Smoky Mountain Solitude

Secluded Vacation Getaways in the Smokies

Quiet Campgrounds in the Smokies, North Carolina

Secluded Smoky Mountain Vacations

Getaway to the Smokies for a Relaxing Smoky Mountain Vacation

Camping in the Smoky Mountains fun way to get away from it all, but if you cringe at the thought of pitching your tent on a concrete slab, surrounded by a slew of RVs and patio lanterns, you've got to to read on ...

The following Smoky Mountain camping guide is for tent campers who pack light, bring minimal camping gear, and love to camp in the secluded campsites, tucked away in the Smoky Mountains.


Secluded Campgrounds in the Smokies, North Carolina

Here's the low down on the quietest, secluded, and most beautiful campgrounds in the Smokies. Also, you'll find useful details on facilities, reservations, fees and restrictions.


We're also using the ever popular star rating system. Campground attributes -- beauty, site privacy, spaciousness, quietness, security and cleanliness are ranked accordingly. Five stars are ideal while one star is acceptable.


North Carolina Smoky Mountain Campground Directory

So here's our Smoky Mountain campground guide for North Carolina. 'Hope you have a relaxing time camping in the Smokies.


Quiet CampgroundsNorth Carolina
Big Creek Campground Cable Cove Campground
Cataloochee Campground Horse Cove Campground
Mount Mitchell State Park North Mills River Campground

Secluded Campgrounds in the Smokies, North Carolina

Big Creek Campground

Big Creek Campground is one of the most secluded getaways in all of the Smokies. With only 12 sites, it's also the smallest campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains.

Campground Ratings Big Creek
Beauty *****
Privacy ***
Spaciousness ****
Quiet *****
Security ****
Cleanliness *****

Big Creek Campground is a walk-in campground, so you need to tote your camping gear anywhwere from 100 to 300 feet. But we guarantee you won't hear any car engines or smell any exhaust fumes. All of the 12 camping sites are spacious and five of them are beside the creek.

The comfort station is adjacent to the parking lot and it has flush toilets for each sex. Also, two water spigots are next to the footpath loop. A pay phone is located one mile down the road at the Big Creek Ranger Station, and camping supplies can be purchases at Mountain Momma's Country Store.


Hiking Trails Near Big Creek Campground

Big Creek Trail and Mouse Creek Falls

The Big Creek Trail starts at tne campground and follows an old railroad grade. Along the way, you can cool off in one of the many swimming holes in Gig Cree. After 3.3 miles up the trail, you'll come to Mouse Creek Falls.

Baxter Creek Trail

This is a strenuous hike through an old-growth forest to a fire tower with a previer 360 degree view. Baxter Creek trail is 6 miles long and the trailhead is at the Baxter Creek picnic area, just below the campground.

 
Key Information Big Creek Campground
Information: (423) 436-1228
Open: May to October
Individual Sites: 12
Each Site Has: picnic table, fire pit, and lantern post
Site Assignment: First come, first served, no reservations
Facilities: flush toilets and cold running water
Parking: at individual sites
Fee: $6 per hight
Elevation: 1700 feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire pits only
 Alcoholic beverages -- at campsite only
 Vehicles -- no RVs, tents only
Other -- 7 day stay limit


Getting to Big Creek Campground

From Cove Creek, take I-40 west for 15 miles. You'll cross the Tennessee state line and take the Waterville exit, #451.

Next, you'll cross the Pigeon River, then turn left to follow the river upstream. In 2.3 miles, you'[ll come to an intersection, but go straight and you'll soon enter the park.

Finally, you'll pass the Big Creek Ranger Station, then in 3.5 miles, you'll come to the campground.


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Cable Cove Campground

Cable Cove Campground sits on a former farmland once owned by the Cable family. Aftger World War II broke out, the demand for aluminum soared, so nearby Fontana Dam was built to generate power and to produce aluminum. The farming families moved away and the Forest Service later created the campground in the hollow.

Campground Ratings Cable Cove Campground
Beauty ****
Privacy ***
Spaciousness *****
Quiet ****
Security ****
Cleanliness *****

Because it's close to Fontana Lake, Cable Cove Campground is a favorite choice for boaters. This campground is linear, it extends along a gravel road that slopes down toward Fontana Lake, a half mile away. Cable creek, a small trout sream parallel the road on the right.

The campground is well maintained, quiet and very unassuming. Ten of the campsites are creekside, heavily wooded and have a thick understory. The 11 sites opposite the creek have a glade-like understory making for a more open camping experience. But these are some of the largest campsite you'll ever see, extending far back fom the road.

Three watger spigots are placed at even intervals and tow comfort stations with flush toilets for each sex are at either end of the campground.

Most of your fellow campers will be boaters. I boat ramp is half a mile away and campers use ti to fish for bream, bass, trout and walleye.


Hiking Trails Near Cable Cove Campground

Shuckstack Fire Tower

Just bot up the Eagle Creek arm of Fontana Lake. From the emgayment, the Lost Cove Trail leads 3 miles up to the Appalachian Trail. The tower is just .4 mile south along the AT.

Gabes Mountain Trail

Along the Gabes Mountain Trail you'll pass Henwallow Falls and you'll pass through huge old-growth hemlock and tulip trees. After 6 miles, you'll come to the Sugar ove backcountry campsite.

Hazel Creek

Across the water from Cable Cov is the famed Hazel Creek. Its trout fishing waters have been featured in fishing magazines for years. If you hike up the trail that follows the creek, you'll discover relics of the Smpkies'past -- old homesteads, fields and old mining camps. Wide bridges crossing Hazel Creek make this hike even more pleasant.

You canonly access this end of the trail by boad, so if you don't have a botat, just call the Fontana Marina &704) 498-2211, ext. 277 to arrange for a shuttle. The Marina is only 4 miles west of Cable Cove campground.

 
Key Information Cable Cove Campground
Information: (704) 479-6431
Open: April to October
Individual Sites: 26
each Site Has: picnic table, fire pit, and lantern post, tent pad
Site Assignment: First come, first served, no reservations
Facilities: flush toilets and cold running water
Parking: at individual sites
Fee: $5 per hight
Elevation: 1,800 feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire pits only
 Alcoholic beverages -- at campsite only
 Vehicles -- no restrictions
Other -- 14 day stay limit

Getting to Cable Cove Campground

From Fontana Village take NC 28 east for 4.7 miles. Turn left on FS 521 for 1.5 miles. Cable Cove will be on your right.


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Cataloochee Campground

Cataloochee Campground is in a very beautiful setting, located in a grove of stately white pines beside Cataloochee Creek.

Campground Ratings Cataloochee Campground
Beauty *****
Privacy ****
Spaciousness *****
Quiet *****
Security ****
Cleanliness ****

Cataloocheee Campground has ideal summer weather: warm days and cool nights. An elevation of 2,600 ft. is fairly high for a valley campground. Six campsites border Cataloochee Creek and a few others border a feeder stream. But all of the campsites are roomy and places where the pines allow.

We do recommend you store your food properly because each year, bears are sighted at Cataloochee Campground.

A comfort station is located at the head of the campground. It has flush toilets for each sex.


Cataloochee Valley Auto Tour

An old church, a school and numerous homesites are just a few of the sites you'll see. Just pick up a handy park service pamphlet.

Hiking Trails Near Cataloochee Campground

Boogerman Trail

The Boogerman Trail loops among old-growth helock and tulip trees. You'll also see various old homesites.

Little Cataloochee Trail

The Little Cataloochee Trail takes you to Little Cataloochee Church. This church was built in 1890 and is still used today.

The Cataloochee Divide Trail

The Catlaloochee Divide Trail starts at 4,000 feet and rambles along the ridgeline border betweeen Maggie Valley and Cataloochee Valley. To the north you'll see the rugged expanse of the national park and to the south are the developed areas along US. 19. Grassy knolls along the way offer good views and great picnic spots.

 
Key Information Cataloochee Campground
Information: (423) 436-1228
Open: May to October
Individual Sites: 27
Each Site Has: tent pad, picnic table, fire pit, and lantern post
Site Assignment: First come, first served, no reservations
Facilities: flush toilets and cold running water
Parking: at individual sites
Fee: $6 per night
Elevation: 2,610 feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire pits only
 Alcoholic beverages -- prohibited
 Vehicles -- no restrictions
Other -- 7 day stay limit


Getting to Cataloochee Campground

From Canton drive 11 miles west on I-40 to Exit 20. Next, drive west on NC 276. You'll follow it a short distance, then turn right on Cove Creek Road. You'll will stay on Cove Creek Road for nearly 6 miles to evter the park.

Two miles beyond the park border, turn left onto the paved Cataloochee Road and follow it for 3 miles. The campground will be on your left.


KEY A: Cataloochee Campground

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Horse Cove Campground

Horse Cove Campground is a small but secluded campground alongside the Santeelah Creek, hidden in the heart of the Smokies. Horse Cove has an old-time ambience with minimal facilities.

Campground Ratings Horse Cove Campground
Beauty ****
Privacy ****
Spaciousness *****
Quiet ****
Security ****
Cleanliness ****

In a way, Horse Cove Campground is two campsites in one. The lower 6 sites are year round and the upper 11 are warm-season campsites.

The lower campground is adjacent to the Santeelah Creek, across Forest Service Road 416 from the main campground. A pit toilet is the only amenity although water comes from a spigot in the summer and from the creek in the winter.

The upper campsites are divided by a gravel road. Five of the sites are away from Horse Cove Branch, and are open, dry, and lie beneath a hardwood canopy. The other 6 sites are adjacent to the Horse Cove Branch and are isolated from each other by rhododendron, hemlocks and rather large rocks.


Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Of course Horse Cove Campground is a great choice for some quiet solitude, but its close proximity to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, makes it a hiker's paradise.

The forest is named for the late writer, Joyce Kilmer. This accomplished author penned the famous poem, Trees. "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree ..."

After his untimely death during World War I, a nationwide search began to find a forest majestic enough to memorialize Kilmer. What was selected is now a 3,800 - acre, old - growth forest that's one of the most impressive remnants of what the Southern Apppalachians looked like before the loggers came.


Hiking Trails Near Horse Cove Campground

You'll find a slew of trails that begin at the Joyce Kilmer Forest parking area. It's just .7 of a mile west of Horse Cove Campground on FS 416.

The Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail

This trail forms a figure - eight loop and the .8 mile upper loop takes you through Poplar Cove. There you'll see one of the densest clusters of large trees in eastern North America -- including the largest cucumber tree in North America.

Naked Ground and Bob Stratton Bald Trails

Here's a scenic, gold medal hike. From the parking area, the Naked Ground Trail climbs 4.3 miles to Naked Ground, named for its lack of trees in days gone by. From there, the trail to the left, leads 1.3 miles to Bob Stratton Bald and Jenkins Meadow. It's a mile - high meadow with stunning views of the Smoky Mountains.

Since the cessation of cattle grazing, the meadow had begun to reforest but in the late 1980's, the Forest Service cut the trees back and planted native grasses. Now the meadow and it's mountain views are restored.

All in all, you'll see that Jenkins Meadow is a special hidden gem of the Smokies.

Hangover Lead

Back at Naked Ground, the trail to the right takes you 1.4 miles to Hangover Lead. The Smoky Mountains and Gregory's Bald will be on your right. But best of all, the lakes and mountains that are the gems of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee are all there for your viewing.


 
Key Information Horse Cove Campground
Information: (704) 479-6431
Open: Upper campground-April to October    Lower - year round
Individual Sites: 17
Each Site Has: tent pad, picnic table, fire grate, and lantern post
Site Assignment: First come, first served, no reservations
Facilities: valut toildes in winter, flush toilets in summer
Parking: at individual sites
Fee: $5 Oct. - April, free in winter
Elevation: 2,300 feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire grates only
 Alcoholic beverages -- at campsites only
 Vehicles -- no restrictions
Other -- 14 day stay limit


Getting to Horse Cove Campground

From Robbinsville, take US 129 north 1 mile, turn turn left on NC 1116.

Drive 3.5 miles to NC 1127, then turn right. On NC 1127 continue 12 miles to FS 416, turn right.

FS 416 takes you directly to the campground.

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Mount Mitchell State Park

Don't forget your warm clothes when camping at Mt. Mitchell because the cool air up there resembles Canada than the south. In 1915, then North Carolina Governor Locke Craig made the mountain area North Carolina's first state park.

Campground Ratings Mount Mitchell State Park
Beauty *****
Privacy ****
Spaciousness ***
Quiet ****
Security *****
Cleanliness *****

Mount Mitchell's campground is for tents only, and the campground is up a few stone steps from the parking area.

The nine campsites are nestled into the dense forest, once dominated by Fraser firs. Today, weather - beaten mountain ash and a few other hardwoods mingle with the firs. But there are dead trees and they remind us of the trouble these forests face -- acid rain, insect pests, and severe climate.

As a result, gathering firewood in the park is prohibited, but firewood is for sale at the parking area.

Also, there are two water spigots along the campground path and a bathroom with flush toilets for each sex is midway along the path

With only nine sites, this tiny campground has a quiet secluded feel. The only noise you'll hear is the sound of the wind whistling overhead.

Hiking Trails Near Mount Mitchell State Park

Many hiking trails thread throughout the park, but when hiking, don't forget your jacket.

Elisha Mitchell Observation Tower

First drive to the summit parking, then take the short jaunt to the observation tower. There lies the remains of Elisha Mitchell, who fell to his death from a cliff after measuring the height of the mountain. From the tower you can see the Black Mountain Range and beyond.

Deep Gap Trail

From the observation tower you can take the Deep Gap Trail. It's a challenging 6 - mile hike along the Black Mountain Range to serveral peaks that stand over 6,000 feet.


The Pisgah National Forest

Mount Mitchell State Park is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many of the national forest trails connect to the state park trails, allowing nearly unlimited hiking opportunities. So, for the best hiking experience, please get a trail map from the park offce.

 
Key Information Mount Mitchell State Park
Information: (704) 675-4611
Open: May to October
Individual Sites: 9
Each Site Has: tent pad, picnic table, grill
Site Assignment: the park ranger will register you
Facilities: piped water, flush toilets, a pay phone
Parking: at the parking area
Fee: $9 per night
Elevation: 6,320 feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire grates only
 Alcoholic beverages -- prohibited
 Vehicles -- no restrictions
Other -- no gathering firewood in the park


Getting to Mount Mitchell State Park

From Asheville take the Blue Ridge Parkway north for 34 miles to mile-post 355, then turn left into Mount Mitchell State Park.

The campground is 4 miles up the road on your right.

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North Mills River Campground

The North Mills River Campground lies on the very edge of the Pisgah National Forest, but you'd never know it by the beautiful forest setting. All in all, North Mills is an unhurried quiet campground that is rarely filled to capacity.

Campground Ratings North Mills River
Beauty ***
Privacy ****
Spaciousness ****
Quiet ****
Security ****
Cleanliness ****

As you approach the campground, it appears larger than it really is because of the large picnic area. Once you enter the campground on the right is a camping loop with 13 campsites. They are very level and they lie between the North Mills River and a steep hill. Tall shade trees grow high over a grassy understory.

Four water spigots are evenly spaced and a comfort station with flush toilets for each sex is at the loop's center.

Over a bridge across the North Mills River is the main campground loop. These 19 sites are on a slight slope slanting toward the river. On the inside of the loop, there's a field with four open spacious sites. A short spur road heads off the loop and has three smaller campsites. These offer the most isolation and solitude in the entire campground. Also, three single campsites and one double site are beneath tall evergreens at the river's edge.

A lighted bathroom lies at the center of the loop and four water spigots are evenly placed.

Overall, North Mills River is mostly used by local families:

  • Kids float down the river in inner tubes,
  • anglers fish for trout, and
  • other folks explore the nearby hiking trails.

Pink Beds Visitor Center

Please take sometime to visit the nearby Pink Beds Visitor Center. The Pink Beds is a 6,800 - acre valley where professional forestry was first practiced in the United States. It's also know as the Cradle of Forestry in America. The unique museum showcases the evolution of US forestry.

To get to Pink Beds, just take Gravel Forest Service Road 1206 just beyond the campground pay station.

Blue Ridge Parkway

From the Pink Beds Visitor Center trun right onto US 276 until you come to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway extends for 469 miles, connecting the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks.

After visiting Pink Beds, turn north on the parkway and enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery.

Frying Pan Mountain Trail

Stop at the Frying Pan Mountain Trailhead and hike the one mile trail to the lookout tower.

If you travel farther north on the parkway, just turn right onto gravel FS 479, back down to the Mills River Recreation Area.


 
Key Information North Mills River Campground
Information: (704) 877-3265
Open: 13 sites year-round, entire campground - March to October
Individual Sites: 32
Each Site Has: tent pad, picnic table, fire grate, lantern post
Site Assignment: self-registration on site
Facilities: flush toiles and piped water in spring, summer and and fall, chemical toilets in winter
Parking: at campsites only
Fee: $6 per night
Elevation: 2,500feet
Restrictions: Pets -- on leash only
 Fires -- in fire grates only
 Alcoholic beverages -- at campsites only
 Vehicles -- no restrictions
Other -- 14 day stay limit


Getting to North Mills River Campground

From Asheville take follow NC 191 south for 13.3 miles to North Mills River Road, NC 1345. Turn right at the campground sign and follow North Mills River Road for 5 miles to North Mills River Camground.

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Smoky Mountain Camping Guide

And finally, if you love to plan, dream and read vacation books, here's a useful Smoky Mountain camping guide ...
Smoky Mountain Hiking and Camping: A Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park


Secluded Tennessee Campsites in the Smokies

If your planning on camping in the Smokies in Tennessee, here's the link to more selcluded campsites in the Smokies:   Quiet Smoky Mountain Campgrounds, Tennessee


Smoky Mountain Solitude.com

Getaway to the Smokies for a Secluded Smoky Mountain Vacation