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Camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2,802 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 (617)

    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 617 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2802 Reviews of 617 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds

  • Ken A.
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Little River Campground & RV Resort

    A Bit of a Let Down.

    The campground was clean and friendly and surprisingly quiet considering how full it was. The sites are very tight for bigger rigs and the sites are very close together. We stayed multiple days and we had to cut our trip short by two days. We checked out early and spoke with a very friendly staff member about refunding the two days we were not able to stay. She informed us that the manager was not there and that she would let her know when she came in and she could refund the two nights. We received a call later from the employee and she told us the manager said she would not be able to refund us and if we wanted to call her she would give us her number and her name was Bunny. We gave her call and explained our situation and she said that unless someone had died or had to go to the hospital they didn't issue refunds. I explained without giving too much personal details that we had to leave due to some circumstances and she said she would issue us a voucher for one night if we liked. Probably would have stayed there again with our smaller camper and our not fifth wheel and recommended to friends as well but it came across to us that once they had our money it was our loss.

  • Kc K.
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Cherokee Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Peaceful and beautiful

    Small quiet campground. Site is on the water, but with the hill and trees it isn't easily accessible. Quick walk over to the boat ramp and swim area. This site as a little snug I snug to back into with a tree on my each side and a downhill drive. But overall it is great.

  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great Campsite, But Let’s Keep It Clean

    This campsite is a great little spot just across the road from the water—peaceful, scenic, and well-situated. I was lucky to grab the last open site, and it turned out to be a perfect place to unwind. The only downside was the amount of trash left behind by previous visitors; I nearly filled a bag cleaning up. A gentle reminder to future campers: please do better and respect this beautiful space. Despite that, it’s truly a gem, and I’ll definitely be coming back.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Fern Cove — Black Rock Mountain State Park

    Beautiful park but steep slope up

    Black Rock is beautiful but hard on some transmissions. There is a long steep slope up the mountain and it is common for transmissions to over heat. So much so that there is an auto shop at the base of the mountain. The road up is narrow and twisty. I have seen some larger rigs up here but most are smaller. If u can make it, it is worth the journey. Lots of hiking trails for different levels. Clean facilities, friendly hosts. WiFi is available at the trading post. Nice place to sit and rock.incredible views. Have visited in April, may, June, and October. Usually stay on site 6. Later spring into summer had more poison ivy on trails.

  • Zach L.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Appalachian Springs Outdoor Resort

    October in the Smokey Mountains

    This is an amazing campsite spot. Minutes outside Pigeon Forge you're close to sites, shops, and anything you need. A short drive to the park and Blue Ridge Parkway. The spaces are easily accessible with options for any setup. Incredibly affordable so great value. The best campsite bathrooms I've ever seen, seriously immaculate bathrooms. Digital processes for registration and check in made it very easy to book. Staff was super helpful and very responsive to texts if you need anything.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Mount Pisgah Campground

    October camping experience

    Well I checked when peak leaf season was supposed to occur and what to expect from temperatures. I also appreciate information from those that camped here. We were in site B26 interior of the loop. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get outside loop from the showers to the end. Interior from the showers to site 21 were okay. Ours on the other hand was one of the worst we’ve had. You had a steep 7 step down to picknick table and firepit. It was also in a low sumac shrub area that had a distinct smell. Campground was clean and facilities were well maintained. NPS staff were present despite the current shutdown in Washington! Limited cell service at the site. Best just up the parkway to the Mt. Pisgah picnic area parking lot.

    While we did hit peak color, I didn’t think that the cold front would be as intense. Temperature dropped below freezing and during the night it felt like gale force winds buffeting the GO. Definitely will pick a lower elevation for camping if it’s in October!

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Upper Cove Creek - UCC2 Dispersed

    Okay spot

    Avery Road was closed so we ended up here. Not a whole lot of sites in the forest here. This site was fine, nothing special, but nothing bad. There’s a shallow creek that runs next to this spot.

  • SunnyLake
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Lakeside RV Resort & Marina

    Great Place with Great People

    Under new ownership, this little campground is wonderful.  Easy access and close to the activities on Douglas Lake or a quick drive into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge - Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains.  The views from the lake are amazing and the campground hosts are so helpful and available.  Clean and fun!  Love it here!

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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