Established Camping
Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Campers are Saying
Cosby Campground, near Cosby, Tennessee, is a peaceful retreat tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors while being surrounded by the lush beauty of the Smokies.
Visitors often rave about the serene atmosphere, with many noting how quiet and clean the campground is. One camper mentioned, “It was very quiet and clean and peaceful,” which is a sentiment echoed by others who appreciate the spaciousness between sites. While there are no electric hookups or drinking water on-site, the campground does provide clean restrooms and a sanitary dump station for convenience.
For those eager to explore, the campground is just a short walk from the Appalachian Trail, making it easy to access some fantastic hiking opportunities. Reviewers have highlighted the nearby stream, which adds to the charm and provides a fun spot for kids to play. As one camper put it, “There is a stream that runs through the back of the site that our kids loved.”
With its beautiful surroundings and access to trails, Cosby Campground is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying a quiet camping experience. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, you’ll find plenty to appreciate in this slice of the Smokies.
General Overview
National Park Service
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overview
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.
Recreation
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.
Facilities
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.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Charges & Cancellations
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.
Fee Info
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): 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. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.
Location
Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee
Directions
From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles from junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Group camp is another 2.2 miles.
Address
127 Cosby Park Road
Cosby, TN 37722
Coordinates
35.7527778 N
83.2061111 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly