Abram's Creek Campground

About

Abrams Creek Campground occupies a remote corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering solitude that busier park campgrounds cannot match. The 16 campsites sit alongside Abrams Creek at an elevation of 1,125 feet, where the moderate climate brings mild winters and warm, humid summers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Flush toilets and drinking water are available seasonally, but there are no hookups or showers. The campground serves as a gateway to excellent backcountry opportunities. Abrams Creek itself provides outstanding trout fishing, with fly fishing particularly rewarding during spring when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers. Hikers can access Abrams Falls via the Little Bottoms Trail, an approximately 8-mile round trip, though swimming at the falls is dangerous due to severe undercurrents. Chilhowee Lake lies less than 10 miles away for additional paddling and fishing. Access requires navigating a narrow, winding approach road that makes the campground unsuitable for large RVs or trailers longer than 12 feet. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Cell coverage is extremely limited, so book before arriving.

Directions

From the north: Take US-129/Alcoa Highway through Maryville, TN. Continue south on US-129 to mile marker 14.3 (Foothills Parkway exit). Proceed 0.5 miles past the Foothills Parkway and turn left onto Happy Valley Road. Turn right onto Abrams Creek Road, passing the Ranger Station. The campground is 0.5 miles beyond the station. From the south: Take US-129 north from where US-19/74/129 split near Robbinsville, NC. Near mile marker 14 in Tennessee, turn right onto Happy Valley Road (about 0.5 miles before the Foothills Parkway). Turn right onto Abrams Creek Road.