Campgrounds and RV parks near Cosby, TN

Cosby sits on the quiet, northeastern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cocke County, Tennessee. The town serves as a low-traffic base for RV travelers who want direct access to the Smokies without the congestion of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Interstate 40 runs just north of town, and Tennessee Highway 32 links the community to the park's Cosby entrance. Options range from full-hookup private parks to a rustic in-park campground. Cosby Campground inside the national park is one of the largest in the Smokies, with 157 campsites, three group sites for up to 20 people, and a handful of RV sites for rec vehicles up to 25 feet, open seasonally from mid-April to the end of October. Nearby private options include Smoky Mountain Hidden Stills RV Campground, Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, Cosby Ranch, and Roamstead. Elevations in the immediate area sit around 1,700 to 2,500 feet, which moderates summer heat compared with lower valleys. Cosby Campground sits at roughly 2,459 feet, giving mild summer days and cool nights relative to the Tennessee Valley.

Reservations at Cosby Campground inside the national park are handled through the federal system. All sites in Cosby Campground are available by reservation only, bookable online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Same-day online reservations are sometimes available when sites are unfilled. Rig length is a real constraint at the in-park campground. Cosby Campground can accommodate tent campers and small RVs and other self-contained sleeping vehicles ranging from 20 to 30 feet in length, with each campsite having its own size limits listed on Recreation.gov. There are no showers on site and no electrical or water hookups. Private parks including Smoky Mountain Hidden Stills RV Campground, Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, Cosby Ranch, and Roamstead book directly through their own websites or third-party platforms. For fall foliage weekends, reserve two to three months out.