This page is the regional overview for the North Carolina side of the Smokies, part of our guide to camping in Western North Carolina. It covers the towns and park entrances on the NC side only (Cherokee, Bryson City, Oconaluftee and Deep Creek) and points you to the town guides for campground-level detail. If you are looking for the mountains east and north of the park, see the WNC Mountains region instead.
How camping is organized on the NC side of the Smokies
Camping around the park falls into two groups. The first is camping inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, run by the National Park Service. The second is private and tribal campgrounds, RV parks and cabin properties in the gateway towns, which set their own rules, seasons and booking methods.
The National Park Service says the park maintains developed frontcountry campgrounds at 10 locations and that advance reservations are required for frontcountry, group and horse campsites, made at Recreation.gov or by phone. The same page says Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds are open year-round. Of those two, Smokemont is the one on the North Carolina side. Our Smoky Mountain National Park camping guide covers the park campgrounds in more detail.
Cherokee and Oconaluftee
The National Park Service describes Oconaluftee as the southern gateway to the Smokies, next to Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary. Its page lists a visitor center, campground, picnic area and riding stable in the area, plus a self-guided Mountain Farm Museum and one of the park’s two main elk herds. The Museum of the Cherokee People sits next to the park.
The official Cherokee tourism site describes Cherokee as the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and lists campgrounds, RV parks and cabins among its lodging options. It also states that tribal fishing permits are sold at 28 locations or online, so anglers should check the permit rules before fishing in the area.
Our directory currently lists six campgrounds in Cherokee, including Balsam Mountain Campground, Indian Creek Campground, Mile High Campground, Happy Holiday RV Village, Round Bottom Horse Camp and Smokemont Group Camp. For how to choose between them, read the Cherokee camping guide.
Bryson City and Deep Creek
Bryson City is the other main base on this side of the park. Deep Creek is a National Park Service campground; its NPS page notes that park campgrounds are not gated, that late arrivals should keep quiet hours of 10 pm to 6 am in mind, and that pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet. The same page limits pet hiking to roads and designated trails.
Our directory currently lists four campgrounds under Bryson City: Grumpy Bear Camp Ground & Gem Mine, Sun Retreats Nantahala, Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground and Big Bear’s RV Park. Start with the Bryson City campgrounds guide, or go straight to the Deep Creek camping guide.
Higher-elevation park campgrounds: Balsam Mountain and Cataloochee
The National Park Service lists Cataloochee and Balsam Mountain as one area with a picnic area, two wooded campgrounds, scenic drives and trail access, and names Oconaluftee Visitor Center as the closest visitor center. It describes the Cataloochee Valley entrance as a winding gravel road with steep drop-offs and no guard rails, notes that Cove Creek Road is 11 miles from Highway 276, and says drivers may have to stop or back up to let oncoming traffic pass. That road description matters for trailers and larger RVs, so read the NPS page before you drive in.
Other guides for the Smokies area
- Smoky Mountains camping guide for the wider area.
- Stonebridge camping guide and Bear Creek camping guide for two named campgrounds readers often search for.
- Maggie Valley camping, a nearby town covered in the WNC Mountains region.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation to camp in the Smokies?
The National Park Service says advance reservations are required for frontcountry, group and horse campsites, through Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777.
Which Smokies campgrounds are open year-round?
The National Park Service says Cades Cove and Smokemont are open year-round. Smokemont is on the NC side.
How long can I stay?
The park-wide limit, according to the National Park Service, is 14 consecutive days and no more than 60 total days in a calendar year.
Are there showers in the park campgrounds?
The National Park Service says the park does not provide showers and that they are available in the communities around the park.
Can I bring a dog?
The National Park Service says pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and are allowed only on roads, the Oconaluftee River Trail and the Gatlinburg Trail.
Can I run a generator?
The National Park Service lists generator quiet hours as 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.
Seasons, road conditions, closures and rules change. For current information, check Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Recreation.gov, and confirm before you go.
