Wander the Smokies

What to do, when to go, and where to stay — your complete Smokies guide.

Explore the Smokies

Camping

Best Campgrounds in the Smokies

16 curated picks · verified 2026-05-28

Camping options in and around the Smokies range from no-frills tent sites inside the national park to full-hookup resorts ten minutes from Gatlinburg's main strip. The 16 picks on this page cover that full range, weighted toward trail access, site quality, and realistic booking windows for peak-season travel.

Four sit inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Elkmont and Cosby on the Tennessee side, Smokemont on the North Carolina side near Cherokee, and Cades Cove in the valley known for its 19th-century homesteads and year-round wildlife. These are the most logistically demanding picks because they fill fast, but they're also the ones where you fall asleep to a creek instead of a neighboring generator. Reservations open six months in advance on recreation.gov, and if Elkmont or Cades Cove is your target, book the day that window opens.

A few things to sort out before you commit:

  • Park-It-Forward parking tag: GSMNP charges a per-day parking fee at most trailheads and developed areas. Overnight campers with a valid park reservation are exempt at their campsite, but day hikes during your stay still require a tag.
  • Bear storage: All food, cookware, and scented items must go in provided bear boxes overnight. The park enforces this; rangers do issue citations.
  • Cosby vs. Elkmont: Cosby handles a fraction of Elkmont's visitor volume despite similar trail quality, making it the better choice if your dates are flexible and you'd rather skip the crowds.
  • Timing: Fall foliage peaks around late October at lower elevations and draws the year's highest visitor counts. May is consistently the stronger camping month: better weather odds, wildflowers, and far fewer people than July.

The private campgrounds and USFS picks (Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest, Indian Boundary in Cherokee National Forest) typically offer longer seasons, better hookup availability, and easier reservations than the national park sites, which matters considerably if you're traveling with a large RV or need a fallback when the park books out.

  1. 1

    Elkmont Campground

    frontcountry · 220 sites

    Located along the Little River, Elkmont is one of the most popular campgrounds, known for its scenic beauty, proximity to hiking trails (e.g., Laurel Falls, Gatlinburg Trail), and the historic Elkmont Ghost Town.
  2. 2

    Little Arrow Outdoor Resort (formerly Little Arrowhead)

    private · 200 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 200 sites.
  3. 3

    Cades Cove Campground

    frontcountry · 159 sites

    Located within the iconic Cades Cove loop, this campground offers easy access to the valley's historic sites, wildlife viewing, and hiking/biking opportunities.
  4. 4

    Cosby Campground

    frontcountry · 157 sites

    A more rustic and quieter option on the Tennessee side, Cosby is known for its peaceful atmosphere and access to challenging hiking trails.
  5. 5

    Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday

    private · 150 sites

    private campground near Cherokee with 150 sites.
  6. 6

    Smokemont Campground

    frontcountry · 142 sites

    Situated on the North Carolina side of the park, near Cherokee, Smokemont offers a similar experience to Elkmont with tent and RV sites (no hookups).
  7. 7

    Davidson River Campground

    usfs · 140 sites

    usfs campground near Cherokee with 140 sites.
  8. 8

    Gatlinburg KOA Holiday

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  9. 9

    Greenbrier Campground

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  10. 10

    Indian Boundary Campground

    usfs · 100 sites

    usfs campground near Cherokee with 100 sites.
  11. 11

    Pigeon River Campground

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  12. 12

    Riverbend Campground

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  13. 13

    Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  14. 14

    Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.
  15. 15

    Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Townsend with 100 sites.
  16. 16

    Turkey Creek RV Park

    private · 100 sites

    private campground near Gatlinburg with 100 sites.

Best Campgrounds in the Smokies: FAQ

Do I need a reservation to camp at Elkmont or Cades Cove?
Yes. Both campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov, as does Smokemont and most developed sites inside the national park. The booking window opens six months in advance. During summer weekends and fall foliage season, prime dates fill within hours of the window opening. Cosby historically offers better walk-in availability than the other park campgrounds, though that varies by season and should be confirmed before you arrive counting on it.
What's the difference between the national park campgrounds and the private ones on this list?
National park campgrounds (Elkmont, Cades Cove, Cosby, Smokemont) have no electrical hookups at individual sites, require food storage in centralized bear boxes, and operate under the park's quiet-hours and fire rules. Private campgrounds like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort and the KOA properties offer full hookups, WiFi, pools, and generally easier availability. USFS campgrounds (Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest, Indian Boundary in Cherokee National Forest) fall in between: wooded settings with fewer crowds than the national park and more hookup options, without the same reservation crunch.
When is the best time to camp in the Smokies?
May and early June are the strongest window: mild weather, wildflower peak, and lighter crowds than summer. July and August bring the highest visitor volume and afternoon thunderstorms. Fall foliage typically peaks at lower elevations during the third and fourth weeks of October, which is the busiest period of the year overall. Most national park campgrounds close by November; several private campgrounds on this list stay open year-round.
Are campfires allowed at these campgrounds?
Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings at national park and USFS campgrounds. During dry conditions, the National Park Service may impose fire restrictions or ban fires entirely. Check nps.gov/grsm before your trip. Both the NPS and USFS strongly discourage transporting firewood from outside the region because moving wood spreads invasive insects and tree disease.
How serious is the bear risk at campgrounds inside the park?
Serious enough to take the storage rules at face value. GSMNP has one of the highest black bear population densities of any national park in the country. Park regulations require all food, trash, cookware, and scented items to be stored in the provided bear boxes at your site whenever you're asleep or away. Rangers issue citations for violations. The practical concern beyond personal safety is that bears which become food-conditioned are typically euthanized; proper storage prevents that outcome.

Where to stay

Near Smokies campgrounds

Pick your spots, then lock in where you'll sleep. Compare live cabin, hotel, and rental prices nearby across Booking.com, Vrbo, and Expedia.

Map powered by Stay22. Prices and availability update live.

Keep exploring

More Smokies guides

Best RV Campgrounds & Parks Best Frontcountry Campgrounds in GSMNP Best Easy Hikes in the Smokies Best Moderate Hikes in the Smokies Best Hard Hikes in the Smokies Best Waterfall Hikes in the Smokies