Best Campgrounds near Cosby, TN

Campgrounds near Cosby, Tennessee center around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with Cosby Campground serving as the primary developed camping area in this section of the national park. The region includes a mix of tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options at facilities like Greenbrier Campground and Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA. Primitive camping options exist within the national park boundaries, while more developed sites with hookups are available at private campgrounds. Most campgrounds in the area provide access to hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail.

Camping season typically runs from mid-April through October in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, though private campgrounds may operate year-round. "Cosby is the by far the most secluded and private campground in the Smokies. While there is lack of waterfront sites it is much more peaceful than any of the others," notes one visitor. The campground elevation provides cooler temperatures even during summer months. Several campgrounds in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though group sites and some loops require reservations. Most developed campgrounds offer toilets and drinking water, but many lack shower facilities, particularly those within the national park boundaries.

Campers report high satisfaction with the secluded nature of Cosby Campground compared to busier sections of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The relative quiet and privacy of campsites, particularly in the B loop, make it popular with those seeking to avoid crowds. According to reviews, sites near creeks are particularly desirable, with A20 highlighted as having good creek access. Proximity to hiking trails represents another key advantage, with trailheads for popular hikes like Mount Cammerer accessible directly from the campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with bear sightings reported regularly. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping areas, particularly within the national park, allowing for a more disconnected experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Cosby, Tennessee (547)

    1. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "We were informed near the top that dogs are not allowed, which was weird to me due to it being part of the Appalachian Trail and I hadn't seen anything about it in the literature I read?"

    "Cosby campground solved this conundrum. Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

    A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it."

    2. Greenbrier Campground

    70 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    11 miles
    Website

    $35 - $258 / night

    "It’s located just across 321. There is also a good coffee shop heading towards Cosby called The Barista’s Daughter."

    "Had a blast at The Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We had a view of the river which was right next to.our campsite."

    3. Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    124 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 430-5560

    $30 / night

    "Nice campground on the other side of the park from Cosby near the ghost town. Well maintained facilities"

    "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."

    4. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Campground

    55 Reviews
    Pigeon Forge, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 453-7903

    "Had we been in a site away from the river, we’d have been packed in like sardines."

    "Close to everything, right in the heart of pigeon forge. Best bath houses we’ve ever been too, all other reviews were spot on!"

    5. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    18 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Smokemont isn't nearly as good a Campground as Elkmont, but not to say it isn't a really good place to stay. It's clean and well kept. Sites are close together with little to no privacy."

    "The campground is close nearby to many of the attractions in the area - the Cherokee village and museum are to the south of it."

    6. Anchor Down RV Resort

    48 Reviews
    Sevierville, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 784-4446

    $49 - $139 / night

    "Anchors Down is just outside Severville Tennessee and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located on Douglas Lake with the Smokie Mountains in the back ground."

    "This campground is one of the best you will find in Tennessee.  "

    7. Adventure Bound Campground Gatlinburg

    16 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 436-4434

    $32 - $92 / night

    "Adventure Bound is a campground chain, and this one is located on the back side of Gatlinburg in the Smokies."

    "This campground is in Gatlinburg, but is almost all the way to Cosby. The campground has RV sites, tent sites, cabin rentals, and rv rentals as well. There are several riverfront sites."

    8. Triple Creek Campground

    13 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 465-3060

    "NIce campground with a gated entrance, very safe. Beautiful location. Excellent tent sites on creek. RV sites are ok, narrow and your fire ring is so close to next RV, we were uncomfortable using it."

    "Triple Creek Campground lives up to it’s name being surrounded by 3 Creeks. We stayed here over Labor Day weekend in 2020 and although it was completely full, it didn’t feel crowded."

    9. Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA

    12 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 532-7183

    "Location is excellent, borders the national park.
    On the con side, though dogs are allowed, no cleanup bags provided, and no trash bins for dog waste at all, not even at dog run."

    "Tucked away in the Smokey Mountains with a friendly and helpful staff. Restrooms are clean with good water pressure. Camp ground well kept with easy to access connections."

    10. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    31 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "The Tennessee and NC sides each have great things to offer. Just feel that the NC side has more smaller campgrounds and is generally a little more quiet and laid back. Go NC!"

    "This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

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Recent Reviews near Cosby, TN

2549 Reviews of 547 Cosby Campgrounds


  • SunnyLake
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Lakeside RV Resort & Marina

    Great Place with Great People

    Under new ownership, this little campground is wonderful.  Easy access and close to the activities on Douglas Lake or a quick drive into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge - Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains.  The views from the lake are amazing and the campground hosts are so helpful and available.  Clean and fun!  Love it here!

  • Laur H.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Clabough's Campground

    Good for families

    Our stay was good. It was our first time camping in Pigeon Forge, we usually stay closer to Nashville in state parks. The campsites are extremely close together - everyone is packed in like sardines. We knew it would be tight from when we looked at the map when booking but whew - if you don’t know your neighbors, you will! This seems par for the course in the area. The location here compared to attractions in PF was so convenient it made it worth it.

    We really appreciated the amenities - the bath house was super clean and the laundry room was nice. We loved that the campground picks up trash daily. There was an issue with the sewer in the area where we were and the campground was quick to resolve it. We also appreciated having campground staff escort us to our site so we did not have to wander with a map.

    The playground is big and nice, and my nephew loved the bouncy pillow. The pool and lazy river looked really neat but we didn’t have swim gear with us since it’s fall, although we saw some people swimming so maybe it is heated?

    On the other hand - The staff does not answer any email inquiries, apparently. The cancellation policy is really awfully strict. We didn’t necessarily feel super welcomed at check in.

    There seem to be a LOT of long-term/permanent residents here. That always makes me uncomfortable since I feel like I’m in other peoples space, but no one was unfriendly. It did seem like the rules (which I read carefully prior to arrival) are selectively applied.

    Overall it was a good trip and we wouldn’t be opposed to staying here again, but this definitely isn’t our preferred type of campground.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Grumpy Bear Campground

    Nice but small

    The attraction here is the river. It is absolutely gorgeous. Riverside are small and close together.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Two seperate areas

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Trash..

    This area was easy to find with Apple Maps and T-Mobile and Verizon had signal. When we drove in it was around 9pm in a Saturday night and all sites was taken with what looked like people living there. And the road dead ends. All along the water. Tents and tarps everywhere. We found one spot not on the water and set up. Fire rings and picnic tables are at every spot. But when I woke up and it wasn't pitch black my heart broke. There was bags of trash and litter everywhere around us and tossed in the forest around us. The forest had a lot of thorns but I was able to get three large kitchen bags of trash out. From propane tanks to over twenty cans of food. Just tossed into the woods. We camp all over the United States, and this is our first place close to home and it broke my heart to see how our state treats these beautiful places. Please don't come if you don't appreciate nature enough to not use it as your trash can.

    So on Dyrt there's two sites with this name and same gps but you can follow around the lake and find the other one. Both areas are a lot alike. But definitely more fit for tent camping on the water. Park by the road and walk down sites so none fit for us since we camp in the truck. The sites all looked like the other areas around here where people very much lived there and never left, so not one site at either camping area was open.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Creekwood Farm RV Park

    Great RV Park

    This park is conveniently located between Maggie Valley and Waynesville with access to lots of western NC attractions. The staff is excellent and cares about the campers' experience here.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Pride RV Resort

    Excellent RV Park. The staff is great and hospitable.

    The staff here care about the campground and put their best effort towards being hospitable to the guests.


Guide to Cosby

Camping near Cosby, Tennessee provides access to the eastern reaches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet. This less-crowded section of the park transitions from dense forest to mountain meadows, with summer temperatures averaging 10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. The area's high humidity supports over 1,600 flowering plant species, creating ideal conditions for spring and fall camping.

What to do

Trail access from camp: Maddron Bald trailhead sits just 0.6 miles down the gravel road behind Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA. "The Maddron Bald trailhead is only 0.6 miles down the gravel road and was great for hiking and running," notes a camper who appreciates the proximity to trails without needing to drive.

Creek tubing and fishing: The Little Pigeon River splits and runs around Greenbrier Campground, creating natural water recreation. "Kids are welcome get wet and stroll down one of the creeks in tubes and there's plenty of shade," mentions one reviewer who visited with family. Sites backing up to the river offer direct water access for fishing or simply enjoying the sound.

Wildlife viewing: The Cataloochee area draws visitors seeking elk encounters, especially during rutting season. One visitor reports, "We spent 5 nights and watched them early am and afternoons every day. They will get up close-and personal. The rangers keep a watch out, tho, and try to warn u if they are coming too close." Morning hours before 7 AM provide the best viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Quieter camping experience: Cosby Campground attracts those seeking a more peaceful park experience. "Cosby Campground tends to be a little quieter than Cades Cove or Elkmont, but I like it that way! There is ample parking nearby and trailheads," writes one reviewer who appreciates the lower visitation levels compared to other park campgrounds.

Creek-side sites: Water features rank high on camper preferences. At Triple Creek Campground, visitors value riverside accommodations: "The campsites back next to a beautiful creek that is pure serenity. The owners are great people. Clean and quite. The perfect hideaway in the middle of everything." The sound of flowing water enhances sleep quality for many campers.

Historical exploration: Elkmont Campground provides access to Daisy Town ghost town. "One of the more intriguing areas to explore at Elkmont is the Daisy Town ghost town. Once you've set up camp, walk or drive down the road toward the Little River and Jakes Creek trails... you'll find yourself at the end of a road lined with assorted cottages and cabins that used to be vacation homes."

What you should know

Bear precautions required: All campgrounds in the Cosby area require proper food storage. At Smokemont Campground, "Since this area is widely regarded for bear sightings in addition to other wild animals, you can find bear safety at the kiosk and locking trash bins." Food, toiletries, and scented items must be secured in vehicles or provided food lockers overnight.

Weather conditions vary: The area experiences rapid weather changes, especially at higher elevations. Smoky Mountain campgrounds can close unexpectedly due to conditions: "The road through the park shut down the night we were there due to snow and ice in the higher elevations, so keep weather in mind when visiting in the colder months." Always check park alerts before departure.

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "Cell service wasn't great for me here, but then again in all the Smoky Mountains I cruised around with pretty much 1 bar or less," reports a camper at Elkmont. Some private campgrounds like Adventure Bound Campground Gatlinburg offer WiFi as an amenity.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water features: Multiple campgrounds offer safe water play areas. At Adventure Bound Campground Gatlinburg, "There are several riverfront sites. The campground is large and has several amenities, such as a game room, pool, alpine water slide, fishing pond, and playground. This is a great campground for kids, but is also very quiet at night."

Planned activities: Private campgrounds often schedule family events. "The staff was always present and even brought rocks to paint with all of the supplies right to the campsite!" reports a camper at Triple Creek, highlighting the organized activities that keep children engaged without leaving camp.

Safety considerations: Parents note the importance of supervision around water features. At Greenbrier Campground, "During warmer months, children can play and swim in the clear and smooth stoned river," though the water runs cold even in summer, with one camper describing it as "Think ice bucket challenge" for temperature.

Tips from RVers

Road access challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult approach roads. For Cataloochee Campground, visitors warn: "The roads suddenly turned from dirt and gravel to a paved section of highway and I was slightly confused... As I drove down the winding road I noticed that the twist interns grew narrow the bumps grew frequent and then encountering a motorist was a hairy experience."

Site placement matters: For RV comfort, site selection influences experience. At Elkmont, "Sites are booked in advance through recreation.gov so make sure you book, during nice weather this place is very busy, even during the week." RVers recommend requesting sites away from bathhouses for more privacy and less foot traffic.

Generator restrictions: National Park Service campgrounds have limited generator hours. One Smokemont Campground visitor notes, "I was on a loop that allowed generators but very few were in use," indicating the available quiet camping sections. Private campgrounds typically offer electric hookups as an alternative to generators.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Cosby, TN from Gatlinburg and what's the best route?

Cosby is approximately 20-25 miles from Gatlinburg, which typically takes about 30-35 minutes to drive without traffic. The most direct route is via US-321 N/TN-73, a scenic drive through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. This distance makes Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park an alternative option as it's closer to Gatlinburg while still offering a mountain experience. If you're looking for accommodations halfway between the two, consider Greenbrier Campground, which provides easier access to Gatlinburg's attractions while maintaining a quieter atmosphere than campgrounds directly in the tourist area.

What other campgrounds are available in Cosby, TN besides the Smoky Mountains National Park campground?

Near Cosby, you'll find Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA, which offers amenities like hookups, showers, and WiFi that aren't available at the national park campground. For a different experience, Triple Creek Campground near Newport provides drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. If you're looking for a luxury camping experience, head to Douglas Lake where Anchor Down RV Resort offers premium amenities and lakefront views. These alternatives provide more creature comforts while still keeping you close to the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

What amenities are available at Cosby Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains?

Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers clean restrooms with flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings at each campsite. The campground features spacious, shaded sites with good privacy between neighbors. While there are no showers or electrical hookups, and cell service is nonexistent (a welcome disconnect for many campers), there is a small convenience store just outside the entrance where you can purchase firewood and ice. Most sites are tent-oriented, though a limited number can accommodate RVs. The campground provides excellent access to hiking trails, including connections to Low Gap Trail, Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.