RV Rental Athens, TN

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Part way between Knoxville and Chattanooga, Athens is the seat of McMinn County in eastern Tennessee. It was founded in 1822 near the Cherokee village of Pumpkintown and named Athens due to its topographical similarities to its namesake in Greece.

Athens flourished with the arrival of the Hiwassee Railroad in the 1850s, which brought both pro-secessionist and anti-secessionist speakers which divided McMinn County during the American Civil War. Textile mills, flour mills, and timber mills were established in the post-Civil War years before being complemented by furniture and appliance factories in the early 20th century.

Today, Athens is a convenient place to rent an RV while exploring the extensive forests along Tennessee’s borders with North Carolina and Georgia. It’s well served by RV campgrounds, and with all the services you need for a comfortable stay.

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The Great Outdoors

Athens serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sprawls across more than 500,000 acres along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is traversed by the legendary Appalachian Trail, which can be explored on short day walks or multi-day treks. Gain an insight into life in Southern Appalachia while exploring the preserved historic buildings of Cades Cove or trek to the 6,593-foot-high peak of Mount Le Conte to take in the sweeping views across the surrounding wilderness.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies adjacent to the Nantahala National Forest, which translates from Cherokee as the “Land of the Noonday Sun.” It comprises three different wilderness areas, including the Ellicott Rock Wilderness, the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, and the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, all of which offer a rugged setting for outdoor pursuits. Trek to the picturesque Cullasaja Falls, explore the ancient tulip poplar groves or try your luck at fishing in the waters of Balsam Lake.

Book a motorhome rental in Athens and drive to the Chattahoochee National Forest, which encompasses more than 750,000 acres in northern Georgia. It comprises thousands of miles of pristine rivers and streams, as well as around 850 miles of recreation trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Follow the scenic Anna Ruby Falls Trail, tackle the whitewater rapids of the legendary Chattooga River, or go hiking along part of the famous Appalachian Trail.

RV Parks

Pick up your RV rental in Athens and pull into one of the 16 RV sites at the Overniter RV Park, which lies around 10 minutes’ drive north. There are full hookups with 20, 30, or 50-amp service, as well as a laundry room and a small fitness center with a treadmill and cross-trainer bike.

Slightly farther north is the Tennessee Country Campground, a pet-friendly RV destination that offers 20, 30, and 50-amp services with complimentary cable TV and Wi-Fi. There are a coin-operated laundry and a fire ring for community campfires, as well as a pool table and large-screen TV inside the office building.

A short drive west of Athens will take you to the Athens I75 Campground & Park, a basic campground that’s big rig-friendly. Pets are welcome to stay with you, and there’s a playground available, as well as picnic tables where you can mingle with other guests.

Exploring the City

Park your RV rental near Athens and head to the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, which explores the culture and history of the region from the 18th century. It houses more than 10,000 artifacts in 30 permanent exhibits that include displays about the county’s Native American cultures and an impressive collection of quilts. Browse the memorabilia from the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, learn about the region’s African American history, and discover the Battle of Athens that took place on August 1, 1946.

If you want to get active, head to the Athens Regional Park in the west of the city where you’ll find a range of sporting facilities that include a disc golf course. It’s home to the McMinn County Layman Agricultural Exposition Center and a Conference Center where community events are regularly held. Stretch your legs along the three-mile-long walking and biking trail or let the kids run loose in what is Athens’ best playground.

A 10-minute drive east of Athens takes you to the Englewood Textile Museum, which details the industrial heritage of the town’s textile mills. Learn about the women who used to work the mills while browsing the period costumes and tour the beautifully restored “Little White House” where a local mill owner was born. Admire the hand-painted murals that adorn the downtown area and shop for unique gifts at the period-inspired Company Store.

Athens is home to numerous supermarkets where you can stock up on supplies, as well as plenty of fast food eateries and restaurants for dining out. There are also gas stations if you want to fill up your camper rental in Athens.

Whether you’re visiting McMinn County for its historical museums or recreational forests, book an RV in Athens and start exploring!

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Popular nearby hiking trails and campgrounds


  • Hiking TrailLocation
  • Eureka Trail , TNAthens, TN
  • Athens Regional Park Trail, TNAthens, TN
  • Starr Mountain Trail, TNTellico Plains, TN
  • Gee Creek Trail, TNBenton, TN
  • Chestnut Moutain Trail to Iron Gap, TNBenton, TN
  • Oswald Dome Trail via Lowery Cove Trail, TNBenton, TN
  • Lowry Falls Trail, TNBenton, TN
  • Ivy Trail, TNTellico Plains, TN
  • Conasauga Falls Trail, TNTellico Plains, TN
  • John Muir National Recreation Trail: Hiwassee River Segment, TNTurtletown, TN

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