Smoky Mountain Vacation

Smoky Mountains Camping

The Great Smokies has campgrounds that have negative amount of places to take showers or electrical current for you to use.This is in a wilderness backwoods setting that draws many people for tent setup, and those who desire back to nature camping.

To be exact there are 10 of these campgrounds scattered within the Smoky area. Some are very large, others much smaller.And one great plus is that you have a choice of elevations down to 1000 feet, or go up to heights around 5000 feet.There’s limited reservations however:

Elkmont which is very large (largest in park)
Smokemont is moderately large
Cades Cove is one of the very popular family camps,always full in warm summer weather.

The others offer no reservations, only if you beat the crowds will you find a camping area. The following is a brief update on the 10 camping areas so you’ll know the height, and a bit of info to choose your campground…

Big Creek

I mention Big Creek first because of the lack of room, as it is the smaller of all 10 campgrounds. It has a full forest and tent only setting with solitude and peaceful quiet, away from the other busy parks and town crowds. There is quite a distance between sites to camp. If you need a place to fish, hike or even swim, away from the busy schedule this is for you.

Abrams Creek

Let me mention that during the summer months, it usually gets fairly warm, (hot), here which is a great excuse to swim or pull out the tube while camping. There’s great hiking and fishing in Abrams Creek, surrounded by pine and hemlock forest. You’ll find it very quiet, and a favorite for the local folks.

Cosby

A nugget that many people have not yet discovered is this vast camping area here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Hardly ever full, even during the busy season, so if you want to get away from the hustle bustle rush and enjoy a camping vacation full of privacy, come here. Just listen to what’s here…

A fire tower restored with stone and wood, overlooks that’ll take your breath away, old growth trees and of course the fascinating waterfalls.

Cades Cove

A family camp that is almost always full during the summer months, especially on week ends, and very active during the week. You’ll find the camp sites closer than others, but there’s lot of great things to do. The 11 mile loop road for bicycles, plus many trails lead off from Cades Cove, such as Upper Abrams Creek, as well as Forge Creek for hiking and angling.

Look Rock

This campground height is 2600 feet, in a beautiful forest of oak and pine on Chilhowee Mountains, and hardly ever has a filled crowd of campers. Riding your bike, however, is about all you can do here. If you have an RV, or love your peace and quiet with a feel of solitude, away from civilization, then you’ll love this.

Elkmont

If you like big campsites, you’ll enjoy Elkmont. Actually this campground is the parks largest camp area, drawing those who do camping in tents, as well as all kinds. You can fish, hike, or if you just want to come here and do nothing, this is your place. Gatlinburg is not that far away should you need anything the campground doesn’t have.

Smokemont

The campground here is not far from Cherokee North Carolina. It is large and very lovely, with fishing and hiking along the Oconaluftee River. You can get on Newfound Gap Road to get to Cherokee.

Cataloochee

Very high mountains and historic sites - however the large crowds are not here, nor are the RV’s because of the dirt roads and tough access. You’ll enjoy bicycling here, as well as hiking, and of course touring the old structures. And yes,there’s great fishing here. This is probably one of the most lovely campgrounds with tall stately pines reaching up to the sky.

Deep Creek

Being close to Bryson City, you trout fishermen will love this, as well as going tubing. Known for it’s family activities, this is a campground neither too large or small. The warm week ends will see this camp fill and the great woods filled up with walkers enjoying the secenery. There’s a “Road To Nowhere”, which leads to watersheds close to Fontana. This is quiet and peaceful if you’re wanting that too.

Balsam Mountain

The height here is 5300 feet, lined with Spruce-Fir forest. You’ll find the camp areas fairly close, but you’ll have plenty of privacy.There’s only one hiking trail and a car is needed to do more.The Blueridge Parkway is very close here and many areas of the park can be reached from here.