Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It was a bit of a drive to the park and depending on traffic it could take a while. Otherwise it’s a clean and decent campground.

This place is awesome!! There is something like 150 sites but there was only 12 sites filled when we got there. We were in A20 and we had that whole side of A loop to ourselves. There is a stream that runs through the back of the site that our kids loved. One downside was that a assertive mother bear and her three cubs showed up at dinner time and would not leave. Despite yelling and banging pots she repeatedly came into our camp. Everything was perfect up until momma bear invited herself to dinner

Visited here in early may and let me tell you theres nothing like being immersed in the smoky mountain rainforests. The Cosby campground its self is very secluded in the northern part of the park and has a lot of different plots for people to pick from. The bathrooms are somewhat clean and the plots are a little close together although there are some that are farther away from each other. I highly recommend this campsite to all who want to be immersed in what the smokey mountains has to offer. It is also probably a 15-20 min walk to the Appalachian trail.

Arrived late, and our same day reservation had not gone through yet, so no tag awaiting us at the gate shack on arrival. Camped anyway in reserved spot and took care of the paperwork in the AM. Available water was not on site but at nearby restroom building at outdoor sink. Clean restrooms.

For visiting during the off-season in April I wasn’t expecting it to be so popular. Most people were quiet but there isn’t much privacy between sites. Only a handful of RV sites in loop A so hope you don’t get next to the generator happy RV campers like we did. Bathrooms are nice and cleaned daily. Showers, ice, and wood can be found at a little store up the road.

Clean, well maintained campground, spots are a little closer together than I prefer but still a nice campground. Clean bathrooms, lots of trails to explore.

I love the Smokies, but I can’t stand the throngs of tourists. Cosby campground solved this conundrum.

Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors. Backs up to a creek, but if you want a spot where you can play in the creek, choose A20.

Bathroom (no showers) and dish sink were an easy walk over.

Cute 1-mile trail for kids. Longer, more interesting ones if your travel companions aren’t whiny.

Drive in is a nice paved road, got our information on where our sites where from the Camp Host, Who was super informative. They don’t sell ice or firewood but there is small convenient store 100 yds away from the entrance to the Cosby campground. Disney land pricing for firewood but really Nice to have so close. The campsites are pretty close to each other, campsites are on both sides of the one way road, pretty full the weekend we went.

First night we got in around 12pm, set up our site, made drinks and did the 1 mile nature trail inside the campground, very nice and well maintained. Site B86 was so close but was the higher of the 2 campsites, and had flatter ground around the fire ring. We moved a tent over there for the first night to have extra space but ours did accommodate 3 tents, the rest of the stay. Friday went on a 10.2 mile hike leaving right out of the campground. We took the Appalachian Trail to Mt. Cammerer to an old fire tower built in 1956. The views on a clear day were absolutely beautiful. Third day, we went whitewater rafting down the street, on the pigeon river. Highly recommend going to the Tennessee Moonshine place down the street from the campground, Moonshine Slushes are the bomb, get the shine floater lol.

Stayed September 30- October 4th. Temperature was 68-72 degrees during the day, 58-65 degrees at night.

This place is great! It was very quiet and clean and peaceful. There was a good amount of space between the different campsites, and the bathrooms were very nice! This was my first time camping, and I'm sure a first trip can make or break it for a lot of campers, but I will definitely be venturing out again soon! This campground also has ♿ sites, which I somehow accidentally booked, so I can tell you it has a since smooth paved surface all the way up to the tent pad, the fire pit, and the bathroom. The picnic table has a section of seat removed from one side so a wheelchair can be wheeled up to it. Other sites have hills or steps between the tent pad, fire pit, and vehicle areas.

My days beforehand had been spent at Smokemont Campground and Cosby offers a completely different vibe while still camping within the national park’s boundaries.

It was quiet and outdoorsy and definitely did not have the hubbub of Smokemont with campers coming and going all the time.

There are plenty of trails to check out here, a really beautiful picnic area and the bathrooms are well maintained.

……..

It had drizzled on and off all day at Dollywood, but around 6 pm, the rain began again and I could tell it wasn’t going to let up this time. Which was fine because the park closed at 7 pm and I was already making my way to the exit anyway, but I hoped that by the time I reached my camp 25 miles and almost a hour’s drive away that the rain would’ve stopped. It didn’t. And there actually must’ve been more sustained downpours up there because everything inside my tent was soaked. Despite having a footprint, water was coming through floor and, despite having a rain fly, water was dripping in through ceiling. Directly onto my air mattress and sleeping bags. It was near dark at that point and there’s no way I could’ve cooked dinner, so I just zipped myself in and read myself to sleep as water softly dripped onto my face.

You never want to have one of these nights while camping, but you certainly don’t want to have one of these nights on your ✨last night✨ at a camp. I awoke the next morning to more rain. Cold, wet and frustrated, I de-poled my tent as quickly as I could, balled it all up and shoved it my trunk without an ounce of the care or concern that I usually put into packing up.

I was beyond over the rain, but as I was driving out of my loop, I told myself that I shouldn’t leave feeling this way, that I needed to make peace with the situation, so that the bad experiences didn’t cloud the positive ones (no pun intended!) when I looked back on my experience. So I pulled over to the group picnic area, which was large and most importantly ✨covered✨ to make myself some coffee. I wandered along the picnic grounds as I drank, listened to the stream and happily soaked in my final, gray morning in the Smoky Mountains.

Beautiful, spotless sites. Quiet and peaceful, surrounded by trees. Bear country- they are very strict about keeping food inaccessible- park rangers will fine up to 1,000 dollars. Enjoyed the local hikes, very close to Appalachian trail.

I wish there were showers, but Smoky Mountain NP has so many good hiking trails and some of them start in this campground. Even the easy 1 mile Nature Trail was beautiful.

This campground is in a remote part of the mountains but is very easy to find. My niece and I stayed here for 1 night recently and completely enjoyed the stay. You get a view of the mountains from the road, there is lots of hiking to be found, and plenty of water to enjoy hearing. One of the trails in the park takes you to a waterfall but first you must cross a cool log bridge over a rocky creek. 

This campground is located in bear county and they do a great job making sure that you are aware of this fact and know what to do. They provide bear-proof garbage throughout the grounds and every few campsites, has a bear-proof box that you can keep food in if you aren't traveling by a hard-shelled vehicle (their words). Bathrooms are readily accessible and are kept clean. They also have a place to clean your dishes outside the bathrooms so that all scents stay away from your campsite.

The night we stayed, it was very windy. Be prepared for this as the area is full of trees, it sounds like roaring at times even though it wasn't doing much at all. It wasn't stormy, just extra windy that night. This could be a little scary to kids who aren't prepared.

I lucked out and found a spot here for a night after arriving in Gatlinburg without a plan.

The corner kitchen just down the road had an excellent pulled pork sandwich on my way through.

Really cool hike up to Low Gap and onto the AT from the campground.

Campground itself had small restrooms and the tent sites were either above or below your parking spot (slight walk).

The Nature Trail had some beautiful spots to sit and relax right on the creek!

This was our first trip to the Smoky Mountains and what a beautiful way to see it. Beautiful grounds, friendly and quiet neighbors, and the sites were secluded. Trails all around!! We did a trail run in the early morning and came upon a rattlesnake at the top so just...like...be careful.

Sites are spread out nicely, beautiful trees all throughout. Plenty of trailheads to discover that have creeks and views very close (perfect for kids). Bathrooms amongst the cleanest I’ve seen at a campground. Plenty of wildlife around campground: fireflies, turkeys, moths, AT hikers, etc.

B loop is certainly better than A loop if you’re tent camping. I think all tent campers can agree that the further from those noisy RVs you can get, the better. RV sites listed on Recreation.gov

I was surprised when I showed up. I didn’t realize there was not a private pad to park a vehicle. If you plan on using a rooftop tent be prepared to park in the road. Facilities were nice and well maintained. Buy firewood beforehand. They do not sell it at the campsite. Hiking trails were awesome. Plenty for everyone including our almost 2 year old. Weather was nice, chilly at night.

Cosby is a less-well-known campground in SMNP. Most of the sites are tent-only, with a few, like ours, for trailers and no tent pad. The campground is laid out on a mountain slope, so the loops switchback up the hill. Even though you can see your neighbors, the varied terrain and trees help give some privacy. Our family loved the nearby 1 mile nature loop that followed a beautiful creek through tulip poplar groves. The bathrooms were tended nightly by rangers and stayed fairly clean, though no hot water or showers. We loved that the campground stayed fairly quiet so we could really enjoy being in nature. Our site was within easy distance of the toilet facility and dish washing station. We could see our neighbors left to right, but the loop above the hill from us was mostly blocked from view by a line of trees.

Spent 1/2 day hiking the trails and through the campground here. Observed Super camping sites in this less accessed entry point to the Smoky Mountains. I have this down for an actual stay here. Many wooded spots and close to waterfalls and phenomenal hiking. 40 minutes from Gatlinburg

My husband and I have been camping in the Smokies and surrounding areas for years. This is our favorite spot. Much quieter than the other campgrounds in the park. Several wonderful hikes right out of the campground.

Cosby Campground is a stunningly beautiful place to camp. Clean, bathrooms, very private sites. Mostly tent sites a few RV sites. But, No Electric, No Cell Service, and No Showers! What a good feeling to be totally disconnected. I literally could not check my messages, work emails, phone calls. No excuses.

Just out of a Totally off grid few days at Cosby Campground in Tennessee. We did a 5 mile hike up the side of a mountain, 2,300 feet in elevation gain, to Henwallow Falls that kicked our asses! Steep hills, mud, slippery rocks and roots, over narrow log bridges to get to the waterfall and then... back down. We are hurting today! But a good kind of accomplishment pain. We did it!

Our pictures are of site 88 and site 75. Two big RV spots for our tiny squaredrop camper. Remember, no power. We used out jackery 1000 for recharging small electronics the 5 days we were there. #88 was more private. But if we had to go again... we saw #93. Great Big and Private RV site in a corner. #AtlasJeeper @AtlasJeeper

After a careful amount of research I selected this campground as my destination and home for a couple days as I got acquainted with the Great Smoky Mountains. The campground itself is pretty immaculate. The NPS personnel are friendly, helpful, and professional. The trail right by my campsite leads directly to the Low Gap Trail, which is apparently the most difficult trail in the entire park (which I learned from a ranger on the way DOWN).

The park and staff are very serious about bears, for good reason. I can say I didn’t personally experience any sign, sight, or sound of one while I was there. I did come across someone on my hike who ran across one while hiking the day before. They’re definitely out there, so bone up on your preparedness and come equipped. I was alone, so I had a bear bell at my waist, ringing with every step.

Cosby is a neat little town. The prices at Janice’s Diner are crazy low, just make sure you bring cash.

Stayed here last year for a quick getaway and it was perfect for our needs

We had an great time. Several hiking trail heads start in the campground. The AT is also just a short walk from the campgrounds. Beautiful trees and wildlife! We met a bear. Would be 5 stars except for how far it is from Gatlinburg and the main areas of the National Park

I truly love this campground. It is for campers who want to get back to the basics. No electricity, no water hookup at the sites, and no sites that accommodate large campers or trailers. Instead, the campground offers beautiful scenery, lovely trails, and peace and quiet. If you’re not a “glamper” and you want to get away from it all in a rustic, peaceful atmosphere, then this is the place for you.

This is our favorite campground in the Smokies, we go here often.  FYI there are NO showers at campgrounds in the GSMNP.  There aren't any groceries stores near by so have what you need before.  There are a few small stores near the entrance.  There are way fewer tourist on the east side of GSMNP.  Chataloochee Valley is nice day trip to see all the Elk and historical buildings also really nice hiking.

Nice and peaceful as this campground is very private. In a beautiful spot on the she of the smoky mountains. Bring extra water and bug spray!

Cosby was a great campground. Sites did not seem too close with all the trees around. B loop is better than A loop but requires a reservation for most sites. Most sites have steps up or down to the site along the backside of B loop.

Some campgrounds in gatlinburg feel a little too crowded, not Cosby. I loved this site plenty of room, nice and quiet;  the only negative was the bathroom were dark which made me a little nervous at night but I am a little paranoid. Other than the bathroom not having electricity it was a great experience. I will say we stayed there at the end of 2017 so they may have update the bathrooms since then.

I was too early in the season to stay at Cosby (it doesn't open until id/late April), but I was exploring this area of the park and spent some time wandering through the campground. I wished i'd been there a few weeks later to enjoy this area. A beautiful river runs along the road into the campground and there is a picnic area and amphitheater for Ranger programs in season. Of all the no-frills campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this one falls on the more basic end of the spectrum and the low cost reflects it.

Unlike the more popular campgrounds where sites are practically on top of each other, Cosby’s sites are generally farther from each other, offering a little more privacy. Most of the sites are better suited to tent campers, though a few of them are designated RV sites offering a back-in parking pad. The parking at the sites is parallel to the road and then the picnic table, fire ring and tent pad are either above or below the parking area, sometimes a dozen stairs or more. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but you’re in bear country, so all food needs to be secured in your car when not in use. You won’t want to haul your cooler up and down a few times each day, etc. A few of the sites are small, with limited space around the picnic table and/or fire ring. The B loop seems steeper than the A loop. It also contains 3 group camp sites. As with other campgrounds in the park, bathrooms provide flush toilets and sinks with a dishwashing sink outside. No showers. Buy heat treated firewood outside the park or you can gather firewood in the park. No camp store here.

Several trails leave from the campground, including the popular Hen Wallow Falls trail. A beautiful river runs alongside the road into the picnic area and campground. The Roaring Fork Auto Road isn’t too far away, with hikes to more waterfalls and Mt. LeConte; Greenbrier is another starting point for hikes, including Ramsey Falls. There’s rafting available during the summer just outside the park. It’s about 25 minutes to Gatlinburg in the spring, probably longer during peak season . I wouldn’t make it my home base for a week-long visit to the Smokies, but it’s worth a night or two here to explore this side of the park, away from all the crowds. It’s at least 90 minutes from here to Cades Cove and that’s a spring, low crowd estimate; I can’t image how long it would take during peak season. 

100 of the 140 sites are online reservation only; if you have an RV you'll probably want reservations to be sure you get a spot that is optimized for an RV. No cell service.