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Pigeon Forge

 

Smoky Mountain Picnic Areas

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has picnic areas at Cades Cove, Chimney Tops, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms which remain open year-round. The remaining picnic areas are closed during the winter. All picnic areas have pavilions except Chimneys and Cades Cove. The picnic pavilions at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks can be reserved for groups one year in advance by calling (877) 444-6777, or online at http://www.recreation.gov.

Please remember that feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal. The black bear symbolizes the invaluable wilderness qualities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But bears are dying unnecessarily due to improper disposal of garbage or illegal feeding by visitors. A bear’s remarkable sense of smell may lead it to human foods, such as a picnicker’s cooler, garbage left in the open, or food scraps thrown on the ground or left in the grill.

A bear that has discovered human food or garbage will eventually become day-active and leave the safety of the backcountry. It may panhandle along roadsides and be killed by a car or it may injure a visitor and have to be euthanized. Please do your part to help protect black bears and other wildlife in the Great Smokies. Clean your picnic area, including the grill and the ground around the table, thoroughly after your meal.

Area Features Location Number of Sites
Big Creek Small, quiet campground and creek State 32 from Cosby 10
Cades Cove Great spots all around an 11 mile loop Little River Road 81
Chimneys Large area in Nation Park Newfound Gap Road 89
Collins Creek    

182
Cosby Large picnic areas, great access to many hiking trails State 32 from Cosby 95
Deep Creek Covered ampitheater with several waterfall hikes nearby Hwy 19 from Cherokee 58
Greenbrier Has both covered and open area near creek Hwy 321 from Gatlinburg 12
Heintooga Highest picnic area in National Park. Great Views! Balsam Mountain Road 41
Look Rock     51
Metcalf Bottoms Shady picnic area inside National Park. Some site near river. Little River Road 165
Twin Creeks     Pavilion Only