Summary
- Fall camping in the Smoky Mountains offers stunning foliage, cooler weather, and a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy.
- Recommended camping spots like Elkmont, Cataloochee, and Cades Cove provide well-equipped amenities, beautiful surroundings, and opportunities for hiking and wildlife sightings.
- With affordable costs per night, travelers can experience a peaceful retreat in campgrounds like Balsam Mountain and Abram’s Creek, or enjoy modern amenities at Greenbrier Campground.
When leaves change color and chill sets in, travel enthusiasts know it’s time to get ready for an amazing fall camping trip in the Smoky Mountains. From wildlife scenery and serene trails to captivating cultural sites and breathtaking panoramic views, the Smoky Mountains are a nature lover’s paradise.
Not only is it one of the best places to see fall foliage in the world, but it’s also home to a variety of activities that people of all ages can enjoy. Camping in the Smoky Mountains in the fall lets travelers enjoy the cooler weather without flies, mosquitos, and other bugs. Tourists also enjoy sitting beside a fire, cooking fall foods, and learning almost everything travel enthusiasts don’t know about the Smoky Mountains.
Compared to people who spend a few hours in this region, campers have the time to appreciate the beauty of the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. Out of all the spots to pitch a tent, here are some of the recommended camping spots and best campsites in the Smoky Mountains in the fall for the ultimate autumn getaway.
10
Elkmont Campground
A small village up in the mountains in Gatlinburg, USA
Elkmont Campground is among the best spots for fall camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; it’s a well-equipped campsite in the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg with 5-amp hook-ups, picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. It’s also home to a well-stocked campground store, vending machines, and a thriving forest with surrounding activities like hiking and fishing.
Elkmont is also one of the best campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains for group camping because it comfortably fits 15 to 30 people in each secluded site. While the campground store might seem small for some tourists, it’s well-stocked. It has peanut butter, ice, break, camping gear, and more.
- Location: Elkmont Campground Rd A, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $25- $27
9
Cataloochee Campground
A field and green trees at Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
The Cataloochee Campground is one of the rustic camping spots in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with various amenities. The campground is located in a remote area with rough terrain, so RVs longer than 32 feet and trailers longer than 25 feet are not allowed. There is also a narrow and curvy entrance road.
Popular activities at the Cataloochee Campground include bird watching, backpacking, backcountry fishing, nature trails, mountain biking, and historic site seeing. The campground also offers a traditional camping experience with no hookups or showers.
- Location: Cataloochee Entrance Road, Waynesville, North Carolina
- Cost per night: $25
8
Cades Cove Campground
A grassy field with a fence at Cades Cove in Tennessee, USA
Cades Cove Campground is one of the most beautiful places to camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s a popular spot for RVers and families but may not be ideal for some backpackers. Tent camping is also available for those who want a more adventurous experience.
The campground has several amenities, including drinking water, flush toilets, and a camp store. Wildlife sightings in the campground are common, and travel enthusiasts may see turkeys, bears, foxes, otters, deer, and raccoons.
There are also several hiking trails near the campground, including the Abrams Falls Trail—a 5-mile round-trip hike to a beautiful waterfall.
- Location: 10042 Campground Dr, Townsend, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $25
7
Big Creek Horse Camp
Horse grazing in a field in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Located near the Big Creek Group Campground, about 16 miles from Newport, Tennessee, Big Creek Horse Camp is a horse-dedicated campground in the Smoky Mountains that offers stunning views and challenging trails for riders.
There are several trails to choose from, with varying levels of difficulty. This makes the camp a good option for riders of all levels.
The campsite itself has flush toilets and drinking water, which is not always the case at horse camps in the Smoky Mountains. The camp is also close to the Appalachian Trail, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the US for hikers and backpackers.
- Location: 15 Big Crk Pk Rd, Waynesville, 28785, North Carolina
- Cost per night: $17.50
Visitors must have a horse to camp at Big Creek Horse Camp.
6
Cosby Group Campground
A flame on a firepit in Tennessee, United States
For those seeking a serene camping experience in the Smoky Mountains, the Cosby Group Campground is an ideal choice. Located beneath a vast, protective canopy, this front country campground offers a haven of tranquility from the bustling crowds. This makes it a perfect retreat for those searching for a calmer and more peaceful environment.
The camping season at Cosby Group extends from late March through late October, subject to annual variations.
- Location: Cosby Entrance Rd, Cosby, 37722, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $17.50
5
Smokemont
A dirt road surrounded by tall trees and greenery in Cherokee, USA
With over 800 miles of trails, Smokemont Campground is one of the best camping spots in the Smoky Mountains in the fall; it offers beautiful fall scenery with various amenities.
The trails here range from easy to challenging, and there are also opportunities for picnicking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Whether looking for the best places for wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains or fascinating wildlife like bears and deer, consider visiting Smokemont for a wild retreat encountering the region’s creatures.
Travelers will also see over 4,000 different types of plants in this region. Some amenities on the site include fire rings, tend pads, tent campsites, grills, and RV-ready sites.
- Location: Smokemont Campground Rd A, Cherokee, 28719, North Carolina
- Cost per night: $25
4
Anthony Creek Horse Camp
A stream between trees at Tremont Road in Townsend, United States
Anthony Creek Horse Camp is a primitive campsite near the rolling waters of Anthony Creek in the Smoky Mountains. It’s a popular destination for horseback riding enthusiasts because riders need an hour to get through the gate.
While there are no water/electricity or shower hook-ups at the campsite, it’s surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are also many opportunities for fishing and hiking, but there are also several do’s and don’ts when hiking and camping in the Smoky Mountains to be aware of.
What’s more, this epic Smoky Mountains campsite is near the Cherokee Indian Hunting Grounds, which offer a glimpse into the region’s history.
- Location: Antony Creek Trail, Townsend, 37882, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $23
3
Balsam Mountain Campground
A person walking on rocks in Black Balsam Knob, United States
Balsam is one of the best places to go camping in the Smoky Mountains in the fall (or at any time of year) because it allows travel enthusiasts to witness elk – especially in the spring and fall seasons.
Situated at 5,300 feet, it becomes a perfect locale for observing wildlife and embarking on serene nature strolls. Such strolls lead tourists through cascading waterfall areas and magnificent vistas.
Balsam Mountain Campground is quite modest in terms of facilities but is a superb spot to stay and enjoy comfort while camping in the Smoky Mountains in the fall. Outside one’s tent, a brief and rejuvenating trek, the Flat Creek Trail, awaits, which guides travel enthusiasts to splendid scenes of the Smoky Mountains.
- Location: Cherokee, 28719, North Carolina
- Cost per night: $17.50
The restroom facilities at this campground are said to lack lighting, necessitating flashlights and extra batteries.
2
Abram’s Creek Campground
Abrams Creek near Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Abram’s Creek Campground is a secluded campsite in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s open from late April to mid-October and only allows tents. The campground has flush toilets and drinking water but no electricity hookups.
Campers must follow a few rules at Abram’s Creek Campground. For instance, the maximum number of people per campsite is six, and campers can’t stay at the camp for over 14 days consecutively.
- Location: Abrams Creek Campground Rd, Tallassee, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $17.50
Generators are not allowed to be on between 8 PM and 8 AM, and there are quiet hours between 10 PM and AM.
1
Greenbrier Campground
Firewoods on fire at night at Greenbrier in Gatlinburg, TN, USA
Greenbrier Campground is one of the best getaways in the Smoky Mountains for those looking to enjoy all home amenities while still outdoors. The campsite has sewer, water, and electric hookups, so tourists can stay connected to the modern world without worrying about generators.
Every camp has 50/30 Amp and 110 outlets, meaning tourists can power some of the most demanding appliances. In addition to hookups, Greenbrier also offers complimentary Wi-Fi. The campground has a badminton court, cornhole pits, a volleyball court, and horseshoe pits.
- Location: East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Cost per night: $45- $125
