Backcountry Camping A free backcountry permit is required for all persons spending the night in the park's backcountry. Backcountry permits are available at most park campgrounds, ranger stations and at Sugarlands and Oconaluftee visitor centers. Registration areas at ranger stations and campgrounds are accessible 24 hours a day.
Camping is permitted only at designated sites and shelters.
The few backcountry campsites and all shelters require advance reservations. For more information on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, see our Forests and Parks chapter. National Forest Camping Most national forest campgrounds have no hookups, but all developed campgrounds have at least one 25-foot parking spur, and many campgrounds have one or more campsites that can accommodate a large motor home or trailer that's 35 feet long or longer. Some sites provide pull-through drives. Primitive camps that are scattered all over the forests, including the wilderness areas, are for tents only.