Which Campground To Choose In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A Local’s Opinion On The Best Campground In The Smokies
Unlike many national parks, the only lodging option within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is to camp in one of their campgrounds.
Two of the largest campgrounds are found in the Tennessee side of the national park: Elkmont Campground and Cades Cove Campground. Both are great options with Ranger Programs and good accessibility to trails. Not sure which one is right for you? We have camped extensively at both and offer our pro’s and cons of each. Here’s the breakdown:
Elkmont Campground In The Smokies
Elkmont’s campsites seem a bit more private and the setting more remote with lots of trees and rhododendron. The Little River runs right through it creating a nice background noise when you fall asleep at night.
It’s also more centrally located to other points of interest in the park such as Metcalf Bottoms, Sugarlands Visitor Center, and Newfound Gap. Another bonus is that you can hop on the trolley to pop over to Gatlinburg for a meal. Although it’s the larger of the two campgrounds, it seems less crowded than Cades Cove.
Pros- What We Like About Elkmont Campground
Walk-in campsites for tent campers
Trailhead access to Jake’s Creek Trail and Little River Trail
Trolley access (small fee) to Sugarlands Visitor Center, Laurel Falls Trailhead, and the town of Gatlinburg
More centrally located--closer to Newfound Gap if you’re interested in hikes like Alum Cave, Charlie’s Bunion, the Chimneys, Andrews Bald, etc.
An ice cream vending machine (my kids think it’s magical)
Cons
Reserve way ahead of time to get a river site
No showers, but Cades Cove doesn't have showers either
See our simply awesome blog “Everything You Wanted To Know About Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park” to learn all the details.
Cades Cove Campground In The Smokies
The best thing about Cades Cove Campground is not the campground itself but its amazing proximity to one of the most beautiful (and visited) areas of the park, which is both a positive and a negative.
It sits adjacent to the 11-mile, one-way loop road around Cades Cove which offers spectacular views, historic buildings, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. That being said, it attracts lots of cars and visitors to this area of the park.
Although it offers more amenities (horseback riding, bike rentals, General Store), the campground itself is not as nice as Elkmont as most sites are close together and offer little privacy. It seems better suited to RV camping.
Pros- What We Like About Cades Cove Campground
Its location next to beautiful Cades Cove
Trailhead access to Anthony Creek Trail, Abrams Falls, and John Oliver Cabin Trail
Great sunrises and sunsets from Cades Cove (a photographer’s dream)
Bike rentals at the camp store. The 11 mile loop road is closed to cars on Wednesdays May-September. This is really the only time you should consider biking it as it is too congested otherwise and is a pretty miserable experience.
Visitor Center on site
Horseback riding
Nice picnic area
Wildlife watching (deer, bears)
General Store
Cons
Lots of car traffic and people
Limited privacy
More open-- not as much developed understory beneath the trees
Tucked away from other points of interest in the park
See our simply awesome complete guide to Cades Cove Campground including best tent sites and more.
Conclusion
I would choose Elkmont for an overall great camping experience while visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This is my hands-down winner.
However, I would consider Cades Cove Campground for the added convenience of biking the Cades Cove Loop without cars on a designated car-free day and photographing its amazing sunrises and sunsets.
*DON’T FORGET YOUR PARKING PASS!* As of March 2023, you will need a parking pass to park anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center. Passes are $5 for the day, $15 for the week, and $40 for a year. They are not transferable either, meaning you will need one for each car you plan on driving into the park. The GSMNP website has lots of details and FAQ about the new parking passes. These new passes will help pay for some much needed maintenance throughout the park, including at rest areas and campgrounds. You won’t need a parking pass to park at your campsite in either Elkmont or Cades Cove, but you will need a pass if you take your car anywhere else in the park.
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