Photo thanks to Smoky Bear Campground
Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park
A quiet, family-owned campground on US-321 east of Gatlinburg, with full-hookup sites under the trees, a pool and hot tub, and the national park’s Greenbrier and Cosby entrances close by.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee · on US-321 near the Greenbrier and Cosby entrances to the national park
Season
March–November
Closed December through February
Elevation
About 1,950 ft
In the foothills between Gatlinburg and Cosby
Hookups
Full hookups
30/50 amp, water, sewer, cable TV and Wi-Fi
Big rigs
Pull-thrus available
Concrete pull-thrus and gravel back-ins; RVers report rigs to about 40 ft
Updated October 12, 2026 · Details checked against the park’s website
East of Gatlinburg on US-321
The Smoky Bear experience
A family-owned campground in the woods between Gatlinburg and Cosby, with 46 full-hookup RV sites, a pool and hot tub, and two quieter entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park a short drive away.
Full hookups30/50 amp, water and sewer at every RV site
Pull-thru sitesConcrete pull-thrus plus gravel back-ins
Cable TV & Wi-FiIncluded with RV sites
PoolSeasonal, about mid-May to mid-September
Hot tubNext to the pool
BathhouseOpen 24 hours, March–November
LaundryOpen 24 hours, March–November
PlaygroundFor younger campers
CabinsSix cabins for friends who don’t camp
Tent sitesThree primitive tent sites
Wooded settingShade trees between the sites
Near the parkGreenbrier and Cosby entrances nearby
Life at camp
What guests say
The park report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores tell a clear story: RVers rate the cleanliness, the friendly owners and the easy access highly, and noise is the one score that dips.
How RVers rate it
Category scores from Campendium reviewers, out of 5
Field notes from RVers
Longest rig RVers report40 ft Nov 2021
Cell signal reportedVerizon 4GT-Mobile 4G
Last reported nightly rate$80 May 2024
As reported by Campendium users. The longest rig is from a November 2021 report and the $80 rate from a May 2024 stay. Confirm rates, site lengths and policies with the campground before you go.
On East Parkway (US-321)
Getting there
Smoky Bear sits on US-321 (East Parkway) about 13 miles east of Gatlinburg and 18 miles from Pigeon Forge. Coming from I-40, it’s a back-road drive through Cosby instead of the Parkway traffic.
From I-40 (Exit 435 at Newport): TN-32 south through Cosby, then US-321 west about 3 milesFrom Gatlinburg: East Parkway (US-321) east about 13 miles
US-321 · EAST PARKWAY
Set your GPS
4857 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
To Greenbrier entrance*About 15 min
To downtown GatlinburgAbout 25 min
To DollywoodAbout 45 min
From KnoxvilleAbout 1 hr 10 min
Check in after 1 p.m. Check-out is by noon. The office is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., so call ahead if you’ll arrive late.
Closed December–February. The campground opens for the season in March; bathhouse and laundry are open 24 hours from March to November.
*Drive times are from OpenStreetMap routing and are approximate; Gatlinburg and Parkway traffic in summer, October and on weekends can easily double them. Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Around the Smokies
Around the Smokies
The Greenbrier entrance is about 15 minutes away, downtown Gatlinburg about 25, and Pigeon Forge’s attractions 35–45.
Photo thanks to Sarah Stierch (CC BY 4.0)
Great Smoky Mountains NP (Greenbrier & Cosby)
The Greenbrier entrance is about 15 minutes west and the Cosby section about 20 minutes east, both quieter corners of the park (the photo shows Newfound Gap). Parking tags are required.
Photo thanks to APK (CC BY 4.0)
Downtown Gatlinburg
The mountain town at the national park’s edge, with shops along the Parkway, the SkyLift and SkyBridge, and the Space Needle.
Photo thanks to NealVickers (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Old Mill
An 1830 gristmill on the Little Pigeon River with a restaurant, pottery and shops, just off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Photo thanks to Sarah Stierch (CC BY 4.0)
Dollywood
Dolly Parton’s theme park in the foothills, known for coasters, mountain crafts, music shows and big seasonal festivals.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
Three other top-rated RV parks nearby, by drive time.
Photo thanks to Camp Riverslanding
Camp Riverslanding
A family-run campground on the Little Pigeon River with riverside sites, a heated pool and trolley stops at the gate.
Photo thanks to Creekside RV Park
Creekside RV Park
A shady 108-site park beside Walden Creek with a saltwater pool, creekside sites and some pull-thrus.
Photo thanks to Up the Creek RV Camp
Up the Creek RV Camp
Big, wooded sites between Walden Creek and Cove Creek west of town, with specialty sites and no bathhouse or pool.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether Smoky Bear fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: a friendly, family-run campground on the quiet side of the Smokies, with shaded full-hookup sites, a pool and hot tub, and the Greenbrier and Cosby entrances close by. You trade Parkway convenience for peace: Gatlinburg is about 25 minutes away and Dollywood about 45, and the campground closes from December through February.
Nightly rates2026 rates from the campground · checked Oct 12, 2026
Back-in, 30 amp$70 /night
Back-in, 30/50 amp$75 /night
Pull-thru, 30/50 amp$75 /night
Weekends & holidays+$5 /night
Smoky Bear publishes flat 2026 rates by site type; weekends and holidays add $5 a night. Taxes may be added. Call for cabin and tent-site rates. Cancellations are by phone only, with at least 10 days’ notice and a $10 fee, and there are no refunds for leaving early.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the park’s booking page or call (865) 436-8372.
Typical July afternoon
Newport88°
Phoenix107°
Warm, humid summers: 19° cooler than Phoenix in July (Newport station); January highs average about 49°. The campground sits higher, so expect it a little cooler.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and why RVers keep coming back.
Open
Site types
From $70 a night; weekends and holidays add $5.
Open
Rates & policies
Cancellation, check-in, pets, quiet hours and campground rules.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park is a family-owned campground on US-321 east of Gatlinburg, owned by Barry and Chong O’Leary and run by Patrick O’Leary and Klaire Todd. It suits RVers who want a quiet base for the national park’s east side more than nightly trips to the Parkway.
Best for
- Hikers: the Greenbrier and Cosby sections of the national park are the closest trailheads, away from the Gatlinburg crowds.
- Families: a pool, hot tub and playground, with cabins for relatives who don’t camp.
- Quiet seekers: wooded sites and a 10 p.m.–9 a.m. quiet time.
- Pull-thru fans: concrete pull-thru sites with 30/50 amp service.
Consider this
- Gatlinburg is about 25 minutes away and Pigeon Forge’s attractions 35–45.
- It’s closed December through February.
- Cancellations are by phone only, with 10 days’ notice and a $10 fee.
- Campendium reviewers score noise the lowest of its categories (3.7 out of 5).
Summer in the Cosby area
Typical July afternoon
88°
Newport
Newport station
107°
Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor
19 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with nights near 67°. Normal July highs, 1991–2020.
Smoky Bear has 46 full-hookup RV sites (30/50 amp, water, sewer, cable TV and Wi-Fi), three primitive tent sites and six cabins. RV sites are either concrete pull-thrus or gravel back-ins.
Back-in, 30 amp $70/night
The budget choice: gravel back-in sites with 30-amp service. Add $5 on weekends and holidays.
Back-in, 30/50 amp $75/night
Back-in sites with 50-amp service for bigger rigs.
Pull-thru, 30/50 amp $75/night
Concrete pull-thrus, the easy choice if you’re towing.
Cabins & tent sites Call
Six cabins and three primitive tent sites; call the office for rates.
NightlyFrom $70+$5 on weekends and holidays
SeasonMarch–NovemberClosed December through February
Check-inAfter 1 p.m.Check-out by noon
Cancellation10 days’ noticeBy phone only; $10 fee
Leaving earlyNo refundsFor early departures
PetsWelcome6-ft leash; not in buildings, pool or tent sites
Quiet hours10 p.m.–9 a.m.Campground-wide
Speed limit5 mphInside the campground
FireworksNot allowedAnywhere in the campground
Office9 a.m.–5 p.m.Bathhouse and laundry open 24 hours, Mar–Nov
Checked against smokybearcampground.com on October 12, 2026. Rates are 2026 nightly rates for RV sites; call (865) 436-8372 for cabins and tent sites. Cancellations are by phone only, with 10 days’ notice and a $10 fee.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- What will my total be? Ask for the price with taxes for your exact dates, including any weekend nights.
- Which site fits my rig? Ask for a pull-thru or the right back-in for your length; RVers report rigs to about 40 ft.
- Is the pool open? The pool season runs about mid-May to mid-September.
- Do I need 50 amp? Back-in 30-amp sites are the cheapest.
- How do I cancel? By phone, at least 10 days before arrival.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: March–November
Ready for the quiet side of the Smokies?
Park under the trees, swim in the pool and start your hikes at Greenbrier or Cosby. Book direct with Smoky Bear Campground for current rates and availability.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. The park photos come from Smoky Bear Campground, with our thanks. Video: Campers and Campfires on YouTube. Area photos via Wikimedia Commons: Sarah Stierch (Dollywood and Newfound Gap; CC BY 4.0), NealVickers (the Old Mill dam; CC BY-SA 4.0) and APK (Gatlinburg; CC BY 4.0); the images were resized. Other-park photos: Camp Riverslanding, Creekside RV Park and Up the Creek RV Camp. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the park’s published materials and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park at smokybearcampground.com or (865) 436-8372. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.