Cosby Campground
The Quick Take
Cosby is the Smokies' best-kept secret campground, and regulars would prefer it stay that way. While most visitors fight for spots at Elkmont or Cades Cove, Cosby sits on the quieter eastern side of the park under a dense hardwood canopy that keeps summer temps noticeably cooler than the valley campgrounds. The trade-off is real: no showers, no flush toilets, and cell service is effectively nonexistent. But what you get in return is a campground that actually feels like camping — deep shade, the sound of Cosby Creek, and neighbors who tend to be experienced outdoors people rather than weekend warriors with Bluetooth speakers. The amphitheater hosts ranger programs that draw small, engaged crowds. Choose Cosby if you want the Smokies without the theme-park atmosphere, and you don't mind driving twenty minutes to reach the nearest shower.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 157 sites are reservable.
Book at Great Smoky Mountains LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Accessible paths to restrooms and parking areas. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Campfires are permitted only in fire rings.
- Generators:Quiet hours are 10 pm-6 am.
Pro Tips
Cosby is the trailhead for Hen Wallow Falls, a gentle two-mile hike that's perfect for a morning stretch before breaking camp. It also connects to the Appalachian Trail via the Low Gap Trail, so through-hikers sometimes wander through — a good excuse to keep extra water on hand for trail angels.
Bear activity here is no joke. The food lockers at each site are mandatory, not decorative. Pack a headlamp you can clip to your hat for those midnight bathroom trips, because the walk from some sites to the vault toilets is longer than you'd expect in the dark.
Book midweek in late September or early October for peak fall color without the crowds. The elevation means foliage hits Cosby a week or two before the lower campgrounds, and you'll have your pick of sites when the rest of the park is still packed with leaf-peepers.
Photos
NPS Photo/L. Ball
NPS Photo/L. Ball
NPS Photo
