Lazy Acres RV Park

A 30-minute drive west of the Lazy Acres RV Park is the Paint Rock Wildlife Management Area, which encompasses 1,600 acres adjacent to Watts Bar Lake. It’s a popular birdwatching area, with ospreys often seen nesting on poles and other structures around the lake. Great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, and great egrets are also regularly spotted on the islands while white-tailed deer, raccoons, and coyotes are occasionally spotted in the surrounding forest and fields.

The Lazy Acres RV Park is a good base for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which encompasses 500,000 acres along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses part of the famous Appalachian Trail, with both short and long hikes to explore. Soak up the sweeping views across the wilderness area from the summit of Mount Le Conte or discover the region’s industrial heritage while touring the historic buildings at Cades Cove. Cyclists can explore along the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, with bicycles available for rent at the national park’s campground store.

Directly south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Nantahala National Forest. Its name translates from Cherokee as the “Land of the Noonday Sun.” The forest is divided into several wilderness areas, with lots of recreational opportunities that include hiking and fishing in the waters of Balsam Lake. Head to the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness to explore its 6,000-acre old-growth forest, photograph Nantahala’s ancient tulip poplar groves, or soak up the views of Cullasaja Falls from the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.

Campsites at the Lazy Acres RV Park are just seven minutes’ drive from Lenoir City, where you’ll find supermarkets for stocking up on grocery supplies. There are also gas stations here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a good selection of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat. Alternatively, you can make the 15-minute drive west to Loudon, where you’ll find a more extensive choice of supermarkets, services, and restaurants.

While you’re in Loudon, be sure to stop at the Blair's Ferry Storehouse, a circa 1835 landmark that’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The red-brick building was originally constructed as a storehouse for riverboat trade in what was then known as Blair’s Ferry and is one of the earliest surviving warehouse structures in the region. Also near Loudon is a farm-themed haunted house, which offers six different attractions in one. With escape-style attractions and virtual reality experiences, you won't forget your visit to this spooky spot.

If you’re visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, make a point of visiting the Smoky Mountain Train Museum in Bryson City, where around 7,000 old engines, carriages, and railway accessories are displayed. Also of note is the Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine, where you can try your luck at panning for gold and mining gems such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. If you’re after a more leisurely experience, jump aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to soak up the picturesque landscapes of western North Carolina.

Lazy Acres RV Park also makes a good base for visiting Knoxville, where you can delve into the local history at the Museum of East Tennessee History or at the James White Fort. Admire the 19th-century buildings that cluster in Market Square and pick up fresh produce at the Knoxville Farmers’ Market before soaking up the views across the Tennessee River and beyond from the iconic Sunsphere.

Whether you want to enjoy the recreational pursuits of the Great Smoky Mountains or discover the cultural sites of Knoxville, book an RV rental in Loudon County and start planning your next vacation.