Cosby Campground
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. Some RV sites also include a tent pad.
The group site has its own page: Cosby Group Camp.
More like this: reservable in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 134 |
| RV, no hookups | 23 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
157 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | A-Loop | RV | Back-in | 25 | Paved | None | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| A02 | A-Loop | RV | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| A03 | A-Loop | RV | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| A04 | A-Loop | Tent only | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| A05 | A-Loop | Tent only | 44 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| A06 | A-Loop | Tent only | 34 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| A07 | A-Loop | Tent only | 44 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| A08 | A-Loop | Tent only | 34 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||
| A09 | A-Loop | Tent only | 34 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| A10 | A-Loop | Tent only | 38 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). |
| Accessibility | Sites A57, A61 are listed accessible |
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. Some RV sites also include a tent pad. 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).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles south of the junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Campground is another 2 miles.
| Nearest town | Cosby, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35.7545° N, 83.2092° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends.
- Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Nantahala Outdoor Center ↗ | 17.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 26.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
video campground review of cosby campground located in The Smoky Mountains of tennessee
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Cherokee National Forest, which overlaps National Forests in North Carolina.
- inCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 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
- Tyson McCarter PlaceBuilding · Gatlinburg · 5.1 mi
- Shults Grove Methodist ChurchBuilding · Cosby · 5.3 mi
- Vinson HouseBuilding · Newport · 9.4 mi
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 climate, characterized 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 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 easily accessible from Cosby Campground, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail. 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.
Nearby
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.
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 Cosby Campground?
Sites at Cosby Campground 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 Cosby Campground?
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cosby Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cosby Campground have?
157 sites, including 134 tent-only sites and 23 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cosby Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Cosby Campground?
The site offers modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cosby Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cosby Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cosby Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cosby Campground?
Sites A57 and A61 are 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 Cosby Campground?
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 T
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cosby Campground?
Cosby, Tennessee. Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the campground, offers convenience stores and fuel.
Source: Getting there
What if Cosby Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cosby Group Camp (0.2 mi), Big Creek Campground (5.5 mi), and Big Creek Group Camp (5.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby