Smokemont Group Camp

Show on map828-497-9270 OR 865-436-1261
Mailing address is c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road
Cherokee, NC 28719

Overview

Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunny group camp offers an ideal setting for camping excursions.

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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, this is America's most visited national park.

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, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also 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. The nearby Bradley Fork River provides a great place to splash in the stream or fish for trout.

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. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. 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.

Facilities

Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks. The campsites can accommodate up to 20 guests and provides tent pads, grills and fire rings. There is also a flat, grassy area that is perfect for group activities like football, volleyball or simply soaking up the sun.

Natural Features

Smokemont Group Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, blanketed in wildflowers during the spring and bursting with vivid foliage in the fall.

At 2,200 feet, Smokemont 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 pre-historic Paleo Indians to 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.

Nearby Attractions

The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located six miles away in Cherokee, North Carolina, provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Cherokee also provides grocery stores and fuel.

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: 2 of 3 sites
  • Picnic table: 2 of 3 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 3 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 3 sites
  • Group sites: all 3 sites
  • Largest party: 20 people
  • Equipment: Tent

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

There is no stree address for the campground. From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) North 6 miles. Turn right at Smokemont campground sign. From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) South 27 miles. Turn left at Smokemont campground sign.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

14 reviews
5 stars
10
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
1 stars
2
Augustine S
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
The group camp site was awesome! Lots of space tucked into the back of the campground with access to the creek. We had a great time!
Haven J
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Stayed at group site 1, It was really nice, close to the bathrooms but not close enough to hear them. there was a creek running close and it was very cute!
Samantha G
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
We had a great experience at Smokemont! The grounds and the bathrooms were kept clean and the park employees we interacted with were super helpful and really nice.
Daniel M
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Wonderful campsite. We loved that there was running potable water, and flush toilets. There's a wonderful creek, hiking trails, lots of paved roads for kids to ride bikes / scooters, firewood/ice/vending machines at the house stables just down the road, and Cherokee (restaurants, groceries) is just a 15 min drive. Will definitely return!
Lane D
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed 5 months ago
There was plenty of room to spread 10 tents out across the 5 tent pads without feeling crowded. We hosted 38 people for an afternoon cookout, many of whom were staying in individual campsites. That said, there was plenty of overflow parking for daytime guests just joining us for the meal. There was plenty of distance from the other 2 group sites so it still felt like a private gathering. We put 38 hikers into the woods on 6 local hikes of varying length and difficulty. We were able to top off our firewood and ice needs from the camp store a short distance from the group site. Overall, it was a great weekend!
Samantha H
Loop:Loop D
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
We stayed at one of the group sites (which we loved!). The bathrooms had toilet paper the entire time, but no hand soap. We stayed in June, so had rain every day periodically over a 3-day stay. Spinner lures were useless (constantly hung up on rocks) so plan on fly fishing only. Several teens had a great time tubing. Will definitely book again!
Availability

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Season dates

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 26, 2028 – Sep 4, 2028

Reservable online

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