Reddit reviews Hiking Trails of the Smokies

I love the Smokies. My favorite campground is the Cattaloochee horse camp (there's a non-horse camp there too). I love it because there are elk in the area that sometimes even wander into camp! The downside is it's a long drive up the side of a mountain on a narrow twisty road.

My other favorite campground is Elkmont. It's a pretty popular frontcountry campground but there are a LOT of trails to hike right out of the area so you don't have to drive to a trailhead. There are RV sites, tent sites, and walk-in tent spots (you park your car and carry your tent/supplies a short distance to your site).

There's also backcountry camping with a permit. You are supposed to use recognized sites and bear precautions everywhere in the backcountry.

All frontcountry campsites require a reservation. Sometimes backcountry areas are closed due to bear activity so check with the ranger station before you set out for your destination.

I totally recommend you get this trail guidebook, it's the best trail guide I've ever read for any state/national park.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies https://www.amazon.com/dp/0937207152/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RzNYDbTPWSRC8

The brown book...

And links I throw out whenever someone asks for GSMNP info:


National Park Service site on the campsites

Another look at the campgrounds and back country sites

Clickable Trail Map (printed in 1997, anyone who's been to the park has seen this map.) It still doesn't beat the little brown book.

Downloadable Trail GPX files for GPS devices


Download maps from the NPS. Includes Trail, park, and campground maps.

And the NPS GSMNP Hiking page. Has some important information, including how to find out road and facilities closings.