Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I loved this campground. The combination of Abrams Creek, the accessibility to trails, and the deep canyons all provided some scenic views that you just don't get all the time. The only downfall of this campground is that everything is at least an hour away by vehicle (i.e. cades cove, pigeon forge, Gatlinburg, etc.). I was able to get my offroad teardrop camper down into this campground, but 12 feet and 2,000 lbs is about pushing it. I would not want to take the trip down into this area with anything larger - most sites won't support the length.

Bears are everywhere, be smart! We saw 3 bears in 24 hours so do not be that tourist that tries to get close.

What more can I say, if the national park was not so big I would certainly come back, however since I would want to see the eastern side I will likely not visit this site again but sure am glad that I did.

P.S. Bathrooms are pretty scary. I saw insects in there that I never knew existed. Bring a 5 gallon bucket....

This is the campground that has been forgotten by the National Park service. There is a narrow and washed out road to get back to the campground. There is a run down abandoned ranger station at the front of the campground that is not staffed. You would think that for how remote this campground is it would be tranquil and relaxing but that is not the case. The campsites are very close to each other and with the lack of Ranger presence or a campground host and no cell phone reception this camp ground was very loud and overcrowded even after quiet hours. We had people pull up to site 15 (just a few feet away from our tent) at midnight and took over an hour to set up camp with blazing lights and were loud. Being in the most black bear populated national park you would think each site would have a bear box but they don’t. Also the community dish washing sink was always full spiders and was not functional. The bathrooms were just one toilet and one sink with no paper towels or soap. The bathrooms and the wash sink area are in need of a major remodel. Side not e for people that use solar panels this entire campground is shaded 90% of the day which makes it cooler but it also makes it where your battery bank will not charge while you are here. This was the worst national park campground we have ever been too.

No service or amenities. Trail map didn’t have distances.

Super pretty spot. A couple trails right there to explore. Place was packed on the Sunday we stayed there. Nasty bathrooms wasn't super well maintained for how busy it was. And campsites are all right on top of each other. Would look elsewhere next time I'm in the area.

This campground is located down a mountain road with many switchbacks, thus limiting it to mostly tent campers (awesome). You can bring a trailer in, if it's less than 20 feet in length. While we were there, we only saw one trailer, all the other sites were tent campers or van lifers.

There are bathrooms, but no showers. There is also a dish washing sink, to keep the bears away. There is also a water filling station. Thru-hikers do utilize this campground to wash up in the bathrooms as it is located in a spot many trails leave from/intersect.

The campground is set along Abrams Creek, so you can dip in there to freshen up, but the water is chilly. The setting is beautiful and as it mostly all tent campers, it's quiet as well. I would recommend sites that are creek side first. The least desirable spots are site #12 & #13 as they are set on the path to the bathroom, so there is a lot of foot traffic. However, if those are the only sites available, I would definitely still reserve them as the campground is small and private. There is zero wifi  or cell service anywhere. It is a 20-minute drive to the closest gas station and dollar store.

It has running water, place to wash dishes, a couple pretty large bear boxes (I’m assuming for everyone to share) and bear proof trash. I loved the place, and that’s from someone who hates humidity and bugs and this place is littered with both. But it is quite beautiful.

It’s along the creek and a few campsites have creek side property. A friend and I had one of the sites when we first arrived, then had to move to another site cause it was all that was available online.

When reading about this campground it seemed like it was quite a process to actually get in. It stayed to have all this stuff ready for when you get ready to enter cause otherwise you’ll be turned away. So I made sure ...... yet we stayed for 3 nights and I never once saw a ranger it even a kiosk where one would be situated at. It seemed very high security but upon arriving 1/3 the sites aren’t even occupied??? Online it says they are all booked solid, but reality is no one is showing up leaving this beautiful place empty most of the time. DONT make reservations and do nothing with them. It’s ridiculous how many people seem to be doing that. Especially when it’s such a genuine beautiful place. You can almost feel an old wise presence here.

Not the easiest conditions to enjoy all day due to humidity, flys & mosquitos but I would donut again in a heart beat for another couple days.

Off the beaten bath but a great way to escape the crowds. All of the sites along the creek are amazing. We were in site 11, nice but next to a group site so a little louder than I like. There are trails near by but I was unable to experience. Bear boxes and trash bins. Centrally located water. Bathroom was not super clean but passable. Area to wash dishes away from your site at the bath house.

Make sure you make reservations BEFORE stunning out there. Way if they beaten path and reservations can ONLY be made online. No cell service no internet for at least ten miles away from camp.. absolutely gorgeous location and rangers keep it clean every day. Would have been 5 stars if I was able to pay when I got there.

As close as it is from popular hikes and vistas, its a hidden beauty. Pretty typical site but still worth visiting

Nice quiet little campground. Nice level camp sites, each with a fire pit/grill. Make your reservation well in advance because this spot fills up quick. Nice to have a flushable bathroom nearby. Our family has been camping this spot for years and now that it’s part of the state park, they have made some nice improvements. Access to several hiking trails, including one to Abrams Falls. Float the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

First started camping here —locals call it Happy Valley—in the 70’s. Very peaceful and quiet. Love spots 2-8 (river spots) but all of the spots are great. Bathhouse has toilet facilities and dishwashing area (no showers). Also fresh water spigot and drinking fountain in middle of campground. Used to be first come/ first serve but now you must reserve in advance. Last time I was there (August) there were several spots open, but not unusual for it to fill up. Limited parking in the camping area, but if you want to host visitors, you can meet them at ranger station on the way in (1/4 mile?) where there is plenty of parking. Lots of great hiking trails surrounding the campground.

Memories

I will say that when I was looking into this camp I was really impressed with its great peace that came over me when I was there. Unlike many of the sites it does not seem to be as crowded and it seemed a bit more relaxed. For this reason I found it to be a great place for a day use area or perhaps you can camp as well.

I personally was in the area for the day, but I did manage to check out the camping options which offered both flush toilets and drinking water. There were no connections at the camp but no one seemed to mind. There were more than enough hammocks relaxing in the area.

My favorite thing about this are was the access it had to numerous trails which were just moments away from where you would lay your head for the evening making it a great place, that until this trip I didn't know was here!!

This campground it beautiful and it features a handful of drive in spots as well as a wonderful trail where you can hike in for back country camping. This year my partner and I stayed there during the peak of firefly season, and once the sun went down we we walked down the short gravel road that leads to the parking lot for day-hikers. There is a meadow here where we watched fireflies for hours and it was MAGICAL!

Very quiet area to camp by the water.

Amazing place to camp and hike, especially in the spring or fall. The falls are beautiful, and it’s one of my personal favorite hikes!

The campground itself was smaller than I anticipated. Sites are close to one another, but arranged great. My family of 5 had plenty of room for two tents, chairs, picnic tables, etc. Bear proof garbage cans are in the middle of the campgrounds for easy access. Some campgrounds are directly on the creek which provides fishing and swimming next to the site. Bathrooms were always clean and are a short walk from the sites.

Nice campground but you have to get there early to get a site.

Great out of the way campground with a nice river. But very few sites and is first come first serve. So if you don’t get there early you are SOL.

This area is pretty popular year-round. If you want the trails to yourself I would suggest waking up early to beat the crowds. There is water nearby if you're looking to take a quick swim. The trails and even just driving around this park is worth it. This campsite is close to the Cades Cove portion of the park, I think if I were to camp again I will go to the more mountainous portion.

Even though its a small campground, we were able to get a site, but I've hiked through in the middle of summer with no availability. Its cozy enough you want to go meet your camping neighbors. Not all the sites are on the water, bur one can hear the water from all the sites. There is easy access to trailheads to the backcountry.

Nice falls nearby,

I absolutely loved this area! We were in a two night hiking trip and decided to drive to Abram's for our last night. We will be coming back! I'm excited to return and do the hikes around the area and come back to my comfy site on the water. So beautiful!

We love the Abrams Creek area of the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park. It is scenic & wild so you feel like you've really gotten away from it all.