Abram'S Creek Campground
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Abram's Creek Campground is located in a relatively remote area of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities like hiking and fishing, without the crowds, which are sometimes common in other areas of the park.
Abram's Creek Campground offers a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. Hiking trails and fishing streams are easily accessible from the site.
Notifications and Alerts
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.
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.
- Stay Limits. A maximum of 6 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.
Caution: Bear Habitat! Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food and equipment used to prepare and store food (even when empty, and even if certified as bear resistant) 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, 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.
- Amenities. There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park.
- Fires. Fires are allowed in fire rings only!
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..foradditional information about these firewood regulations, please visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/frontcountry-camping.htm.
Firewood Vendors. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Please visit for a list of available vendors near the park firewoodscout.org . Concessioners at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont will provide heat-treated wood for sale during their operating season. Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal.
Quiet Hours. : Quiet hours are in effect from 10PM to 6AM. Generator use is prohibited from 8PM to 8AM. Generators that exceed a noise level of 60 decibels are prohibited. Generator use and battery charging by idling is prohibited in generator free areas.
- Fishing in the Park. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
- Pets. Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
- Additional Park Information. For additional park information call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm.
- A reservation is required to stay at Abrams Creek Campground. Please make your reservation before driving to the campground as cell phone coverage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is very limited and there are no provisions to make a reservation once you are at the campground. Reservations are site specific therefore you are REQUIRED to occupy only the site(s) for which you have reserved. To make changes to your reservation you must contact Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or field staff where available.
Cancellation Policy for Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Natural Features
At a 1,125 foot elevation, Abram's Creek Campground provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Beautiful Abram's Creek flows beside the campground offering the camper the peaceful sounds of rippling water.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include US-129 (aka "The Dragon"), Foothills Parkway, Chilhowee Lake and Cades Cove
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. Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
The Abram's Creek area features many hikes from the campground and nearby Abram's Creek Ranger Station. Hikers can access Abram's Waterfall via the Little Bottoms Trail, approximately 8 miles round trip. The Park advises against swimming at the falls due to severe undercurrents. Several drownings have occurred at these falls. Several loop hikes are available for the hiker that does not wish to retrace his/her steps.
Chilhowee lake is located off of US-129 and is less than 10 miles from Abram's Creek Campground. Visitors can canoe, kayak and fish in this lake surrounded by majestic mountains.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Anglers will agree that some of the best trout fishing in the area can be found along Abram's Creek. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bear living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all 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.
Changes & Cancellations
• If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund.
• Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
Contact Information
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107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg TN 37738
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 865-448-4103
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
There is no street address for this campground North: From I-40 take US-129/Alcoa Highway through Maryville, TN. Continue South on US-129 until mile marker 14.3 (Foothills Parkway exit). Proceed .5 miles beyond Foothills Parkway turning left onto Happy Valley Road. Turn Right onto Abram's Creek Road passing the Abram's Creek Ranger Station. The campground is approximately .5 miles beyond the ranger station. South: Continue North on US-129 where US-19/74/129 split, heading towards Robbinsville, NC. Near mile marker 14 in Tennessee turn Right onto Happy Valley Road (about 05 miles before the Foothills Parkway). Turn Right onto Abram's Creek Road passing the Abram's Creek Ranger Station. The campground is approximately .5 miles beyond the ranger station.
Available Campsites
- Site A09, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A03, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A05, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A04, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A02, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A08, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A12, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A06, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A01, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A10, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A13, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site A07, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
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