Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Camping opportunities include backcountry, front-country, group campgrounds, horse camps and RV camping. Inside the park and outside it, campers will find no shortage of recreational activities to occupy their time, from swimming and hiking to boating and mountain biking.
Backcountry Camping
Backpackers can hike several miles to reach sites in the National Park’s backcountry. Permits are free and available at the park’s visitor centers and ranger stations but are not available online. Some of the more popular campsites require advance reservations, so it is best to make inquiries before traveling. Tent camping is allowed, and there are also some shelters. The park provides detailed trail guides.
Front-country Camping
The National Park Service maintains 10 developed campgrounds. They have restrooms with flush toilets and cold running water but do not have showers or hookups. Fire grates and picnic tables are available. A few campgrounds offer hitch racks for horses.
Camping Outside the Park
Adventure Bound Camping Resorts is a full-service facility offering tent and RV camping and rustic cabin rentals. The resort has a 500-foot water slide and swimming pool. Other on-site features include a game room, horseshoes, pool table, volleyball and basketball. There are planned activities for children and a full host of guest services like laundry and email access. Special events are planned during peak season, like horseshoe tournaments, organized games, treasure hunts and crafts.
Smoky Bear Campground and RV Park has full hookups, tent sites and cabins. It has a heated pool, hot tub and playgrounds. A large clubhouse is free of charge to guests and can be used for family gatherings or special occasions. The campground regularly hosts live music events.
RV Camping
Twin Creek RV Resort is just two miles from downtown. It is so close to the city center that the resort offers a trolley that drives into downtown and also to Pigeon Forge and the Aquarium. There are full hookups, camper supplies and an on-site grocery store. The facility even has cable television and free Wi-Fi. There is a heated swimming pool and arcade, and it is near a championship golf course. Gatlinburg RV Park has similar facilities and offers a family atmosphere and tent camping.
Recreational Activities
Campers have a wide choice of activities to occupy their days. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States and is designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. There are ranger-led educational programs and informative visitor centers with interpretive exhibits. The Great Smoky Mountains offer mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, opportunities for wildlife viewing and miles of hiking trails for all ability levels. Many trails lead to large waterfalls and smaller cascades. The park holds more nearly 80 historic structures, including a large collection of log buildings and churches, barns, houses, schools and grist mills. Areas surrounding the park have whitewater rafting, golf and other recreational activities
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