Great Smoky Mountains
900–6,643 ft · TN🚗 Directions
Great Smoky Mountains NP (TN side) and Cherokee NF. The most biologically diverse temperate forest in North America. Rich cove hardwoods with tulip poplar, basswood, buckeye, silverbell, and sugar maple. Stream bottoms and old-growth cove forests at 2,000-4,000 ft are prime morel habitat. NPS regulations apply inside park boundaries — check permit requirements.
Updated Apr 13, 6:49 PM
Foraging Potential80/100
❌Moisture
✅Soil Temp
✅No Freeze
✅No Drought
Precip 7d
0.00"
Precip 14d
0.00"
Soil Temp
53°F
SWE
Snow Water Equivalent — how much water is in the snowpack vs. normal. Declining SWE means snowmelt is adding moisture to the soil.0%
Drought
None
Snowmelt
complete
Viable Species
MODERATE
True Morel
moisture marginal
Limiting Factors
Insufficient moisture
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Nearby Camping
Mount Collins Shelter
backcountry~2 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Double Spring Gap Shelter
backcountry~3.9 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Mount LeConte Shelter
backcountry~4.5 mi from centerFee required/night
LeConte Lodge
backcountry~4.5 mi from center
Silers Bald Shelter
backcountry~5 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
SPENCE CABIN
developedNPS~5.3 mi from center<p>The fee is $200 per day. Due at checkout a $400 damage deposit is also charged but will be refunded if the facility is left in good condition. This Fee can not be refunded if the reservation is cancelled prior to paying the remainder of your balance. </p>
<p>Customers who cancel facility reservation<strong> less than 14 days before the arrival date </strong>will forfeit the use fee.</p>/night
TWIN CREEKS PICNIC PAVILION
developedNPS~5.3 mi from center<p>GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC $60.00 <br> </p>
<p>Customers who <strong>cancel a day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date</strong> will forfeit the total day-use fee.<br></p>/night
APPALACHIAN CLUBHOUSE
developedNPS~5.5 mi from center<p>The fee is $300 per day. Due at checkout, $400 is also charged but will be refunded if the facility is left in good condition. Customers who cancel a day-use facility reservation<strong> less than 14 days before the arrival date </strong>will forfeit the total day-use fee.</p>/night
Elkmont Campground
developed~5.8 mi from centerFee required/night
ELKMONT GROUP CAMP
developedNPS~5.9 mi from center<p>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.</p>/night
Icewater Spring Shelter
backcountry~6.5 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Kephart Shelter
backcountry~7.4 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Twin Creek RV Resort
developed~8 mi from center
Derrick Knob Shelter
backcountry~8.5 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Gatlinburg Creekside RV Resort
developed~8.5 mi from center
Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort
developed~8.9 mi from center
GREENBRIER PICNIC PAVILION
developedNPS~9.6 mi from center<p>Group Day Use Area: Customers who <strong>cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date</strong> will forfeit the total day-use fee.</p>/night
METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION
developedNPS~9.7 mi from center<p>Group Day Use Area: Customers who <strong>cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date </strong>will forfeit the total day-use fee.</p>/night
Greenbrier Campground
developed~10.3 mi from center
DEEP CREEK PICNIC PAVILION
developedNPS~10.9 mi from center<p>Group Day Use Area: Customers who <strong>cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date</strong> will forfeit the total day-use fee.</p>/night
Deep Creek Campground
developed~10.9 mi from centerFee required/night
watertoiletpicnic table
Pecks Corner Shelter
backcountry~11.1 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
SMOKEMONT GROUP CAMP
developedNPS~11.1 mi from center<p>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.</p>/night
Alpine Hideaway Campground
developed~11.6 mi from center
Pigeon Forge Jellystone Park
developed~12.8 mi from center
Bear Hunter Campground
developed~13 mi from center
Spence Field Shelter
backcountry~13.5 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
King's Holly Haven RV Park
developed~13.7 mi from center
Pigeon Forge RV Resort
developed~13.8 mi from center
Clabough's Campground
developed~13.8 mi from center
Brookside RV Resort
developed~13.9 mi from center
Up the Creek RV Camp
developed~14.1 mi from center
Waldens Creek RV and Campground
developed~14.1 mi from center
Outdoor Resorts At Gatlinburg
developed~14.2 mi from center
Creekside RV Park
developed~14.3 mi from center
River Bend Campground
developed~14.6 mi from center
Tsali Campground
developed~14.8 mi from center
ANTHONY CREEK HORSE CAMP
developedNPS~15 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
CADES COVE GROUP
developedNPS~15.2 mi from center<p>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.</p>/night
Russell Field Shelter
backcountry~15.3 mi from centerFee required/night
14 sites
Smoky Bear Campground and RV Park
developed~15.3 mi from center
Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort
developed~15.3 mi from center
Cades Cove Campground
developed~15.4 mi from centerFee required/night
CADES COVE CAMPGROUND
developedNPS~15.5 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Indian Creek Campground
developed~15.7 mi from center
Tsali Recreation Area
developedUSFS~15.8 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
ROUND BOTTOM HORSE CAMP
developedNPS~16.2 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Mollies Ridge Shelter
backcountry~17.1 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Laurel Gap Shelter
backcountry~18 mi from centerFee required/night
14 sites
BALSAM MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND
developedNPS~18.6 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Mile High Campground - Tent Sites
developed~18.7 mi from center
Mile High Campground
developed~19 mi from center
COSBY CAMPGROUND
developedNPS~19.1 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
COSBY GROUP CAMP
developedNPS~19.2 mi from center<p>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.</p>/night
Group Campsites
developed~19.2 mi from center
Cosby Campground
developed~19.2 mi from centerFee required/night
toilet
Cosby Run
developed~19.6 mi from center
Cosby Knob Shelter
backcountry~19.6 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
Fontana Village Campground
developedFontana Resort~20.6 mi from center
CATALOOCHEE HORSE CAMP
developedNPS~21.6 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Ripplin Waters RV Park & Cabin Rentals
developed~22.1 mi from center
Riverside RV Park & Resort
developed~22.6 mi from center
Two Rivers Landing RV Resort
developed~22.9 mi from center
Hillbilly Campground
developed~23.5 mi from center
Pigeon River Campground
developed~23.7 mi from center
Triple Creek Campground
developed~23.7 mi from center
Davenport Gap Shelter
backcountry~23.8 mi from centerFee required/night
12 sites
BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
developedNPS~23.9 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Big Creek Campground
developed~23.9 mi from centerFee required/night
watertoiletpicnic table
Douglas Tailwater Campground
developed~24.1 mi from center
Cataloochee Group Camp
developed~24.1 mi from centerFee required/night
Ledbetter Creek Camp
backcountry~24.1 mi from center
ABRAM'S CREEK CAMPGROUND
developedNPS~24.3 mi from center<p>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 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.</p>/night
Look Rock Campground
developed~24.5 mi from centerFee required/night
watertoiletelectric hookuppicnic table
Stonebridge RV Resort and Campgrounds
developed~25.6 mi from center
Mountain Retreat RV Park
developed~25.9 mi from center
Campsite 4
developed~25.9 mi from center
Rose Creek Campground
developed~26.3 mi from center
Cheoah Point Recreation Area
developedUSFS~26.6 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Cheoah Point Campground
developed~26.7 mi from center
Cheoah Point Campground
developed~26.7 mi from centerFee required/night
Campsite 3
developed~26.9 mi from center
1 sites
Campsite 2
developed~27.3 mi from center
1 sites
Campsite 5
developed~27.3 mi from center
1 sites
Dual Sport
developed~27.5 mi from center
Appletree Group Campground
developedUSFS~27.9 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Campsite 1
developed~27.9 mi from center
1 sites
Pigeon River Area
developedUSFS~28.2 mi from center
Horse Cove Campground
developedUSFS~29.1 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Rattler Ford Group Campground
developedUSFS~29.2 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Wine Spring Campsite
backcountry~30.5 mi from center
Wine Spring Horse Camp
developedUSFS~30.6 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Wolf Laurel Hunters Camp FDR#81F
dispersedUSFS~32.1 mi from center
National Forests in North Carolina
Hillbilly Hideaway
developed~32.2 mi from center
Lake Side RV Park
developed~32.3 mi from center
Big Snowbird Rd USFS Free Campground
dispersedUS Forestry Service~32.4 mi from centerFree/night
Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort
developed~33.4 mi from center
Doublecamp Campground
developed~35.7 mi from center
Young Branch Campground
developedUSFS~36.1 mi from centerFee required/night
Cherokee National Forest
Jake Best Campground
developedUSFS~36.1 mi from centerFee required/night
Cherokee National Forest
Citico Site 5
developed~36.1 mi from center
Citico Site 11
developed~36.2 mi from center
Citico Creek Area
developedUSFS~36.3 mi from center
Citico Site 9
developed~36.4 mi from center
Citico Site 12
developed~36.5 mi from center
Citico Site 8
developed~36.5 mi from center
Whigg Meadow
developed~36.8 mi from center
Indian Boundary Campground
developed~37.1 mi from centerFee required/night
87 sites
Indian Boundary Overflow Campground
developedUSFS~37.2 mi from centerFee required/night
38 sites
Indian Boundary Recreation Area
developedUSFS~37.2 mi from centerFee required/night
Cherokee National Forest
Van Hook Glade Campground
developedUSFS~39.5 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Panther Creek State Park Campground
developed~42.1 mi from centerFee required/night
50 sites
watertoiletshowerelectric hookup
Wa-Ni Village
developed~42.5 mi from center
Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
dispersedUSFS~44.4 mi from centerFee required/night
National Forests in North Carolina
Ammons Branch Campground
developed~45.3 mi from center
Cardinal Cove
developed~45.4 mi from center
Gilmore Campground
developed~46 mi from center
Pleasant Ridge Campground
developed~47 mi from center
⚠ Road Access Notice
Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.