RV & camping guide
Great Smoky Mountains by RV
Your route
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville)
Great Smoky Mountains
About 1 h 27 min · 47 mi by car, no stops. Estimate only.
Vehicle & road notes
Which vehicle
Standard vehicles are suitable for main roads; check rental agreements for restrictions on unpaved gravel secondary routes.
parking
Mandatory Parking Tags
Display a daily, weekly, or annual tag in your windshield when stopping at trailheads or overlooks. Tags are sold at visitor centers and automated machines, but a tag does not guarantee a physical space.
signal
Limited Cellular Service
Expect total signal loss in deep valleys and along large sections of Newfound Gap Road. Download offline maps and park brochures before leaving your gateway accommodation.
fuel
No In-Park Fuel Stations
Gasoline is not sold within the national park boundaries. Fill your tank in Gatlinburg, Townsend, or Cherokee before starting high-elevation drives.
Campground reservations
Parking Tag and Campground Booking Official Check
Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. While there is no entry fee or timed reservation for general driving, all campgrounds require advance booking via Recreation.gov. Popular areas like Cades Cove may have seasonal vehicle-free hours that require checking the official NPS schedule before your visit.
Official sourceWhere to park the rig near Great Smoky Mountains
Private campgrounds and RV parks outside the park, plus overnight stops for members.
Partner link · Campspot
Campsites near Great Smoky Mountains on Campspot
Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.
Check on CampspotPartner link · RoverPass
RV parks near Great Smoky Mountains on RoverPass
Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.
Check on RoverPass
Traveling by RV near Great Smoky Mountains?
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Partner link · Harvest Hosts
Rent a motorhome or campervan
Fleet rentals from established depots. Compare pick-up cities against your flight.
Partner link · Motorhome Republic
Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4
Wake up wherever the view is best — no check-in desk, no curfew.
Check on Motorhome RepublicPartner link · Motorhome Republic
Sprinter Adventure Van
Small enough to park at the trailhead, comfy enough to sleep in.
Check on Motorhome RepublicQuick answers
Can I take an RV to Great Smoky Mountains?
Yes, Great Smoky Mountains is a good fit for camping trips. Check vehicle length limits on park roads and campgrounds before you book, and plan fuel stops on remote stretches.
Where do I pick up an RV for Great Smoky Mountains?
The nearest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville) (TYS), about 1 h 27 min away by car. Rental depots are usually in larger cities, so compare pick-up points before booking flights.
Do campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains need reservations?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a valid parking tag for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. While there is no entry fee or timed reservation for general driving, all campgrounds require advance booking via Recreation.gov. Popular areas like Cades Cove may have seasonal vehicle-free hours that require checking the official NPS schedule before your visit.