Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee, Cosby, and Look Rock campgrounds are closed. We regret any inconvenience. The park’s largest campgrounds are currently open: Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Deep Creek will open as planned on April 18.
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Facilities
Cosby Campground provides campers with a secluded environment for traditional camping. Cosby is mostly a tent campground, with plenty of shade and tent pads at each site, along with fire rings, grills and tables, perfect for family meals and late night s'mores. The site offers modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water. Some RV sites are available and there is a dump station at the campground.
Tent pads are 16ft x 16ft. RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends. Some RV sites also include a tent pad. View map and site descriptions to find the perfect site or companion sites for you and your family!
All sites in Cosby Campground are available for reservations
ADA sites: A57, A61
RV only: A01-03, A21, A23, A36; B48, B75, B88
RV w Tent pad: A17, A20, A25, A28, A57; B93
Van/Compact camper w Tent: A11; B20, B34-35, B58
To ensure a site, reserve online (same-day reservation available). To make reservations by phone call 877-444-6777
RESERVATION ONLY- NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE CAMPGROUND OFFICE
Natural Features
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 culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.
At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Recreation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Cosby Campground, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail.
Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Recreation Sites
- Tent Only Nonelectric
- Rv Nonelectric
- Overnight
Activities
- Day Use Area
- Wildlife Viewing
- Visitor Center
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Amphitheater
- Evening Programs
Amenities
- Accessible Campsites
- Accessible Picnic Area
- Accessible Picnic Shelters
- Accessible Restroom
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Emergency Phone
- Event Area
- Flush Toilets
- Grills
- Horseback Riding Trails
- Interpretive Trails
- Paved Roads
- Pets Allowed
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelters
- Picnic Tables
- Ranger Station
- River Access
- Scenic Overlooks
- Tent Pads
- Trailhead Parking
- Trailheads
- Utility Sinks
- Water Spigot
Nearby Attractions
Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the campground, offers convenience stores and fuel.
Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the site, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the site, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
Getting Here
Latitude
35° 45' 11.9999" NLongitude
83° 12' 31.0000" WFrom Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles south of the junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Campground is another 2 miles.
Need to Know
Beginning March 1, valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite.
Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
RESERVATION ONLY.
NO CASH ACCEPTED AT CAMPGROUND OFFICE.
ADA sites: A57, A61; G3
RV only: A01-03, A21, A23, A36; B48, B75, B88
RV w Tent pad: A17, A20, A25, A28, A57; B93
Van/Compact camper w Tent: A11; B20,B34-35, B58 (**These sites do not accomodate RVs**)
Caution: BEAR HABITAT!!! Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food, coolers (including YETI and other coolers with bear resistant claims), and equipment used to prepare and store food MUST be kept in a sealed vehicle or camping unit of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
Dispose of garbage promptly in bear-proof dumpsters. This rule is strictly enforced!
Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. The use of chainsaws is not permitted in the park. There is not a firewood vendor at the campground. Please check the label of firewood purchased off site.
Reservations are required to occupy a campsite. You must make your own reservation prior to arrival. Reservations can be made the day of arrival. Staff may not be availbale on site to assist with reservations. Reservations are SITE SPECIFIC. You may only occupy the sire that you have a reservation for.
You must check-in with the campground office staff upon arrival to complete your reservation. If you arrive after the office is closed for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day by noon. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. This may result in a forfeit of your reservation.
Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator use is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generators may not be left running unattended.
A maximum of six people may occupy a campsite. The park stay-limit is 14 consecutive days. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded.
Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails. You must clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in dumpsters.
Most tent pads measure 16 x 16 and will accommodate one large or two small tents. Tents must be pitched on the pad. Hammocks are permitted but must be hung in the footprint of the reserved campsite. Hammocks must be tied to trees over 10 inches in diameter and no more than 2 hammocks can be suspended from the same tree.
A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
Tennessee state law requires bicycle helmets for riders under 16 years of age. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground.
For additional park information visit www.nps.gov/grsm
Contact Information
Mailing Address
127 Cosby Park Road
Cosby, TN 37722
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 423-487-2683
