The Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders Cosby, Tennessee, a gateway to wilderness camping at 2,459 feet elevation. Winter temperatures in this area often drop below freezing at night, while summer days typically reach the mid-80s with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Cabins near Cosby offer year-round access to the park's eastern section, including popular trails like Gabes Mountain and Mount Cammerer.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Fish the mountain streams near Greenbrier Campground, located just 20 minutes from Cosby on the Little Pigeon River. "Fishing is just a few steps away. My kids loved it and so did we," notes a camper who enjoyed the convenient riverfront location.
Mountain biking trails: Access biking routes near Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA within minutes of your cabin. "There is a gravel road behind the campground that was great for walking dogs. The Maddron Bald trailhead is only 0.6 miles down the gravel road and was great for hiking and running," explains a visitor who appreciated the convenient trail access.
Waterslide adventures: Try the alpine slide at Adventure Bound Gatlinburg, a family-friendly option 15 minutes from Cosby. "The water slide and Gaga pit! Sites are small but this seems to be the norm in this area," reports a camper who found the amenities worth the compact sites.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many visitors appreciate the individual bathroom facilities at Camp Riverslanding, which offers cabin rentals with nearby modern restrooms. "The bathrooms are outstanding, located in the same building as the laundry, there are several private bathroom/shower rooms, decorated nice and very clean," according to one reviewer.
Creek-side relaxation: Campers consistently praise the riverside settings at Fox Fire Riverside Campground, located 30 minutes northeast of Cosby. "The tent sites are on the bank of the river. The RVs and campers are on the other side of the campgrounds. It is close to I-40 so you hear semi trucks every now and then but you barely hear them over the river," notes a tent camper.
Native American culture: Explore Cherokee traditions at Indian Creek Campground, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. "Town of Cherokee, Mingo Falls (a short 0.44 mile round trip hike up 161 stairs, then a relatively level trail to the base of a beautiful waterfall," writes a visitor who enjoyed the cultural and natural attractions nearby.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Cabin rental options vary throughout the year. Smoky Bear Campground offers extended seasonal access. "This campground stays open a bit longer into November than other campgrounds which tend to close Nov 1st," notes a late-season visitor.
Crowding during peak seasons: Elkmont Campground within the national park requires advance planning. "This early in the season (mid-April) the campground wasn't full, some of the loops were closed," writes a visitor, indicating shoulder seasons offer better availability.
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds may have water clarity issues. "The one downside is that the water was really brown- not just on one spigot but on all the ones I tested," reports a camper at Fox Fire Riverside Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Indoor recreation spaces: Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground provides family-friendly amenities during unpredictable weather. "Very clean and spacious bathroom/showers, staff great and perfect distance to tourist and Nature destinations," according to a family that stayed there.
Water recreation options: Choose sites that offer water play opportunities for children. "My kids enjoyed the swimming hike as well although the water was freezing," notes a parent who stayed at Greenbrier Campground, highlighting the natural swimming opportunities despite cool water temperatures.
Activity planning: Schedule family activities strategically around crowds. "Roads are narrow and windy and on busy days you hardly can accomplish even a couple things of interest on your list," advises a camper who learned to plan carefully around peak visitation times.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many cabin and RV areas near Cosby have compact layouts. "Our site had some garbage and the fire pit wasn't cleaned prior to our arrival. Staff was readily available and friendly," reports an RV camper at Adventure Bound Gatlinburg, suggesting site inspection upon arrival.
Hookup variability: Check the specific utilities available at your rental cabin or RV site. "We chose this resort for the full hookups and access to a cabin for our non-camping friends who traveled with us. They liked the cabin as well," notes a visitor who appreciated the flexibility of Smoky Bear Campground for mixed camping groups.
Off-season advantages: Winter cabin stays offer quieter experiences. "This was a weekend getaway for us and another couple. We were greeted by friendly staff, great location and well maintained sites... in December it's lightly attended and not a lot going on...that's not a bad thing," writes a winter visitor to the Gatlinburg East KOA.
