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State Park
Cosby Campground
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Cosby, TN
Verify with the state park system
State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.
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Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
Reserve or permit
- Reserve on Recreation.gov
Book a site directly with the operator.
Verify by phone or mail
- Address:Cosby, TN
About
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. More than 100 campsites are available at Cosby TN Campgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis and 26 campsites are available for advanced reservations. All campsites accommodate tents and, even when all reservation sites are booked, tent campers are likely to find a great site anytime except Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day weekends. RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends. Call (423) 487-2683 to check availability. This campground is usually quieter and without the hustle and bustle of the busier campgrounds. Come and give this campground a try! 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 Americas 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. Recreation: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hikers 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, its 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. Though some RV sites are available, 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 smores. The site offers modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water. Although 26 sites are reservable, an additional 131 sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 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. ACTIVITIES Historic & Cultural Site: Historic Sites Fishing Hiking Horseback Riding Visitor Center: Ranger Station Wildlife Viewing Day Use Area: Amphitheater
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Amenities
Showers
Flush Toilets
Dump Station
Accessible
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Trash Service
Pet Policy
Pets allowed on leash
Campground Rules
- Campfires generally permitted — verify current fire restrictions before lighting
In this park
Trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Cosby Campground
Trail
Davenport Gap Shelter via Appalachian Trail
North Carolina
1.8 mi787 ftgain
Moderate
Trail
Foxfire Mountain Trail
Tennessee
1.0 mi436 ftgain
Easy
Trail
Little Fall Branch Trail
Tennessee
0.9 mi276 ftgain
Easy
Trail
Max Patch Mountain
North Carolina
0.7 mi279 ftgain
Easy
Trail
Max Patch Loop via Appalachian Trail
North Carolina
1.5 mi331 ftgain
Easy
Trail
Pisgah Buckeye Ridge Trail
North Carolina
5.7 mi1,227 ftgain
Moderate
Nearby Campgrounds
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