Campgrounds in North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is no lodging, other than camping, inside the park on the North Carolina side. Four developed campgrounds on the North Carolina side, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Smokemont, and Cataloochee, accept reservations. They are required at Cataloochee and advised for the others. Deep Creek is first come, first served. Of the North Carolina campgrounds, only Smokemont is open year-round. Senior and Access National Park cardholders may receive discounts on camping fees. Due to potential insect damage to park flora, only heat-treated firewood that is certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. It is sold by concessionaires in the park. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires.

Balsam Mountain Campground. If you like a high, cool campground with a beautiful setting in evergreens, Balsam Mountain is it. It's the highest in the park, at more than 5,300 feet. By evening, you may want a campfire—even in summer. The 46 campsites (first come, first served) are best for tents, but small trailers or RVs up to 30 feet can fit in some sites. Due to its somewhat remote location off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountain Campground is rarely full even on peak weekends. It's closed mid-October though late May. The camping fee is $17.50. Near end of Heintooga Ridge Rd., Cherokee 865/436–1200 park information line www.nps.gov/grsm.

Big Creek Campground. With just 12 campsites, Big Creek is the smallest campground in the park and the only one that doesn't accept RVs or trailers—it's for tents only. This is a walk-in, not hike-in, campground. Five of the 12 first-come, first-served sites (unnumbered) are beside Big Creek, which offers good swimming and fishing. Carefully observe bear protection rules, as there have been a number of human-bear interactions nearby. It's closed November through March. The camping fee is $17.50. Cove Creek Rd. (Old Hwy. 284), Newport 865/436–1200 park information line www.nps.gov/grsm.

Deep Creek Campground. This campground at the Bryson City entrance to the park is near the most popular tubing spot on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. There's also swimming in several swimming holes. Of the 92 first-come, first-served sites here, nos. 1–42 are for tents only, and the other sites are for tents and small RVs/trailers up to 26 feet in length. It's closed late October through late March. The camping fee is $21. 1912 E. Deep Creek Rd., Bryson City 865/436–1200 park information line www.nps.gov/grsm.

Smokemont Campground. With 142 sites, Smokemont is the largest campground on the North Carolina side of the park, and it's open year-round. Some of the campsites are a little close together, but the individual sites themselves are spacious. The camping fee ranges from $21 to $25. Off U.S. 441 (Newfound Gap Rd.), 6 miles north of Cherokee 877/444–6777or 828/497–9270 www.recreation.gov.