How much does camping cost at Smokemont Campground?

Camping fees at Smokemont Campground range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Smokemont Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Smokemont Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Smokemont Campground before I book?

Yes! Smokemont Campground has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Smokemont Campground?

Smokemont Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Smokemont Campground?

Smokemont Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Smokemont Campground have?

Smokemont Campground has 142 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Smokemont Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Smokemont Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Smokemont Campground?

Smokemont Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Smokemont Campground?

Popular activities at Smokemont Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Smokemont Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Smokemont Campground?

Fire policies at Smokemont Campground: Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Please visit www.nature.org/firewoodmap for a list of available ve. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.45

1.4K reviews

c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719, USA

Top 20% in NCFall

Great Hiking

Featured in:Camping Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park#2

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

142 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountains)Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

142 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountains)Official Website

Get Directions

Smokemont Campground

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

RV NONELECTRIC: $30.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $30.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9...

Standard Site Fee$30.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

828-497-9270

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Smokemont Campground

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Campground Map

c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719, USA

Smokemont Campground

c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719, USA

Nearby places

Cherokee, NC (6 miles, approximately 10 minutes)

Gatlinburg, TN (27 miles, approximately 45 minutes)

Bryson City, NC (15 miles, approximately 25 minutes)

Weather at Smokemont Campground

Current alerts(13)

A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
A maximum of 6 people may occupy a campsite. The stay limit is 14 consecutive days. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded.
A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag.
Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds are the only campgrounds open year round and require a reservation. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance.

Best Time to Camp at Smokemont Campground

Best season: fall. Fall delivers the park’s most dramatic scenery — crisp days, cool nights, and peak hardwood color along the Oconaluftee valley (mid-October is usually prime; daytime highs around 50–65°F, nights dipping into the 30s–40s). Hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing are at their peak as vistas and ridgelines blaze with maples and sourwood; expect more visitors and reserve sites in advance. Crowds concentrate on weekends and mid-October, but the weather and foliage make it the most rewarding time to Peak months: October, November, September, May

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 20% in NC

Fall is peak season; mid-Oct delivers prime leaf color along Oconaluftee valley.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Smokemont Campground

Smokemont Campground sits in the Oconaluftee valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, minutes from Cherokee. The National Park Service operates this large foothills campground along Bradley Fork River, where tent and RV campers use it as a base for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station.

Smokemont Campground supports a range of camping styles, including tent camping and RV camping. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at any site. The campground also includes specific loops for generator use and non-generator areas.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall delivers the park’s most dramatic scenery — crisp days, cool nights, and peak hardwood color along the Oconaluftee valley (mid-October is usually prime; daytime highs around 50–65°F, nights dipping into the 30s–40s). Hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing are at their peak as vistas and ridgelines blaze with maples and sourwood; expect more visitors and reserve sites in advance. Crowds concentrate on weekends and mid-October, but the weather and foliage make it the most rewarding time to Peak months: October, November, September, May

Elevation2200 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders the Bradley Fork River and spreads beneath towering tulip poplars, hemlocks, and dense rhododendron thickets. At this elevation, cove hardwood forests transition into higher ecosystems where northern and southern plant species overlap. Metamorphic rock formations and crystal-clear streams define the terrain. The surrounding ridgelines often disappear into the mist that gave the Smokies their name. Spring brings wildflowers to the forest floor, summer delivers thick green canopy, and autumn sets the hardwoods ablaze with color. Winter reveals mountain vistas through bare branches.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not offer lodging accommodations such as cabins or lodges. Camping facilities are focused on tent and RV setups.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural programs are available nearby, such as visits to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Oconaluftee Indian Village. These attractions are approximately 6 miles away.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 6 people per campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov online, via the mobile app, or by contacting the call center.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible sites for individuals with disabilities, though specific accessibility features such as paved paths or restroom adaptations were not detailed.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, accommodating tents and RVs of different dimensions. Some pull-through sites are available for larger RVs.

PrivacyThe level of privacy varies significantly. Many reviewers mentioned that campsites are close together, especially in the D loop. "The campsites are very close together with little privacy," said one reviewer.

Total Campsites142 campsites

Recommended SitesRiverfront sites in F Loop recommended for peace and proximity to water. A Loop sites offer easy restroom access.

Best CampsitesRiver-adjacent sites in F Loop offer the sound of flowing water and better scenery. Sites in D Loop sit closer together with less privacy. F Loop is RV-only, with some pull-through spots for larger rigs.

Need help booking Smokemont Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park. Some accessible sites have a 5 amp electric hookup for medical equipment use. TENTS are NOT allowed in Loop F in Smokemont Campground.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Smokemont Campground offers a variety of activities to suit nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and cultural exploration. The Bradley Fork River nearby provides opportunities for fishing and cooling off on hot days. Hiking trails, including the Smokemont Loop and Bradley Fork Trail, are accessible directly from the campground.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFirewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Please visit www.nature.org/firewoodmap for a list of available ve

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM

Trash & RecyclingBear-proof dumpsters are provided for trash disposal. Campers are required to secure their food and scented items to prevent wildlife encounters.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is not available in the campground. "There is no cell service anywhere in the park," noted one camper. Visitors are advised to plan accordingly.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

1.4K reviews

Recommended

Smokemont Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Smokemont Campground is highly rated for its natural beauty, proximity to hiking trails, and cleanliness. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the convenience of its location near Cherokee, NC.

Review Summaries

Based on 1426 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean restrooms, friendly staff, well-maintained campsites, and proximity to natural attractions like the Bradley Fork River and hiking trails.

Based on 1426 reviews

Common Concerns

Campsites are close together, leading to limited privacy. Noise from generators and other campers is a frequent concern. Lack of showers is a noted drawback.

Based on 1426 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

River-adjacent sites in the F loop are highly recommended by campers. Site-specific reviews praise the proximity to the stream but note that sites are close together.

Based on 1426 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

1. Reserve river-adjacent sites for a more soothing experience. 2. Bring bathing wipes or plan for off-site showers. 3. Purchase firewood and ice at the nearby horse stables. 4. Check generator rules...

Based on 1426 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during the summer and fall, with quieter off-season periods in winter. Winter campers appreciate the lack of crowds but note limited amenities.

Based on 1426 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Wonderful campsites that are well-maintained and cleaned. Bathrooms are nice and the atmosphere is pleasant." - Neko Robinson-Heim "There is a river stream that runs through the campgrounds and acts...

Based on 1426 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible sites are available, though specific user experiences about accessibility features were not detailed.

Based on 1426 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash. Campers appreciate the pet-friendly atmosphere, but some note issues with pet waste management.

Based on 1426 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a National Park Service campground near Cherokee with flush toilets, hiking trails, and fall color.

Skip if

You need shower facilities, private sites, or guaranteed generator-free quiet hours.

Nearby Campgrounds

c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719, USA

Smokemont Group Camp sits in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina, operated by the National Park Service. This small group-only facility offers streamside sites with flush toilets, a dump station, and access to park trails for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground enforces designated quiet hours and a strict no-show policy, with stays limited to 14 days during its seasonal operating window.