Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping

Smoky Mountains backcountry camping is not for the faint of heart. Beginners should do their research on all the rules and regulations. Proper clothing, food, water, and equipment are all musts. Food storage regulations are in place and should be followed for your safety. But if you're looking to spend some quality time in the great outdoors, Smoky Mountains backcountry camping might be for you. Don't forget to check out our Pigeon Forge campgrounds.

Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping

Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping

There are 88 backcountry campsites in the national park that you need a permit to use. Reservations are $4 per person per night with a max fee of $20 per person. At most campsites you cannot stay for more that 3 consecutive nights. Call the backcountry office any day at (865) 436-1297 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm for more info.

Rules & Regulations
Cades Cove
Site #NameElevation
1Cooper Road1200
2Cane Creek1320
3Hesse Creek1360
4Kelly Gap1930
5Rich Mountain3400
6Turkeypen Ridge3400
7Ace Gap1680
9Anthony Creek (12, 4h)3200
10Ledbetter Ridge (8, 8h)3000
11Bear Cane1530
12Forge Creek2600
13Sheep Pen Gap (15, 8h)4640
14Flint Gap2050
15Rabbit Creek1550
16Scott Gap1700
17Little Bottoms1240
Elkmont/Tremont
Site #NameElevation
18West Prong1600
19Upper Henderson2880
20King Branch2520
21Medicine Branch Bluff3780
23Camp Rock (12)3200
24Rough Creek (15)2860
26Dripping Spring Mountain4400
27Lower Jakes Gap3520
28Marks Cove3490
30Three Forks3400
Greenbrier/Cosby
Site #NameElevation
29Ottercreek (10)4560
31Porters Flat3400
32Injun Creek2280
33Settlers Camp1960
34Sugar Cove3240
35Gilliland Creek2680
Cataloochee/Big Creek
Site #NameElevation
36Upper Walnut Bottom (20, 20h)3040
37Lower Walnut Bottom (20)3000
38Mount Sterling (12)5820
39Pretty Hollow3040
40Big Hemlock3100
41Caldwell Fork3360
42Spruce Mountain5480
Oconaluftee
Site #NameElevation
44McGee Spring5040
47Enloe Creek (8)3620
48Upper Chasteen3320
49Cabin Flats3060
50Lower Chasteen Creek (15, 15h)2360
Deep Creek
Site #NameElevation
52Newton Bald5000
53EPoke Patch3000
54Nettle Creek2600
55Pole Road (15, 15h)2410
56Burnt Spruce2405
57Bryson Place (20, 12h)2360
58Nicks Nest Branch2360
59McCracken Branch2320
60Bumgardner Branch2120
Noland Creek
Site #NameElevation
61Bald Creek (12, 6h)3560
62Upper Ripshin3160
63Jerry Flats2920
64Mill Creek2540
65Bear Pen Branch2040
66Lower Noland Creek1720
67Goldmine Branch1840
Forney Creek
Site #NameElevation
68Steeltrap3960
69Huggins2800
70Jonas Creek2400
71CCC (12, 12h)2180
74Lower Forney1720
75Poplar Flats2800
Hazel Creek
Site #NameElevation
82Calhoun2720
83Bone Valley (20, 10h)2280
84Sugar Fork2160
85Sawdust Pile2000
86Proctor1680
Twentymile
Site #NameElevation
87Jerry Hollow (boats only)1720
88Pinnacle Creek2200
89Lower Ekaneetlee1880
90Lost Cove1760
91Upper Lost Cove2040
92Upper Flaats2520
93Twentymile Creek1880
95Dalton Branch2360
96Eagle Creek2880
97Big Walnut2400
113Birch Spring Gap (12, 6h)3680
Lakeshore
Site #NameElevation
72Gunter Branch (boats only)1720
76Kirkland Creek1770
77Pilkey Creek1800
78Double Island (boats only)1720
81North Shore1800
98Chambers Creek1720

Backcountry Permits

Before you obtain a permit, understand that you are responsible for the safety of everyone in your group. You must certify that you have adequately researched your trip and picked a site that is appropriately reachable for you and your group based on physical abilities, backpacking experience, travel route, and anticipate weather.

Backcountry Permits

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