Look Rock Campground sits at 2,749 feet elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accessible via narrow switchback roads that require careful navigation for larger rigs. After a nine-year closure for restoration, the campground reopened in 2023 with nearly 70 sites spread across wooded terrain. The elevation provides cooler temperatures compared to lower-elevation areas, with Amy K. noting the altitude "made it perfect weather" during summer heat.
The campground operates as a less crowded alternative within the park system. During weekdays, campers often find themselves sharing the area with only a few other sites occupied. Black bears frequent the area, though the lack of bear boxes at individual sites means visitors must store food properly in vehicles. Basic restroom facilities serve the campground, but no shower facilities are available on-site.
Access requires commitment to mountain driving. The approach road features steep grades and tight turns that challenge larger RVs and underpowered tow vehicles. Tyler M. warns that "temperature fluctuations can happen throughout the day by 20° or more" and storms can bring heavy rain and wind to the exposed location. The nearby Look Rock Tower provides hiking access and overlook views.
Sites offer primitive camping without hookups, making this destination suitable for tent campers and self-contained RVs. Reservations are available through the National Park Service system. For additional options, campers can explore camping near Great Smoky Mountains National Park or consider Abrams Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located 1.8 miles south.
Plan for variable weather conditions and pack layers, as the elevation creates significant temperature swings throughout the day and between seasons.
Description
Overview
Look Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Foothills Parkway West. The campground offers 68 campsites in a high country wooded landscape. It offers a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station. There are 10 sites with electric hookups. There are no shower facilities at the campground. Avoid GPS directions leading you along Montavale Rd, Happy Valley Rd, or Flats Rd if you are towing a trailer or vehicle.
Recreation
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hikers paradise. Visitors to Look Rock Campground love the opportunity to enjoy day hiking and backpacking the parks 802 miles of trails. There are abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing as well as birding. The park is also a fisheman's paradise. While there are no fishing opportunities at the campground itself, it is just a short drive to several lakes and many streams where trout are abundant. Many visitors enjoy the scenic views that the Look Rock observation tower offers. There is a beautiful picnic area nearby for day use. Visitor looking for scenic roadways will not be disappointed. The Foothills Parkway West offers a relaxing drive through the high country, with many scenic pulloffs along the way. Nearby is the section of State Route 129 know as "The Tail of the Dragon". This unique section of roadway offers scenic views and features 318 curves in 11 miles.
Facilities
The campground offers 68 campsites in a high country wooded landscape. It offers a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station. Each campsite has a picnic table, tent pad, and fire ring. Some sites will accommodate tents only, while other sites will accommodate large camper trailers. There are 10 sites with electric hookups. Be sure to reserve a site that will accommodate the type of equipment you plan to bring. There are no shower facilities at the campground.
Natural Features
__Look Rock sits at a higher elevation than most of the other campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains. It features a wooded, high country landscape. There is a nearby picnic area for day use, and the Look Rock observation tower offering panoramic views of the park. The campground is just a short drive to Chilhowee, Cadlerwood, and Cheoah Lakes, providing ample fishing and boating recreation. There are many opportunites for unique and scenic drives in the area. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. While hiking is limited from the campground itself, the nearby main section of the park offers over 802 miles of hiking trails. A hikers paradise.
Nearby Attractions
Look Rock Observation Tower State Route 129 (Tail of the Dragon) Calderwood Lake Cheoah Lake Chilhowee Lake Look Rock Picnic Area Little River Abrams Creek Cades Cove Twenty Mile Appalachian Trail
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (865) 448-4103.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundLook Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee
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
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 3/13/26
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 3/13/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark 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
Drive Time
- 42 min from Knoxville, TN
- 1 hr 22 min from Morristown, TN
- 1 hr 28 min from Cleveland, TN
- 2 hrs 22 min from Asheville, NC
