Cades Cove camping is a great way to experience one of the most popular areas of the Smokies. Staying at Cades Cove Campground puts you right in the middle of it. Once the day visitors leave, things slow down. Deer often wander into the fields, and mornings can bring fog across the mountains and meadows.
If you’re planning a stay, this guide covers what to know before you go. We’ll look at campsites, reservations, campground details, and things to do nearby.
Disclosure: This site contains links from our trusted partners, including Amazon. If you book or purchase through these, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Tennessee Trekkn!
Cades Cove Campground at a Glance
Cades Cove Campground is located near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road. You can wake up, grab your coffee, and be just minutes from the trails, mountain views, and historic stops around the cove.
The campground is open year-round. During the winter, only part of the campground remains open, so fewer sites are available.
- Address: 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
- Campsites: Tent and RV sites, including tent-only sites
- Group sites: Tent-only (open mid-March through October)
- Hookups: None
- Closest town: Townsend
Parking Tag Tip: You don’t need a parking tag while your vehicle is parked at your registered campsite. However, if you head out to explore and park elsewhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes, you’ll need one. → Read our Smoky Mountains parking tag guide before your trip.
Campsites at Cades Cove Campground
Cades Cove Campground offers the kind of camping many of us picture when we think of the Smokies. Sites sit among the trees, with the mountains, trails, and Cades Cove Loop Road close by.
RV and Camper Sites
RVs, travel trailers, pop-ups, and other campers are welcome at Cades Cove. However, there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at the campsites.
- Maximum RV length: 40 feet
- Maximum trailer length: 35 feet
- Generators: Allowed in designated areas during permitted hours
Generator rules vary by loop and season, so check the details for your campsite when booking.
Tent Sites
Tent campers can choose from standard campsites or tent-only sites throughout the campground. Most campsites have a designated tent pad, along with a picnic table and fire ring.
Restrooms with cold running water and drinking water are available at the campground.
Accessible Campsites
Cades Cove Campground has 11 accessible campsites and two sites designated for campers who use CPAP machines. Accessible sites are generally level and located near accessible restrooms.
If you need an accessible or CPAP site, check the individual site information when making your reservation.
Restrooms and Dump Station
Restrooms have flush toilets and cold running water. Utility sinks are available for washing up after meals and disposing of dishwater. A dump station is also located near the campground entrance.
Good to Know: There are no showers at Cades Cove Campground. If a shower is important during your stay, plan ahead before arriving.
How to Reserve a Campsite at Cades Cove
Ready to pick your campsite? Reservations are required at Cades Cove Campground and can be made up to six months in advance.
Before booking, check the campground map and individual site details to make sure the site works for your tent, camper, or RV.
→ Check availability and reserve your campsite at Cades Cove Campground.
Booking Tip: Summer, fall, and holiday weekends can fill quickly. If you have specific dates in mind, book as early as you can.
Camping in Cades Cove by Season
There really isn’t a bad season for camping in Cades Cove. We’ve visited the cove throughout the year, and each season feels a little different.
Spring Camping in Cades Cove
Spring is a beautiful time to watch Cades Cove come back to life. Wildflowers begin popping up along the trails, trees turn green again, and wildlife is often active around the fields.
Mountain weather can change quickly, though. Pack layers and a packable rain jacket, especially if you’re camping early in the season.
Summer Camping in Cades Cove
Summer gives you plenty of daylight to explore. Spend the morning hiking, ride the loop on a bike, or head back to camp for a slower afternoon under the trees.
From May through September, Cades Cove holds vehicle-free Wednesdays on the Loop Road. If you’re bringing bikes, it’s worth planning your stay around one.
→ Read our guide to biking Cades Cove on a vehicle-free Wednesdays.
Fall Camping in Cades Cove
Fall mornings are hard to beat here. Grab a sweatshirt, fill your insulated camp mug with coffee, and watch the mountains begin to show their fall color. Cooler days are great for hiking, and cool nights are made for sitting around the campfire.
Before you pack, take a look at our fall camping essentials for a few things we like to have along when temperatures start to drop.
Fall Booking Tip: October is one of the busiest months in Cades Cove, and campsites fill quickly. Book as early as you can.
Winter Camping in Cades Cove
Winter is a much quieter season in the cove. Only part of the campground remains open, and you’ll need to be prepared for cold nights and changing mountain weather.
With fewer leaves on the trees and fewer visitors on the road, you may notice parts of the landscape you’ve driven past during busier seasons.
All campsites at Cades Cove Campground must be reserved online—there are no walk-in sites available at any time.
- Reservations are made through Recreation.gov for Cades Cove Campground
- Book early, especially for spring, summer, and fall when sites fill quickly
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Campground Services
A few basic services are available near the campground, which comes in handy once you’ve settled into your site.
Cades Cove Campground Store
The Cades Cove Campground Store is near the campground entrance. You’ll find camping supplies, snacks, drinks, ice, pizza, sandwiches, and ice cream. Bike rentals are available here too.
Hours vary by season, so check before you go. For groceries and larger supplies, we recommend stopping in Townsend first.
Firewood Tip: Only certified heat-treated firewood is allowed in the park. Approved firewood is sold at the campground store. → Read our campfire safety guide before lighting your first fire.
Things to Do Near Cades Cove Campground
One of the best parts of camping in Cades Cove is having so much to do close to your campsite. You can drive the Loop Road, hike to a waterfall, bike through the cove, explore historic buildings, or watch for wildlife.
If you’re planning your days around camp, we’ve put our favorites together in one guide.
→ Explore our favorite things to do near Cades Cove Campground.
Camping Safety in Cades Cove
Camping in Cades Cove means sharing the area with black bears and other wildlife. A few simple precautions help protect you, your campsite, and the animals that live here.
Bears and Food Storage
Never leave food, coolers, trash, or scented items unattended. When you’re not using them, store food and cooking gear in a closed vehicle or a food storage locker, and never feed or approach wildlife.
→ Is your campsite bear proof? Use our campsite checklist before your trip.
Campfires
Keep fires inside designated fire rings and never leave a fire unattended. Make sure your fire is completely out before leaving camp or heading to bed.
A safe campfire starts with a few simple habits.
→ Read our campfire safety guide.
Pets and Kids
Keep children close, especially around wildlife and campground roads. Pets should remain leashed and should never be left unattended at your campsite.
Leave No Trace
Following Leave No Trace practices helps protect Cades Cove. Keep your campsite clean, pack out your trash, and leave plants, rocks, and historic features where you find them.
Good to Know: Don’t count on cell service in Cades Cove. Download maps and important information before you arrive, and know where the campground office is in case you need help.
Cades Cove Camping FAQs
Still have a few questions before your Cades Cove camping trip? Here are some quick answers to help you plan your stay.
No. There are no showers at Cades Cove Campground. Restrooms have flush toilets and cold running water.
No. Campsites do not have electric, water, or sewer hookups.
Yes. Cades Cove Campground is open year-round, but only part of the campground remains open during winter.
Yes. Dogs are allowed in the campground but must be kept on a leash. Pets are not allowed on most trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Don’t count on cell service in Cades Cove. Download maps, reservation information, and anything else you may need before you arrive.
Yes, but only approved heat-treated firewood may be brought into the park. You can also purchase approved firewood at the Cades Cove Campground Store.
The maximum RV length is 40 feet, and the maximum trailer length is 35 feet. Check the individual campsite details before booking to make sure your rig will fit.
Yes. Black bears live throughout Cades Cove and may be seen near the campground. Keep a clean campsite and properly store food, coolers, trash, and scented items.
Ready to Plan Your Cades Cove Camping Trip?
Camping at Cades Cove gives you a chance to slow down and spend more time in one of our favorite parts of the Smokies. Whether you’re staying for a weekend or a little longer, there’s plenty to explore right outside the campground.
Check your dates, reserve your campsite, and start planning your stay.
Happy Campin’, Friends!
Disclosure: This site contains links from our trusted partners, including Amazon. If you book or purchase through these, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Tennessee Trekkn!