Instructions

• 1). Decide what type of campground you want to stay in while visiting Gatlinburg. Options include large campgrounds with lots of amenities, small, family-owned parks in scenic locations, or rustic campgrounds in the natural setting of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  
  
• 2). Research campsite availability for your travel dates. Check camping resource web pages, such as the National Park Service site, to assist you in determining the best campground for your Gatlinburg trip.
  
  
• 3). Reserve your campsite either online at the campground's reservation web site or by phoning the campground office. If your chosen Gatlinburg campground doesn't take reservations, plan to arrive at the location at the earliest check-in time to secure a campsite.
  
  
• 4). Select the Gatlinburg activities you want to enjoy. Schedule the days you will spend away from your campsite and, if available, make reservations for your chosen activities.
  
  
• 5). Check your gear a week before your trip and ensure everything is in working order and has the power source needed to operate.
  
  
• 6). Plan the menu. Purchase as many non-perishable items as possible in advance.
  
  
• 7). Pack for your trip. Bring both warm- and cool-weather clothes because the weather in Gatlinburg can change frequently. Make sure to bring rain gear for every person traveling, especially if you are camping in the summer, when rain in Gatlinburg is common.
  
  
• 8). Set up your campsite as soon as you arrive at the campground, weather permitting.