Home Camper's Corner Campgrounds

Camping and RVing in and Around Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Rate it! Votes (0) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Photos: Cheri Sicard Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Hiking Great Smoky Mountains: Hikes along the Cades Cove Loop, Cucumber Gap Trail, Ramsay Cascades, Shuckstack-Appalachian Trail, and many others, by , (1998, Falcon)	Hiking Great Smoky Mountains: Hikes along the Cades Cove Loop, Cucumber Gap Trail, Ramsay Cascades, Shuckstack-Appalachian Trail, and many others

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, USA -- Gatlinburg is home to three commercial RV parks. Of course, tent campers and RVers alike will find incredible camping opportunities in
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Camping and RVing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The great Smokey Mountains National Park offers front country (developed) and backcountry (backpacking) campsites. There also are a limited number of group tent camping areas. The procedures and facilities for each are different.

Park campgrounds are located in areas frequented by bears and other wildlife. All food, coolers, utensils, stoves, etc, must be stored out of sight in a closed vehicle when not in use. Do not throw food scraps or packaging in fire rings. Feeding wildlife is prohibited.

Front Country Camping
The National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at 10 locations in the park. They are Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock, and Smokemont. You can download a park map at www.nps.gov/grsm/pphtml/maps.html to find the location of these campgrounds in the park. Each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, but there are no showers or electrical or water hookups in the park. Each individual campsite has a fire grate and picnic table.

During summer and fall, sites at Elkmont, Smokemont, and Cades Cove may be reserved. For reservations call 1-800-365-2267 (park code GRE) or visit the reservation web site at http://reservations.nps.gov. Reservations are accepted only for May 15-Oct 31. Sites may be reserved up to five months in advance. All other campgrounds are first-come, first serve.

No more than six people may occupy a campsite. Two tents or one RV and one tent are allowed per site. Maximum stay during summer and fall is seven days. Maximum stay during the off-season is 14 days. Pets are allowed in campgrounds as long as they are restrained on a leash or otherwise confined at all times. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Group Camping
The park has seven areas where groups may camp. You must have reservations to stay at these areas. These areas accommodate tents only - no RVs, trailers, campers, or other wheeled units. Also be aware that showers and electric hookups are not available. The minimum party size is eight, and the maximum length of stay is seven nights in these areas. All group campsites require reservations. To make reservations for any group campsite, you must call the National Park Reservation Service at (800) 365-2267 or visit the reservation web site at http://reservations.nps.gov. Camping dates may be reserved up to five months in advance, and payment is required at the time the reservation is made.

Back Country Camping
All back country campers are required to have a free back country permit, available at most ranger stations and visitor centers. Anyone staying overnight in the back country must camp only in a designated site or shelter. Campers need reservations to stay in any shelter, and 14 tent areas also require reservations. Campers can make reservations by calling (865) 436-1231 daily during regular business hours. A back country map, showing all the hiking trails, camping areas, and a list of rules, regulations, and safety concerns is available through the Great Smoky Mountains Association's online bookstore at www.smokiesstore.org.

For questions about the backcountry (but not reservations) phone the park's backcountry office at (865) 436-1297. Be prepared before heading into the backcountry! Get a local weather forecast and be aware of the local climate. Proper clothing, food, water, and equipment are all musts.

Food storage regulations are in place and must be followed. The park is home to black bears than anywhere else in North America. Click for more information on bears and regulations -- www.nps.gov/grsm/pphtml/6highlights383.html

Camping with Horses
About 550 miles of the park's hiking trails are open to horses, although keep in mind that horses are strictly restricted to trails specifically designated for horse use. You can rent horses from several locations (see below). If you wish to ride your own horse in the park, be sure to obtain a copy of the park's trail map. This map indicates the trails on which you may ride horses and explains the park's rules and regulations concerning horse riding in the back country. It also provides information about back country camping, and permit requirements. To obtain an official trail map, stop at any park visitor center or call (865) 436-0120.

Horse riders may use designated campsites located on trails open to their use, however some back country campsites must be reserved in advance. These sites are indicated on the park's trail map. Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to back country horse trails in the park. Camps are located at Cades Cove (Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. Horse camps are open from April through October. Reservations are required and may be made for all five-horse camps through the National Park Reservation Service by calling 1-800-365-2267 (park code GRE) between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. or by visiting the web site http://reservations.nps.gov.

Commercial Campgrounds
Adjacent to the park and nestled along a mountain stream you'll find Camping in the Smokies RV Park at 1640 East Parkway in Gatlinburg. This Good Sam Club is especially family friendly and offers a clean quiet place to stay with terrific views. For Reservations or more information call 865-430-3594 or email campinginthesmokies@msn.com.

The AAA rated Le Conte Vista RV Park and Campground is open from March 1- November 3 and welcomes tenters as well as RVers. Located at 1739 Parkway East in Gatlinburg, the park features drive thru sites. Water, electricity 30/50 amp., sewer, cable TV, tables, hot showers, heated pool and spa, washerettes, LP gas, store, and is conveniently on the Gatlinburg free trolley route. For more information call 865-436-5437.

The Twin Creek RV Resort, rated 4 stars by Woodall's, can be found at 1202 East Parkway, Gatlinburg. Amenities include heated pools, Jacuzzi, laundry, cable TV, showers, playground, large decks, benches and paved sites. They are also on the Gatlinburg free trolley route. Call 800-252-8077 or 865-436-7081 for more information and reservations.

Practicalities
For further information and reservations, contact the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center at 800-568-4748 or click to www.gatlinburg-tn.com.

If you plan on driving to Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the time saving article below. If you plan to fly, US Airways serves nearby Knoxville, for reservations call 1-800-428-4322 or visit www.usairways.com.

There are no comments for this item

Be the first to leave a comment

You must be a registered member to leave a comment. So why not sign up now?