely.
Would we automatically book it for our very next Pigeon Forge trip? Probably not. There are other campgrounds we want to experience, and this visit reminded us how much the exact campsite shapes the trip.
Clabough’s remains a campground we genuinely enjoy. It is peaceful, well equipped, family-friendly, convenient to Pigeon Forge, and comfortable for travelers who want a camping atmosphere without giving up easy access to town. Some sites looked excellent, many looked perfectly comfortable, and a few simply would not work for us.
That is not a criticism of the whole campground. It is the reason we always tell families to research what fits their own rig, pets, children, and camping style.
Final family verdict: Clabough’s is a loved campground with a lot to offer. Like any large campground, the exact site and timing can shape the experience, but we would gladly return.
Have you stayed at Clabough’s? What matters most to your family when choosing a campsite—shade, space, activities, bathhouse access, pet amenities, or something else?
This review reflects our family’s personal experience during this stay. Campground amenities, policies, prices, schedules, and site conditions can change. Research current information and choose what fits your own family, pets, rig, and comfort level.
