Looking for tent camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Finding a place to camp in North Carolina with your tent has never been easier. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina's most popular destinations.
Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade beside Cosby Creek. This group campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Cosby Campground, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail.Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities. White water rafting on the nearby Pigeon River. Top tourist towns of gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge are just 20 miles away. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Cosby Campground, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail.Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities. White water rafting on the nearby Pigeon River. Top tourist towns of gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge are just 20 miles away. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cosby never disappoints. At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, typified by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts, which tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the campground, offers convenience stores and fuel. Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the site, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
$50 / night
Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Backcountry camping in a front country setting. There are flushing toilets and potable water. This is a tent only campground with a short walk from the parking area. The beautiful flowing waters of Big Creek parallel the campground offering the visitor a pleasant soundscape and peaceful beauty. Big Creek is an oasis for hiking, swimming, wildlife, fishing, and relaxation.__
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Big Creek area offers some of the most challenging hikes within the Park. Baxter Creek trail begins near the campground and with an elevation gain of 4200' from trail head to the summit of Mt Sterling provides a strenuous work out for the strongest of hikers. The nearby Big Creek trail offers a pleasant hike along the waters of Big Creek with a beautiful waterfall along the way. Local anglers agree that Big Creek offers some of the best trout fishing in the area. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 black bear living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Big Creek area offers some of the most challenging hikes within the Park. Baxter Creek trail begins near the campground and with an elevation gain of 4200' from trail head to the summit of Mt Sterling provides a strenuous work out for the strongest of hikers. The nearby Big Creek trail offers a pleasant hike along the waters of Big Creek with a beautiful waterfall along the way. Local anglers agree that Big Creek offers some of the best trout fishing in the area. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 black bear living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Located at an elevation of 1,700' Big Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and a pristine mountain stream. Black Bear sightings are not uncommon and some lucky visitors may spot River Otter playing in Big Creek.
For facility specific information, please call (423) 487-2683.
Nearby attractions include the Cataloochee Valley, Newport, TN, Cosby Campground, Hartford Whitewater Rafting, the Appalachian Trail and the Max Patch/Pisgah National Forest.
$30 / night
Come to where Mother Nature waved her magical wand and created one of the most natural of all wonders, Natural Hot Mineral Waters. Heated deep within the earth, these crystal clear carbonated waters are world famous for their mineral content and legendary healing powers. We pipe these waters to modern outdoor Jacuzzi type hot tubs that are drained and sanitized after each use.
Hot Springs, located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and cuddled along the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River, is a town rich in history and beaming with natural charm, this town serves as an intersection along the historic Appalachian Trail and is part of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
The heart of Hot Springs, North Carolina, is our 100 acre Resort & Spa. We feature modern Jacuzzi style hot tubs, positioned outside along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River; our tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of World Famous Natural Hot Mineral Water. We have a nationally certified & state licensed staff of massage therapists on hand to compliment your soaks or for separate service altogether.
Located across the road from the Mineral Baths is the Hot Springs Campground. Here you can find peace of mind with ease and comfort. We feature eight primitive camping cabins, over a hundred tent sites (primitive, group & sites with partial hook up) & Full RV Hookups. On site comfort station features hot showers (seasonal) and clean bathrooms. Our beautiful grounds play host to several large events per year and we have the capacity for many more. Whether you’re coming off a long hike on the Appalachian Trail or just passing through, you don’t want to miss the charm and beauty of the Hot Springs Resort & Spa.
Hot Springs Resort & Spa also offers other lodging options for those looking for a relaxing getaway. We have four luxury suites that have a Jacuzzi style tub with mineral water in the room. We also have a deluxe cabin with a full size outdoor Jacuzzi style tub.
We are a small family owned and operated campground featuring two very large and private campsites on just over an acre of land. We are located right outside of Cherokee, NC and a short 10 minute drive to Bryson City, Sylva, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the North Carolina entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
When making a booking request through thedyrt.com, please email us as well at: michaelg012977@gmail.com to let us know which campsite you would like based on the following:
Site# 1 is our Creekside Campsite. It's a walk-in Tents only site which has a 16'x16' tent pad, a picnic table, fire ring and a brand new park style charcoal grill. The Creekside area is only about 75 feet from where you'll park your car and the shared portable toilet. This site gets lots of Sun in the front part of the meadow and lots of shade from very mature maple and black walnut trees towards the back end where the tent pad is located.
Site# 2 is our Hilltop Campsite. It is considered a Dry Camping/ No Hookups site. This site has a large flat grassy area with trees all around the perimeter providing some shade at different times of the day. It also has a picnic table, a brick fire pit and a brand new park style charcoal grill. The Hilltop site is available for tent campers as well as those traveling with smaller sized RVs. Perfect for camper vans, truck campers, smaller sized Class B and C's as well as travel trailers up to 20' in length.
** We can not accommodate any large class A or 5th wheels due to the steepness and curvature of the road. Four wheel drive or AWD is recommended to reach the hilltop site. Two wheel drive vehicles can make it just fine when the ground is dry however the Great Smoky Mountains area is considered a temperate rain forest and it can snow in early Spring and Winter.
To reach Site#2 cross the bridge over the creek and follow the road until you get to the top of the hill. When you've reached the level lot this is your camping area. You will have plenty of room to turn your rig around without having to back up. For this reason we have it listed as a pull through site.
AGAIN No class A or 5th wheels are allowed.
Directly across the highway from our property is a Dollar General and a Beer and Wine store. There is also a gas station close by on the same side of the highway that you could walk to. Behind the property is several acres of natural forest and on the other side beyond the trees is pasture land.
*Please note, Our property is easily and conveniently accessed directly from US Highway 441 which is the main road to and from Cherokee and the National Park. The sounds of cars can be heard passing by at times. Please check out our reviews and photos here on this listing, on Google and on Instagram as most people are not bothered by it.
Please feel free to send me a message with any questions or concerns and I’ll be more than happy to respond as soon as possible. I can also recommend local eateries breweries hiking trails and activities.
Thank You and we hope to see you soon!
$40 / night
Stay in Comfort @ The Simple Life. A quiet / clean Mountain Retreat within minutes of; Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner28, Joyce Kilmer National Forest, Lake Santeelah, and the town of Robbinsville. We have 13 Comfortable / Air-conditioned Tree House Cabins, 2 RV and 6 Tent Sites. Also available is a 6 person bunk-house fully loaded.
$18 - $32 / night
We have stayed at the Campground for 15 years! Love Beth who helps with Reservations. I really like the fact it is a very small campground, sitting back a long way off the main road. Sites are spread out. Shower house easy access from all sites. Very few, if any kids when we go. Having all the amenities of Fontana Village Resort is icing on the cake. I've already made Reservations for 2025.
Visiting in 2 weeks
We really enjoyed our stay at Black Rock. Despite being at full capacity for Labor Day weekend, the park did not feel overly crowded. The staff attending the lodge store were welcoming and knowledgeable. There was a good selection of necessities available, along with ice and firewood. The comfort station was clean and well-appointed and there was never a wait for facilities. While privacy of sites varied, we spotted a few with really lovely mountainside views. The Tennessee Rock Trail to the summit and overlook is the perfect distance for a morning hike and not too strenuous. The Black Rock Lake Trail is very scenic and well worth the 20–30 minutes it takes to walk the circuit. There are also day facilities such as picnic tables and grills. Highly recommend.
Spent Labor Day weekend there. Awesome trip! Super clean campground and showers. Lots for the kids to do. Trolley that goes into Gatlinburg. Friendly, Christian atmosphere. Great Sunday service. .
I went in July and it was cool in day and cold at night nice , secluded
That's a great recommendation! Elkmont Campground sounds like a wonderful place to experience the Great Smoky Mountains. The variety of accommodation options makes it accessible to campers of all preferences. Therefore SRSLY Low Carb helps me stick to a diet and it reflects well on my body. I love active recreation. However, I always take care of my diet because I have health problems. Have a nice trip and take care of your health.
Top of our list for all around excellent amenities.
We had an amazing time, the campground is beautiful and the park rangers were awesome. Hoping to come back soon.
If you're looking for peace and quiet, then this is the place to be. Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground. Note... Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just erritates the bears.
Cosby Campground, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers a serene and less crowded camping experience. Surrounded by lush forests and scenic trails, it provides access to popular hikes like the Hen Wallow Falls and Mount Cammerer.
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It was a nice campground. But it is set up to be too crowded. Not my kind of camping. But they stated was friendly. The restrooms weren’t so bad considering how many kids was there. Couldn’t let the dogs walk free so that sucked.
I have gone to Sarah’s creek multiple times. It fills up sometimes but there are plenty of free spots around the area
We were there on a Saturday night in August and it was completely sold out. It's a very busy campground with close together spaces but that's to be expected at that time and place. The staff was awesome and it's a great facility, shockingly with that many people it was absolutely silent at night. If you want to be in that area at that time it's pricey but hard to beat; however, I have no desire to be in that busy of a campground. There is a good chance we would like to see it in the off season.
This was a good campsite for the Uppermiddle class to bring their families and RV to say they camped. But nothing really to do but hike.
I’ve been camping at Sarah’s Creek for years - you can pay online or at the campground itself (envelope/tag system), etc. There is absolutely ZERO Verizon service. 26 sites, all with picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts. Some are better than others. The creek is shallow for the most part but there is a trail marked by a bright green circle spraypainted onto a pine tree shortly before the first few sites (on the left as you enter, just before the campground begins) where there are some small falls and a nice little swimming/bathing hole. Trout fisherman’s delight. Road is easy enough but has a lot of dips and switchbacks; 4x2 is completely adequate, though could be tough in extremely wet conditions. Sarah’s Creek is the perfect weekend getaway. Lots of trails to bike/explore, too.
Joe was amazing. Great guy. The free ice and firewood made the nightly stay virtually half price! Great if you are looking for calm, quiet and laid back.
Clean and large. Creek below
We were in Laurel loop in a double site. It was perfect for 2 tents and our 17’ camper. Nice woodsy site, although you can hear a bit of road noise. No cell signal but we were able to set up our star link with a patch of open sun behind the site. We actually forgot to bring coffee so it was great to have the coffee truck 5 mins away outside the campground. Hiked the North Slope nearly 4 miles wore out the dogs perfectly!
I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND this place. They completely do not respect their guests. I booked a half a year in advance and asked the question if they have a separate bed for each and they assured me they do. Unfortunately, my child ended up sleeping on the table. I tried to ask for an additional mattress or a partial/full refund but they didn’t want to hear me. They offered me to go to the store and buy one for myself. A complete disrespect I drove for six hours to be as disappointed as I had never been in life. Please, beware that coming here you’re going to sleep either on the floor or on the table and the staff doesn’t care about you or do not respect you. People, please do not come here.
Very tiny cabin, grass overgrown, far distance from pool. We paid in advance for 2 nights but checked out after 2 hours. Very gross, unkept. Because it’s pigeon forge I expected it to be good but it’s disgusting. The videos of JellystonePark show trampolines and water park like activities but this park had one small pool with no parking. Even my kids wanted to leave. Do not go here it is a Huge disappointment!
Beautiful, quiet campsites
No access to road itself or to its campsites due to recent storm damage according to NFS sign at northern terminus of Avery Cr Rd.
We booked our trip late and this campsite was the only one with vacancy. That had us worried, BUT it turned out great and we would stay here again!
The pool was clear and clean and (I think) a salt water base so it wasn’t an overpower of chlorine which I liked since I have a 9 month old. The area could use more chairs, but you could always bring your own.
The only downside of our stay was there wasn’t much shade. They have planted trees so in the future it’ll be very nice with shade, but there’s only shade on the outside lots of the property. The lot itself is so easy to connect to electric, waste, and water.
The bathrooms were great quality and clean. We appreciated the bathroom in the middle of the property for easier access!
The WiFi worked well and our phones weren’t completely out of service. Maybe in some areas like the pavilion.
Very welcoming, friendly place with nice toilet and shower facilities. We camped in tents and found the site we had to be large and quiet.
Another review recommended an off-road vehicle or a jeep to get here. In dry conditions, I got here just fine in an Outback Wilderness, and 5 minutes later a Prius drove up. There’s a bit of trash but I’ve seen worse. Definitely bring bug repellent. The creek is only a few feet away from the campsite.
Nice place good quiet. Just would be better if they had water at each site. And a duping station too
A beautiful place for families and pets. Very shady; quiet very friendly place to go loved it
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.
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
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 69 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 103 tent camping locations near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
