Is Cades Cove Group Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Cades Cove Group Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cades Cove Group Campground before I book?

Yes! Cades Cove Group Campground has 19 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.

Are there showers at Cades Cove Group Campground?

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

How many campsites does Cades Cove Group Campground have?

Cades Cove Group Campground has 159 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Cades Cove Group Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cades Cove Group 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 Cades Cove Group Campground?

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

Cades Cove Group Campground

4.46

671 reviews

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Top 20% in TNFall

Great Hiking

Featured in:Group Camping Tennessee RV Camping Tennessee Mountain Camping Tennessee +10 more

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

1,726 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

159 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

1,726 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

159 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Cades Cove Group Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(865) 448-2472GRSM_Smokies_Information@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Cades Cove Group Campground

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Nearby places

Maryville (22 miles, approx. 40 minutes), Townsend (9 miles, approx. 15 minutes), Pigeon Forge (approx. 1 hour)

Weather at Cades Cove Group Campground

Best Time to Camp at Cades Cove Group Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the clearest reward at Cades Cove — crisp, comfortable days (typically highs in the 50s–60s°F, nights in the 30s–40s°F) and the valley’s peak color usually in late October into early November. Deciduous ridges light up and wildlife (deer, black bears, turkeys) are especially active as daylight shortens, making mornings and late afternoons excellent for viewing and photography. Expect higher weekend crowds during peak color, so plan weekday visits or early starts for quieter roads and Peak months: October, September, November, May

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 20% in TN

Fall foliage, mild temps and peak wildlife activity make fall the best season per reviews.

Planning Tips

About Cades Cove Group Campground

Cades Cove Group Campground sits in a historic valley within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, operated by the National Park Service near Gatlinburg. The foothills setting offers tent, RV, and primitive group sites with flush toilets, a dump station, and potable water. Visitors come for wildlife viewing — deer, black bears, and turkeys are common — and biking the scenic loop road, especially during fall color season.

The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping. It is a front-country campground offering a mix of standard and basic amenities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the clearest reward at Cades Cove — crisp, comfortable days (typically highs in the 50s–60s°F, nights in the 30s–40s°F) and the valley’s peak color usually in late October into early November. Deciduous ridges light up and wildlife (deer, black bears, turkeys) are especially active as daylight shortens, making mornings and late afternoons excellent for viewing and photography. Expect higher weekend crowds during peak color, so plan weekday visits or early starts for quieter roads and Peak months: October, September, November, May

Elevation1726 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a broad valley surrounded by forested ridges characteristic of the Smokies' ancient geology. Streams flow through the area, and the surrounding mountains create microclimates that support diverse plant and animal life. White-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys frequent the valley floor, especially at dawn and dusk. Deciduous forests cover the ridgelines, shifting from spring wildflowers to summer green to fall color displays in late October and early November.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodging accommodations such as lodges or cabins within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesInterpretive programs are held at the amphitheater, providing educational insights into the park's natural and cultural history.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of six people.

Groups

The group campsites accommodate up to 20 people each and are designed for tent-only camping.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilitySome accessible sites are equipped with 5-amp electrical hookups for medical devices. The sites are wheelchair-accessible and located near accessible restrooms.

Site SizeSites are relatively compact and close together, offering limited privacy. Most tent pads measure 16x16 feet.

PrivacyReviews indicate limited privacy due to the proximity of campsites and lack of undergrowth between sites.

Total Campsites159 campsites

Recommended SitesCorner sites near bathrooms are preferred for easy access. Loop C allows generators during restricted hours.

Best CampsitesLoop C sites offer closer proximity to amenities and better wildlife viewing opportunities, according to camper feedback. Most tent pads measure 16x16 feet.

Amenities available

Cades Cove Campground combines primitive camping with modern conveniences such as flush toilets and potable water. The campground also features a camp store offering bike rentals and basic necessities. There are no hookups or showers available in the campground, but a dump station is provided. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The nearby Cades Cove Loop is a highlight, offering scenic views and access to trails.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

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.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

671 reviews

Recommended

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

Cades Cove Campground is popular for its scenic location and proximity to the Cades Cove Loop. Reviews highlight the abundance of wildlife, though some note the lack of showers and crowded conditions as drawbacks.

Review Summaries

Based on 671 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 671 reviews.

Site C17Loved
Site C17 is a favorite for its proximity to wooded areas and a nature trail.
Site C30Loved
Site C30 is noted for being near the bathroom but less scenic.

What Campers Love

Popular for its scenic views and wildlife sightings. Visitors appreciated the camp store and biking opportunities on the loop road.

Based on 671 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the lack of showers and crowded camping sites with minimal privacy. Some also mentioned high prices at the camp store.

Based on 671 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Book early to secure a spot during peak seasons." "Bike the loop early in the morning to avoid crowds." "Bring your own soap as it’s not provided in the restrooms."

Based on 671 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall receive the most positive reviews due to mild weather and vibrant foliage. Summer reviews often mention the heat and crowded conditions.

Based on 671 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Camping in Cades Cove makes it easy to drive the 11-mile loop road early in the morning and at dusk, the best times for sighting wildlife." "The lack of showers can be frustrating in summer, but the...

Based on 671 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible sites with 5-amp electrical hookups for medical equipment were appreciated. Accessible restrooms were noted as functional but could benefit from additional maintenance.

Based on 671 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times. Reviews suggest bringing waste bags as these are not always provided.

Based on 671 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

You're organizing a group trip for wildlife watching and fall color in the Smokies and can manage without showers.

Skip if

You need shower facilities or prefer secluded sites away from neighboring campers.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.4

(1286)

Cades Cove Campground

10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN, 37882

Cades Cove Campground sits in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, operated by the National Park Service with direct access to the scenic Cades Cove Loop. The valley is known for wildlife viewing and car-free biking days, with a generator-free loop for quieter stays. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and primitive camping, with amenities including flush toilets, a dump station, and an on-site camp store.