Camping in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

A complete guide to camping in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, sunset over the Great Smoky Mountains, by J Hanabi

Photo Credit: J Hanabi

Overview

Gatlinburg sits at 1,918 feet in a narrow valley at the western entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town itself is a concentrated strip of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, but the camping radiates outward into the surrounding mountains and river valleys along tributaries feeding down from the Smokies.

Greenbrier Campground and Arrow Creek Campground provide riverside tent and RV sites in the mountain-forest setting between Gatlinburg and the park. Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort offers a more upscale experience with furnished accommodations and resort amenities. For RV travelers wanting proximity to downtown, Twin Creek RV Resort and Smoky Bear Campground sit closest to the main strip with full hookups and walking access to Gatlinburg's restaurants. Crazy Horse Campground and Adventure Bound Camping Resorts round out the private options along the river corridors.

Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Campground along the Little River is the largest developed campground on the Tennessee side, with 200 sites in a deep forest setting. Backcountry shelters and designated tent sites extend into the park's remote interior for backpackers. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Chimney Tops, and Alum Cave trailheads are all within minutes of town. The elevation difference between Gatlinburg and Clingmans Dome (6,643 feet) creates a 20-degree temperature swing that affects packing decisions for any camping trip based here.

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Weather & Best Seasons

Best months: April through June and September through October

Spring brings wildflower blooms through the Smokies, peaking in mid-April with over 1,500 flowering plant species on display. Summer is warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms common above 4,000 feet. Fall color peaks in mid to late October along the Blue Ridge, drawing the largest crowds of the year to both town and park. January averages 36 degrees in town but colder at higher elevations, with snow above 3,000 feet common from December through March.

Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Drive to the summit of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet. A half-mile paved trail leads to the observation tower with views extending 100 miles on clear days. The road closes November through March.
Hike the Alum Cave Bluffs trail toward Mount LeConte, passing through a natural rock arch and along exposed cliff faces with cable handrails. The full 10-mile roundtrip to LeConte Lodge is strenuous. The bluffs at 2.3 miles make a good turnaround for families.
Walk the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a one-way loop road through old-growth forest past historic log cabins, rushing cascades, and trailheads. Open March through November. No RVs or trailers permitted.
Fly fish for brook trout in the Little River, Middle Prong, and their tributaries within the national park. Brook trout are the only native trout species. No fishing license required inside the park. Catch-and-release on many streams.
Explore Cades Cove loop road for wildlife viewing and historic structures. An 11-mile one-way loop through a broad valley with black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey regularly visible from the road. Historic churches, cabins, and a working grist mill line the route.
Hike to Grotto Falls, the only waterfall in the Smokies you can walk behind. A moderate 2.6-mile roundtrip on the Trillium Gap Trail. The mist behind the falls drops temperatures 10 degrees on hot days.
Ride the Gatlinburg SkyLift and walk the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, for aerial views of the town and mountains without a hike.

Camping Tips for Gatlinburg

Elkmont Campground inside Great Smoky Mountains NP requires reservations months ahead for summer and October dates. It is the largest and most popular park campground on the Tennessee side, with 200 sites along the Little River.
Bear activity is high throughout the Gatlinburg corridor. All food, coolers, and scented items must be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers at both park and private campgrounds. Bears enter campgrounds regularly, especially at night and in early morning.
The Gatlinburg bypass (Highway 321) avoids downtown traffic congestion. Use it to access Greenbrier and the eastern park entrances. Downtown gridlock on summer weekends and October color weekends can add 30 to 45 minutes to short drives through town.
Pack layers for any time of year. The 20-degree difference between town elevation (1,918 feet) and high-country trails (6,000+ feet) means conditions change within a single day hike. Rain gear is useful year-round in the Smokies.
Synchronous firefly viewing in Elkmont (late May through early June) requires a lottery entry through Recreation.gov. The event draws thousands of applicants for limited vehicle passes. It is the only place in North America where synchronous fireflies display.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation or entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The park does not charge an entrance fee, making it unique among major national parks. No timed entry permit is required. Parking tags are required at some trailheads. Campground reservations are separate and required at developed park campgrounds. Backcountry camping requires a free permit from the park office.

How crowded is Gatlinburg during fall color?

Very crowded. Mid to late October is the busiest period of the year. Downtown traffic backs up for miles. Campgrounds fill months ahead. The Cades Cove loop road can take three hours to complete instead of one. Early morning starts and weekday visits help significantly. The Roaring Fork and Greenbrier areas see less congestion than Cades Cove.

Which campground is best for families near Gatlinburg?

Greenbrier Campground offers riverside sites with a family atmosphere and proximity to the park boundary. Camp LeConte provides a more resort-style experience with organized activities. Inside the park, Elkmont has 200 developed sites with river access and trailheads. Twin Creek and Smoky Bear suit families wanting walking access to downtown attractions.

Are there bears in Gatlinburg campgrounds?

Black bears are highly active in the Gatlinburg corridor and regularly enter both park and private campgrounds. The park estimates 1,500 bears live in the Smokies. All food, coolers, and scented items must be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers. Never approach or feed bears. Bears that become habituated to human food are eventually euthanized.

What is the synchronous firefly event at Elkmont?

For two weeks in late May through early June, synchronous fireflies perform a coordinated light display in the Elkmont area of the national park. It is the only location in North America where this species displays. Access requires a lottery entry through Recreation.gov, with a shuttle from a remote parking area. Demand far exceeds supply.

Spring	Mar-May	61°F	49°F	Spring brings wildflower blooms through the Smokies, peaking in mid-April with over 1,500 flowering plant species on display.
Summer	Jun-Aug	78°F	66°F	Summer is warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms common above 4,000 feet.
Fall	Sep-Nov	61°F	49°F	Fall color peaks in mid to late October along the Blue Ridge, drawing the largest crowds of the year to both town and park.
Winter	Dec-Feb	44°F	32°F	January averages 36 degrees in town but colder at higher elevations, with snow above 3,000 feet common from December through March.

Camping in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Overview

Weather & Best Seasons

Featured Parks in Gatlinburg

Greenbrier Campground

Arrow Creek Campground

Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort

Smoky Bear Campground and RV Park

Nearby National Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park