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
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Rates, Sites & Availability
160 Sites Available
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Site Details
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160 Sites Available
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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
Sabrina B
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: B47, Loop: B:Generator Use
We arrived early on a Wednesday in July and spent the morning biking the loop. After an afternoon rest at our campsite, we did the loop again. It was a great way to plan the experience.
Sherry C
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: C76, Loop: Generator Free loop
We have been camping in the Smoky’s for years. And Cades Cove is one of our most favorite places. Our experience in the Mountains and the Cove itself is always a delight. However, the campground could use some maintenance. The bathrooms, were not maintained and could have been much cleaner. The dump station, does not have 3 complete stations, with fresh water, and/or water for flushing holding tanks. While we did see some improvements, from our last visit more meeds to be attended to.
We were shocked at the availability, of so many sites. I can only surmise, some of this is due to the lack of maintenance in the park. We realize the cuts in National Parks budgets make maintenance harder. I hope things will improve in this area in the future. We will continue to visit our beloved Smoky’s, we just hope things will improve.
Barbara E
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: C60, Loop: Generator Free loop
Close to Cades Cove Loop road. It was easy to ride to the Loop Road from my campsite, no parking problems on Motor Free Wednesday.
The campsite was very nice and the restrooms were clean.
Dan W
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: C07, Loop: Generator Free loop
No showers, cell coverage, or bear boxes - plan accordingly. Tent loop is quiet.
Michael A
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: B15, Loop: B:Generator Use
Love it! Just wish it had swer hookups.
juli T
VerifiedAugust 8, 2026 • Stayed at: C14, Loop: Generator Free loop
Lovely location. Campground clean, staff very nice and helpful
Robin B
VerifiedAugust 9, 2026 • Stayed at: C11, Loop: Generator Free loop
Rode my e-brike through the cove and had a wonderful experience. I will never go and sit in that traffic again! Campground was quite, my site was large, close to bathroom. Staff in office gave me wonderful tips for where to practice my photography and see waterfalls. One of my best trips to the Cove EVER!
Jiju Chacko L
VerifiedAugust 9, 2026 • Stayed at: B44, Loop: B:Generator Use
We enjoyed the camping.
Barbara T
VerifiedAugust 10, 2026 • Stayed at: B15, Loop: B:Generator Use
area is just wanted we were looking for. nice campground, clean area, quiet, and wildlife to see. the only thing that i noticed was there were a lot of poison oak/ivy.
Donnie W
VerifiedAugust 10, 2026 • Stayed at: B02, Loop: B:Generator Use
We made a quick trip and only stayed one night but the campground is great! Level sites and easy access.
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