Camping near Bryson City ranges from secluded forest sites to waterfront campgrounds within the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Elevations vary from 1,750 feet in town to over 3,000 feet at mountain sites, creating temperature differences of 5-10 degrees between valley and higher elevation campgrounds. Most sites open from April through October with limited winter options.
What to do
Hiking at nearby waterfalls: Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground serves as a gateway to waterfall trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "If you take the short drive into the national park, you will come to a parking lot, and from there, you can hike to three waterfalls close by. The closest one from the parking lot in the national park is two-tenths of a mile, and it is an easy hike," notes Myron C.
Trout fishing in stocked waters: Kirkland Creek Campground offers fishing opportunities right on site. "Cool little trout pond, quails, chickens and ducks. Limited sites. Jason was super helpful with our stay and had great recommendations of where to go!" shares Trista.
Explore historic ghost town: Visit the abandoned vacation community near Elkmont Campground. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails. Follow the signs for additional parking and you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes," reports Jean C.
What campers like
Secluded creekside sites: Indian Creek Campground offers peaceful waterfront camping. "Our site was very spacious right on the creek. The cleanest bathrooms I have seen at a campground," states Mary B. Another camper adds, "I feel that places like this are few and far between. The sites are all beautiful and secluded."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Smokemont Campground provides chances to see native animals. "I parked at the smokemont car camping area, then packed into one of the backcountry sites for a weekend of blue line trout fishing on the Bradley Creek headwaters, feeding into the Oconaluftee River," explains Gary B. Another visitor reports, "We had elk walk through one morning."
Private bath facilities: Greenbrier Campground stands out for exceptional bathroom facilities. "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower," reports Erin H.
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: Winter camping options are limited in the region. "We stayed for one night, on a weeknight in early December. The campground was completely deserted (one other camper came in the evening, there were only two of us there!). Most of the campground is shut down during that time," explains Carly E. at Smokemont Campground.
Bridge access requirements: Some campgrounds have unique access requirements. "Access to the facility is by a small bridge that runs over the Little Pigeon River, which splits and runs around the Greenbrier, making it an island of sorts," notes one camper about Greenbrier Campground.
Cellular connectivity issues: Turkey Creek Campground and surrounding areas have limited service. "WiFi was an unexpected luxury," notes Kelly C., while Adam C. advises, "Make sure you download a google map 'offline mode' map of the area before coming, since service is limited for ATT and Verizon."
Tips for camping with families
Tubing activities: When visiting with children, tubing is a popular option. "Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground offers tube rentals at the entrance as well as gem mining and a petting zoo with goats. You can put in your tube at one side of campground and float to end of tent sites to get out (15-20 minutes total float)," explains Christy C.
Campgrounds with multiple play areas: Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA provides extensive family amenities. "All kinds of stuff for the kids. Two pools, jump pillow and pad, banana bikes, play ground and three ponds for fishing," reports Robbie T., while another reviewer notes, "They offer bike rentals, shuttle tours to the mountains, fishing, giant checkers and game boards."
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Lookout for accessible trails with waterfall views. "The road through the park shut down the night we were there due to snow and ice in the higher elevations, so keep weather in mind when visiting in the colder months; if you are planning to drive all the way through the park, you might not be able to," cautions Carly E. from Smokemont.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger units: Cades Cove Campground offers suitable spaces for various RV sizes. "Cozy sites, clean bathrooms, scenic area. Cades Cove was fairly quiet and the site was slightly wooded. Picnic table, fire ring and grill, level driveway- all make for a good choice for any type of equipment," advises Carol B.
Access road considerations: Many campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The entrance is a steep gravel hill, but our 2WD Camry handled it just fine," notes Amanda Y. about Turkey Creek Campground, while another RVer cautions, "The road getting to the campground is a little tight in places, but with their help I was able to get right where I needed to be."
Utility hookup availability: Hookup options vary widely between campgrounds. "We pull a 36ft trailer and the road getting to the campground is a little tight in places, but with their help I was able to get right where I needed to be within the campground," says Justin O. about Kirkland Creek Campground, which offers full hookup sites despite its secluded location.
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