Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates160 total sites
RV Sites
127 sites
Tent Sites
33 sites
About Cades Cove Campground
Number of accommodations: 160
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
On Site Services
- General Store
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
160 Sites Available
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Site Details
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160 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (838)
What Guests Are Saying
Cades Cove Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting for camping, with well-maintained facilities and friendly staff. Many visitors appreciate the organized layout, cleanliness, and wildlife sightings, making it a favorite annual destination. While some concerns about bathroom maintenance and water access were noted, the overall experience is highly positive, especially for biking and nature enthusiasts.
What Guests Are Saying
Cades Cove Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting for camping, with well-maintained facilities and friendly staff. Many visitors appreciate the organized layout, cleanliness, and wildlife sightings, making it a favorite annual destination. While some concerns about bathroom maintenance and water access were noted, the overall experience is highly positive, especially for biking and nature enthusiasts.
Review Summary
Melisse C
VerifiedAugust 3, 2026 • Stayed at: C37, Loop: Generator Free loop
We love staying in Cades Cove! The campground is generally very peaceful in the generator-free loop and the camp store is convenient for treats or little items you may need, plus there is a bit of wifi to check weather and check in with people at home if needed. The rangers at the park office were all so helpful and fun to chat with during our recent visit! Plus, this is definitely the best place in the park for wildlife lovers. Tons of bears, deer, turkeys, snakes, birds, butterflies, salamanders, etc!
Jim K
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: B57, Loop: B:Generator Use
If you are into hiking Abrams Fall is a must! Being a moderate walk the beauty of the forest, streams make it all worthwhile.
Further, the Cades Cove loop is always a good time!
Samir K
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: C65, Loop: Generator Free loop
The traffic on the Cades cove loop needs to be improved upon by either having one more lane or a shoulder for cars to pull over. At the camp having a shower will also be very helpful.
Sonia J
VerifiedAugust 1, 2026 • Stayed at: B24, Loop: B:Generator Use
People were great-super friendly, but didn’t make up for bathrooms and dish washing area super gross. Clogged sink. All you see is dirt water. Floor had a layer of water, sinks super gross. Water fountain didn’t really work well, no water bottle option. We found water bottle at 1 of the picnic areas.
Bert B
VerifiedJuly 30, 2026 • Stayed at: C61, Loop: Generator Free loop
C61 held lots of water in a strong overnight rain. Small pond
Nancy C
VerifiedJuly 30, 2026 • Stayed at: C49, Loop: Generator Free loop
I loved my stay at Cades Cove campground. The site was clean and spacious. The bathrooms were cleaned and attended to on a regular basis. Fellow campers/neighbors were respectful of quiet times. But the best part was that I saw three bears who fortunately were also respectful of our space even though we were in their habitat. I can’t wait to return.
Mariel D
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: B39, Loop: B:Generator Use
This is a very peaceful campground. Lots of shade from huge tall trees. We saw turkeys in the campground, bears only while riding the cades cove loop.
Picnic tables were a smooth polywood surface with steel frame so easy to keep clean.
This made our wednesday morning bike trip on the loop super easy. We will definitely do it again!
Steve O
VerifiedJuly 28, 2026 • Stayed at: B14, Loop: B:Generator Use
Great time. Saw 14 bears, which was awesome. Some while biking, some while hiking, some while driving. Hikes were well marked, enjoyable. Historical sites interesting. Area was beautiful
Barbara S
VerifiedJuly 28, 2026 • Stayed at: C05, Loop: Generator Free loop
Checking in and out was so simple. Staff was very pleasant and smiling. Restrooms were stocked and maintained. Campground was excellent under normal conditions but we had a torrential rainstorm that definitely defined low areas that could be improved. Had a wonderful stay and already booked another camping trip. Thank everyone who makes our stay a great memory.
Sara E
VerifiedJuly 28, 2026 • Stayed at: C71, Loop: Generator Free loop
I like the quiet and privacy of the campsites. The sink for dishes was convenient. During our stay we were made aware of a bear but never saw it or heard anything more.
Location Cades Cove Campground
Address:
10042 Campground Drive
Townsend, TN, 37882
United States
Elevation: 579 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 52 min
11 mi drive to downtown Townsend (about 23 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite. *For additional park information call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm
- Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
- Caution: Bear Habitat! Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food and equipment used to prepare and store food (even when empty, and even if certified as bear resistant) must be kept in a sealed vehicle or camping unit of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. All scented items, as well as all water containers MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
- Dispose of garbage promptly in bear-proof dumpsters. This rule is strictly enforced!
- Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. Firewood Vendors. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Please visit firewoodscout.org for a list of available vendors near the park. Concessioners at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont will provide heat-treated wood for sale during their operating season. Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal. For additional information about these firewood regulations, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/frontcountry-camping
- Do not occupy any vacant site. If you have a reservation you need to KNOW your campsite number prior to arrival. Fires are allowed in fire rings only!
- There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park. Some accessible sites have a 5 amp electric hookup for medical equipment use only.
- Generator use is prohibited from 8PM-8AM. Generator use and the idling of engines to charge batteries is prohibited in C Loop whenever Loop B is open for camping. Once B Loop closes for the season then generators will be allowed in Loop C, with restricted hours, until Loop B reopens for camping.
- A maximum of 6 people may occupy a campsite. The park stay limit is 14 consecutive days. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded.
- A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
- Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
- Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds are the only campgrounds open year round and require a reservation. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance.
- You must check-in with the campground office staff UPON ARRIVAL to complete your reservation. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. This may result in a forfeit of your reservation. From November -April the campground office is intermittently staffed. You must be able to provide proof of your reservation upon request by park staff.
- Vehicle Free Day runs from the first Wednesday in May through the last Wednesday in September. No motorized vehicles will be permitted to enter Cades Cove Loop from sunset on Tuesday until sunrise on Thursday.
- Cancellation Policy for Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
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Last updated: September 9, 2026