Camping in the Smoky Mountains can be a great experience. Many different campgrounds around this area cater to every type of camper with basic amenities or more available for use by visitors who plan on staying longer. And want those added features like swimming pools, game rooms, etcetera, but if you’re looking for an overnight stay at someplace close where there’s not much else going on, these spots will work well too.
The stunning Smoky Mountains offer a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and kayaking. The region is also home to some of America’s most admired campgrounds, making it an ideal destination for those who enjoy the wild.
Most popular and Best Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains include:
- Clark Creek Campground
- Cosby Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Greenbrier Campground
- Cosby Knob Campground
- Elkmont Campground
- Cades Cove Campground
- Smokemont Campground
- Cataloochee Campground
- Big Creek Campground
- Cove Creek Campground
- Deep Creek North Campground
- Abrams Creek
Related: Best BBQ in Pigeon Forge
1. Clark Creek Campground
Clark Creek Campground features 40 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. It is located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park on an 80-acre site at elevation 2,400 feet above sea level, There are Vault Toilets but potable water sources, so visitors should bring their containers for drinking needs too. You can enjoy viewing wildlife like deer, raccoons, or opossums, as well as some beautiful birds when visiting this wonderful place during any season of the year since it’s open all year long.
Address: (964 Old Highway 25 East, Townsend, TN 37882)
2. Cosby Campground
Located in Cosby, Tennessee, this campground has 48 tents or RVs with picnic tables and fire rings on a first-come, first-serve basis only. There are no hookups at this non-electric site. Still, they maintain potable water available throughout the season for visitors who might come prepared during those months when it is unavailable from November through March. So they should bring their drinking stuff as well because there isn’t any provided by park authorities – just if you want to use one of our fixtures outside your vehicle, then feel free.
Address: 127 Cosby Entrance Rd, Cosby, TN 37722, United States
3. Deep Creek Campground
This secluded campground has 52 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a public restroom only on a first-come, first-serve basis. The non-electric site does not provide hookups, but there is maintained potable water for your RV throughout the season (for a fee). However, drinking water isn’t available from November through March, so visitors should bring bottled or filtered fluids. Pets AND horses are allowed. Keep in mind that the maximum stay limit applies to 14 days per person every three months between April 1st and November 30th each year.
Address: 1090 W Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, United States
4. Greenbrier Campground
This Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great spot for camping. The 74 sites have picnic tables and fire rings available on a first-come basis only. There are no hookups at this non-electric site but potable water throughout the season, with spring-fed boreholes providing more than enough drinking access during the summer months when fees apply (November through March). You may bring pets or horses into this area as well – make sure you pick up after your animal.
Address: 2353 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States
5. Cosby Knob Campground
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a campground with 63 sites, all first come and arranged. There are no hookups at this non-electric site, but potable water can be found throughout the season and dump stations for RVs during summer months fees apply though ($). Unfortunately, drinking water isn’t available from November through March, so visitors should bring their supplies if they plan on coming during those periods. Pets allowed only one hitching post near the front loop per owner; All other animals must be tied within designated areas around trees.
Address: Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Waynesville, NC 28785, United States
6. Elkmont Campground
This campground has tent and RV sites on a first-come, first-serve basis only, as well as some walk-in tent spots that can be reserved through Recreation.gov up to five days in advance. There are no hookups at the electrical site. Still, you will find maintained potable water throughout all season long, plus there is free drinking water for RVs from November until March when things go back into hibernation mode again (just like bears).
Address: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Cg Kiosk, Elkmont Campground Rd A, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States
7. Cades Cove Campground
If you’re looking for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, then this campground may be just what your adventure needs. Located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with 99 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings only on a first-come basis. There are no hookups but potable water throughout the season.
There is no need to go thirsty either since visitors will find themselves surrounded by natural springs where they can drink free free-of-charge (after November). Pets are allowed though they must remain leashed at every turn, so keep an eye out if yours has sensitive paws or feathers you don’t want them running amok while exploring Cades Cove visitor center.
Address: 10042 Campground Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
8. Smokemont Campground
They are located on the banks of this river in North Carolina, just five miles from Bryson City, and with tent sites as well as RV parks where you can find picnic tables for your meal or campfire. There is no hookup, but there is maintained potable water throughout all seasons, while dump stations will only charge an additional fee during the summer months. When they’re open due to increased demand, these areas fill up quickly. Visitors should plan accordingly.
Address: Smokemont Campground Rd A, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States
9. Cataloochee Campground
This mountain campground has various sites for tents and RV’s with picnic tables, fire rings, first come, first serve, and some walk-in opportunities. That can be reserved through Recreation.gov up to five days in advance on a fee basis without hookups but maintained potable water throughout all season long. Visitors should bring their drinking needs from November until March when it may not be available, so they don’t get dehydrated during your adventure hike or fishing trip up here at 5000 feet.
Address: Cataloochee Entrance Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785, United States
10. Big Creek Campground
Located just off Highway 441 with some walk-in sites which can be booked up to five days in advance through Recreation.gov for $12/per night per site, this campground has no hookups. But does have a dump station on-site and allows pets as long as they stay within their designated areas; visitors are limited to 30 consecutive days remains total without purchasing an additional pass at full price ($5). So there’s plenty here if you’re looking.
Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738
11. Cove Creek Campground
The west end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some beautiful views and, if you’re lucky enough to get a spot at this campground, it doesn’t disappoint. The campsites here are first come-first served with a tent or RV spots available on-site only through Recreation.gov up until five days in advance no hookups but maintain potable water throughout the season! November through March Drinking Water Not Available, so visitors should pack their provisions for those three months.
Address: 3293 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862, United States
12. Deep Creek North Campground [seasonal]
Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains is a unique experience. This campground, located between Bryson City and Gatlinburg on Highway 19/74, has tent sites with picnic tables for your use as well as fire rings. With no hookups available but maintained potable water all year round – this makes it perfect not only if you’re looking to rough it out there but also when backpacking or hiking through one of America’s most beautiful national parks (Git-Polarbear). There are even some walk-in campsites that you can reserve up to five days ahead through Recreation.gov. So book yours now before they fill up.
Address: 1912 East Deep Creek Road Bryson City, NC 28713
13. Abrams Creek Campground [seasonal]
The campground is only open from March 1st to May 31st and September 1st to November 30th each year. They were located in the National Park Service’s Abrams Creek Wilderness which offers hiking trails. There are tent sites with picnic tables without grills on a first-come, first-serve basis for visitors who wish they had some privacy during their stay up to 14 days at no charge with access to over 13 miles of hiking trails available by bicycle (that must walk bikes).
Address: Abrams Creek Campground Rd, Tallassee, TN 37878, United States
Conclusion:
So above are the best campgrounds in the smoky mountains but also there are many other campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains throughout the area that may be good to check out, too, if you’re interested in getting away from it all. If you feel you need a little more action, excitement, or relaxation, there are also resort-style campgrounds with multiple activities on site.
Some of these grounds even offer hot outdoor swimming pools for visitors. If you want to explore the outdoors, hike or fish, this is the ultimate campsite to get all the comforts of home without having to travel too far into the backcountry. It can be hard to choose which one will best suit you.