Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels

jmpncsu
Reviews: 150

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

Cataloochee Group Campsite: Beautiful Campground in Cataloochee Valley

There are three group campsites at Cataloochee, each which camp accommodate up to 25 people. Since the three sites are very close together, we rented all three for our annual fall foliage trip and there was plenty of room for about 60 of us. The group sites have limited amenities - vault toilets (fairly nice and clean for vault toilets), tent pads (all tents must be on the pads), picnic tables, bear-proof garbage containers, and fire rings. There is no potable water, but there is a creek nearby to filter water or its a short drive to the individual campsites to get water. But the site is in a great location, nestled in Cataloochee Valley, just up the road from Palmer House. This area is home to elk and they're pretty common around the area, especially in the fall during mating season. Sometimes you can hear the elk bugling in the evenings. And since its possible to book all three sites, you can have a pretty large group altogether.

The location in Cataloochee Valley, near many historic old buildings and the elk. Also, having three group campsites together, it can accommodate a large group size. And its far enough away from anything that there's no need to worry about being reasonably noisy if you book all three sites.

Opinion of Price: least expensive
Related to: Camping, National/State Park
Written November 1, 2012

jmpncsu
Reviews: 150

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Cosby Campground: Cosby Campground

Cosby Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the northwest side of the park on the Tennessee side. There is a group campsite and over 150 individual campsites. A few of the sites takes reservations, but most are first-come first-served. Amenities include parking for 2 vehicles, a good size tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, restrooms with flush toilets and cold running water, and bear-proof dumpsters. The area is bear habitat, so all waste must be disposed of in the dumpsters and food must be kept in a closed car. The rangers strictly enforce this rule. You should also put anything else that might smell like food - deodorant, toothpaste, medicine, etc. - into your car. There are a couple trails that can be accessed from near the campground - the Low Gap Trail that leads to the Appalachian Trail, the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail, and the Gabes Mountain Trail that leads to Hen Wallow Falls. Just outside the campground is easy access to Cosby and Hartford, Tennessee. There are a limited number of gas stations and restaurants in the area as well as some attractions like whitewater and zip-lining.

Good location with easy access to areas near Galinburg, TN.

Opinion of Price: least expensive
Related to: National/State Park, Camping
Written August 11, 2012

Basaic
Reviews: 6698

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Various: Lodging in and Near the Park

I do not think there is any lodging available inside the park, but there are a variety of accommodations available in nearby towns. I stayed one night at an average Super 8 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and a very nice but a little expensive Comfort Inn in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Opinion of Price: N/A
Related to: Family Travel, National/State Park, Road Trip
Written December 27, 2011

Super 8, Gatlinburg, TN

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jmpncsu
Reviews: 150

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

Big Creek Campground: Big Creek Campground

Big Creek campground is one of several campgrounds within the park. It is conveniently located just a few minutes off I-40 near the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. There is a group campsite, individual campsites, and horse camp. The campsite has indoor bathrooms with flush toilets and running water. Someone got bit by a bear the previous weekend so rangers were onsite with a bear trap and tranquilizer guns, although we never saw the bear while we were there. The camp hosts and rangers were friendly and helpful.

The campground has easy access to some nice trails. The Big Creek Trail leading to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls runs through the campsite as well as the Baxter Creek Trail leading to Mount Sterling and the Chestnut Branch Trail leading to the Appalachian Trail and Mount Cammerer.

Opinion of Price: about average
Related to: Camping, Hiking and Walking, National/State Park
Written October 17, 2011

Toughluck
Reviews: 1707

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

Big Meadows campground: Central to the park

Heintooga Camp - Arriving at Campground (1959). The campgrounds are all modern, unless you hike into the backcountry.

Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Related to: National/State Park, Hiking and Walking
Written February 22, 2008

National Park Service Historic Photograph Collecti

richiecdisc
Reviews: 5866

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

LeConte Lodge: home, home on the range

Lots of the national parks have rustic old inns with huge stone fireplaces but how many of them have as their only in park accommodation wooden cabins accessible only by foot? Well, the LeConte Lodge fits that bill as the only non-camping facilities in the park. I unfortunately have never stayed here though every time I've seen it I say to myself "next time..."

Well, first off the fact that you have to walk a minimum of 5.5 miles to get there and that is the steepest of the five trails that will bring you there-The Alum Cave Trail. Once there you are in for a rustic but homey treat. The cabins feature kerosene lamps rather than electricity and outhouses rather than en-suite baths. Meals are served family style in the main cabin where a hearty fire will keep the chill off on those misty mountain nights.

Cabins are $93 per person per night but that includes breakfast and dinner.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Backpacking, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Hiking and Walking
Written August 8, 2007

a truly unique National Park lodge

bigorange1103
Reviews: 41

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Smokemont Campground: campgrounds

This campground is located on the NC side of the park off US 441. It boasts 140 sites and is located at 2200 feet in elevation. I stayed at this site in April and was in love!!! It was our first time ever to camp. The sites are located along a river and there are many trails to hike on. One trail takes you to a old ampitheater and church. It is open year round and prices range from $14-17.

Nice trails and large pads with fire rings and grills.

Opinion of Price: least expensive
Related to: Camping, National/State Park
Written July 15, 2005

Old church in campground

bigorange1103
Reviews: 41

Leconte Lodge: The only lodge in the park

Although I have not had the pleasure of staying at this lodge, I highly recommend it!!! It is only accessible by trail, about a 5mi hike. It has small cabins with no electricity. There are restrooms and they serve you dinner and breakfast. It is located on the top of Mt Leconte and has spectacular views!!! For reservations check link below.

The best views in town!!! Reservations are hard to come by. Try at least a year in advance!!!

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: National/State Park, Hiking and Walking, Camping
Written July 15, 2005

Rickman77
Reviews: 56

3 out of 5 stars User Rating

Shelters

The backcountry shelters stay booked up year round. Make sure you make reservations one month in advance to be safe. No less than two weeks in advance.

Opinion of Price: N/A
Related to: Hiking and Walking, Adventure Travel, National/State Park
Written May 3, 2005

Shelter

Stephen-KarenConn
Reviews: 2608

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

LeConte Lodge: On Top of Old Smoky

Karen is so wonderful. She actually got more of a kick out of staying in this rustic 10x10 cabin at LeConte Lodge than when we are at a Marriott or Hilton - and I did too. As we were being shown to our cabin by the friendly staff, a whitetail doe poked her head from behind the building and her two frisky spotted fawns ran out and frolicked in the sunshine.

Our cabin, # 9, was furnished with a straightback chair, a small table, an oil lamp, a propane heater, and a double bunk bed. Air conditioning isn't necessary since the highest temperature ever recorded on top of Mt. LeConte was in the high 70s. We were provided a galvanized bucket and a basin for sponge baths. The flush toilets were about 150 yards away.

Once when we were out for an afternoon hike we left a window open and a red squirrel entered, unzipped our backpack, and helped himself to some peanuts. We caught him in the act upon our return. At night the stars were brighter than we had ever known them to be, and the lights of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge could be seen a verticle mile below. The only sounds were the wind in the spruce and fir trees, and the creatures of the night. We didn't miss television at all.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Adventure Travel, National/State Park, Camping
Written July 8, 2004

Karen in Front of # 9 Cabin

Our Members Say

Cataloochee Group Campsite: Beautiful Campground in Cataloochee Valley

Cosby Campground: Cosby Campground

Various: Lodging in and Near the Park

Big Creek Campground: Big Creek Campground

Big Meadows campground: Central to the park

LeConte Lodge: home, home on the range

Smokemont Campground: campgrounds

Leconte Lodge: The only lodge in the park

Shelters

LeConte Lodge: On Top of Old Smoky

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