Cosby Campground

Great Smoky Mountains

COSBY CAMPGROUND in Great Smoky Mountains — photo 4

Cosby Campground

Great Smoky Mountains

About this campsite

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 clima

Location

COSBY CAMPGROUND•TN

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Common questions about COSBY CAMPGROUND

Is COSBY CAMPGROUND free to camp at?

Yes. COSBY CAMPGROUND in TN is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book COSBY CAMPGROUND online?

We hold no online booking link for COSBY CAMPGROUND, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is COSBY CAMPGROUND?

COSBY CAMPGROUND sits in TN. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

300m away

COSBY GROUP CAMP

Overview Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade beside Cosby Creek. This group campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. 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 also popular activities. White water rafting on the nearby Pigeon River. Top tourist towns of gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge are just 20 miles away. 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. Facilities Cosby Group Camp provides campers with a secluded environment for traditional tent camping. There are three group sites (one accessible site) that can accommodate up to 20 visitors each. 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. The nearby Cosby Campground offers reservable sites and first-come, first-serve sites for smaller groups or overflow. 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. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cosby never disappoints. At 2,460 feet, Cosby Campground provides a moderate climate, typified 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 settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts, which 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. Charges & Cancellations Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

1.9 km away

COSBY PICNIC PAVILION

Overview Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this picnic pavilion creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Picnic pavilion is along Cosby creek. The picnic area is sheltered and accessible. Just across the parking area is an accessible restroom. 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, 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 also 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 during the right time of year. 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 Picnic Pavilion can accommodate up to 55 guests and offers a covered eating area, multiple grills, flush toilets and other modern amenities, making it an ideal location for a party or family get-together. The pavilion may be reserved for a morning or evening block, so visitors who wish to use the area for a full day should reserve both time slots. 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 Picnic Pavilion provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachian. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts, which tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home. Nearby Attractions Cosby Picnic Pavilion is a day-use only facility, however the nearby Cosby Campground offers overnight camping. Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the pavilion, offers convenience stores and fuel. Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the picnic area, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more. Charges & Cancellations Customers who cancel a day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.