Cosby Campground

Beautiful campground with plenty of hiking and scenic views nearby.

The campground was quiet and peaceful, not anywhere near as crowded as Cades Cove campground which I was at earlier in the week. The campground is only a few minutes away from the town. My site (I was at B11) was pretty private, trees created a good barrier on both sides. The walk to the bathroom (which was pretty clean) was either a long way around on the roads or up a steep hill behind the site. Looks like most sites were pretty spacious. There are bear-proof dumpsters throughout the campground. There are multiple trailheads that leave right from the campground so I didn't need to leave and drive elsewhere to hike which was very convenient. I hiked to Hen Wallow Falls and I did the Cosby Nature Trail. I really enjoyed this campground - the quiet, less crowded feel is definitely more my style.

I love Cosby. This site is one of the more private ones. They could have moved the fire pit back some from the road, but overall, still a great site and location.

After spending 3 nights in Cades Cove campground, Cosby was a world away and completely different. Basic campground but pleasant and with hikes around that I had not done before. I didn't use the restroom as I have one in my rig. Able to get cell service out at the turn in to the campground by the GSMNP sign. At the site there was no AT&T or T-Mobile service even with a WeBoost.

Well maintained campground. Lots of scenic hiking trails - views from the mountains were impressive! Only improvement I'd recommend is to add showers. I'll be back!

First, the restroom doors are lacking a hydraulic closer, so every time someone used the restroom, the door made a loud bank when they entered and again when they left. Very annoying at 6:30 in the morning. The campground was half or more empty, I cannot imagine what the sound would have been like if it was full.

Second, there was a guy who was apparently an employee of the campground who pulled up in a ATV and without any introduction started hollering "You cannot do that!" and without any further explanation. I asked him to explain more than once before he told us that one wheel was slightly off the parking strip. I am not arguing that I was wrong, but he should have first introduced himself than explained the problem calmly. I believe his name was Robert.

I will not be returning to this campground again anytime soon.

Myself and my daughter and son were ready for an early night by time we’d arrived after hiking 20 Mile Ranger Station the two days before. We had plans for early start to Mt Cammerer. At 10:30 pm, after we’d fallen asleep, two cars and seven people pulled up to camp site next to ours and headlights and flashlights and getting on was like middle of day they built a big fire and set up three tents. They carried on well last 12:30 am. Was our bad luck they reserved this spot at last minute apparently. Plenty of open spots t/o campground and none taken next to us when we reserved. So, just a good ex of what can deal with at campground despite the guidelines. They packed up early and left trash all around site. They weren’t camping so much as just partying and blowing through. Not an issue of campground, right? In fact, I’m reserving again for June. Campground is nice and great hiking all around.

Campground was perfect and the hosts were great. Only problem was the maintenance man, I believe his name was Robert, he was very rude on our one encounter with him.

We stayed on the B loop of Cosby Campground last week and it was gorgeous! We have a hybrid trailer so did not use the bathrooms but the sites were arranged very well for privacy. Our site was surrounded by the woods with a small stream running down one side. It was clean and quiet with some trails coming right off the loop. We will definitely be back.

CHECK THE BATHROOM DOOR BEFORE YOU SET UP!!!
We arrived at Cosby for a 3-night vacation on B loop (April 19-21) only to find that the bathrooms were locked. We looked for a host but there was not one on the property... nor was there ever one during our stay. There was a phone number at the registration bldg., so I drove out of the campground to find service and called. It turned out to be the local law enforcement dispatch (nice guy) and I was told that they would pass on my message, but there was likely no one who would help that afternoon. There wasn't. A woman came through but didn't unlock the building. FIVE TIMES! Seems no one could find the key... ?
We gave up and left a day early with our vacation, while not ruined, really REALLY disappointing.

**There is nowhere close to buy the parking pass necessary for GSMNP as of this season - and when you drive to the pther side of the park they don't stick to your windshield so bring tape!**

I tried to contact the USFS, the National Park, and many other people to discuss this before writing this review, but no one could be bothered to get back to me. No one is reachable by phone and no one at GSMNP cares about an e-mail from a disgusted camper.