Name: Collins Creek Picnic Area
Picnic Sites: 182
Pavilion: Yes – Seats 70 – To reserve see below
Hours: Closes at 8:00 PM from April 30 – August 31, 2022 and at sunset all other days.
Dates Open: April 1 – October 31, 2022
Directions to Collins Creek Picnic Area
From Oconaluftee Visitor Center: Turn onto Newfound Gap Road (US 441) and drive 4.9 miles toward Gatlinburg. The entrance to Collins Creek Picnic Area is on the left and is marked with signage.
Collins Creek Picnic Area Description
Collins Creek Picnic Area sits next to, you guessed it, Collins Creek. If you are into fishing, Collins Creek is a great place to drop a line in the water for Rainbow Trout. They are in abundance here. Make sure you have a fishing license if you do decide to fish; fines are steep.
RELATED: Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
With 182 picnic sites, Collins Creek is the largest of the picnic areas in the park. Each picnic site contains a picnic table and grill.
A large pavilion accommodates an additional 70 persons. Four charcoal grills and 15 picnic tables at the pavilion allow large groups to easily picnic together. Reservations for the pavilion can be made at Recreation.gov. A fee of $25.00 applies to the pavilion use.
Collins Creek Picnic Area Pavilion | Great Smoky Mountains National Park
As with all the grills in the park, charcoal must be the source of fuel. No wood fires are allowed.
Some of the picnic sites are handicap accessible.
Restrooms with flushable toilets and potable drinking water are on site, but they are not handicap accessible. Flush toilets open April 1 weather permitting.
Collins Creek Picnic Area is a beautiful place to relax, grill some burgers, fish for trout, or just take in the colorful spring wildflowers.
As in all areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need to be aware of black bears. If you see one of these beautiful animals, great! But do not approach it and NEVER feed a black bear.
RELATED: What to Do if You Encounter a Black Bear
Nearby Points of Interest
Mingus Mill and Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum are both historical places we recommend to everyone in the Cherokee area. Smokemont Riding Stables is just a short drive down US 441.
