Smokemont Group Camp
Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunny group camp offers an ideal setting for camping excursions. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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, this is America's most visited national park.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Smokemont Campground, 142 sites, is next door.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · tent only in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G01 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 5 | ||
| G02 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 5 | Yes | |
| G03 | Paved | Partial | 20 / 5 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): 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. |
| Accessibility | Site G03 is listed accessible |
Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks. The campsites can accommodate up to 20 guests and provides tent pads, grills and fire rings. There is also a flat, grassy area that is perfect for group activities like football, volleyball or simply soaking up the sun.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
There is no stree address for the campground. From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) North 6 miles. Turn right at Smokemont campground sign. From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) South 27 miles. Turn left at Smokemont campground sign.
| Nearest town | Cherokee, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.5598° N, 83.3128° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.
Charges and 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.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Bryson City Outdoors ↗ | 11.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 32.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 0.6 miCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oconaluftee Baptist ChurchBuilding · Cherokee · 0.5 mi
- Messer BarnBuilding · Gatlinburg · 10 mi
- Clingmans Dome Observation TowerStructure · Bryson City · 10.4 mi
Natural features
Smokemont Group Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, blanketed in wildflowers during the spring and bursting with vivid foliage in the fall. At 2,200 feet, Smokemont 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 pre-historic Paleo Indians to 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 hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. 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. The nearby Bradley Fork River provides a great place to splash in the stream or fish for trout. 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. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Nearby
The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located six miles away in Cherokee, North Carolina, provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee also provides grocery stores and fuel.
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Smokemont Group Camp?
Sites at Smokemont Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Smokemont Group Camp?
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): 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.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Smokemont Group Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Smokemont Group Camp have?
3 sites, including 3 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Smokemont Group Camp?
Smokemont Group Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Smokemont Group Camp?
Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Smokemont Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Smokemont Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Smokemont Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Smokemont Group Camp?
Site G03 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Smokemont Group Camp?
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, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. The Recreation section on
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Smokemont Group Camp?
Cherokee, North Carolina. The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups.
Source: Getting there
What if Smokemont Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Smokemont Campground (0.2 mi), Tow String Horse Camp (1.7 mi), and Round Bottom Horse Camp (6.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby