Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Camping

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.