Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Show on map (865)436-1200 grsm_smokies_information@nps.gov

107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

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 mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park. Plan your visit today!

Directions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. The three main entrances to the park are in Gatlinburg, TN; Townsend, TN; and Cherokee, NC.

Reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds continue to be loved for their beautiful natural settings, peaceful atmosphere, and abundant wildlife viewing. Visitors appreciate clean, well-maintained restrooms, good access to rivers and recreational activities like tubing and hiking, and friendly, helpful staff and rangers. Some campgrounds offer tent pads and proximity to town amenities with better cell service. However, challenges remain with bathroom cleanliness and maintenance, occasional overcrowding, noise from nearby roads or generators, and site drainage issues. A few campers reported problems with reservation accuracy and limited showers. Overall, the campgrounds provide a tranquil and scenic experience but can benefit from some facility upgrades and better management of noise and site conditions.

Beautiful and peaceful natural settings with abundant wildlife

Clean and well-maintained restrooms and campsites

Friendly and helpful staff and rangers

Good access to rivers, hiking trails, and tubing

Some sites have dedicated tent pads and proximity to town with cell service

Inconsistent bathroom cleanliness and maintenance issues

Noise disturbances from generators, traffic, and other campers

Limited or no shower facilities and site drainage problems

Crowded or poorly spaced campsites reducing privacy

Occasional problems with reservations and campground management

11,456 reviews

5 stars

7,644

4 stars

2,375

3 stars

882

2 stars

341

1 stars

214

Mary E

Campground:Elkmont Campground

Loop:Generator Free

Site:

Reviewed 7 days ago

Campground and facilities were nice and clean. The check in process and staff was nice and very helpful. I wish I took note of the ranger's name who suggested hikes based on past hikes we enjoyed. She was spot on with her recommendation. Can't wait to come back.

Mei X

Campground:Smokemont Campground

Loop:Loop B & C

Site:

Reviewed 7 days ago

I checked in after the office was closed. It was nice that they left the name tag with campsite on the wall. I was nicely surprised that the rangers did a drive around and stopped at my site to remind me the rules for safety and informed me that I didn’t have to check out if I needed to leave early the next morning. It is one of the most beautiful campground stayed at. Will reserve a whole week next year.

Bill S

Campground:Elkmont Campground

Loop:Generator Free

Site:

Reviewed 7 days ago

Yali L

Campground:Smokemont Campground

Loop:Loop B & C

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Smokemont campground was the wise choice for us after a 12-hour drive from Florida. The campground was clean, quiet and well organized. The views in the campground itself was stunning in fall. We enjoyed a walk around in the campground every morning.

Robert S

Campground:Smokemont Campground

Loop:Loop B & C

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Fantastic time watching the Elk at Oconaluftee.

John S

Campground:Elkmont Campground

Loop:Generator Free

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

close hikes reached without driving in the heavy traffic. Friendly and helpful staff.