Best Campgrounds near Gatlinburg, TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park surrounds Gatlinburg, Tennessee, creating a diverse camping landscape that ranges from developed national park campgrounds to private RV resorts. Elkmont Campground, located less than 10 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, serves as a popular base camp with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings amid forested terrain with creeks and rivers flowing through the grounds. Cosby Campground offers a more secluded experience about 30-45 minutes from the tourist areas, while still providing access to hiking trails including connections to the Appalachian Trail. Private options include Greenbrier Campground with riverside sites and full hookups, and several KOA locations in Pigeon Forge and Townsend that operate year-round with amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and camp stores.
Most campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park operate seasonally from spring through fall, typically April through October, with limited winter camping options. According to camper Mandi M., "Cosby is heavily wooded, lends itself nicely to hammock camping. Campsites are clean and bath houses are interspersed nicely throughout the campground." Cell service is notably absent within most park campgrounds, requiring visitors to drive to Gatlinburg for connectivity. Weather patterns include frequent rainfall and high humidity, with summer temperatures often reaching the 90s in lower elevations. Bear activity necessitates proper food storage in all camping areas, with bear-proof containers required throughout the region. Advance reservations are essential, particularly for summer weekends and during the synchronous firefly season at Elkmont, which requires a special lottery system.
Riverside campsites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with many campers highlighting the soothing sounds of flowing water. "I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont. I was able to hang my hammock right next to the river to enjoy my naps and morning coffee," notes Tori K. Campgrounds closer to Gatlinburg tend to be busier, while those seeking solitude often prefer Cosby, which Rachel K. describes as solving "this conundrum" of loving the Smokies but disliking crowds. Wildlife sightings, particularly black bears, are frequently mentioned in reviews. Campers report that spring and fall offer the best balance of pleasant temperatures and reduced crowds, while summer brings higher humidity and more visitors. The area's famous synchronous fireflies draw significant crowds to Elkmont during their brief mating season in late May to early June.
