Cosby Campground

Moving eastward, Cosby, Tennessee, embodies the quintessential "back door" experience. Situated in Cocke County, Cosby offers a rugged, less-developed entry point into the national park, appealing to those seeking solitude and challenging backcountry adventures. The Cosby Campground, generally open from early April to late October, provides a more primitive camping experience compared to larger park campgrounds, with fewer amenities but a greater sense of immersion in nature. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, and can be made via Recreation.gov.

The Cosby area, situated in the northeastern part of the park, near Newport, Tennessee, is known for its peaceful campground and access to challenging backcountry trails. Cosby Campground is one of the park's largest and most popular campgrounds, yet its location away from the main Gatlinburg-Cherokee corridor often means fewer day-use crowds than areas further west. It offers a range of amenities and is typically open seasonally from spring through fall. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season, and can be made via Recreation.gov.

55. Ace Gap Trail: Cades Cove, 5.6 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 56. Backcountry Horse Camp Trails (various): Throughout park, designated for horses. [NPS] 57. Balsam Corner Trail: Balsam Mountain, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 58. Bearpen Hollow Trail: Cataloochee, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 59. Birch Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 60. Bradley Fork Trail: Smokemont, 6.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 61. Brightwater Loop Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 62. Buckhorn Gap Trail: Greenbrier, 4.3 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 63. Cades Cove Nature Trail: Cades Cove Loop Road, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 64. Cataract Falls Trail: Sugarlands, 0.25 miles out-and-back, Easy. [NPS] 65. Charlies Bunion (via AT from Newfound Gap): Newfound Gap, 8 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 66. Chasteen Creek Trail: Smokemont, 2.2 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 67. Cherokee Orchard Road Trail (closed to vehicles): Gatlinburg, 3.4 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 68. Chestnut Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 69. Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail: Kuwohi, 0.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 70. Cold Spring Gap Trail: Cosby, 1.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 71. Cooper Road Trail: Cades Cove, 10.9 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 72. Cosby Nature Trail: Cosby Campground, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 73. Creek Walk Trail: Deep Creek, 0.5 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 74. Deep Creek Horse Trail: Deep Creek, 5.0 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 75. Dry Sluice Gap Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 76. East Fork Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 77. Ekaneetlee Gap Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 78. Firescald Ridge Trail: Cosby, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 79. Flat Creek Trail: Cataloochee, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 80. Fork Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 4.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 81. Gatlinburg Bypass Trail: Gatlinburg, 2.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 82. Grotto Falls (via Trillium Gap Trail): Roaring Fork, 2.6 miles out-and-back, Moderate. [NPS] 83. Hazel Creek Trail: Fontana Lake (boat access), 15.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 84. High Rocks Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 85. Hog Camp Gap Trail: Cataloochee, 3.5 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 86. Indian Grave Gap Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 87. Jakes Creek Trail: Elkmont, 3.3 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 88. Kephart Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.2 miles out-and-back, Moderate, historic CCC camp. [NPS] 89. Lead Cove Trail: Cades Cove, 1.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 90. Little Greenbrier Trail: Metcalf Bottoms, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate, historic schoolhouse. [NPS] 91. Longstreet Trail: Elkmont, 1.0 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 92. Lumber Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 4.2 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 93. Manway Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 94. Meigs Creek Trail: Little River Road, 3.2 miles loop, Moderate, multiple stream crossings. [NPS] 95. Middle Prong Trail: Tremont, 4.0 miles one-way, Moderate, multiple waterfalls. [NPS] 96. Mingus Creek Trail: Oconaluftee, 5.8 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 97. Miry Ridge Trail: Kuwohi, 5.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 98. Mount Sterling Trail: Big Creek, 5.7 miles one-way, Strenuous, fire tower. [NPS] 99. Old Sugarlands Trail: Sugarlands, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 100. Panther Creek Trail: Twentymile, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 101. Porters Creek Trail: Greenbrier, 3.7 miles one-way, Moderate, Fern Branch Falls. [NPS] 102. Road Prong Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 2.7 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 103. Rocky Top (via AT from Kuwohi): Kuwohi, 5.6 miles out-and-back, Strenuous. [NPS] 104. Roundtop Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 105. Salt House Branch Trail: Cosby, 2.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 106. Smokemont Loop Trail: Smokemont Campground, 6.1 miles loop, Moderate. [NPS] 107. Spence Field (via Bote Mountain Trail): Cades Cove, 6.9 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 108. Sugarlands Ridge Trail: Sugarlands, 0.8 miles loop, Easy. [NPS] 109. Sweat Heifer Creek Trail: Newfound Gap Road, 4.5 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS] 110. Tricorner Knob (via AT): Various access, high elevation. [NPS] 111. Turkeypen Ridge Trail: Cosby, 3.0 miles one-way, Moderate. [NPS] 112. West Prong Trail: Tremont, 2.0 miles one-way, Easy. [NPS] 113. Wolf Ridge Trail: Twentymile, 3.0 miles one-way, Strenuous. [NPS]