Great Smoky Mountains Camping: 13 Campgrounds, Reservations, and Fees

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains has 13 NPS-operated campgrounds, with 939 sites spread across the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. All require reservations through recreation.gov. Nearly all accommodate RVs without hookups at the site, except Look Rock, which has 10 sites with electrical hookups, a rarity in the park. There is no entrance fee, so your only fixed cost is the campsite fee.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

• Campground Smokemont Campground see NPS · 142 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Cades Cove Campground see NPS · 161 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Elkmont Campground see NPS · 211 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Cosby Campground see NPS · 157 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Abrams Creek Campground see NPS · 16 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Big Creek Campground see NPS · 12 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Cataloochee Campground see NPS · 27 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Deep Creek Campground see NPS · 92 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Balsam Mountain Campground see NPS · 43 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Elkmont Group Campground see NPS · 4 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Look Rock Campground see NPS · 68 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Cades Cove Group Campground see NPS · 3 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Great Smoky Mountains?

Yes. The park has 13 developed campgrounds, some open year-round and most open seasonally. Camping outside a designated site is prohibited. Every overnight stay must be at a developed campground or a backcountry site with a permit.

Campgrounds in the park

Tennessee side

Elkmont is the park's largest campground, with 211 tent and RV sites (RV max 35 ft), in a wooded valley ten minutes from Gatlinburg. Services include restrooms, water, a camp store, firewood, and bear boxes. It's open through late November, then closed until early April. Book several weeks ahead from June through October. The adjacent group area, Elkmont Group (4 group sites, $26 a night), operates from late April through October 31.

Cades Cove (161 sites, RV max 40 ft) is the only campground on the Tennessee side open year-round. In winter, only sites C1-C12 and C26-C61 remain available, by reservation. It's also the best-equipped campground on this side of the park, with restrooms, water, a dump station, a camp store, firewood, and bear boxes. Cades Cove Group (3 group sites, $35 a night) is available from mid-March through October 31.

Cosby (157 sites, including 134 tent-only sites, RV max 25 ft) is the quieter alternative to Elkmont. Despite its size, it's less crowded and offers good access to trails without the Gatlinburg rush. Closed from late October through mid-May.

Look Rock (68 sites, including 10 with electricity) is the only campground in the park with electrical hookups. It's on the Townsend side, on the park's western side. Closed from late October through early May.

Abrams Creek (16 sites, including 4 tent-only sites) is the smallest campground on the Tennessee side. Facilities are minimal, with restrooms and water only. It's ideal for anyone seeking solitude in the park's far southwest corner. Closed from late October through early May.

North Carolina side

Smokemont (142 sites, RV max 40 ft) welcomes visitors arriving through Cherokee. Loops A and B stay open year-round, Loop C from March through late October, and Loops D and F from mid-May through late October. There is a dump station, firewood, and bear boxes. It's the park's second-largest campground and one of only two accessible in the off-season, along with Cades Cove. Smokemont Group (3 group sites, $50 a night, RV max 40 ft) is open from mid-May through late October.

Deep Creek (92 sites, including 60 tent-only sites, RV max 26 ft), just outside Bryson City, has a dump station. Short trails and river swimming are nearby, making it a good choice for families. Closed from late October through early May.

Cataloochee (27 sites, RV max 31 ft) is the park's most remote campground. Access is via a gravel road, and elk can be seen in the meadows at dusk. Closed from late October through early May. Book several months ahead.

Balsam Mountain (43 sites, including 19 tent-only sites, RV max 24 ft) is the highest campground in the park. Nights are cool even in the middle of summer. Closed from mid-October through mid-May.

Big Creek (12 sites, tents only) is the smallest campground on the North Carolina side. No RVs, no dump station, and no bear boxes are available on-site. It's for those seeking complete quiet. Closed from late October through mid-May.

RV or tent: which site should you choose?

Most campgrounds accommodate RVs, but sites don't have hookups. Maximum lengths range from 24 ft at Balsam Mountain to 40 ft at Cades Cove and Smokemont. Big Creek doesn't allow RVs. Several sites have a dump station: Cades Cove, Cosby, Smokemont, Deep Creek, and Look Rock. Look Rock is the only campground with electrical hookups, with 10 sites available. None of the park's campgrounds has showers. Check each campground's listing on recreation.gov before booking. The Great Smoky Mountains RV camping guide covers RV restrictions and full-hookup alternatives outside the park.

Camping nearby: private campgrounds outside the park

When the park is full, the areas around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee, and Bryson City offer plenty of private campgrounds with water and electrical hookups and full services. They're useful in July and on October weekends during fall color season. The Great Smoky Mountains lodging guide lists accommodations around the park, including rental cabins and KOA campgrounds.

Backcountry camping

The park has numerous backcountry sites and shelters along its trails. A wilderness permit is required and can be obtained online through the official website or at ranger stations. Each site has a maximum camper capacity. Check the park's official website for current backcountry fees. The Great Smoky Mountains hiking guide covers overnight backcountry routes, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

How and when to reserve a campsite in Great Smoky Mountains

Reservations are made through recreation.gov with a rolling six-month window. The park's 939 sites are in high demand. For July and October weekends during fall color season, the best sites can go within minutes of midnight Eastern Time on the day the booking window opens. See the Great Smoky Mountains seasons guide to choose the right time for your trip.

Fees: how much does a night of camping in Great Smoky Mountains cost?

An individual site costs $30 a night at every campground. Group sites have different rates: $26 for Elkmont Group, $35 for Cades Cove Group, and $50 for Smokemont Group. The park is free to enter, making it one of the most affordable camping destinations in the national park system. Private campgrounds outside the park offer hookups and full services at significantly higher rates. The Great Smoky Mountains guide provides cost estimates for your trip.

Camping safety and best practices

Black bears: the rules that never change

Great Smoky Mountains is home to a large black bear population. During a stay at Elkmont, I saw a mother and her two cubs walk past nearby tents at dawn because a camper had left food in a sleeping bag. That's exactly what to avoid. Store all food, drinks, and scented products such as sunscreen, toothpaste, and deodorant in the metal bear boxes when a site provides them, or in your locked vehicle. Don't leave anything in your tent or visible inside a car. If a bear approaches, make yourself look large, speak firmly, and don't run. The Great Smoky Mountains wildlife guide explains what to do and the required viewing distances.

Weather and elevation

Temperatures drop noticeably between the valley and the mountaintops. Balsam Mountain, the park's highest campground, can have cool nights even in the middle of August. Bring a sleeping bag rated for low temperatures if you're camping at elevation or in the off-season. Summer thunderstorms move in quickly, so check the Great Smoky Mountains weather forecast before setting up camp.

Which campground is right for you?

For families: Elkmont for its proximity to Gatlinburg and its services, or Deep Creek for the river and short trails.

For wildlife viewing: Cades Cove for elk in the evening, or Cataloochee (27 sites) if you've booked several months ahead.

To escape the crowds: Cosby (157 sites, significantly quieter than Elkmont) or Big Creek (12 tent-only sites).

For RV camping: Cades Cove or Smokemont (RV max 40 ft, dump station), or Look Rock if you want an electrical hookup. Check the site-specific length limits before booking.

For a multiday trek: backcountry sites and Appalachian Trail shelters, with your permit in hand.

Find all your lodging options in our complete Great Smoky Mountains guide.

Frequently asked questions