Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights10 sites open for every nightA forested campground near trout fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Most campsites have no hookups, and RV fit varies by site.
The lake is the focal point for activity: anglers fish for trout, walleye, several kinds of bass, bream and crappie, while boaters, canoeists, swimmers and even personal watercraft users find ample water to explore. Trails begin nearby Wauchecha Bald Trail starts easy before getting steeper and eventually provides a route to the Appalachian Trail so hikers can layer short lakeside walks with longer ridge outings.











Length limits vary by campsite.
Limited electric sites.
Showers on site.
Check dates on Recreation.gov.
| Site | Fr 13 | Sa 14 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 13 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 01 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 14 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 02 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 12 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 03 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 06 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 08 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 05 standard nonelectric |
Hookups (individual campsites): 6 electric, 17 no-hookup individual sites.
1373 THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN ROAD
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Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the Recreation.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.
Themes from recent written reviews on Recreation.gov. Quotes are verbatim.
“We loved the serene setting, the privacy, the cleanliness of the park and the cleanliness of the showers and bathrooms.”
Verbatim from guest reviews on Recreation.gov ↗ (84 reviews, ★ 4.0). Not written or edited by us.
“Nice campground, beautiful lake. The bathrooms are clean, the reserve sites have electric hook up. We would come again”
| – |
| $20 |
| 11 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 16 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 10 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 17 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 09 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 15 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 07 standard nonelectric | – | – | $20 |
| 23 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
| 22 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
| 19 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
| 21 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
| 18 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
| 20 standard electric | – | – | $25 |
✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights10 sites open for every night
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights4 sites open for every night
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights8 sites open for every nightAn idea to start from, built from this campground's listing and real tours nearby. Times, openings and prices change, so check each before you go.
Longer tours — plan travel time before and after.
Explore Cades Cove as you drive the 11-mile loop road. Along the way, discover historic homesteads, churches, an active grist mill, and scenic vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Beginning in today's Elkmont Campground, this walking or driving tour will allow you to explore the rich history of the area that led to the birth of tourism within and the establishment of Great…
Source: National Park Service. Tours are in the free NPS App.
Rentals that may deliver here and whose listed length fits sites up to 40 ft. Delivery may be available — confirm fees and dates with the owner before you book.

Travel trailer · 36 ft · sleeps 10 · 96 mi from campground
$119/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available
View rental
Fifth wheel · 39 ft · sleeps 10 · 108 mi from campground
$150/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available
View rental
Travel trailer · 37 ft · sleeps 10 · 163 mi from campground
$175/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available
View rentalPaid experiences on Viator. Distances are from this campground when the tour lists its own start point.

31 mi · 2 hr · from $123/person

31 mi · 2 hr · from $40/person

31 mi · 3.5 hr · from $55/person

31 mi · 1.3 hr · from $46/person
Mountain Farm Museum, behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch
Cades Cove Orientation Shelter (before the entrance to Cades Cove Loop Road)
Source: National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Photos link to nps.gov and are credited to their photographers.
For July weekends, book about 146 days ahead. Three in four July Friday and Saturday arrivals were booked later than that, and half were booked 77 days or less before arrival. Past timing is guidance, not a guarantee of what is open now.
| Arrival month | Fri/Sat arrivals: half booked at least | A quarter at least | Other days: half booked at least | A quarter at least |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 25 days ahead | 67 days ahead | 31 days ahead | 79 days ahead |
| May | 76 days ahead | 120 days ahead | 38 days ahead | 85 days ahead |
| June | 93 days ahead | 145 days ahead | 38 days ahead | 102 days ahead |
| July | 77 days ahead | 146 days ahead | 61 days ahead | 137 days ahead |
| August | 52 days ahead | 114 days ahead | 30 days ahead | 92 days ahead |
| September | 38 days ahead | 94 days ahead | 29 days ahead | 76 days ahead |
| October | 42 days ahead | 92 days ahead | 32 days ahead | 81 days ahead |
Months with fewer than 30 reservations of that kind are left blank. Sites where nearly every booking was made the day of arrival (pay on arrival) are left out. Closed seasons, windows not yet released for booking, and currently unavailable nights are separate from this history.
Based on Recreation.gov reservations, FY2015–2025 (4,060 reservations in the years scored). Counts reservations made, not nights actually camped: cancellations aren't in the data, and nights a site was closed count as not booked. FY2020–21 (COVID) are left out of the scores.

31 mi · 3 hr · from $85/person

34 mi · 1.3 hr · from $46/person

34 mi · 10 min–30 min · from $19/person

34 mi · 1.8 hr · from $38/person

34 mi · 2 hr · from $22/person
Ranger programs, trails and park activities — typically free. Separate from paid tours above.

Walk 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip through rhododendron, hemlock, and pine-oak forest to a 25-foot (7.6-m) waterfall and scenic pool. Swimming in the pool is not recommended due to…

Enjoy a riverside stroll approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip through a cove hardwood forest along one of the only dog- and bike-friendly trails in the park. This trail…

Hike 3.5 miles (5.6 km) roundtrip on this popular but challenging trail to enjoy views of surrounding mountains and the Chimney Tops pinnacles. This trail is steep and rocky at…

One of five routes to Mount Le Conte, the Bullhead Trail offers consistent views. The strenuous hike is 13.6 miles (21.9 km) roundtrip. Near the beginning, visitors will see rocky…

Hike 0.62-mile (1 km) roundtrip on Smokemont Nature Trail which provides a peaceful escape and views of the surrounding peaks.

The Bradley Fork Trail offers a scenic and diverse outdoor experience, featuring picturesque creeks, seasonal wildflowers, fishing access, horseback riding opportunities, and…
Source: National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Photos link to nps.gov and are credited to their photographers.
23 individual reservable campsites from Recreation.gov, checked Nov 8. Rates are the listed nightly rates.
Tent, van or small RV, no power
17 sites · $20/night
Loops: CHEOAH POINT loop (17)
0 open Nov 13–Nov 15
Tent or RV, with power
6 sites · $25/night
Loops: CHEOAH POINT loop (6)
0 open Nov 13–Nov 15