The iconic American family camping vacation is alive and well in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. We are excited to share our ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Camping Guide.
Great Smoky Mountains Camping
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the unique opportunity to camp in an area with crisp mountain streams flowing camp-side and wildlife roaming freely in the distance. But, camping in the Smokies is not for light-weight campers; there are no showers in any camping facilities, nor are there electric hookups.
Camping in Tennessee
The Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes the most popular campgrounds, which are found in Cades Cove and Elkmont.
Cades Cove near Townsend, Tennessee is the most popular destination in the park due to its abundant and easy-to-view wildlife and collection of well-preserved Appalachian cabins and churches.
Campers may rent a bicycle and ride the auto trail before the park opens to cars on Wednesdays and Saturdays. An onsite stable provides horseback and hay rides from April-November. Unlike most other campgrounds in the park, Cades Cove’s campground is open year-round. Lots cost $17-20 and may be reserved in advance.
Elkmont’s campground is the closest to Gatlinburg, Tennessee; thus, it is the largest campground in the National Park. Campers may choose lots close to the Little River, which runs directly through the center of the campground. Elkmont is strategically located near many popular trail heads, including the one for Laurel Falls, a majestic waterfall visible from a moderately easy one-mile hike. Lots in Elkmont cost $17-23, and are only available March-November.
Less populated campgrounds in Tennessee include Cosby, which is east of Gatlinburg near Newport, Tennessee, Abrams Creek on the western edge of the park and Look Rock, also on the western edge of the park. Cosby offers over 100 campsites, but lacks camp store facilities. All of these campgrounds cost $14 per night. Abrams Creek and Cosby are only open from March through October, while Look Rock is open May through October.
Camping in North Carolina
Smokemont is the largest campground on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located near Cherokee, North Carolina, this campground is perfectly suited for visiting Cherokee’s attractions, most notably the epic Unto These Hills outdoor theater presentation.
Like Cades Cove and Elkmont, reservations may be made in advance, and a camp store is on-site. This campground is open May through December and costs $17-20 per night.
Besides Smokemont, Cataloochie near Maggie Valley, North Carolina is in close proximity to the park’s elk population. Open from May to December, these campsites cost $17.50 per night. The campground is only accessible from a steep and winding gravel road, so RVs and larger campers might consider other camping options for safety purposes.
Balsam Mountain and Deep Creek offer camping in easy driving distance to Cherokee. Deep Creek has over 90 campsites, but no camp store facilities. Balsam Mountain only offers around 40 campsites, also with no store services. Balsam Mountain is open June through October and costs $14, while Deep Creek is open April through October and costs $17.
Back Country Camping
For true, tent-camping experience, backcountry camping is allowed throughout the park with a free permit, obtainable from any visitors center or campground. Backcountry campsites are located throughout major park trails. If camping, hikers are asked to register an itinerary with the park, for safety reasons.
If camping with the family for a week in a quiet campground with no shower facilities does not sound like a dream vacation, Gatlinburg and Cherokee both offer campgrounds with showers, pools, and other amenities. Of course, these campgrounds cost more per night and do not offer the same opportunities like horseback rides and up-close wildlife viewing found in the park.
Horse Camping
Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to backcountry trails within the park. Horse Campgrounds with car access have picnic tables, fire rings, designated parking spaces (usually gravel), refuse containers, and tent pads.
Water is available for horses, either in the campground or at a nearby stream.
Reservations are required for horse camping.
Anthony Creek - Reserve Now
Big Creek - Reserve Now
Cataloochee - Reserve Now
Round Bottom - Reserve Now
Tow String - Reserve Now
Campground Amenities
Each front country campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets. Each individual campsite has a fire grate and picnic table. There are no showers or electrical or water hookups in the park.
For medical purposes, only Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont offer sites with 5 amp electric hookups.
Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet.
The park-wide camping limit is 14 nights, per visit not exceed 60 days in a year.
RV Dump Stations - Dump stations with potable water are located at Cades Cove, Cosby, Deep Creek, Look Rock, and Smokemont campgrounds.
There is also a dump station located across the street from the Sugarland Visitor Center.
Don't forget to pack
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds
Abrams Creek Campground
Location: There is no street address for this campground.
43 miles from Gatlinburg in a remote area.
Elevation: 1,125
Open: April - October
Number of sites: 16
Cost per night: $17.50
Reservations?: Yes, 6 months prior to your arrival date online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations are required to camp in this campground.
Campground amenities:
There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park.
RVs allowed?: No, this is a tent-only campground
Balsam Mountain Campground
Location: Relatively remote campground- enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Black Camp Gap and continue 9 miles to Balsam Mountain Campground
Elevation: 5,310
Open: May - October
Number of sites: 42
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $17.50
Reservations?: Reservation Required
Campground amenities: There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park.
RVs allowed?: No, tent only campground
Big Creek Campground
Location: Eastern side of the park
Elevation: 1,700 feet
Open: April - October
Number of sites: 12
Accessible Sites: No
Cost per night: $17.50
Reservations?: Yes, Reservation.org
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: No, Tents Only
For more information and photos check out our post on Big Creek Campground
Cades Cove Campground
Location: Next to Cades Cove
Elevation: 1,807 feet
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 159
Accessible Sites: Yes
Cost per night: $21-$25
Reservations?: Yes
Campground amenities: Fire ring, running water, flush toilets, lots of shade, camp store
RVs allowed?: 35-40 foot RVs
For more information and photos check out our post on Cades Cove Campground
Cataloochee Campground
Location: located in the historic Cataloochee Valley
Elevation: 2,610 feet
Open: June - November
Number of sites: 27
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $25
Reservations?: Reservations for campsites at Cataloochee Campground may be made 6 months prior to your arrival date online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations are required to camp in this campground.
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: 31 foot RV's
Cosby Campground
Location: Thirty minutes from the Gatlinburg
Elevation: 2,459 feet
Open: April - October
Number of sites: 157
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $17.50
Reservations?: Yes, 115 campsites are available at Cosby Campground on a first-come, first-served basis and 42 campsites are available for advance reservations
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, camp host on site, fire rings,
RVs allowed?: 25 foot RV's
For more information and photos check out our post on Cosby Campground
Deep Creek Campground
Location: Located next to one of the most popular creeks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Elevation: 1,800 feet
Open: May – November
Number of sites: 92
Cost per night: $21
Reservations?: First Come, First Serve only
Campground amenities: grills, tables and campfire rings
RVs allowed?: 26 foot RV's
Elkmont Campground
Location: This is the closest park campground to Gatlinburg.
Elevation: 2.150 feet
Open: March - November
Number of sites: 220
Accessible Sites:
Nine of Elkmont’s campsites are wheelchair accessible ADA sites. These sites have wide concrete driveways, raised fire rings, and wheelchair accessible picnic tables.
All of these sites are located near accessible restrooms. Three of the sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment.
Cost per night: $21-$27
Reservations?: Yes, campgrounds can be reserved 6 months ahead of time on a rolling basis - Recreation.gov
Campground amenities: Flush toilets, firewood for sale, camphost on site.
RVs allowed?: 32-35 Foot RV's
For more information and photos check out our post on the Elkmont Campground with site photo and more!
Smokemont Campground
Location: Located off of Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441)
Elevation: 2,198 feet
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 142
Cost per night: $21-$25
Reservations?: Reservation Online via Recreation.gov
Campground amenities: tent pads, grills, and fire rings plus flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.
RVs allowed?: 35-40 foot RVs
Look Rock Campground - Closed for Repairs
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Where to stay when visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park
There are many options right outside of the park in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
There is one park lodge the LeConte Lodge which you visitors need to hike into.
LeConte Lodge
Sitting at 6,643 ft, just shy of the Mountain LeConte peak at 6,593 feet, is the LeConte Lodge. This beautiful property is the only Lodge within the National Park.
It boasts spectacular unobstructed views of the mountains and the valley; however, it is only accessible by foot (which you’ll have to follow with your supplies).
There are five trails that will lead you to this historic site - Alum Cave Trail, Boulevard Trail, Bullhead Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, and Trillium Gap Trail, each varying in distance and elevation, so be sure to plan.
The Lodge is entirely old-school (has no water or electricity), so you’ll have plenty of time to just soak in the breathtaking scenery and picturesque mountains. The Lodge doesn’t offer much beyond the basic amenities and serves regular family-style Southern food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you’re looking to detox from any electronics and just become one with nature under the twilight sky, the LeConte Lodge situated high up in the mountains is the perfect place to spend the night.
You can make a reservation at the Lodge by calling: (865) 429-5704 or emailing reservations@lecontelodge.com.
Lodging near Great Smoky Mountains NP
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg - We have stayed in this hotel the past few times we visited the park and it has been great. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown provides free continental breakfast, a terrace, and dry cleaning/laundry services. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a fireplace in the lobby and a gym.
Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg - Located close to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg provides a firepit, a coffee shop/café, and a garden. Indulge in a massage, a body scrub, and a facial at St. Somewhere Spa, the onsite spa. Enjoy a meal at the two onsite restaurants. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with laundry facilities and a bar.
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg - Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail provides free self-serve breakfast, a firepit, and a garden. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a gym.
Glenstone Lodge - Glenstone Lodge provides amenities like a terrace and a 24-hour business center. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.
The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - provides a terrace, a garden, and a playground. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Enjoy a meal at the two onsite restaurants. In addition to dry cleaning/laundry services and a fireplace in the lobby, guests can connect to free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg - provides golfing on site, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a fireplace in the lobby. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The onsite restaurant, Garden Grille, features happy hour. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a bar and a gym.
Click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Great Smoky Mountains.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Resources
Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Check out all of the must-do things while visiting this great park.
Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals - There are some truly amazing cabins available in the area.
History of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Learn more about how the park came to be formed.
Most Visited National Parks - Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States. Check out what other parks made the list.
North Carolina National Parks - Check out all of the parks you can visit in North Carolina.
Tennessee National Parks - Check out the 12 National Park Sites in Tennessee.
National Park Bucket List - How many of these 101 National Park Bucket List adventures have you done?
Glamping in Tennessee - Check out some of the most epic glamping spots near Smoky Mountains NP!
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