Seven Mile Campground

We mainly decided to go to the area to take the kids on the multiple train rides in the area. We found that campgrounds were hard to find and Seneca was what sounded like the best choice. We were a bit worried about the no reservations being that it was July and we would be driving all the way from the Smokies hoping to have a site when we arrived. The ranger we spoke to at the office though assured us it would not be an issue. He wasn't kidding. We had the entire campground to ourselves with the exception of one other site being used occasionally.
The campground is tucked away in a really lush and beautiful shady cove. Even though it was July and had no hookups, we didn't miss the AC a bit. It was truly getting away, especially since it is in the heart of the National Quiet Zone. Which means there will be no cell service across the board. For miles around. There is a payphone at the park office. Which I had the pleasure of hiking out to in the dark when our little girl locked our keys in the truck.
If going with a camper, try to get there before dark. The entrance was a tight squeeze with the gate and trees and backing into the sites takes a bit of finesse. We had a 25' camper and probably could not have gotten into several sites.
There is onsite water, though it is an old school hand pump to get it started.

Our experience at Seneca was as serene and isolated as could be expected from a campground. Our stay was in early November and we were the sole occupants of the campground which weaves its way up a hollow before dead ending. A ranger that came through in the morning was the only person we encountered for the duration of our stay. The sites themselves are spacious and nestled amongst enough mountain magnolia that even if the grounds were full, I'd imagine it would never feel crowded. A stream winds through the grounds and provides wonderful background noise.

Each site is equipped with a sand tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, animal proof trash can, and fantastic stone fireplace/ grill. Vault toilets are well kept and there are restrooms/ showers about 1/2 mile down the main road. Firewood is available on the honor system from a well stocked woodshed for $4 a bundle and a handy wheel cart is provided. Well water from a hand pump is centrally located and very cold. Access to hiking trails can be found near the wood shed and at the dead end of the left fork of the campground road. The Horseshoe Trail is a beautiful loop that switchbacks steeply to a ridgeline with fantastic views before descending back towards the campground.

While each and every site here is pretty fantastic in its own way and there is very little noise from the main road, the last site on the left fork is furthest from the road and looks particularly amazing. We may have chosen it had we arrived in daylight.

It is worth noting that this area is within a few miles of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, which places you in the heart of the Quiet Zone. There is absolutely NO CELL SERVICE whatsoever. There is very little of anything that emits electronic radiation allowed in the area as a matter of fact. Keep this in mind and plan accordingly. You'll need to be able to navigate to the campground without your phone, and once there you'll need to be able to do your hiking and exploring without your electronic safety net.