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Established Camping

Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Balsam Mountain, Cosby, and Look Rock campgrounds are currently closed. We regret any inconvenience. The following campgrounds are currently open: Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont.

Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee, Cosby, and Look Rock campgrounds are closed. We regret any inconvenience. The parks largest campgrounds are currently open: Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Deep Creek will open as planned on April 18.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Look Rock Campground, near Walland, Tennessee, is a scenic retreat nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This campground offers a mix of spacious primitive sites, perfect for those who enjoy a more rustic experience while still having access to essential amenities like drinking water and electric hookups.

Visitors rave about the breathtaking views and the peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and outdoor adventures. The campground is known for its beautiful surroundings, with plenty of hiking trails nearby that showcase the stunning fall foliage and diverse wildlife, including the occasional bear sighting. One camper noted, “This place has so many gorgeous camping spots and hiking trails!”

While the campground has undergone recent renovations, some campers have pointed out that it still lacks certain amenities like bear boxes and showers. However, the charm of the area and the welcoming hosts make up for these minor shortcomings. The road leading to the campground is narrow with steep switchbacks, so it's best to ensure your vehicle can handle the climb.

If you're looking for a peaceful getaway with access to nature's beauty, Look Rock Campground is a great choice. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, this spot offers a unique experience in one of the most visited national parks in the country.

Fee Info

Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service 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.

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Location

Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Maryville, TN: Take U.S. 321 North (you'll actually be driving south!) from Maryville to Walland, TN. Turn right onto Foothills Parkway Section 8G/Foothills Pkwy W (signs for Look Rock/US-129), about 9.5 miles to campground along Foothills Parkway. Avoid GPS directions leading you along Montavale Rd, Happy Valley Rd, or Flats Rd if you are towing a trailer or vehicle. From Pigeon Forge, TN: Follow US-321 S to Foothills Parkway Section 8G/Foothills Pkwy W in Walland. Exit from US-321 S, about 24 miles. Turn left onto Foothills Parkway Section 8G/Foothills Pkwy W (signs for Look Rock/US-129/Fontana), about 9.5 miles to campground along Foothills Parkway.

Address

7040 Flats Road
Walland, TN 37878

Coordinates

35.63690473 N
83.9361425 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

14 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2023

TAKE FLATROCK ROAD!

Beautiful primitive sites but DONT TAKE ANY ROAD OTHER THAN FLATROCK ROAD. brutal switchbacks. The sites were spacious and primitive, perfect for boondocking. Keep your sites clean since there are no bear boxes!

Site44A
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2023

Restored/reopened in 2023

This campground was closed for a very long time to be restored and it needed it!! Even after the long restoration it missed many key improvements. One huge over looked upgrade at every GSMNP camp site is the lack of bear boxes!!!! In the NP with the largest black bear population you would think every campsite would have a bear box to protect the bears as well as the campers. The second major miss is small bathrooms that lack showers. This campground is on the larger side with almost 70 campsites so the bathrooms get over crowded quickly. The road to get to this campsite is beautiful but very narrow with steep switchbacks so make sure your tow vehicle has enough power to get up there and your rig isn’t too long to make the turns. Over all it’s a nice campground but for being the most visited national park Great Smoky is the least equipped and the least cared for park we have ever been too.

Site42
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Jerry P., July 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Jerry P., July 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Jerry P., July 2, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Feb. 8, 2023

Re-Opening Spring 2023

Hoping to address older reviews letting campers know that this campground is closed, I was able to confirm the recent re-opening of this site. After a 9-year closure, Look Rock Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be welcoming visitors into this campground this spring! Look for reservation availability on rec.gov and learn more about the campground on National Park's website. 

I'm looking forward to planning my visit!

  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Kristin S., February 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Kristin S., February 8, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2018

Beautiful campground on the Foothills Parkway.

We stayed here for almost two weeks and it was wonderful. For most of our stay it was just us, the host site, and maybe one or two other sites on the weekend. We are Michiganders and made the error of traveling South in the summer, if we hadn't found this place we might have gone home early due to the heat, but the elevation (2,7249 ft.) made it perfect weather, and the hosts were excellent. We even got to see bears! There is a state campground near the base, but it was crowded and noisy. Unfortunately I've been informed this campground is no longer in operation, so sad.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Amy K., June 25, 2018
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Amy K., June 25, 2018
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Amy K., June 25, 2018
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2018

Short hike

The campground has been closed for the last few years. The views are great but the hike to the tower is very short. for some good bouldering walk past the tower through the wood to some fun small bluffs.

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2018

closed

The campground has been closed for the last few years.

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2016

Beautiful

This place has so many gorgeous camping spits and hiking trails! In the fall there is just so many different hues of oranges reds and yellows

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2016

Quieter site, higher elevation

A smaller and less popular site in GSMNP, so it's quieter. Great birding right by my tent! Nice clean site with the expected simple amenities from NPS. Lovely wooded sites. Lots of views and hiking really close.

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2016

Amazing views

Great place for views and not too over crowded. Can be secluded and awesome date place. Temperature fluctuations can happen throughout the day by 20° or more. Storms czn pop up and bring heavy rain and wind to this area so be prepared. Sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking from this area.

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2016

Great Sights!

If you haven't visited the Smokies, then do yourself a favor and book a trip. The mountains are gorgeous, and the temperature is usually JUUUUST right in the fall.

If you go before Thanksgiving, the traffic in the area isn't too bad.

  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Chris B., June 24, 2016
  • Review photo of Look Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Chris B., June 24, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Look Rock Campground facilities?

Photos of Look Rock Campground facilities are available online through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park official website and various camping platforms including The Dyrt. These images showcase the campground's wooded sites, primitive facilities, and natural setting. Photos of the nearby observation tower and scenic views are also widely available. For the most current visual information about the campground's condition since its reopening, check the National Park Service website or contact the park directly.

What do visitors say about Look Rock Campground in their reviews?

Look Rock Campground offers spectacular mountain views and is known for being less crowded than other Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, clean facilities, and simple amenities provided by the National Park Service. The campground reopened after a long closure and features spacious, wooded primitive sites ideal for boondocking. Many visitors highlight the excellent birding opportunities right from their campsites and the beautiful fall foliage. Temperature fluctuations can be significant throughout the day, and storms can appear suddenly, so preparation is essential.

Is there a map of Look Rock Campground showing campsites and trails?

Maps of Look Rock Campground showing campsites and nearby trails are available through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor centers and the official NPS website. These maps detail the layout of the primitive campsites, the short trail to Look Rock Observation Tower, and connections to other hiking routes in the area. For the most detailed and up-to-date maps, contact the park directly or stop by a visitor center upon arrival. Digital maps can typically be downloaded from the National Park Service website before your visit.

Where is Look Rock Campground located in the Smoky Mountains?

Look Rock Campground is located on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Foothills Parkway. It sits at a higher elevation, providing cooler temperatures during summer months. The campground is accessible via Flatrock Road (visitors are strongly advised to avoid other routes with difficult switchbacks). Its location offers excellent access to the Look Rock Observation Tower, which provides panoramic views of the Smokies and is reached by a short hike from the campground.