Name: Cosby Campground
Nearest Gateway City: Gatlinburg, TN
Elevation: 2,459’
Individual Camp Sites: 157
Fee: $17.50 per night
Dates Open: April 15 – October 30, 2022
Group Campsites: 3 (20 persons each)
Fee: $30
Dates Open: April 15 – October 30, 2022
Directions to Cosby Campground
Campers who want a remote and secluded campground need to consider Cosby Campground. This campground is located in the eastern area of the park about 32 minutes from Gatlinburg.
From Gatlinburg: Take East Parkway (US 321 North) 18.0 miles until you arrive at the “T” intersection. Turn right onto TN-32 South and go 1.2 miles to Cosby Park Road on the right. Turn onto Cosby Park Road and drive 2.3 miles to Cosby Campground.
DOWNLOAD: Cosby Campground Site Map
Cosby Campground Description
Cosby Campground is the third largest in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with 157 campsites. However, due to the remote location, it is not busy most of the time. The exceptions are Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, and Labor Day. During these holidays it gets crowded.
Beautiful hardwood trees surround the campground and wildflowers are in abundance in the spring. In autumn, the leaves are magnificent. You will not find a more beautiful campground in the park.
Cosby Campground is mostly traditional camping, with 139 “tent only” sites. Most are on a first-come-first served basis. Only 26 sites may be reserved.
Fifteen campsites are “recreational vehicles only”, and three more campsites accommodate RVs or tents.
Cosby Campground | Tent Only Site | My Smoky Mountain Guide
Tent-only sites have framed tent pads, a picnic table, and a fire ring with a cooking grate. RV-only sites have the same setup, minus the tent pad.
Individual campsites accommodate up to six persons. If you have more than six people, you need to reserve an additional site or a group site.
Cosby Campground has potable cold running water and restrooms with flush toilets. Just like all other campgrounds in the park, there is no electricity, showers, or water hookups.
Cosby Campground Restrooms | My Smoky Mountain Guide
A dumping station is located near the picnic area on the entrance road and is easy to access.
Cosby Group Campsites
Three group campsites are perfect for groups of 7 to 20 people. Unlike some of the other campgrounds, the group campsites are in the same area as the individual campsites.
If you have more than 20 people, you may use additional group sites. A maximum of 60 people in total may utilize the group campsites.
IMPORTANT: You must make a reservation for group campsites. You may make a reservation up to 12 months in advance.
Reservations and Registration
Only 26 campsites may be reserved, the other 131 are on a first-come-first-served basis. We recommend making a reservation for popular weekends or if you need a guaranteed space.
The fee for individual campsites is $17.50 per night. Reservations accepted up to six months in advance.
The fee for group campsites is $30.00 per night. Reservations accepted up to 12 months in advance.
IMPORTANT: Prices are subject to change. Additional fees, taxes, or discounts may be applied. Check with Recreation.gov for details.
Visit Recreation.gov or call (800) 444-6777 to make a reservation or get specific information about availability.
Nearby Points of Interest
The Cosby Picnic Area is just up the street from the campground. Non-campers, as well as campers, may use the picnic area. Gabes Mountain Trail is popular with day hikers and the trailhead is near the dump station just past the picnic area.
Two other trails have trailheads inside the campground: Snake Den Ridge Trail and Lower Mount Cammerer Trail.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is in the park just outside of Gatlinburg. This driving tour takes you through a historic farming community. Park your car and walk through old homes, barns, and other original structures before moving to the next spot on the tour.
