What are the fire rules at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Fire rules at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP: Campfires in provided fire grates only. Check nps.gov/grsm.

What is the best time to visit Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Apr–Jun: Spring wildflowers. Waterfalls at full flow. Sep–Nov: Fall foliage spectacular. Fewer crowds.

What are the best things to do near Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Near Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP: Mount Cammerer fire lookout tower (11 mi RT) — 360 views from a CCC-built octagonal stone tower. Hen Wallow Falls (4.4 mi RT) — most accessible significant waterfall in the eastern park.

Is there wildlife at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Wildlife alert for Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP: Black bears present throughout the park. Wild boar also present in Cosby area. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes in rocky areas.

What are the common problems at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

At Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP: Road to Cosby is narrow and winding. Solution: Use the Newport/I-40 route to avoid Gatlinburg traffic. GPS can route you through traffic.

What are the insider tips for Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Insider tips for Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP: Cosby is genuinely less crowded — you can often get sites with 1 week’s notice Use the Covent Bridge Road route from Newport, not the Gatlinburg approach, for easiest access

What makes Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP unique?

The Low Gap Trail to the Appalachian Trail — 4.4 miles from the campground to the AT crossing, almost never crowded. The crest views in both directions from the AT intersection are exceptional.

How do I book a campsite at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP is a federal campground — book at Recreation.gov (search "Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP"). Sites are released 6 months in advance and sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cosby-smoky-mountains to be notified the moment a site opens up.

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP

The quietest campground in the Smokies — far from the Gatlinburg crowds

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN4.7 (1342)2,459 ft

Share: X Facebook

Cell signal:

On the far eastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cosby is one of the most peaceful campgrounds in the Smokies. 157 sites in a secluded cove setting — far from the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge tourist corridor. Used as a starting point for hikes to Mount Cammerer (one of the best views in the park) and Hen Wallow Falls. Historically one of the least crowded campgrounds in the park despite being one of the largest.

Things to do nearby

Hen Wallow FallsMount CammererCosby Creek swimming holesMount Cammerer fire lookout tower

Best For

HikersFall foliage seekersSolitude seekersAppalachian Trail hikersPhotographers

Site Types

TentRV

Amenities

Flush toilets

Water

Picnic tables

Fire grates

Amphitheater

Cosby Creek swimming holes nearby

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Mid-March through November

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

Small rigs only (25ft max). No hookups. Bears are extremely active — strict food storage required. Cell service essentially zero.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard policy.

Why campers love Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP

The quietest of the major Smoky Mountains campgrounds — on the far eastern edge of the park away from the Gatlinburg tourist corridor. 157 sites in a secluded cove. Starting point for Mount Cammerer, one of the best summit views in the park.

What's new in 2026

Now fully reservable on Recreation.gov.

What campers say about Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP

"Came here because Cades Cove was full. It was way better. Trails to ourselves, quiet nights."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

"Mount Cammerer tower hike is one of the best in the park. Why is nobody here?"

— AllTrails reviewer

Not the right fit if…

✕You want main park attractions within walking distance — they’re 30+ minutes from Cosby

Frequently asked questions

How much does Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP cost per night?+

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP costs $17 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None.

What season is Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP open?+

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP is open Mid-March through November. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.

Does Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP have hookups?+

None.

What is the maximum RV length at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?+

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet long.

How do I make reservations at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?+

Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.

What is the cell service like at Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP?+

No service at the campground. Newport (15 miles) has full service.

How far is Cosby — Great Smoky Mountains NP from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Cosby — 2 miles

Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Own a campground nearby?

List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.

List your campground →