Campground
Smokemont Campground
Smokemont is the Smokies' year-round anchor on the quieter North Carolina side, with 142 sites strung along the Oconaluftee River near Cherokee. It's an easy, forested basecamp — flush toilets, cold running water, and gentle riverside sites — and one of only two park campgrounds that stay open through winter. Elk are often grazing the fields around the nearby Oconaluftee Visitor Center at dawn and dusk. It's roomy and relaxed rather than remote, and a great launch point for the NC side and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Quick facts
- Reservation System
- Recreation.gov
- Reservation Window
- 6 months out — sites release daily at 10 AM ET
- Reservation Tips
- Search 'Smokemont Campground' on Recreation.gov; the 6-month window opens 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 'Smokemont Campground' on Recreation.gov; the 6-month window opens at 10 AM ET.
- Season Dates
- Open year-round (reduced loops in winter)
- Fills Up Speed
- Steady in summer and fall; generally easier to book than the Tennessee-side campgrounds
- Per Night Cost
- Approximately $21–25/night (verify current rate on Recreation.gov)
Sites & RV fit
- Sites Total
- 142
- Site Types
- Tent, RV (no hookups)
- Hookups
- None — dry camping only
Facilities
- Bathroom Types
- Flush toilets
- Showers Available
- No showers — none anywhere in the park
- Potable Water
- Cold running water / spigots available
- Nearby Facilities
- Cherokee, NC (~4 miles) for gas, groceries, and paid showers; Oconaluftee Visitor Center nearby.
Access
- Accessibility
- Flush toilets and cold running water available throughout the campground.
Rules & safety
- Bear Country
- Yes
- Food Storage Requirements
- Active bear country. Store all food and scented items in your vehicle; never leave food unattended.
- Pets Allowed
- Yes
- Pet Restrictions
- Leashed pets (6 ft max) allowed in the campground and on roads, not on most trails.
- Quiet Hours
- 10 PM – 6 AM (typical)
What it is like
- Onsite Activities
- Bradley Fork and Smokemont Loop trails from camp, riverside relaxing, ranger programs
- Trailheads Nearby
- Bradley Fork Trail and the Smokemont Loop begin at the campground
- Wildlife Viewing
- Elk frequently graze near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center (~2 miles); best at dawn and dusk.
- Best Time To Visit
- Spring for wildflowers; fall for foliage and the elk rut.
- Vibe Check
- Forested, riverside, and relaxed — roomier and quieter than the Tennessee-side campgrounds.
- Camp Here If Skip If
- ✅ BOOK IF: You want a quiet, roomy, year-round riverside base on the NC side. ❌ SKIP IF: You need hookups/showers or want to be close to Gatlinburg.
- Tips Advice
- One of only two year-round campgrounds — a solid winter base.
- Watch for elk near the Oconaluftee fields at dawn/dusk.
- No showers in the park; nearest are in Cherokee.
- Store all food in your vehicle.
More details
- Park Area
- Oconaluftee / Cherokee side (North Carolina)
- Family Friendly Notes
- Roomy, relaxed setting with ranger programs and easy riverside trails make it accessible to families. No showers on-site (nearest in Cherokee, 4 miles).
- Review Summary
- Campers describe Smokemont as a roomy, relaxed riverside base and value that it stays open year-round. Reviewers highlight nearby elk viewing and the quieter North Carolina feel, while noting the standard park limits of no showers and no hookups.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Is Smokemont open in winter?
Yes. Smokemont and Cades Cove are the only two frontcountry campgrounds that stay open year-round, on reduced loops.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, book through Recreation.gov with a rolling 6-month window. Winter can be quieter but reserve to be safe.
Are there showers or hookups?
No. Flush toilets and cold running water only, no showers and no hookups anywhere in the park.
Will I see elk?
Often. Elk graze near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center about two miles away, especially at dawn and dusk.
Is it bear country?
Yes. Store all food and scented items in your vehicle and keep a clean site.
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.
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.
Recommended gear for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sources
- NPS - Great Smoky Mountains Camping
- Recreation.gov
- OpenStreetMap
- The Dyrt - Smokies Camping Guide
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.










