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Cosby Campground
NPSNational Park Service — Cosby · Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| Location | Cosby · Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · 35.75455, -83.20925 · Map |
| Sites | 157 public sites counted from the federal listing — 134 tent only nonelectric; 23 rv nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 157 sites Water hookups at 0 of 157 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 157 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 157 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 30 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 19 sites · 30 ft: 1 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 157 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking waterFlush toiletsWater spigots |
| Phone | 423-487-2683 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-23.
From the official listing
Overview Back country camping in a developed front country campground.
Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer. This campground is usually quieter and without the hustle and bustle of the busier campgrounds.
All campsites have a fire ring, picnic table and several trees. Tent pads are 16ft x 16ft. RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends. Some RV sites also include a tent pad. View map and site descriptions to find the perfect site or companion sites for you and your family!
All sites in Cosby Campground are available by RESERVATION ONLY NO CASH ACCEPTED AT CAMPGROUND OFFICE
ADA sites: A57, A61; G3 RV only: A01-03, A21, A23, A36; B48, B75, B88 RV w Tent pad: A17, A20, A25, A28, A57; B93 Van/Compact camper w Tent: A11; B20,B34-35, B58 (**These sites do not accomodate RVs)
To ensure a site, reserve online (same-day reservation available). To make reservations by phone call 877-444-6777
Recreation Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Cosby Campground, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail.
Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. Facilities Cosby Campground provides campers with a secluded environment for traditional camping. Cosby is mostly a tent campground, with plenty of shade and tent pads at each site, along with fire rings, grills and tables, perfect for family meals and late night s'mores. The site offers modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water. Some RV sites are available and there is a dump station at the campground.
Tent pads are 16ft x 16ft. RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends. Some RV sites also include a tent pad. View map and site descriptions to find the perfect site or companion sites for you and your family!
ADA sites: A57, A61
RV only: A01-03, A21, A23, A36; B48, B75, B88
RV w Tent pad: A17, A20, A25, A28, A57; B93
Van/Compact camper w Tent: A11; B20, B34-35, B58
To ensure a site, reserve online (same-day reservation available). To make reservations by phone call 877-444-6777
RESERVATION ONLY- NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE CAMPGROUND OFFICE
Natural Features World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.
At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home. Nearby Attractions Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the campground, offers convenience stores and fuel.
Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the site, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
Directions, from the listing
From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles south of the junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Campground is another 2 miles.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Cosby TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceCosby Picnic Pavilion
1 mi straight-line · Cosby TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceBig Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
5 mi straight-line · Gatlinburg TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceGreenbrier Picnic Pavilion
10 mi straight-line · GATLINBURG TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceBalsam Mt. Campground
13 mi straight-line · Gatlinburg Tennessee
Trip Card — Cosby Campground
Cosby · Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Cosby · Tennessee · Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| Fees | Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to excee… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 30 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 157 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232479 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.