Walk up site Great Smoky Mountains

The FALL COLORS are sure popular in that time period...

I always thought the WALK-IN assignments at ELKMONT was only associated with the tent sites along the outside perimeter along the outer roads (B21-B36). When you look at the main map for ELKMONT CAMP all of the inner camping spots are numbered. We always shoot for F8...
ELKMONT CAMP MAP

I know at ELKMONT CAMP the line at the check-in station is always a long one during that time frame when we was camping there... This is a first class group at the check-in station - I know they will bend over backwards to get you setup... When the site ranger comes around and has coffee with you, you know you are in good hands...

You might want to check out TOWNSEND camp grounds just outside the Townsend Entrance to the Natl Park as well... Two or three of those camp grounds are situated along the same river that the ELKMONT CAMP inside the park is on...

Roy Ken

Thanks Roy

New NPS cost saving procedure. Save on coffee expense by finding a friendly camper with a full coffee pot. Carry your own cup, and look desperate.

Townsend is a good alternative...... if you can get in a park. The fall season here is one of the busiest. Check out campgrounds east of Gatlinburg towards Cosby on rt.321 also as a couple of them border the park and have access to some trails. If you do tent camp, even in the Elkmont or Cades Cove campgrounds, be certain to follow the food storage precautions to reduce the chance of attracting bears. They have been very active this year.

Might be a good idea to call the Park office first to get their opinion. They are familiar with the loading during busy seasons, and can usually give you a good idea of what to expect.

By first week of November color is gone, sure campsites would be available.

I think you'll find many of the public campgrounds in that area are either closed or, if open, all sites are walk up only (no reservations taken) that late in the season. Smokemont is a NPS facility just outside Cherokee that's open then and will likely have sites available.

Also, as noted above, the leaves will be pretty much gone by then.

Sevierville, TN and most campground are open here and around this area Pigeon Forge but leave won't long and rain here sure hasn't been helping either better hurry make up you minds.

I didn't have trouble finding campgrounds closed in Pigeon Forge in February. I don't think that will be a problem.