fees, RV limits, trails & mountain biking

Cosby Campground

National Park Service campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cosby, Tennessee.

$10nightly fee
157overnight sites
Reservablebooking
Not statedseason (agency text)
30 ftmax RV/trailer length
19named USFS/NPS trails within 5 mi (68.8 mi)
0.0 mibike trails within 5 mi

How it compares

  • With 157 sites it is the #4 largest of 84 Tennessee campgrounds that publish a site count (busy, more amenities).
  • Its lowest fee ($10) is equal to the Tennessee median of $10/night.
  • There are 50 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 0 of them list a lower starting fee.
  • 85% of Tennessee campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (30 ft).
  • 98% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
  • Pets allowed on 157 of 157 sites; campfires allowed on 66 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
  • Straight-line distance: Asheville ~39 mi, Knoxville ~42 mi, Abingdon ~95 mi.

Site mix

Tent-only134
RV-only23
Accessible2

Amenities & rules

Drinking waterFire pitsFire ringsFlush toiletsFood storage lockersGrillsPicnic tablesQuiet areaTent padsWater spigotPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers2 accessible sites

Fee notes from the agency: Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not…

Trails within 5 miles

TrailClosest pointMapped miles within 5 miSource
Snake Den Ridge Trail0.1 mi5.0NPS
Low Gap Trail0.1 mi5.0NPS
Gabes Mountain Trail0.1 mi6.2NPS
Cosby Nature Trail0.2 mi0.5NPS
Cosby Horse Trail0.3 mi0.6NPS
Lower Mount Cammerer Trail0.3 mi7.0NPS
Low Gap Trail Access0.3 mi0.2NPS
Tritt Cemetery Access Trail1.6 mi0.6NPS
Appalachian Trail1.8 mi14.1NPS
Camel Gap Trail2.0 mi3.9NPS
Mount Cammerer Trail2.5 mi0.6NPS
Maddron Bald Trail2.6 mi6.8NPS

+ 7 more named trails.

Mountain biking nearby

No bike-legal trails are mapped within 5 miles in OpenStreetMap or Forest Service data.

Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.

Activities listed

AmphitheaterAuto TouringBikingCampingDay Use AreaEvening ProgramsFishingHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteHorse CampingHorseback RidingPicnickingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing

Nearest campgrounds

CampgroundMilesStateFee/nightSitesHookupsMax RVPetsBookingTrails ≤5 mi
Cosby Group Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
0.2TN$103 — —yes Reserve19 (69.9 mi)
Gilliland Creek #35
National Park Service
2.0TN—— — —— ?20 (59.4 mi)
Cosby Run
OpenStreetMap listing
2.1TN—— — yes— ?14 (48.2 mi)
Cosby Knob Shelter
OpenStreetMap listing
2.4NC—12 — —— Reserve23 (85.6 mi)
Sugar Cove #34
National Park Service
2.5TN—— — —— ?17 (58.5 mi)
Otter Creek #29
National Park Service
3.0TN—— — —— ?17 (63.9 mi)

Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby.

From the managing agency

Overview Back country camping in a developed front country campground. Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this campground creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer. This campground is usually quieter and without the hustle and bustle of the busier campgrounds. All campsites have a fire ring, picnic table and several trees. Tent pads are 16ft x 16ft. RV sites are less common and reservations are recommended on busy weekends. Some RV sites also include a tent pad. View map and site descriptions to find the perfect site or companion sites for you and your family! All sites in Cos… read the full description on Recreation.gov