Crazy beautiful lakefront campsites that are FREE for up to 14 days and just 35 minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park Twentymile Loop entrance. I’m not lying! Love the featured photo above? That could be your temporary ‘home away from home’ on Santeetlah Lake just six miles from Robbinsville NC if you want it to be. Video

There are 50 dispersed campsites around Santeetlah Lake

The majority of the 76 miles of the Santeetlah Lake shoreline is part of the Nantahala National Forest. There are ten dispersed campsites just outside of Robbinsville, NC—you can see in the video I stayed at campsite #4— but if you keep driving around the lake there are many more.

The nice lady I spoke with on the phone from the Nantahala National Forest ranger station said there is no map online with locations of the campsites (I definitely could not find one) but that there are around 50 dispersed camping spots in total. Keep driving or give the ranger station a call for more detailed information if you want to camp further along the lake.

Swim, hike, and fish to your hearts content

A couple speed boats zipped by when I was there in March but it was quiet and peaceful most of the time.

For more activities and fun times there is a marina with boat rentals and guided fishing tours, picnic areas, a swimming beach at Cheoah Point Recreation Area, and over 250 miles of hiking trails. Take your pick!

Video of Free RV Camping on Santeetlah Lake near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you love to camp on a lake you’ll love these campsites.

Cell coverage was strong

In my spot just outside of Robbinsville the cell service was good. I could make phone calls, watch movies, etc.