Tennessee Est. 1934

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mountains Forest River

522,427 Acres

12.1 million/year Annual Visitors

Free Entry Fee

April through June, October Best Time to Visit

Park Closure: Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail closed through May 28 +6 more

National Park Service National Park

Great Smoky Mountains became a national park on June 15, 1934. It is the most visited national park in the United States by a wide margin and the only one that does not charge an entrance fee, a condition written into the original land deed. The park protects one of the most biodiverse temperate forests on Earth.

When to Visit Fun Facts

Our Great Smoky Mountains Articles

Educational Resources

When to Visit Great Smoky Mountains

Read our seasonal guide

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Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month

High

Low

Crowds

Roads

Jan

47°

26°

Light

Open

Feb

51°

28°

Light

Open

Mar

60°

34°

Moderate

Open

Apr Best

69°

42°

Heavy

Open

May Best

76°

51°

Heavy

Open

Jun Best

83°

59°

Peak

Open

Jul

86°

63°

Peak

Open

Aug

85°

62°

Peak

Open

Sep

79°

56°

Heavy

Open

Oct

69°

44°

Peak

Open

Nov

58°

34°

Moderate

Open

Dec

49°

27°

Light

Open

Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)

Campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains

Abrams Creek Campground

$30/night

Abrams Creek Campground is located beside beautiful Abrams Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,125 feet (343 m), the climate...

16 sites Reservable Abrams Creek Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Balsam Mountain Campground

$30/night

Balsam Mountain Campground is surrounded by mountain ranges and streams. With an elevation of 5,310 feet (1,618 m), summer daytime temperatures rarely exceed 70°F (~21°C)...

43 sites Reservable Balsam Mountain Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

Big Creek Campground

$30/night

Big Creek Campground is located beside the beautiful Big Creek in a remote and secluded setting. With an elevation of 1,700 feet (518 m), the...

12 sites Reservable Big Creek Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Cades Cove Campground

$30/night

Cades Cove Campground—open year-round—combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. With an elevation of 1,807 feet...

161 sites Reservable Cades Cove Campground is open year-round. Loop B and parts of Loop...

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Cades Cove Group Campground

$35/night

Cades Cove combines the feel of primitive camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. A camp store provides visitors with basic...

3 sites Reservable Open mid-March through October 31st.

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Cataloochee Campground

$30/night

Cataloochee Campground is located in the historic Cataloochee Valley surrounded by mountain ranges and pristine streams. With an elevation of 2,610 feet (796 m), it...

27 sites Reservable Cataloochee Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Cosby Campground

$30/night

Cosby Campground is tucked in the mountains under a canopy of shade. With an elevation of 2,459 feet (750 m), Cosby provides a moderate climate,...

157 sites Reservable Cosby Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Deep Creek Campground

$30/night

Deep Creek Campground is located next to one of the park's most popular creeks. With an elevation of 1,800 feet (549 m), the climate is...

92 sites Reservable Deep Creek Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Elkmont Campground

$30/night

Elkmont Campground is the closest family campground to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. At 2,150 feet (655 m), winters are...

211 sites Reservable Elkmont Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Elkmont Group Campground

$53/night

These sites offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

4 sites Reservable Open late April until October 31st. Reservations required.

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Look Rock Campground

$30/night

Look Rock Campground is located along the beautiful Foothills Parkway West between Walland, Tennessee and Chilhowee Lake. With an elevation of 2,600 feet (792 m),...

68 sites Reservable Look Rock Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

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Smokemont Campground

$30/night

Smokemont Campground—open year-round—is the closest family campground to Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the South District of the park. At 2,198 feet (670 m), winters are...

142 sites Reservable Loops A and B of Smokemont Campground are open year-round. Loop C...

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Smokemont Group Campground

$50/night

Smokemont Group Campground—open May 9–October 31, 2025—is the closest family campground to Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the South District of the park. At 2,198 feet...

3 sites Reservable Campground closes seasonally. See below for exact dates of operation.

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