Knoxville Planning Commission to Review Updated Plans for 'The Drop Inn' Campground

South Knoxville may soon gain new lodging options as the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission considers revised plans for The Drop Inn, a proposed campground near Ijams Nature Center. 

The commission is set to consider the revised proposal, which includes 15 “tiny mobile home cabins,” six permanent cabins, a bathhouse, and a sauna on a nearly 16-acre site along Sevierville Pike.

The Drop Inn, originally approved with a different site plan, aims to serve as a gathering space for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the city’s Urban Wilderness trail network. 

The updated plans specify that the tiny mobile home cabins would be movable, while the regular cabins would have permanent foundations.

According to a 10 News report, planning commission staff allowed the proposal to move forward with six conditions, requiring compliance with Knoxville’s campground standards as well as zoning and engineering regulations.

In July 2022, The Drop Inn announced the opening of approximately two miles of trails on its property, connecting directly to the Urban Wilderness trail system. The project was initially expected to open in 2023 but has since undergone revisions.

The proposed cabins and tiny cabins would include bathrooms, living areas, bedrooms, and kitchens, according to the latest submission. The updated plan maintains the original vision of creating a community hub for visitors and outdoor adventurers.