Anchor Down RV Resort, Dandridge, TN

Anchor Down RV Resort is located in Dandridge, TN overlooking Douglas Lake. We will grant this as a resort since they do have a permanent food trailer down by the pool serving good food, not fast food. Interestingly the cook is a renowned BBQ chef (he has his own smoker behind the food trailer) having won many awards and we can attest, as former SC residents, that his BBQ is the real thing-moist, tender with just a hint of seasoning and smoke. Adding to the resort experience is an extensive number of amenities. The rv park is perched on the side of a hill leading down to Douglas Lake. The paved streets are wide and easily navigated in our 45’ motorcoach with a tow vehicle. The concrete pads are level; even those perched on the side of the hill, and include an ample concrete patio. Sites include an in-ground fire pit (some sites even boast beautiful stone fireplaces), and picnic table. The views of the Lake are mesmerizing. Gravel and grass separate the sites with ample spacing between neighbors. The campground is well maintained, landscaped and spotless; any trees are trimmed up. Walking down the hill leads to the sparkling clear swimming pool (a salt water kiddy pool is adjacent) with a sufficient number of lounge chairs and tables to accommodate guests escaping the warmth already evident in June. As previously mentioned the food trailer is nearby the pool bathhouse. Upon entering the resort we stop at the welcome center and are greeted at the drivers’ window by a receptionist before entering the building to register. The efficient registration gets us underway to our reserved site. The on-line booking is part of a growing trend in the rv park industry to not only automate but to augment the guest experience. Their website includes pictures of each site along with pertinent info as to length of rv it will accommodate, FHU info, etc. A specific site can be chosen and booked on line taking minimal time. We have mentioned in previous reviews this is the future and welcomed. Leaving the pool and walking further down to the lake is the boat dock including boat rentals, an expansive sandy beach replete with a large covered open air pavilion, volley ball beach area, swimming, floating water rafts, and two huge water slides that empty into the lake below. Back up on the hill is the standalone bathroom/shower, laundry facility that is well maintained, contemporary and quite clean and neat. 
The FHU is appropriate and the 50 amp electric stable allowing our 60 amp draw to work flawlessly. WiFi is included and HD streaming movies was possible with no buffering amid a full park (WiFi signal 82%, -47dBm). The OTA (over the air antenna) received a few local channels from Knoxville, 26 miles to the west. Phone service was 4G LTE.
This resort is strategically nearby the interesting Town of Dandridge, The Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, other attractions, and of course the tourist Mecca’s triumvirate: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg only 30 to 45 minutes away. And do not overlook the informative tour at the Busch Brother’s baked bean plant.

The Takeaway: A real gem located on the shores of Douglas Lake offering an award winning chef serving good in-house smoked BBQ. A modern, clean Class A rv resort with enough amenities to keep the attention span of a petulant child captivated. The private bathroom/shower rooms are well maintained and exceptionally clean. Good FHU and stable electrical. WiFi delivers broadband with HD streaming. Well laid out park site plan with memorable views of the Lake. All level concrete pads with upscale options to book a site on line with a stone fireplace and lake views. We visited June 2014, September 2016, and June 2019. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park,etc.