Campground

Cades Cove Campground

Campground
Cades Cove Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cades Cove is the Smokies' flagship frontcountry campground — 159 sites tucked at the mouth of the park's most famous valley, and one of only two campgrounds open all year. You get flush toilets, cold running water, and a camp store with a snack bar, plus bike and horse rentals a short walk away. Sites are a mix of tent and RV-friendly spots under partial shade, and the 11-mile loop road out front serves up deer, black bears, and historic cabins at dawn. It's busy and social, not a solitude play, but for first-timers it's the easiest, most amenity-rich basecamp in the park.

Quick facts

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
6 months out — sites release daily at 10 AM ET
Reservation Tips
Search 'Cades Cove Campground' on Recreation.gov and set an alarm for the 6-month release at 10 AM ET.
Season Dates
Open year-round (reduced loops in winter)

Reservations & season

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
6 months out — sites release daily at 10 AM ET
Reservation Tips
Search 'Cades Cove Campground' on Recreation.gov and set an alarm for the 6-month release at 10 AM ET.
Season Dates
Open year-round (reduced loops in winter)
Fills Up Speed
Books fast for October foliage and summer weekends; midweek shoulder season is easier
Per Night Cost
Approximately $25/night (verify current rate on Recreation.gov)

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
159
Site Types
Tent, RV (no hookups)
Hookups
None — dry camping only

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Flush toilets
Showers Available
No showers — the park has none park-wide; nearest paid showers are in Townsend/Gatlinburg
Potable Water
Cold running water / spigots available
Camp Store
Yes — camp store with snack bar; bike and horse rentals nearby
Nearby Facilities
Townsend, TN (~9 miles) for gas, groceries, and paid showers; Gatlinburg further east.

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Active bear country. Store all food and scented items in your vehicle or provided storage; never leave food unattended at your site.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leashed pets (6 ft max) allowed in the campground and on roads, but not on most park trails.
Quiet Hours
10 PM – 6 AM (typical)

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Cades Cove Loop Road (11-mile scenic drive/bike), wildlife viewing, historic cabins and churches, ranger programs
Trailheads Nearby
Abrams Falls, Rich Mountain Loop, and the Cades Cove Nature Trail begin in the valley
Wildlife Viewing
White-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys are common along the loop, especially at dawn and dusk.
Best Time To Visit
Late spring and early fall; October is peak (and crowded) for foliage.
Vibe Check
Big, open, and social — a bustling basecamp, not a solitude retreat. Expect neighbors close by.
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You want the park's easiest, most amenity-rich basecamp with wildlife at the doorstep. ❌ SKIP IF: You need hookups or showers, or you're after backcountry quiet.
Tips Advice
  • Bike the loop road early — some in-season mornings are vehicle-free.
  • Store all food in your car; this is prime black bear country.
  • There are no showers anywhere in the park — plan accordingly.
  • Book 6 months out for October weekends.

More details

Park Area
Cades Cove / Townsend side (Tennessee)
Family Friendly Notes
Great for families: flat sites, a camp store, easy wildlife viewing, and gentle bike riding on the loop.
Review Summary
Camper reviews (via The Dyrt and Recreation.gov) rank Cades Cove among the park's most popular campgrounds, praising the wildlife along the loop road, the on-site store, and how easy it is for first-timers. The recurring gripes are crowds, tightly packed sites, and, like every Smokies campground, no showers.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation?

Yes. Cades Cove is reservation-only through Recreation.gov, with a rolling 6-month booking window; peak fall and summer weekends sell out.

Are there showers?

No. There are no showers anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The campground has flush toilets and cold running water only.

Can my RV fit, and are there hookups?

There are RV-suitable sites but no hookups (dry camping only). Check the site dimensions on Recreation.gov before booking a larger rig.

Is it bear country?

Yes, very much so. Store all food and scented items in your vehicle. Black bears are frequently seen along the Cades Cove Loop.

Is it quiet at night?

It's one of the park's larger, more social campgrounds, so expect neighbors. Quiet hours are enforced from about 10 PM to 6 AM.

Elkmont Group Campground

Four tent-only group sites for 15-30 campers in the Smokies. Reserve early - there are only four of them.

Elkmont Campground

211 reservation-only sites near Sugarlands. Tent pads, flush toilets, no hookups or showers. Classic Smokies base camp.

Deep Creek Campground

Creekside camping at 1,800 ft: 92 sites, flush toilets, no hookups. Book 6 months out.

Smokemont Campground

142 riverside sites on the quiet NC side — open year-round, with elk grazing nearby.

Elkmont Campground

The park's largest camp — ~220 riverside sites near Gatlinburg, and firefly-show central in June.

Cosby Campground

157 shady, low-key sites in a quiet NE-Tennessee corner — the locals' pick for tent and hammock camping.

Sources

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.