Smokemont Campground
Western NC / Nantahala, North Carolina
One of the major campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smokemont stretches along the Oconaluftee River just north of Cherokee on Newfound Gap Road. With 142 sites, flush toilets, and year-round operation on some loops, it's the full-service Smokies experience — river access from your site, trail access into the park, and paved road all the way in. RV-friendly on select sites, though the setting still feels wooded and immersive. Reserve months in advance for peak season; this is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park system.
Camper Notes
Smokemont is the gateway to the Cherokee and Oconaluftee side of the Smokies — less crowded than the Gatlinburg entrances but with the same access to the park's trail network. Year-round operation makes it one of the few options for winter Smokies camping.
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