The Best Campgrounds In The Great Smoky Mountains, TN

campsite in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Photo by @GreatSmokyMountainsNPS

Campgrounds In The Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is filled with national beauty. Even Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN share the same natural beauty. But there is truly nothing like the national park. From the rivers, trees, black bear, and the mountains themselves, there is just something so magnificent about the Smokies. There are many ways to experience this beauty, but one of the best is camping. There is nothing like sleeping under the Smoky Mountain stars, especially during the summer months!

We have gathered up the best campgrounds in the beauty of The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee for your next camping trip. From more small camping sites, to more larger camping sites, there is a campground on this list for everyone’s camping needs.

Elkmont Campground

A running river and beautiful mountain ranges are home to Elkmont Campground.

This campground is the largest campground (and closest to the Sugarlands Visitor Center) and most busiest campgrounds in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The campground sits at an elevation of 2,150 feet. The campground is known for a moderate climate that is characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Elkmont Campground has both tent sites and RV sites, with there being 220 sites in total. The maximum for each site is 6 people. Stays at the campground are limited to 14 consecutive days at a time. Restrooms with running water are also available at this campground. Also, using a fire pit is only permitted in established fire rings at this campground.

Like all campgrounds in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reservations are required. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

The fees are as follows:

Campsite: $25.00

Riverside Campsite: $27.00

Elkmont Campground is also closed seasonally from November 28–March 10.

Elkmont Campground is located in Gatlinburg, TN.

Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove Campground is a popular campground that is nested in a broad, verdant valley known as Cades Cove.

Cades Cove Campground sits at an elevation 1,807 feet and is open year round. This campground combines the rustic feel of camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. The campsite’s climate can be anywhere from warm and sunny to cold and rainy depending on the day. This campground is a great location for wildlife viewing. The campground also has potable water as well.

There are 159 sites in Cades Cove Campground. The maximum for each site is 6 people. Stays at the campground are limited to 14 consecutive days at a time.

Like all campgrounds in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reservations are required. Reservations can be made from May 15th – October 31st and up to 6 months in advance. During the off season (November-April) campsites will be first come, first serve.

The fee to reserve a campsite is $25.00.

Cades Cove Campground is located in Townsend, TN.

Cosby Campground

Tucked under a canopy of cool shade, Cosby Campground is a great place for camping.

Cosby Campground sits at an elevation of 2,460 feet and is one of the most peaceful places to camp in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This campground is known for a moderate climate that is characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

There are 157 sites in Cosby Campground, with there being both tents campsites and RV campsites. The maximum for each site is 6 people. Stays at the campground are limited to 14 consecutive days at a time.

Like all campgrounds in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reservations are required. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

The fee to reserve a campsite is $17.50.

Cosby Campground is also closed seasonally from October 31–April 14.

Cosby Campground is located in Cosby, TN.

Abrams Creek Campground

Located next to Abrams Creek, Abrams Creek Campground is the ideal place for a small, secluded, and very peaceful campground in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Abrams Creek Campground is a small campground in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and sits at an elevation of 1,125 feet. It is known for a moderate climate that is characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Flush toilets and drinking water are available, but there are no full hookups or showers at the campground. Also, using a fire pit is only permitted in established fire rings at this campground.

There are 16 sites in Abrams Creek Campground. The maximum for each site is 6 people. Stays at the campground are limited to 14 consecutive days at a time.

Like all campgrounds in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reservations are required. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

The fee to reserve a campsite is $17.50.

Abrams Creek Campground is also closed seasonally from October 31–April 28.

Abrams Creek Campground is located in Tallahassee, TN.

Campgrounds In Smokies TN

Whether you’re camping in the Smokies for one day or fourteen, The Great Smoky Mountains is truly an amazing place to camp in the United States for the whole family.

We hope that your list of the best campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains National Park will help you decide on the perfect place for your next camping trip to the Smokies.