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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wild Turkeys are plentiful in the park.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Group Campgrounds
 

Quarantine Notice: The possession of firewood originating from a location for which a federal or state firewood quarantine is in effect is prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Click for additional information about this quarantine, including states affected. 

 

The park has seven areas where groups may camp. These areas are listed in the table below, along with the operation dates and contact numbers for site information. Group campsites are open only during the months listed.

Group campsites will accommodate tents only. Trailers, campers, or other wheeled units are not permitted. Showers and electric hookups are not available in park campgrounds, however shower facilities are available in the communities surrounding the national park. Please inquire about the nearest facilities when you check-in at the campground.

The minimum party size is seven, and the maximum length of stay is fourteen nights in these areas. Check out time is noon. You are welcome to call the ranger station to obtain site-specific information, but be aware that the ranger stations are field offices and are not staffed during all hours!

You must have reservations to camp at a group site. You can make reservations online or by phoning the National Park Reservation Service toll-free at (877) 444-6777. Additional information about when you can make reservations. Payment is required at the time the reservation is made.

 
 

Group
Campground

 2012 Open/Close
Dates

Number
of Sites

Maximum
Number
of People

Cost
Per
Night

Big Creek
Reserve Now
(828) 486-5910

April 1 - Oct 31

1

25

$44

Cades Cove
Reserve Now
Nov 1- May 14
(865) 448-4106

May 15 - Oct 31
(865) 448-4103

March 9 - Oct 31

2

1

1-with pavilion

20

30

30 

$35

$53

$65
 

Cataloochee
Reserve Now
(828) 497-1930

March 9 - Oct 31

3

25

$35

Cosby
Reserve Now
(423) 487-2683

April 1 - Oct 31

3

20

$26

Deep Creek
Reserve Now
(828) 488-3184

April 1 - Oct 31

3

20

$35

Elkmont
Reserve Now
(865) 436-1271

March 9 - Oct 31
(Group comfort
station opens
April 24)

1

2

1

15

20

30

$26

$35

$53

Smokemont
Reserve Now
Nov 1 - May 14
(828) 497-1940

May 15 - Oct 31
(828) 497-9270

May 15 - Oct 31

3

20

$35

 

Bundles of firewood are available for sale in the communities surrounding the national park. In addition, the following group campgrounds have on-site sales:

  • Cades Cove (at Cades Cove Campground Store)
  • Elkmont
  • Smokemont (at Smokemont Riding Stables)
Regulations Concerning Pets
Regulations Concerning Pets
Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas and along roads, but are not allowed on park trails.
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Black bear
Black Bears
An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park.
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Four stables in the park offer horse rides.
Horse Riding
Four stables in the park offer horse rides.
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Click to access maps of the national park
Download Park Maps
Maps of trails and campgrounds as well as general park maps are available.
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Flame azalea can be found growing on heath balds in the park.

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: January 04, 2012 at 08:21 MST