Smokemont Group Camp

Campground · North Carolina · 3 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park) · Open Access

3
Bookable sites
up to 20
People per site
1
Accessible site
2,222 ft
Elevation
Bradley Fork flowing next to the group camp
Photo: Nick Hopper/NPS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunny group camp offers an ideal setting for camping excursions.

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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, this is America's most visited national park.

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, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.

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. The nearby Bradley Fork River provides a great place to splash in the stream or fish for trout.

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. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. 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.

Facilities

Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks. The campsites can accommodate up to 20 guests and provides tent pads, grills and fire rings. There is also a flat, grassy area that is perfect for group activities like football, volleyball or simply soaking up the sun.

Natural Features

Smokemont Group Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, blanketed in wildflowers during the spring and bursting with vivid foliage in the fall.

At 2,200 feet, Smokemont 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 pre-historic Paleo Indians to 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.

Nearby Attractions

The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located six miles away in Cherokee, North Carolina, provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Cherokee also provides grocery stores and fuel.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

The facts

  • 3 bookable sites
  • 1 accessible site
  • Up to 20 people per site
  • Loops: Loop D

Site types

  • 3 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

3 campsites at Smokemont Group Camp

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeMax rigPeople
G01Loop DGroup Tent Only Area Nonelectric—PavedSlight—20 🐾
G02Loop DGroup Tent Only Area Nonelectric—PavedSlight—20 🐾
G03Loop DGroup Tent Only Area Nonelectric—PavedSlight—20♿ 🐾

Getting there

There is no stree address for the campground.

From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) North 6 miles. Turn right at Smokemont campground sign.

From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) South 27 miles. Turn left at Smokemont campground sign.

35.55981, -83.31280 · 35°33'35.3"N 83°18'46.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F465159687580838278695849
Low °F262934425159636155433329
Precip in4.75.05.84.94.75.15.24.24.03.14.25.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Smokemont Group Camp

Can you reserve a site at Smokemont Group Camp?
Yes, Smokemont Group Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Smokemont Group Camp have?
3 sites.
Are pets allowed at Smokemont Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Smokemont Group Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Smokemont Group Camp?
Campfires are allowed at Smokemont Group Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Smokemont Group Camp

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.