• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Smokies Backcountry Camping: Things You Need To Know

Reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. To make reservations, please visit the backcountry reservation website.


To ensure your backcountry trip is safe and enjoyable, please take a few moments to read each of the sections below. If you have questions, please call the Backcountry at (865) 436-1297.

• Regulations
• For Your Safety
• Hazards and Risks
• Backpacking in Bear Country
• Leave No Trace
• Road, Trail and Facility Closures - closures may affect your access to trailheads
• Weather - weather may affect your access to campsites
• Maps and Books

• Hiker Shuttle Information -There are a number of hiker shuttle services in communities surrounding the national park. Information for most of these businesses may be found on the internet. Because this information changes often, the park does not maintain or publish a current listing of these businesses.

  • Black Bears Black Bears

    An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park. Read More

  • Road and Facility Closures Road and Facility Closures

    Some roads and facilities are closed seasonally or may close temporarily in inclement weather. Read More

  • Weather Forecast Weather Forecast

    Current weather forecasts are available by phone and online. Read More

  • Regulations Concerning Pets Regulations Concerning Pets

    Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas and along roads, but are not allowed on park trails. Read More

Did You Know?

Flame azalea can be found growing on heath balds in the park.

The park’s high elevation heath balds are treeless expanses where dense thickets of shrubs such as mountain laurel, rhododendron, and sand myrtle grow. Known as “laurel slicks” and “hells” by early settlers, heath balds were most likely created by forest fires long ago.