Camping in Smoky Mountains - Campground info for the Smokies

Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Frontcountry Camping (in developed campgrounds)

Frontcountry campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have campsites that can accommodate tents, pop-up trailers and RVs. Frontcountry camping is offered at 10 locations within the national park:

* Abrams Creek

* Balsam Mountain

* Big Creek

* Cades Cove

* Cataloochee

* Cosby

* Deep Creek

* Elkmont

* Look Rock

* Smokemont

Each of these campgrounds has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, but there are no showers,electrical hookups, or water hookups in the park. Shower facilities are available in the communities surrounding the national park.

If you decide to visit the Smoky Mountain campgrounds in a motorhome be sure to get motorhome insurance coverage. Always protect yourself from the unexpected.

For information on open/close dates, fees and reservations, please click here. Additional information is available for group campsites and horse camps as well.

Backcountry Camping

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires that you stay at designated campsites and shelters while camping in the backcountry. They also require a permit for all backcountry camping in the park, which are free and are available at most visitor centers, ranger stations and frontcountry campground offices.

Advance reservations are required to camp at all shelters and in several of the backcountry campsites. If your itinerary includes a reserved site or any shelter, you must call the Backcountry Reservation Office at (865) 436-1231 to make reservations. The Backcountry Reservation Office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily. You may make reservations up to one month in advance of the first day of your trip.

Backpackers and hikers are subject to all Backcountry Rules and Regulations. Failure to abide by park regulations may subject you to a fine under Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. Maximum fine for each violation is $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.

Before planning your backcountry trip, please read through the park trail closures and warnings page.

For more information on backcountry camping in the park, please click here.

You can also click here to see maps and GPS waypoints for each of the campgrounds, shelters, and backcountry campsites in the Smokies.

If you're new to camping in bear country, I highly suggest reading The 10 Commandments of Camping in Black Bear Country. For some additional tips from the American Bear Association, please click here.