Tennessee / Cocke County / Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cosby Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Scheduled to reopen April 18, 2025. All sites require advance reservations.

About

Cosby Campground is a peaceful, secluded front country campground located at 2,459 feet elevation in the northeastern section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Often referred to as the quieter side of the Smokies, Cosby offers visitors a tranquil escape with all 157 sites nestled under a canopy of cool shade. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table, with tent pads measuring 16 x 16 feet. RV sites are available but less common, accommodating vehicles and trailers up to 25 feet on paved roads and driveways. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the park's extensive trail system, with over 800 miles of maintained trails nearby. The Appalachian Trail is just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail. Visitors can enjoy backcountry fishing in mountain streams teeming with trout, wildlife viewing with approximately 1,500 black bears living in the park, and exploring over 90 historic log structures including houses, barns, churches, and grist mills that showcase Southern Appalachian culture. The campground provides flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station during the operating season, but no hookups or showers are available.

Directions

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.

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