National Park Service · North Carolina
Smokemont Group Camp
National Park Service · North Carolina, United States · in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 with water, 3 no hookups
- Season
- May 8 to October 31
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- Yes
- Laundry
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,306 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Nearest town
- Cherokee
- Address
- Mailing address is c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719
- Phone
- 828-497-9270 OR 865-436-1261
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Museums, Ranger Station, Wildlife Viewing
3 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this sunny group camp offers an ideal setting for camping excursions.
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, this is America's most visited national park.
Recreation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails, including The Smokemont Loop Trail and the Bradley Fork Trail, accessible from the camp. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. The nearby Bradley Fork River provides a great place to splash in the stream or fish for trout.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Facilities
Smokemont Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience with the added convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks. The campsites can accommodate up to 20 guests and provides tent pads, grills and fire rings. There is also a flat, grassy area that is perfect for group activities like football, volleyball or simply soaking up the sun.
Natural Features
Smokemont Group Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, blanketed in wildflowers during the spring and bursting with vivid foliage in the fall.
At 2,200 feet, Smokemont provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the pre-historic Paleo Indians to early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Nearby Attractions
The adjacent Smokemont Campground provides additional camping facilities for smaller groups.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located six miles away in Cherokee, North Carolina, provides cultural and historical information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Cherokee also provides grocery stores and fuel.
Charges & Cancellations
Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
Fees
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 29° | 8° | 65° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 56° | 36° | 19° | 73° | 7 of 11 |
| March | 63° | 43° | 6° | 76° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 47° | 32° | 82° | 1 of 11 |
| May | 75° | 58° | 42° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 80° | 64° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 68° | 60° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 67° | 59° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 79° | 63° | 51° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 70° | 48° | 33° | 80° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 60° | 41° | 19° | 73° | 2 of 10 |
| December | 53° | 35° | 20° | 68° | 6 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Smokemont Campground · National Park Service · 0 mi · 142 sites
- Tow String Horse Camp · National Park Service · 2 mi · 3 sites
- Round Bottom Horse Camp · National Park Service · 7 mi · 5 sites
- Balsam Mountain Campground · National Park Service · 8 mi · 43 sites
- Balsam Mt. Campground · National Park Service · 8 mi · 43 sites
All public campgrounds in North Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-14. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.