Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains

1. Abrams Creek Campground

Abrams Creek Campground is a beautiful traditional campground located within one of the more remote areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it a great choice for visitors looking to get away from the tourist attractions of areas like Gatlinburg and Cherokee. The secluded campground lets visitors enjoy year-round recreational activities like hiking and fishing without having to endure the crowds of some of the park's more heavily-touristed areas.

It is located at an elevation of more than 1,125 feet above sea level, showcasing stunning natural scenery. Traditional outdoor campsites eschew modern amenities like electric hookups or showers, though flush toilets and potable water are provided for all campers. The campsite offers access to more than 800 miles of maintained hiking trails throughout the park, along with opportunities for splendid trout fishing.

Abrams Creek Campground Rd, Tallassee, TN 37878, Phone: 865-561-2453

2. Alpine Hideaway Campground

Alpine Hideaway Campground is a lovely rustic campground located in lively Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just minutes from the borders of beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The privately-owned campground is nestled in a valley between two mountains, providing ample shade from natural trees at all campsites. 62 old-fashioned campsites offer RV hookups and use of rental RVs, which include full kitchens, baths, bedrooms, and cable televisions. Eight rustic cabin rentals are also offered, featuring cable televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, and other modern amenities. Outside, day-use picnic tables are offered for visitor use, along with barbecue grills and fire pits. Families can make use of the campground's lovely outdoor pool and children's playground.

3. Balsam Mountain Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground is located within a remote section of beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to 42 traditional campsites offering flush toilets and drinking water for all visitors. No hookups or showers are offered at the campground, creating a primitive camping experience for visitors looking to disconnect from the grid and enjoy the great outdoors. The campground is located at an elevation of more than 5,310 feet above sea level atop gorgeous Balsam Mountain, which enjoys year-round cool temperatures and serves as a habitat for elk throughout the spring and fall months. Picturesque hiking trails embark near the campground, serving as less-trafficked alternatives to some of the park's more popular hiking trails. Trails include the lovely Flat Creek Trail, which traverses a hardwood forest section, and the 14-mile Hemphill Bald and Rough Fork loop, which showcases stunning views of old-growth trees. Nearby, countless streams offer opportunities for backcountry fishing, winding through the slopes and valleys of the mountain range.

Cherokee, NC 28719, Phone: 865-436-1200

4. Big Creek Group Campground

Big Creek Group Campground is located near the Tennessee-North Carolina border within the far northeastern corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sitting on the banks of gently-meandering Big Creek. The campsite is a great choice for group camping excursions, accommodating up to 25 guests. Modern conveniences offered at the campsite include flush toilets, potable water, and running sinks. Outside, visitors can make use of barbecue grills, fire rings, and tent pads. The campsite is surrounded by a beautiful forest canopy that provides ample shade. Nearby sites within the national park include stunning 35-foot Mouse Creek Falls, which is located at the confluence of picturesque Big and Mouse Creeks. A handful of lovely trailheads are located within walking distance of the campground, making it a great choice for hikers of all ability levels.

Big Creek Entrance Rd, Newport, NC 37821, Phone: 865-436-1261

5. Brookside Campground and Rafting

Brookside Campground and Rafting is located on the banks of picturesque Rowland's Greek, less than a mile from Topton, North Carolina's Nantahala River launch site. The lovely Great Smoky Mountains National Park campground is home to beautiful grassy campsites with complete electric hookups, making it a great choice for visitors looking for a moderate amount of modern amenities. Hot showers and clean restrooms are offered for all overnight guests, along with laundry room facilities and garbage facilities. A game room is available for visitors of all ages, along with a children's playground offering recreation for young visitors. Other amenities include day-use picnic sites and onsite ice and firewood sales. Nearby, visitors can enjoy some of the national park's best chances for whitewater rafting excursions, led by CPR-certified guides.

764 US-19, Topton, NC 28781, Phone: 828-321-5209

6. Cades Cove Campground

Cades Cove Campground is located within the Great Smoky Mountains' gorgeous Cades Cove region, which preserves a plethora of historic pioneer structures dating back to the mid-19th century. The region is one of Great Smoky Mountains National Park's top visitor attractions, drawing more than two million visitors each year. Visitors can stay at the campground throughout the year and choose from a variety of primitive and modern hookup campsites. Modern amenities are offered for all overnight guests, including flush toilets and potable water. Throughout peak camping season between May and October, visitors can purchase amenities and loaner bikes from the campground's general store. Nearby, visitors can enjoy a plethora of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including chances for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.

10042 Campground Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, Phone: 865-448-2472

7. Cataloochee Group Campground

Cataloochee Group Campground is located within the Great Smoky Mountains' remote Cataloochee Valley, home to some of the national park's most rugged mountain terrains and best hiking and fishing opportunities. The secluded campground offers a more remote alternative to some of the area's top tourist areas, letting visitors escape from the crowds and relax in the scenery of the beautiful mountain terrain. Primitive outdoor camping areas eschew modern amenities, accommodating up to 25 guests at a time. Larger groups can rent all three campsite areas at once, accommodating up to 75 guests in total. The campground offers access to beautiful hiking trails and lovely fly fishing streams within the lush national park forest terrain, including chances for fishing at nearby Cataloochee Creek.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cosby, TN 37722

8. Cosby Campground

Cosby Campground is a lovely mountain campground offering the best of backcountry camping experiences in a modern setting, located near the city of Cosby, Tennessee. The beautiful campground offers a quieter alternative to many of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's more heavily-touristed areas, located within a secluded forest area tucked under a shaded canopy of native trees at an elevation of 2,460 feet above sea level. Lovely tent and RV hookup campsites are offered at the campground, which offer tent pads and modern amenities like day-use picnic sites, fire rings, and barbecue grills. Flush toilets are offered for all visitors, along with potable water.

127 Cosby Entrance Rd, Cosby, TN 37722, Phone: 423-487-2683

9. Cove Creek RV Resort

Cove Creek RV Resort is a luxurious RV resort located within the picturesque Wears Valley, between the resort cities of Pigeon Forge and Townsend, Tennessee. The charming campground offers stunning views of nearby Cove Mountain in a remote area just minutes from the bustling attractions of Pigeon Forge's famed Parkway, including vibrant theme park Dollywood, the Titanic Museum, and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner theater. Spacious RV campsites range in size from 55 to 107 feet long, equipped with 30 and 50-amp electricity. Gravel and concrete sites are offered, featuring modern amenities like fire rings and chiminea. All guests can enjoy use of potable water, cable televisions, complimentary wireless internet, and excellent cell phone reception. Onsite amenities include a game room, a conference room, 24-hour guest laundry, and an outdoor saltwater swimming pool.

3293 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862, Phone: 865-429-7716

10. Deep Creek Campground

Deep Creek Campground is a beautiful campground located alongside the banks of picturesque Deep Creek, considered to be one of the most popular creeks within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The primitive campground area offers traditional camping experiences set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, located within the park's southeastern edge near the city of Gatlinburg. Visitors can choose from three group campsites or a plethora of primitive and electric hookup individual campsites, which offer lovely amenities like campfire rings, barbecue grills, and day-use picnic tables, along with access to flush toilets and drinking water. Nearby, visitors can access a variety of hiking trails leading to lovely waterfalls or make use of one of the park's few areas for mountain biking.

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 865-436-1200