Article Summary: Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular national park in the country, and it can be challenging to decide where to stay. Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park allows you great proximity to some of the park’s best attractions.
There are campgrounds all over the park in addition to lodges and campgrounds outside the park borders. All Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds require reservations, so it’s important to plan ahead. The Parks Expert is here to help.
Below, you’ll find a complete guide to camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with every detail you need to know about booking, locations, prices, and more. That includes the campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and everything else you need to know for your Great Smoky Mountains National Park camping trip.
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Table of Contents
What You Need to Know Before Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National PArk
There are no hook-ups or showers in any Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds.
Services in the park are limited. Click here for a list of stores that sell camping supplies and groceries.
Reservations are required for all Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds year-round. No exceptions. Do not camp on park roads or pullouts.
Reserving a Campsite
All Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds require reservations. There is no first-come, first-served camping in the park. This includes group campsites.
You can make reservations by calling 1-877-444-6777 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST or visiting Recreation.gov 24 hours/day. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance for each campground and one year in advance for group campgrounds.
Great Smoky Mountains Camping Regulations
The following list of regulations is from the park’s official website. Make sure you follow these regulations carefully during your visit.
- Do not bring firewood into the park. You could unintentionally bring pests or invasive insects with you. Collect dead and downed wood in the park or use heat-treated firewood only.
- Fires are only permitted in the fire grates provided.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bear country. Follow all food storage guidelines to store your food properly. Worried about camping among bears? Read our bear safety guide.
- Campsites are limited to six people or fewer.
- Pets cannot be left unattended in park campgrounds. Pets are also not allowed on park trails. If you’re bringing a pet, be sure to read the pet rules.
- Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and generator use is prohibited between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
For more details about regulations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds, click here.
Read More About Camping in National Parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds
Below you’ll find a brief overview of each campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Map of Campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Abrams Creek Campground
Abrams Creek is one of the more remote campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, this small campground is a great option.
It’s also close to hiking trails and streams great for fishing. For a more secluded experience while camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Abrams Creek is one of the best choices.
Cost: $17.50 per night
Facilities: Flush toilets
RVs?: No; Abrams Creek is a tent-only campground
Season: Mid-April to October 31
Sites: 16
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Balsam Mountain Campground
Similar to Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain is a bit more remote than other campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Balsam Mountain is a great place to access recreational opportunities with minimal crowds.
Furthermore, if you plan on camping in the Great Smoky Mountains in the spring or fall, elk can sometimes be seen here.
Temperatures are also very mild, rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cost: $17.50 per night
Facilities: Flush toilets (there are no lights – bring a flashlight or headlamp!)
RVs?: No; Balsam Mountain is a tent-only campground
Season: Mid-May to early October
Sites: 46
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Big Creek Campground
Big Creek is another more remote campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
For those who love the relaxing sounds of nature while snoozing, you’ll love this Great Smoky Mountains camping experience as Big Creek parallels the campground.
If you’re lucky, you may even spot a river otter playing in the water!
Note: No generators are allowed in Big Creek.
Cost: $17.50 per night
Facilities: Emergency phone, public food storage locker
RVs?: No; Big Creek is a tent-only campground
Season: Early April to October 31
Sites: 12
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Cades Cove Campground
Camping in Cades Cove is one of the most sought-after opportunities in the Smokies. If a remote experience camping in Great Smoky Mountains is not what you’re hoping for, look no further than Cades Cove.
Over 2 million people per year visit this famous area of the park hoping to see wildlife, spring wildflower blooms, or beautiful fall foliage.
The campground is near Cades Cove Loop Road, one of the most popular scenic drives in our national parks, which is great for hiking or biking as well.
The area is also historically significant and many structures are still there for you to check out during your visit.
Cost: $25 per night
Facilities: Dump station, flush toilets, ranger programs in the nearby amphitheater, emergency phone
RVs?: Yes; maximum length is 35 feet for trailers and 40 feet for motorhomes
Season: Year-round
Sites: 159
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Cataloochee Campground
Cataloochee is located in a secluded yet popular area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is one of the park’s most well-known areas to see elk, especially in spring and fall. It’s also a great location for hiking trails and fishing streams.
Important Note: The gravel road to Cataloochee is narrow and winding. Use caution and drive slowly. There are steep drop-offs and no guard rails. You may need to back up or stop to allow other vehicles or horse traffic to pass.
Cost: $25 per night
Facilities: Flush toilets
RVs?: Yes; maximum length is 31 feet
Season: Early April to October 31
Sites: 27
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Deep Creek Campground
Deep Creek is one of the most popular in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the campground is in a great location if you’re hoping to do any water recreation.
There are also a variety of hiking trails leaving from the area, including hikes to two waterfalls (Tom Branch and Indian Creek). The streams are also a great location for fishing, particularly for trout.
Cost: $25 per night
Facilities:
RVs?: Yes; maximum length is 26 feet
Season: Mid-May to October 31
Sites: 92
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Elkmont Campground
Elkmont is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s also only eight miles from Gatlinburg, providing great access to services if needed. It is most popular in summer and October when visitation in the park is at its highest. The Little River runs through the campground, offering a picturesque setting surrounded by mountains.
Elkmont (and Smokemont) are great campgrounds if you’re hoping to hike from Alum Cave to Mont LeConte, one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of our favorite hikes in national parks across the country.
Cost: Ranges from $25 to $27 per night
Facilities: Nine ADA campsites, flush toilets, utility sinks
RVs?: Yes; maximum length is 32 feet for trailers and 35 feet for motorhomes
Season: Early April to late November
Sites: 220
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
Look Rock Campground
On the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee is Look Rock Campground. At an elevation of 2,600 feet (792 m), this campground has some of the best weather for camping in the Smokies.
There are no shower facilities or ADA campsites.
Cost: Pricing ranges from $30/night for a standard site to $36/night for a site with electricity.
Facilities: Flush toilets, potable water, dump station, food storage lockers
RVs?: Yes; maximum length varies from 13 to 48 feet depending on the site.
Season: Late April to late October
Sites: 68
Reservations: Click here
Smokemont Campground
Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Smokemont is in a lovely and tranquil forest. The campground is in a great location for exploring the diverse recreational opportunities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The campground also features a large grassy area if you prefer a more leisurely day while camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cost: $25 per night
Facilities: Dump station, flush toilets
RVs?: Yes; maximum lengths are 35 feet for trailers and 40 feet for motorhomes
Season: Year-round
Sites: 142
Reservations: Click here
Map: Click here
What to Pack for Camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The following list of items should be included in your pack.
- Detailed topographic maps and a good overview map
- Compass
- First Aid Kit
- High-calorie food
- Shelter
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Appropriate footwear
- Wool or synthetic clothing to layer (dry clothes to sleep in)
- Rain jacket and pants
- Lightweight camp shoes
- Water container and water filter
- Campstove and fuel
- Emergency signaling device
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