Most campsites in the park are located in wooded areas.

Camping in the Park - Things You Need to Know

Details

The park offers two different types of campsites:

Frontcountry

- camping next to your car

Backcountry

- hiking/backpacking to a site.

Campground facilities and the procedures for obtaining a site in each type are different. Information about frontcountry camping follows on this page.

Frontcountry Camping

The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at 10 locations in the park: Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock, and Smokemont.

Each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, but there are no showers or electrical or water hookups in the park. Shower facilities are available in the communities surrounding the national park. Please inquire about the nearest facilities when you check-in at the campground. Each individual campsite has a fire grate and picnic table.

During summer and fall, sites at Elkmont, Smokemont, Cades Cove, and Cosby may be reserved. See individual campground listings below for reservation information. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

Abrams Creek Campground

Open

Open From March through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 16 sites and sits at elevation 1,125 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 12 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities.

Backcountry Camping for Backpackers

Open

Open All Year

Details

A permit is required for all backcountry camping in the park. You may obtain one at most ranger stations or at Sugarlands or Oconaluftee visitor centers. You must stay at designated campsites or shelters when camping in the backcountry. All shelters, and some campsites, require a reservation. The park trail map shows the location of all backcountry campsites and shelters, and indicates which campsites require a reservation. Your permit must designate the campsite or shelter at which you will stay for each night of your trip. The park does not allow pets on backcountry trails. For assistance call (865) 436-1297. For reservations call (865) 436-1231.

Balsam Mountain Campground

Open

Open from May through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 46 sites and is at elevation 5,310 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Campground Map (This is a 265 KB .pdf file which may be accessed by using a free copy of Acrobat Reader .)

Big Creek Campground

Open

Open from March through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 12 sites and is for tents only. It sits at elevation 1,700 feet. RVs prohibited. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP. Campground Map (This is a 139 KB .pdf file which may be accessed by using a free copy of Acrobat Reader .)

Cades Cove Campground

Open

Open All Year

Reservations

Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details

Reservations accepted up to five months in advance for May - Oct. occupancy. Other dates first-come, first-serve. This campground has 159 sites and sits at elevation 1,807 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Cades Cove Campground Store sells convenience items, groceries, camping supplies, and a limited selection of hot and cold deli items. There are no other food facilities in the park. Numerous convenience stores and restaurant establishments are located in outlying communities. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP.

Cataloochee Campground

Open

Open from March through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 27 sites and sits at elevation 2,610 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 31 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. $12 each night. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP.

Cosby Campground

Open

Open from March through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 157 sites and sits at elevation 2,459 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP.

Deep Creek Campground

Open

Open from April through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 92 sites and sits at elevation 1,800 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 26 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP.

Elkmont Campground

Open

Open from March through November

Reservations

Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details

Reservations accepted up to five months in advance for mid-May - mid-Oct. occupancy. Other dates first-come, first-serve. This campground has 220 sites and sits at elevation 2,150 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 32 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities. Group camping is also available. Reservations can be made either on line or by calling 1-800-365-CAMP.

Horse Camps

Open

Open from April through November

Reservations

Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details

There are five drive-in horse camps in the park. They are located at Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Roundbottom, and Towstring. All five horse camps can be reserved through the National Park Reservation Service by calling 1-800-365-2267, or visiting http://reservations.nps.gov. Reservations may be made up to five months in advance of your trip. Reservations are by site, with each site accommodating up to six people and four horses.

Look Rock Campground

Open

Open from May through October

Details

First-come, first serve. This campground has 68 sites and sits at elevation 2,600 feet. No size limits for RVs. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower facilities.

Smokemont Campground

Open

Open All Year

Reservations

Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details

Reservations accepted up to five months in advance for mid-May - mid-Oct. occupancy. Other dates first-come, first-serve. This campground has 142 sites and sits at elevation 2,198 feet. Can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. Campground has running water and bathroom facilities, but NO electric hookups or shower.

Campgrounds you can reserve online

Rattler Ford Group Campground

Mileage:27 mi

Description: Sites 3 and 4 are not available for the 1st and 2nd weekend (Friday and Saturday) of June. Rattler Ford Group Camp Ground is located near the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness and the Cherohala Skyway. There are 4 sites available. Site 1 is mostly sunny with 4 tent pads, 3 tables, 2 lantern post and 1 campfire area. Site 2 is partly shade with 3 tent pads, 3 picnic tables, 3 lantern posts and 1 campfire area. Site 3, partly shade on creek, 4 tent pads, 3 picnic tables and 2 lantern posts and 1 campfire area. Site 4, dense shade on creek, 3 tent pads, 3 picnic tables, 3 lantern post and 1 campfire area. All 4 sites have an oversized grill. Each site will accommodate groups up to 25.
More Info on this Campground

Swan Cabin Campground

Mileage:31 mi

Description: The cabin is a one and a half story log structure consisting of three rooms on the lower floor and a loft on the upper floor. A Fisher wood stove heats the dwelling. Nine beds are offered, which include three double bunk frames, two single bed frames, and one double bed frame. Each are strung with rope to accommodate sleeping bags; total bed number is nine. A SST toilet is adjacent to the cabin, and a spring within a quarter mile may provide a water source. (Water should Be boiled or treated.) There is no electricity or running water at the cabin.The cabin is located in remote area.
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Young Branch Horse Camp Campground

Mileage:32 mi

Description: There are 7 individual sites that can be reserved. All Sites are strictly limited to 5 people and 5 horses per site. Occupants are responsible for disposing of trash into provided bear proof trash cans. Campsite must be occupied within 24 hours or forfeit. Closest telephone, gas, and food is in Vonore, TN which is 19.6 miles from the horse camp. No drinking water is available. Water for horses is available in Citico Creek 100 yards from campsite. Horses must be kept in stalls or in trailers. Horses are not permitted in campsites, tied to trees, or in the grass. Horse trails nearby. Manure must be placed in provided manure bins before departure.
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Indian Boundary Campground

Mileage:34 mi

Description: Please do not call the Indian Boundary Outpost for reservation or campground questions. They are a private concessionaire. Call the Tellico Ranger Station for information. Pets are not allowed on the sand or in the water at the beach. Campsites are limited to 5 people, 2 vehicles and one camping trailer per site. Gate hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday thru Sunday. USFS Law Enforcement patrols the campground as USFS compliance officers and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. No public phone at campground store. Sites are non-transferrble from one person or site to another. You must camp in the site you reserve or pay again if you move to a different site. There is additional parking for campsite visitors, boat trailers or extra vehicles at the store parking lot. Alcohol is prohibited.
More Info on this Campground

Harmon Den Horse Campground

Mileage:36 mi

Description: The Harmon Den Horse Campground is open from May 1st, through October 31st.
More Info on this Campground

Donley Cabin Campground

Mileage:36 mi

Description: This is a primitive cabin. There is a 1/4 mile walk up a slight grade to cabin. You must cross a log bridge to access trail to cabin. You must carry all equipment. There is no water or electricity. There is an outhouse, but you should bring your own toilet paper. There is a full size metal bed (w/plywood for placing bedding on) and 2 bunk beds that hold 4 people. Firewood that is dead and down may be obtained from woods nearby. There is a fireplace, kitchen table and chairs as well as rocking chairs. Please place rocking chairs inside cabin when you leave. Pack trash out. There is an outside grill. There is no tent camping in yard. Maximum of 6 people allowed. Pets and stock animals are prohibited. Maximum 3 night stay. We recommend visiting the cabin before you reserve to affirm this is the type of experience you are seeking.
More Info on this Campground

Mcnabb Creek Campground

Mileage:38 mi

Description: Campground is located on North River. No water or electricity is available. No pack or saddle animals allowed. Nearest phones are located about 3 miles in Green Cove. Firearms are prohibited except during legal hunting season. Fireworks prohibited. Trash must be packed out.
More Info on this Campground

Standing Indian Campground

Mileage:41 mi

Description: The closest town is Franklin, NC. There are many hiking trails in the standing Indian Basin. The campground is located on the headwaters of the Nantahala River. The elevation is 3,880'. there are warm showers in Loops 4 and 5. There is potable water in each loop at common faucets. Standing Indian Basin is a popular fishing area that requires an in-state or out-of-state North Carolina fishing license.
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Balsam Lake Lodge Campground

Mileage:43 mi

Description: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Balsam Lake Lodge offers a haven in the Nantahala National Forest. This mountain getaway can be reserved for weekends and weekdays. The lodge opened its doors to the public when the Forest Service acquired the dwelling and lake in 1982. Since then groups have rented the lodge for meetings, recreation, and environment activities. Located in Jackson County, the lodge overlooks Balsam Lake and offers spectacular mountain views. In addition, a variety of recreation is offered. Near the 8 acre lake are three short hiking trails, several fishing piers, and a picnic area. All are accessible to people with disabilities. The lodge's amenities include: 16 twin beds (some bunks) complete with linens, blankets, pillows; fully applianced wheelchair-accessible kitchen with all utensils; outside grills; three bathrooms and one roll-in wheelchair shower; wood for fireplace; gas heat; phone for local or credit calls. For local information call the Nantahala Ranger District at (828) 526-3765 or search the world wide web at www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc.
More Info on this Campground

Van Hook Glade Campground

Mileage:45 mi

Description: Located four miles west of Highlands, NC, in the Nantahala Naitonal Forest. Van Hook Glade is a heavily wooded and secluded campground with shady sites located on rolling hills. Nearby to Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Cliffside Lake. Registered Campers may use these facilities at no charge. Swimming and picnicking is available at Cliffside Lake (1 Mile from Van Hook Glade). Campground requires 2 vehicle and 2 tent maximum. Some walk-in sites are limited to one vehicle. * Quiet hours 10PM to 7AM. * Gate closes at 10PM and reopens at 7AM. * New Restrooms with hot showers. * Mandatory 24 hour exit between stays. * Maximum number of people: 8 Golden Age / Golden Access accepted, but cardholder MUST be present. Attractions include Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Whiteside Mountain Overlook. Activities at Cliffside Lake include fishing, hiking, and swimming. No boats. Campground Phone Number: 828-526-5918
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Note: All mileage numbers are "as the crow flies"