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Great Smoky Mountains Camping: The Complete Guidebook

Tennessee/North Carolina, USA

Discover the best camping in America's most visited national park. Detailed campground guide, backcountry tips, wildlife advice, beat-the-crowds strategies, and seasonal recommendations for Great Smoky Mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains Camping: The Complete Guidebook

The Busiest Park, The Best Camping

Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in America—over 12 million visitors annually. But here’s the secret: most of those visitors come for the day and leave. The park’s campgrounds and 800+ miles of backcountry trails offer solitude that seems impossible for such a popular place.

Frontcountry Campgrounds

Cades Cove Campground

Sites: 159 | Open: Year-round | Reservable: Yes

The most popular campground for a reason. Located near the iconic Cades Cove Loop Road, with wildlife viewing (black bears, deer, wild turkeys) practically guaranteed.

Best for: First-timers, families, wildlife enthusiasts

Tips:

  • Reserve 6 months ahead for weekends
  • Bike the loop road early morning (vehicle-free until 10am on Wednesdays)
  • Bears are common—use food storage

Elkmont Campground

Sites: 220 | Open: March-November | Reservable: Yes

The largest campground, located near the Little River. Great swimming holes nearby.

Best for: Families, anglers, those wanting central location

Tips:

  • Walk to the old Elkmont ghost town
  • Little River is stocked with trout
  • Can feel crowded when full

Smokemont Campground

Sites: 142 | Open: Year-round | Reservable: Yes

On the North Carolina side near Cherokee. Feels a bit more spread out than Elkmont.

Best for: Those entering from the east, Bradley Fork trail access

Cosby Campground

Sites: 157 | Open: April-October | Reservable: Yes

The hidden gem of Smokies frontcountry camping. On the quieter northeast side of the park, far from the main tourist routes.

Best for: Those seeking solitude, Hen Wallow Falls access

Why we love it:

  • Fewer crowds than the big three
  • Beautiful forest setting
  • Great hiking (Gabes Mountain, Mt. Cammerer)

Cataloochee Campground

Sites: 27 | Open: March-October | Reservable: Yes

In the remote Cataloochee Valley, famous for its elk herd (reintroduced in 2001). The drive in is long and winding.

Best for: Elk viewing, photography, solitude seekers

Tips:

  • Arrive before dusk for best elk sightings
  • Historic buildings in the valley
  • Only 27 sites = books up fast

Backcountry Camping

The Smokies have over 800 miles of trail and dozens of backcountry campsites and shelters. You need a permit (free, but required) from Recreation.gov.

Best Backcountry Options

Mount LeConte Shelter (& Lodge) The only way up is by foot. The shelter sleeps 12 (reservations required). The nearby lodge offers beds and dinner if you want to “hike in” but not rough it.

Campsite 24 (Poke Patch) On the Appalachian Trail near Spence Field. Views, solitude, and access to grassy balds.

Campsite 61 (Eagle Creek Island) Hike in along Fontana Lake for an island campsite experience.

Backcountry Tips

  • Bear canisters or cables (cables provided at most sites)
  • Water treatment required
  • Fires only at designated sites with fire rings
  • Book popular sites (like LeConte) months ahead

Best Time to Visit

Fall (October-Early November)

The Smokies are famous for fall color. Book a year ahead for this season—it’s packed.

Why it’s worth it:

  • 100+ tree species = endless color variety
  • Cooler temps, fewer bugs
  • Elk rut in Cataloochee

Spring (April-May)

Wildflowers carpet the forest floor. Waterfalls are flowing strong.

Best for: Wildflower enthusiasts, photographers

Summer (June-August)

Hot and humid at lower elevations, but pleasant at higher points. Firefly season in June (synchronous fireflies near Elkmont are world-famous—lottery entry required).

Winter (December-February)

Snow at higher elevations, quiet campgrounds, low crowds. Cades Cove and Smokemont stay open year-round.

Beating the Crowds

Location

  • Cosby instead of Elkmont
  • Cataloochee instead of Cades Cove
  • North Carolina side is generally less busy than Tennessee side

Timing

  • Midweek always
  • Late season (mid-November) for fall color without peak crowds
  • Early spring before school breaks

Backcountry

  • A few miles of hiking separates you from 99% of visitors
  • Even popular trails thin out after the first overlook

Wildlife Tips

Black Bears

The Smokies are home to 1,500+ black bears. You will likely see one.

How to handle it:

  • Never approach (it’s illegal and dangerous)
  • Keep 150 feet distance minimum
  • Store food in bear-proof containers or lockers
  • Bears that get human food are eventually euthanized—protect them by protecting your food

Elk

Cataloochee elk are wild, not tame. Keep 50+ yards distance. They’re particularly unpredictable during the fall rut.

The Bottom Line

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is crowded because it’s incredible. But the crowds concentrate at viewpoints and the main loop road. The campgrounds—especially Cosby and Cataloochee—offer real nature experiences, and the backcountry is as wild as anywhere in the East.

Visit in fall if you can handle the crowds. Visit in winter if you want the park to yourself.

Find your trail. Find your Smokies.