Cosby Group Camp

127 Cosby Park Road
Cosby, TN 37722

Overview

Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade beside Cosby Creek. This group campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer.

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 also popular activities. White water rafting on the nearby Pigeon River. Top tourist towns of gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge are just 20 miles away.

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.

Facilities

Cosby Group Camp provides campers with a secluded environment for traditional tent camping. There are three group sites (one accessible site) that can accommodate up to 20 visitors each. 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. The nearby Cosby Campground offers reservable sites and first-come, first-serve sites for smaller groups or overflow.

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. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cosby never disappoints.

At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, typified 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 settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts, which tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.

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.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Camp site features

Across 3 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 3 sites
Pets allowed: all 3 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 3 sites
Group sites: all 3 sites
Largest party: 20 people

Fees

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

Directions

From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles from junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Group camp is another 2.2 miles.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

17 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Denise T

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

The campground was spacious, shaded and quiet. There were several hikes from within the campground and other hikes were nearby.

Dany B

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

First time at this campground, beautiful place, group camp 1&3 are the more private ones #2 if all 3 sites are rented I assume can feel crowded. Someone else in the comments mentioned a copper head snake sighting at the dishwash sink, I was on the look out to begin with and we did find a copper head on the side walk towards the restroom from site #1. Not surprised since we are in wildlife territory but people should be on higher alert since we did encounter other smaller black snakes. This has been the place with more snake sightings for us. Not sure if it's the season, location or what but safety awareness is key especially if children are present. It's not a deal breaker for us and would definitely go back. Good trails and peaceful place. I would say one of my favorites. Rangers were helpful and very nice. We had a great time and no issues what so ever. Can't wait to go again...

EDWARD D

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Great campground! The Marine campground host was a bit rude, but we didn’t see him too often. Copper head spotted at the dishwashing sink on the first night. The location is beautiful and seems under utilized. Tons of great hammock spots at all the group sites. We loved it!

David G

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

The rangers were very accommodating and friendly. The facility was beautiful, and we were even surprised by a Friday evening bluegrass concert at the amphitheater by a local bluegrass band.

Todd W

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Great group campsite. Took my scout troop and we rented group sites 2 and 3. Good space for my group of 20, but I'm glad we booked two sites and not just one, as we would have been very cramped on a single site given our number of tents. Sites 2 and 3 work better together, as 1 is slightly separated. Good mature trees to hang some hammocks, good access to bathrooms, water, and trash. A small creek runs near the campsite on the other side of the road offering fantastic background sound at night. There is some parking right at the site, and a small parking lot very close but closer to site 1. It was very quiet and not packed the weekend we camped. Each site has one or two picnic tables, one fire ring, one grill, plus the tent pads mentioned in the details section (appx 3 large per site). We were able to pitch 3 tents comfortably on some of the larger pads, and could have probably squeezed another one on if needed. Bathrooms have toilet paper but no soap and no showers. There may be showers elsewhere in camp, but we were only there to sleep and didn't go looking. No cell service with any of the carriers. Didn't know this until we arrived, but no need to check in, just go directly to the site.

Kimberly W

Loop:Group Sites 1-3

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

Great group site and campground. Not crazy busy like other park campgrounds. Bathrooms were in excellent condition. Thank you for the hand soap in the bathroom!! Only frustrating part was having to walk our stuff up the hill from the car. Not bad but hard for elderly campers. Thank you for all you do to provide an excellent outdoor experience!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve