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Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2,779 Reviews

Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina encompasses a range of established campgrounds within and surrounding the nation's most visited national park. The North Carolina side features several notable options including Smokemont Campground, located near Cherokee, and Deep Creek Campground near Bryson City. These National Park Service facilities provide basic amenities while maintaining a rustic camping experience. Private campgrounds and RV parks in nearby towns like Cherokee offer more developed alternatives with full hookups and additional amenities. The area's camping options span from primitive backcountry sites requiring permits to full-service RV resorts with modern conveniences.

Most campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by location. The region experiences a temperate rainforest climate with frequent precipitation year-round. According to reviews, campers should "be prepared for rain since it is a temperate rain forest." Verizon cell service works well at many locations with "3 bars of service" reported at several campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months and fall color season when facilities reach capacity quickly. Firewood restrictions apply throughout the park to prevent the spread of invasive pests, with certified heat-treated wood required.

The camping experience varies significantly between national park campgrounds and private facilities. National park sites like Smokemont offer more primitive camping with flush toilets but no showers, while nearby private campgrounds provide full amenities including hot showers and laundry facilities. Creekside sites are particularly sought after, with one camper noting that "the sounds of the creek at night melts all your worries away." Wildlife encounters, particularly with black bears, are common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. The park's campgrounds provide direct access to over 800 miles of hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail, making them ideal basecamps for exploring the park's natural features.

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Best Camping Sites Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park (614)

    1. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "Elkmont is a huge campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

    They have plenty of sites for tents and RVs. There is a camp store, showers, and restrooms."

    "This campsite is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is one of the biggest and busiest.

    **Yay: this is a fairly typical big national park campground in many ways."

    2. Cades Cove Campground

    98 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $30 / night

    "Rustic camping, with tons of wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Well cared for, nice staff. Beautiful hiking trails, convenient store with bike rentals and wildlife watching."

    "**This campsite is in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is one of the biggest and busiest."

    3. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    12 miles
    Website

    $35 - $258 / night

    "._

    Greenbriar is located near the Greenbriar entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, very near the arts and crafts district of Gatlinburg."

    "The campground is surrounded by a little river so many sites have river views. Most are relatively spacious. There are also a few spots on the road side of the island.

    The amenities were spotless."

    4. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    11 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Building a fire was next to impossible. I think there might have been thirty minutes without rain, so pictures are limited."

    "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

    5. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    55 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "Stayed hear as a family while traveling through the are on a road trip from northern Minnesota to North Carolina, years ago."

    "Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."

    6. Deep Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    29 Reviews
    Bryson City, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 488-3184

    $50 / night

    "I have been to several campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and this is one of my favorites except for one thing. I don’t like the bathroom facility."

    "The Deep Creek Campground is located just minutes away from the charming Bryson City with its shops, breweries, little cafes an other attractions such as steam train rides on the"

    7. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Of all the no-frills campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this one falls on the more basic end of the spectrum and the low cost reflects it."

    "Cosby is great if you want to explore the eastern section of North Carolina sections of the park."

    8. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA

    28 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-2241

    "The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."

    "Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."

    9. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

    25 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9711

    "We stayed here in order to visit both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Wheels Through Time museum."

    "If I’m not mistaken, the one we were at this time was either the same cabin or one close to it.  It is perfectly situated beside the river.  "

    10. Cades Cove Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    27 Reviews
    Townsend, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 448-4103

    $50 - $94 / night

    "There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."

    "I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."

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Recent Camping Photos near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

1246 Photos of 614 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2779 Reviews of 614 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds

  • s
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

    Worst experience ever

    Absolutely the worst advertised campground I’ve ever been to in my life. They stated it was“riverside” ummmm nooooo!!! It’s basically a big open field with absolutely no privacy or shade. Picture Woodstock. The“barely there stream of water” was covered by trees at the campsite and there was basically just a huge mound of dirt where they told us to set up. We asked for a different spot and they said they were full. We paid SIXTY SIX dollars for this tent camping experience on the river!! We asked for a refund and they refused(otherwise, I wouldn’t have left a review at all. They should have made it right.) We luckily found a beautiful spot at Deep Creek Campground otherwise we would have had to drive two hours home!!! Do.not.be.scammed.

  • Allissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    One night stay

    Right on Little River. The view and sound was so enjoyable. The restroom is a couple minute walk away, very convenient. Zero signal for Att (for signal, take a right out of the campground heading toward Gatlinburg. There’ll be a Pulloff with a view on the left, pull in and use your phone if needed).

  • Isabelle C.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground

    Excellent Campground

    Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC is a hidden gem. Nice hosts, clean facilities in the woods. We have a 25 ft pull behind camper and sites are big enough for slide-outs. Picknick table and campfire ring was on site. We had a 30 amp full hook-up site. Campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, clean bathhouse and is dog friendly.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Douglas Tailwater Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Great Location

    Nice campground near river and dam. Had three pup tents for overnight motorcycle stay. Bridge nearby is a bit noisy if that bothers you. Decent rest rooms. Camp host was very friendly! Half hour to Gatlinburg and Dolly Wood.

  • Gary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    Way overpriced for tent camping

    Three of us on motorcycles with pup tents were going to be charged for three tent sites at $141 each per night . We laughed and left. Hotels were charging less than that. Being a KOA member didn’t make a difference.

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge

    Beautiful grounds if you feel like splurging

    It is an absolutely beautiful campground with an awesome club house and a ton to do. The pool and lazy river are heated. Honestly though you really need to want to splurge to justify staying here because you are still camping if that makes sense.

    Also the trolley “system” is super confusing and the front desk knows nothing about it lol

    Our site is great. It is right across the road from the playground without having to pay for a family site.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cades Cove Campground

    Quite, beautiful, weekend traffic

    This is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.

Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the stunning scenery. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique features, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The area is filled with trails for all skill levels. For example, at Elkmont Campground, one camper mentioned, "We did one of our hikes from our site—the Little River Trail to Cucumber Gap, and it was beautiful."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Many campers enjoy spotting wildlife. A visitor at Cades Cove Campground shared, "Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground."
  • Water Activities: If you’re into tubing or swimming, Greenbrier Campground is close to the river, making it perfect for a splash on hot days. One reviewer noted, "The river ran close enough to our site that we didn't feel like we needed a premium spot."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Cosby Campground said, "Cosby Campground offers a serene and less crowded camping experience."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Greenbrier Campground mentioned, "Super clean campground and showers. Lots for the kids to do."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the welcoming vibe. One review from Anchor Down RV Resort stated, "This is an exceptional campground with great flat, concrete pads, fireplaces, super clean bathrooms/showers."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Elkmont Campground noted, "All of the campsites are extremely close together, and there is no brush to divide them."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Cosby Campground pointed out, "It was a clean and decent campground, but there’s no drinking water or electric hookups."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Bears are common in the area. A camper at Cades Cove Campground warned, "Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just irritates the bears."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with amenities for children. A family at Greenbrier Campground enjoyed, "Bounce houses, multiple playgrounds, a gagaball court, volleyball court, basketball court."
  • Safety First: Always keep food secured to avoid attracting wildlife. A camper at Cataloochee Campground mentioned, "They do ask that you store coolers and cooling equipment sealed in your car overnight."
  • Plan for Downtime: Bring books or games for quiet time. A visitor at Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground suggested, "Have a good book, downloaded shows, crossword book, or what have you."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Anchor Down RV Resort noted, "Super tight for our 45 ft bus. Never again!!"
  • Use Amenities Wisely: Take advantage of dump stations and water spouts. A visitor at Deep Creek Campground said, "The campground has a dump station and water as you exit the park."
  • Stay Connected: Be aware that cell service can be spotty. A camper at Smokemont Campground mentioned, "No cell or TV service here."

Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RV camping allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes, RV camping is allowed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, though campsite size limitations exist. Most in-park campgrounds can accommodate RVs but typically don't offer hookups. For full hookups, consider nearby private campgrounds like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort which features large, paved pull-through buddy sites with full hookups just minutes from the park entrance. Recently reopened Look Rock Campground within the park also welcomes RVs after its 9-year closure. When booking in-park sites, verify length restrictions as they vary by campground. Many campers prefer staying at private resorts around the park perimeter for amenities like electric, water, and sewer connections while making day trips into the national park.

What are the best campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The best campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer unique experiences based on your preferences. Cades Cove Campground is highly rated for its scenic valley setting and wildlife viewing opportunities. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Double Island offers primitive camping accessible only by watercraft, providing a truly remote experience within park boundaries. Check-in is available at Fontana Boat Ramp, and the island offers a few spots for tents or hammocks without any services. For a quiet experience on the Tennessee side, Cosby Campground provides a more peaceful alternative to busier park campgrounds. Consider your priorities—whether scenic views, proximity to hiking trails, or privacy—when selecting the best campground for your visit.

What is the difference between tent camping and other options in Great Smoky Mountains?

Tent camping in Great Smoky Mountains offers a traditional, immersive experience with basic amenities like restrooms and water spigots at established campgrounds. Other accommodations provide varying levels of comfort and convenience. Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground offers both tent sites and hookups just outside the park boundary on the North Carolina side, featuring hot showers and a variety of camping options. For those seeking more comfort, Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA provides deluxe cabins on the Raven Fork river, complete with propane grills and access to amenities like swimming pools. The key differences include: amenities (tent camping typically has minimal facilities while cabins/RV sites offer more comforts), weather protection (tents are more exposed to elements), setup time (tents require assembly), and price (tent camping is generally more affordable than cabins or RV sites with hookups).

Are there campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are open year-round?

Yes, several campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains National Park operate year-round. The Ridge Outdoor Resort is a clean, well-maintained year-round option close to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground also stays open throughout the year, featuring amenities like a heated lazy river and providing convenient access to the park and surrounding attractions. On the North Carolina side, Gateway to the Smokies offers year-round camping with large, private sites located just 7 miles from the North Carolina entrance to the park. While most in-park campgrounds close during winter months, these nearby private campgrounds provide alternatives for visitors seeking to experience the Smokies during the quieter off-season months.

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