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Screen-printed illustration: An illuminated tent occupies a wooded site at Elkmont Campground near moss-covered trunks.

Great Smoky Mountains Camping: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations & Rates

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

Great Smoky Mountains has ten developed campgrounds spread across its Tennessee and North Carolina sides. You can camp in a tent or RV, although almost none of the sites have electrical hookups. Most sites can be reserved on recreation.gov up to six months in advance. One significant advantage is that this park is one of the few national parks with no entrance fee. Your only fixed cost is the campsite fee.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

Map: Campgrounds in the park Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Great Smoky Mountains?

Yes, and it's the most immersive way to explore the park. All ten campgrounds are open to the public, with some operating year-round and others from spring through fall. Dispersed camping outside a designated site isn't allowed. Every night outdoors must be spent in a developed campground or a designated backcountry site, with the required permit.

Campgrounds in the park

Tennessee side

Elkmont is the park's largest campground, tucked into a wooded valley ten minutes from Gatlinburg. It has about 220 tent and RV sites, with restrooms, running water, and dishwashing sinks. It's open from March through late November. This is the obvious choice if you're entering from Gatlinburg, and reservations are almost essential from June through October.

Cades Cove sits in the valley of the same name, where elk and deer are active around sunrise and sunset. It has about 159 sites and a dump station for RVs. It's open year-round, with first-come, first-served sites available during the off-season.

Cosby is our favorite low-key spot. It's less crowded than the two campgrounds above despite its roughly 157 sites, and it provides access to beautiful hikes without the crowds around Gatlinburg. It's open from April through October.

Look Rock occupies the western side of the park near Townsend. This small campground accommodates RVs and works well for a stop along the way to Cades Cove.

North Carolina side

Smokemont welcomes visitors arriving from Cherokee. It has about 142 wooded sites along the Oconaluftee River. It's open year-round and is the park's second-largest campground, often less crowded than Elkmont during the busy season.

Deep Creek is next to Bryson City and is a great choice for families, with direct access to short trails and a riverside swimming area. It's open from April through October.

Cataloochee is worth the detour for its wildlife. Elk appear in the meadow at dusk. It's small, with about 27 sites, remote, and reached by a gravel road. Reserve several months ahead.

Big Creek and Balsam Mountain are rustic campgrounds without showers for visitors looking for solitude. Balsam Mountain reaches about 5,600 feet, so nights are cool even in the middle of August.

RV vs. tent camping: Which site should you choose?

Most campgrounds accommodate RVs, but sites don't have water or electrical hookups. Only Cades Cove has a dump station. Maximum vehicle lengths vary by site, generally from 21 to 26 feet. Check each campground's listing on recreation.gov before booking. The Great Smoky Mountains RV camping guide explains the park's RV restrictions and the alternatives with full hookups 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 many private campgrounds with water and electrical hookups and full services. They're useful in July and on October weekends during leaf season. The Great Smoky Mountains lodging guide lists accommodations around the park, including rental cabins and KOA campgrounds.

Dispersed camping and backcountry camping

The park has about 100 backcountry sites and roughly 30 shelters along its trails. A permit is required. Get one online through the park's official website or at ranger stations in the visitor centers. Plan on about $4 per person per night. Each site has a maximum number of campers. The Great Smoky Mountains hiking guide covers backpacking routes with overnight backcountry stays, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

How and when should you reserve a campground in Great Smoky Mountains?

Reservations are made on recreation.gov through a rolling six-month window. On July 15, for example, you can reserve through January 15. For July and October weekends during leaf season, sites disappear within minutes at midnight Eastern Time on the day reservations open. Outside the peak season, some campgrounds offer first-come, first-served sites starting when the campground opens in the morning. Check the Great Smoky Mountains seasons guide to choose the right time for your trip.

Rates: How much does a night of camping cost in Great Smoky Mountains?

Nights at developed campgrounds cost between $21 and $30, depending on the site and season. The park has no entrance fee, which makes Great Smoky Mountains one of the most affordable camping destinations in the national park system. Backcountry camping costs about $4 per person per night. Private campgrounds outside the park range from $40 to $80, depending on the services provided. The Great Smoky Mountains guide provides an overview of the costs to expect during your trip.

Camping safety and best practices

Black bears: The rules you can't ignore

Great Smoky Mountains is home to an estimated population of more than 1,500 black bears. 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 you need to avoid. Store all food, drinks, and scented products such as sunscreen, toothpaste, and deodorant in the metal bear boxes at every site whenever you leave it. Don't leave anything in your tent or visible inside a vehicle. Regulations require you to keep at least 165 feet from a bear. If one approaches, make yourself look large, speak firmly, and don't run. The Great Smoky Mountains wildlife guide explains how to respond.

Weather and elevation

Temperatures drop by 9 to 20°F between the valley and the mountaintops. An elevated campground such as Balsam Mountain, at about 5,600 feet, can be 50°F in August while the lowlands reach 90°F. Bring a sleeping bag rated below 41°F if you're camping at elevation or outside the main season. Summer thunderstorms arrive 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 amenities, or Deep Creek for the river and short trails.

For wildlife viewing: Cades Cove for evening elk, or Cataloochee if you've booked several months ahead.

For escaping the crowds: Cosby or Big Creek, both much quieter than the main campgrounds.

For RV camping: Elkmont or Cades Cove, which has a dump station. Check the permitted vehicle lengths for each site.

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Can you camp inside Great Smoky Mountains?

Yes. Great Smoky Mountains has ten developed campgrounds in the park that welcome tents and RVs, along with about 100 backcountry sites available with a permit.

Which campground should you choose in Great Smoky Mountains?

The right campground depends on your entry point: Elkmont near Gatlinburg in Tennessee, Smokemont near Cherokee in North Carolina, Cades Cove for wildlife, or Cosby for peace and quiet.

When should you reserve a campground in Great Smoky Mountains?

Reserve on recreation.gov as soon as the six-month window opens. For July and October weekends, book on the opening day. During the off-season, some sites remain available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do you camp in Great Smoky Mountains?

To camp in the park, reserve a site on recreation.gov or arrive early in the morning for a site that doesn't require reservations. For backcountry camping, get your permit online or at a visitor center in the park.

How much does a night at a campground in Great Smoky Mountains cost?

A night at a developed campground costs $21 to $30. Park admission is free. Backcountry camping costs about $4 per person per night.

Can you encounter bears while camping in Great Smoky Mountains?

Yes. Black bears live throughout the park. Storing food in the bear boxes is required at every site, with no exceptions.