Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Smokemont Campground ↗
Smokemont Campground—open year-round—is the closest family campground to Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the South District of the park. At 2,198 feet (670 m), winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. Tent and RV campsites, flush toilets, and drinking water are available. No hookups or showers. America the Beautiful passes (not accepted in lieu of the parking tag for parking outside your campsite) are sold at the campground ranger station in summer & fall or online through the USGS store.
Reservations: Campsite reservations are required and may be made up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Roads are paved in the campground. Site driveways are also paved. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 35 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Fires are permitted only in established fire rings provided at each campsite.
Site rules: All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be sealed in a vehicle or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material, or as otherwise directed, at all times when not in use. Campfires are permitted only in fire rings. You may collect dead and downed wood in the park for campfires. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park. Quiet hours are 10 pm-6 am. Generator use is prohibited 8 pm-8 am. Your stay is limited to 14 consecutive days at a time. You may…
Cades Cove Campground ↗
Cades Cove Campground—open year-round—combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. With an elevation of 1,807 feet (551 m), the climate is moderate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. No hookups or showers. America the Beautiful passes (not accepted in lieu of the parking tag for parking outside your campsite) are sold at the campground ranger station in summer & fall or online through the USGS store.
Reservations: Campsite reservations are required and may be made up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Roads are paved in the campground. Site driveways are also paved. NPS lists an RV maximum of 40 feet. Trailer maximum: 35 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Fires are permitted only in established fire rings provided at each campsite.
Site rules: When Loop B is closed for the season, generators are allowed in Loop C, with restricted hours, UNTIL Loop B reopens. All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be sealed in a vehicle or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material, or as otherwise directed, at all times when not in use. Campfires are permitted only in fire rings. You may collect dead and downed wood in the park for campfires. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park. Quiet hours…
Elkmont Campground ↗
Elkmont Campground is the closest family campground to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. At 2,150 feet (655 m), winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. Tent and RV campsites, flush toilets, and drinking water are available. No hookups or showers. America the Beautiful passes (not accepted in lieu of the parking tag for parking outside your campsite) are sold at the campground ranger station in summer & fall or online through the USGS store.
Reservations: Campsite reservations are required and may be made up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: No dump station on site; the closest is six miles away at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Roads are paved in the campground. Site driveways are also paved. NPS lists an RV maximum of 35 feet. Trailer maximum: 32 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Fires are permitted only in established fire rings provided at each campsite.
Site rules: All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be sealed in a vehicle or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material, or as otherwise directed, at all times when not in use. Campfires are permitted only in fire rings. You may collect dead and downed wood in the park for campfires. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park. Quiet hours are 10 pm-6 am. Generator use is prohibited 8 pm-8 am. Your stay is limited to 14 consecutive days at a time. You may…
Abrams Creek Campground ↗
Abrams Creek Campground is located beside beautiful Abrams Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,125 feet (343 m), the climate is moderate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Flush toilets and drinking water are available. No hookups or showers are available at the campground.
Reservations: Campsite reservations are required and may be made up to six months in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers are allowed but not recommended because of the windy, narrow approach road. Trailer maximum: 12 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Fires are permitted only in established fire rings provided at each campsite.
Site rules: All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be sealed in a vehicle or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material, or as otherwise directed, at all times when not in use. Campfires are permitted only in fire rings. You may collect dead and downed wood in the park for campfires. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park. Quiet hours are 10 pm-6 am. Generator use is prohibited 8 pm-8 am. Your stay is limited to 14 consecutive days at a time. You may…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Smokemont Campground. Roads are paved in the campground. Site driveways are also paved.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Arts and Culture, Live Music, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Road Biking, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Group Camping, RV Camping, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Auto, Hands-On, Citizen Science, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horse Camping (see also camping), Horseback Riding, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet (267 meters) to 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) and the topography can drastically affect local weather. Temperatures can vary by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, and clear skies lower down do not guarantee equally pleasant weather at higher elevations.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Fall Colors Near Newfound Gap
Fall leaf season is one of the busiest times of year in the park.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Tent at Smokemont Campground
Each site is equipped with a gravel tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring.
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.