Campground
Smokemont Campground
Smokemont Campground is Great Smoky Mountains' year-round family campground closest to Oconaluftee Visitor Center, sitting at 2,198 feet where winters stay mild and summers run hot and humid. The 142 sites mix tent and RV options across five loops with paved roads, flush toilets, and reliable water year-round. Reservations are required and book solid six months in advance. Water, fire, and bear-proof lockers mean you're self-sufficient; no hookups or showers means you're camping, not glamping.
Quick facts
- Reservation System
- Recreation.gov
- Reservation Window
- 6 months in advance
- Reservation Tips
- Set phone alarm 6 months before desired first night. Recreation.gov opens reservations at 12:00 am ET. Competition is fierce. First-come fills in minutes. Mobile app + desktop both recommended for speed. No walk-ups; always fully booked. Check cancellation calendars 24–48 hours before dates (humans cancel for weather/schedule).
- Season Dates
- Loops A & B year-round. Loop C March–October. Loops D & F mid-May–October.
Reservations & season
- Reservation System
- Recreation.gov
- Reservation Window
- 6 months in advance
- Reservation Tips
- Set phone alarm 6 months before desired first night. Recreation.gov opens reservations at 12:00 am ET. Competition is fierce. First-come fills in minutes. Mobile app + desktop both recommended for speed. No walk-ups; always fully booked. Check cancellation calendars 24–48 hours before dates (humans cancel for weather/schedule).
- Season Dates
- Loops A & B year-round. Loop C March–October. Loops D & F mid-May–October.
- Fills Up Speed
- Books instantly
- Per Night Cost
- $30
- Passes Accepted
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80 — sold at ranger station summer/fall, online year-round through USGS store)
Sites & RV fit
- Sites Total
- 142
- Site Types
- Tent and RV
- Site Type Breakdown
- 44 RV-only; 95 tent/mixed; 3 group sites
- RV Max Length
- 40 feet
- Group Sites Available
- 1
- Hookups
- None. Dry camping only.
- Site Features
- Fire ring (iron), picnic table, food storage locker (bear-proof, year-round)
- Ground Type
- Paved pads where provided (tents must use them per regulations). Gravel or packed earth base. Some sites partially paved.
- Site Privacy
- Moderate. Paved internal roads; sites separated by trees and distance. Not isolated; park-like feel. Neighbors audible but not intrusive.
Facilities
- Bathroom Types
- Flush toilets year-round
- Potable Water
- Spigots available year-round
- Dump Station
- Yes, year-round
- Trash Service
- Dumpsters provided year-round
- Camp Store
- Ice for sale (seasonal). Firewood for sale (seasonal). No camp store.
- Firewood Availability
- USDA-certified or state-certified bundled firewood for sale seasonally. Dead and downed wood gathering allowed but must be certified per USDA/state standards.
- Cell Service
- No cell service. Download offline maps.
- Nearby Facilities
- Cherokee, NC (6 miles): lodging, dining, shops, visitor attractions. Gatlinburg, TN (27 miles): hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, medical services. No services at campground except ranger station and water/dump.
Access
- Road Type
- Paved
- Road Conditions
- All internal roads and site driveways paved. Standard vehicles OK. No washboard or rough terrain.
- Vehicle Restrictions
- Max 2 motor vehicles or 1 vehicle with trailer per site. Max 40 ft RV or 35 ft trailer. Must park in designated spaces only. Wheels must stay on pavement.
- Clearance Needed
- Standard
- Distance From Entrance
- 6 miles from Cherokee, NC entrance (Oconaluftee); 27 miles from Gatlinburg, TN entrance
- Nearest Gas Services
- Cherokee, NC (6 miles) or Gatlinburg, TN (27 miles) for fuel, ice, and supplies
- Elevation
- 2,198 feet
- Accessibility
- ADA: 7 fully accessible campsites. Paved paths connect restrooms and parking. Restrooms wheelchair-accessible. Paved roads throughout—all vehicles OK. Accessible parking and potable water spigots.
- ADA Accessible Sites
- 7 ADA-accessible sites. Paved paths to restrooms and parking areas. Restrooms fully accessible.
Rules & safety
- Bear Country
- Yes
- Food Storage Requirements
- Bear-proof lockers provided year-round at every site. All food, toiletries, garbage, and equipment must be sealed in vehicle or camping unit when not in use. Food lockers are mandatory—failure to use them puts bears at risk.
- Fire Restrictions
- Fire rings only. USDA-certified or state-certified bundled firewood required. No scavenging; gathering dead wood allowed only if properly certified.
- Generator Hours
- 8 am–8 pm only
- Quiet Hours
- 10 pm–6 am
- Max Stay Limit
- 14 consecutive days
- Alcohol Permitted
- 0
What it is like
- Onsite Activities
- Hiking (Smokemont Nature Trail, Bradley Fork, Cooper Road, Oconaluftee River trails nearby). Fishing (trout in park streams). Ranger programs (seasonal, site-specific). Wildlife viewing (bears, elk, deer, salamanders).
- Trailheads Nearby
- Smokemont Nature Trail (walk from camp). Bradley Fork Trail, Cooper Road Trail, Oconaluftee River Trail accessible. Newfound Gap Road scenic drive passes camp entrance.
- Fishing Details
- Trout fishing in park streams and Oconaluftee River. Tennessee and North Carolina fishing licenses required (check state regulations). Catch limits and season dates vary by water body.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Black bears (100-yard safe distance), elk, white-tailed deer, salamanders, chipmunks. Bears are common and active; follow food-storage rules strictly.
- Stargazing Quality
- Good. South District offers reduced light pollution. Clear nights show Milky Way. Mountain ridges limit horizon views in some loops.
- Shade Coverage
- Mixed. Mix of open and shaded areas across five loops. Tent campers get forest shade; RV loops more open.
- Scenic Views
- Forest and mountain backdrop. Limited vistas; canopy-enclosed. Views of Oconaluftee Valley from higher loops.
- Noise Level
- Quiet overall. Enforced 10 pm–6 am quiet hours and generator ban 8 pm–8 am create early-sleep culture. Minor traffic noise from Newfound Gap Road (distance varies by loop; loops farther from road quieter).
- Best Time To Visit
- April–May or September–October. Spring: cool temps, wildflowers, fewer crowds. Fall: foliage, dry weather, comfortable sleep temps. Summer: hot, humid, crowded, thunderstorms. Winter: mild, but muddy, rain common; only loops A & B open.
- Vibe Check
- Forested campground with paved roads and developed feel (park-like, not backcountry isolated). Sites have trees between neighbors but not soundproofed—conversations carry. Some loops audible from Newfound Gap Road (minor traffic noise at distance). Family-oriented, outdoors-focused community. Early bedtime culture due to no-generator, quiet-hours enforcement. Not a party scene. Summer crowds visible but well-managed.
- Camp Here If Skip If
- ✅ BOOK IF: Tent campers, small-to-midsize RVs, families, hikers seeking year-round access to trails and Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Budget-conscious campers ($30/night). Leave-No-Trace advocates. ❌ SKIP IF: Large rigs (35+ ft trailers, 40+ ft RVs), campers requiring hookups or showers, full-service resort expectations. Boondocking seekers. Glamping crowd.
- Tips Advice
- Bring layers; mountain weather shifts fast, especially spring and fall.
- Pack rain gear—afternoon thunderstorms common June–September.
- Book recreation.gov exactly 6 months before your desired date at midnight ET. Set phone alarm; spots vanish in minutes.
- Bear-proof your site immediately: use food lockers, never leave food, garbage, or toiletries out. Coolers in vehicles or RVs.
- Tents must pitch on provided pads (Leave No Trace rule; prevents impact).
- USDA-certified firewood only—don't risk bringing untreated wood (can spread pests). Gather dead wood only if properly certified.
- Quiet hours 10 pm–6 am; generators 8 am–8 pm only. Plan evening activities early; community winds down fast.
More details
- Park Area
- South District (Oconaluftee)
- Sites RV Only
- 44
- Sites Group
- 3
- Family Friendly Notes
- Good for families. Flush toilets, running water, ranger programs (seasonal), and trails suitable for kids nearby. No showers limits hygiene for some families; plan accordingly. Max 6 people per site. Nature Trail walk suitable for toddlers/young kids. Creek and river access (supervised supervision advised).
- Amphitheater
- Seasonal ranger programs hosted on-site; no dedicated amphitheater structure
- Nearby Attractions
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center (6 miles). Mountain Farm Museum (nearby). Newfound Gap Road scenic drive (connects Gatlinburg and Cherokee). Cherokee, NC downtown (6 miles). Gatlinburg, TN attractions (27 miles).
- Terrain Type
- Hilly. Sites sit on slopes; some level, most sloped. Leveling blocks recommended. Valley floor to mid-elevation forest.
- Temperature Ranges
- Spring (Mar–May): 50–70°F. Summer (Jun–Aug): 65–85°F, high humidity. Fall (Sep–Nov): 45–70°F. Winter (Dec–Feb): 30–50°F (mild for mountains).
- Snow Season
- December–February. Light snow typical; significant snow rare. Loops A & B remain open. Secondary loops (C, D, F) closed so snow accumulation expected there seasonally.
- Monsoon Season
- No monsoon. Summer thunderstorms common July–August. Afternoon showers typical June–September. Bring rain gear.
- Wind Exposure
- Sheltered. Forest canopy protects from wind. Valley location buffers exposure. Ridgeline loops slightly more exposed.
- Bug Season
- Mosquitoes peak June–August, especially near water and dusk. Bring insect repellent. Chiggers possible in tall grass (tuck pants into socks). Ticks present year-round.
- Setup Strategy
- Pull-through available in some loops (check site details). Back-in typical in tent loops. All roads and driveways paved. Sites are level to moderately sloped (bring leveling blocks). Internal maneuvering easy; no tight turns. Trailers up to 35 ft, RVs to 40 ft max. Pull in, unhitch/setup, walk to water spigots and dump (separate from site). No on-site hookups; do your chores at start/end of stay.
- Bath Laundry Recon
- No showers on-site (the #1 complaint). Laundry facilities: none. Nearest facilities: Cherokee, NC (6 miles) or Gatlinburg, TN (27 miles). Creek/river baths possible but cold (mountain water year-round). Flush toilets available 24/7. Water spigots throughout for washing up, dishes. Pack washcloth/camp towel and dry shampoo if showers matter to your family.
- Review Summary
- Campers rave about Smokemont's year-round access and proximity to Oconaluftee trails and visitor center. Sites are well-maintained with reliable water and flush toilets. The lack of showers and hookups filters to tent and small-RV campers seeking a true camping experience, not glamping. Large rigs may struggle with tight spacing; midsize RVs and tents are the sweet spot.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Can my 40-foot RV fit?
Yes, 40 ft RV or 35 ft trailer is the max. Paved driveways. Pull-through available in some loops. At booking, review individual site notes and call 828-497-9270 to confirm your specific rig fits.
Do I need a reservation?
Absolutely. Reservations required. Recreation.gov only; no walk-ups or phone bookings. Book 6 months in advance at midnight ET. No availability walk-up period.
Are there bears here?
Yes, this is prime bear country. Bears are common and active. Use provided food lockers (mandatory). Keep 100-yard distance if you spot one. Food storage is non-negotiable.
What if I want to shower?
No showers on-site. Options: creek/river baths (cold), drive to Cherokee, NC (6 mi) or Gatlinburg, TN (27 mi) for facilities, or dry camp with washups at spigots. This is a dry-camping experience.
Is it quiet at night?
Yes. Quiet hours enforced 10 pm–6 am. Generators banned 8 pm–8 am. Community winds down early. No loud music, no late-night hangouts. Family-friendly vibe.
Can I have a campfire?
Yes, fire rings only (no ground fires). Must use USDA-certified or state-certified bundled firewood (sold seasonally on-site) or gather certified dead wood per regulations. Firewood inspection rules are strict to prevent pest spread.
What about hookups?
No hookups. Full dry camping. Water spigots and dump station available throughout. Plan waste and water management accordingly. RVs must dump at station; no on-site dumping.
More at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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.
Cades Cove Campground
159 year-round sites at the mouth of the Smokies' most famous valley — store, bikes, and bears out front.
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.
Recommended gear for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Some booking links below are affiliate links, which may support YourNPGuide at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.