Great Smoky Mountains National Park — riverside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Cosby, TN, TN★ 4.4 (9 reviews)From $32/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this picnic pavilion creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Picnic pavilion is along Cosby creek. The picnic area is sheltered and accessible.
Best for:AnglersHikersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:Tent
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups.
PetsAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsFishing
Recreation
Picnic Tables
Family & Pets
Flush Toilets
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups—no hookups available at this site.✕ You prefer year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only.✕ You want to arrive without advance reservations—early booking is essential.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a popular federal campground with only 2 tent sites.
Wear footwear suitable for getting wet
creek crossings are part of nearby hikes.
Pay $5 for parking that is valid all day at any Great Smoky Mountain NP parking area.
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Bobcat, American Elk, Eastern Red Bat, Worm-eating Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Blue-headed Vireo, and Canada Warbler verified in the area.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
423-487-2683· Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Getting there →
Seasonal phone is 423-487-2683 From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles from junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Group camp is another 2.2 miles.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cosby Picnic Pavilion cost per night?+
Cosby Picnic Pavilion costs $32 per night. Hookup options: No hookups.
What season is Cosby Picnic Pavilion open?+
Cosby Picnic Pavilion is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Cosby Picnic Pavilion have hookups?+
No hookups.
What is the maximum RV length at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?+
Cosby Picnic Pavilion is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?+
Cosby Picnic Pavilion is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Cosby Picnic Pavilion is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Cosby Picnic Pavilion open, and what are check-in times?+
Cosby Picnic Pavilion is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$32 /night★ 4.4 (9)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Cosby Picnic Pavilion cost per night?+
What season is Cosby Picnic Pavilion open?+
Does Cosby Picnic Pavilion have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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