Camping in the Smoky Mountains

Camping in the Smoky Mountains has always been a favorite activity for visitors to the park. Whether you like roughing it in the backcountry or you prefer the amenities a large campground provides the Great Smokies has something to offer everyone.

For those wishing to remain in the frontcountry there are 10 campgrounds in the park all of which provide cold running water, flush toilets, grills and tables. The campgrounds at Cades Cove and Smokemont remain open year round but most of the others close by the first of November and re-open in early Spring.

The campsites at Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Elkmont, and Smokemont may be reserved online at the Recreation.gov website or by phone at (877) 444-6777. All of the remaining campsites in the park are first-come, first-served. For more information on frontcountry camping visit the Great Smokies official site.

Backcountry camping in the Smoky Mountains requires a free permit that is only available from one of the following locations. Permits cannot be obtained online.

  • Oconaluftee Visitor Center
  • Sugarlands Visitor Center
  • Twentymile Ranger Station
  • Fontana Marina
  • Fontana Dam Visitor Center
  • Deep Creek Campground Office
  • Smokemont Campground Office
  • Cataloochee Valley near campground
  • Big Creek Ranger Station
  • Cosby Campground Office
  • Greenbrier Ranger Station
  • Elkmont Campground Office
  • Tremont Environmental Center
  • Cades Cove Campground Office
  • Abrams Creek Ranger Station.

You are also required to camp only at designated campsites or shelters. All shelters and several campsites require advance registrations. The backcountry campsites that require reservations are: 9, 10, 13, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 36, 37, 38, 46, 47, 50, 55, 57, 60, 61, 71, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 113. To view a trail map showing the location of all shleters and campsites in the backcountry click here.

To make reservations call the Backcountry Reservation Office at (865) 436-1231. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily. Reservations may be made up to one month in advance of the first day of your trip and they can only be obtained by phone. They cannot be made online.

For more information on backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains click here.