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Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains National Park is named for the misty 'smoke' that often hangs over the park.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picnicking
 
Picnic site at Chimneys Picnic Area.
Picnic sites have a picnic table and a raised grill for cooking.

Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. Download a park map to view the location of picnic areas in the park.

The picnic areas at Cades Cove, Chimney Tops, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms remain open year-round. The remaining picnic areas are closed during the winter. See schedule below.

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.

All pavilions except Twin Creeks cost $20 per use. Twin Creeks' fee ranges from $35-75 depending on the usage. Payment can be made by credit card or personal check at the time the reservation is made.

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.

 

Picnic Area

2008
Open/Close
Dates

Number
of Sites

 Pavilion

Notes

Big Creek

Year Round

10

No

 
Cades Cove

Year Round

81

No

Closes at 8:00 PM May 1 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates
Chimneys

Year Round

89

No

Closes at 8:00 PM May 1 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates
Collins Creek

March 7 - Oct. 31

182

Seats 70

Closes at 8:00 PM May 1 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates. Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $20
Cosby

Year Round

95

Seats 55

Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $20
Deep Creek

Year Round

58

Seats 70

Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $20
Greenbrier

Year Round

12

Seats 70

Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $10
Heintooga

May 9 -
Oct. 14

41

No

 
Look Rock

May 9 -
Oct. 31

51

No

 
Metcalf Bottoms

Year Round

165

Seats 70

Pavilion open March 10 - Oct. 31; can be reserved in advance for $20
Twin Creeks

April 1 -
Oct. 31

Pavilion
only

Seats 150

By reservation only ($35-$75)
 
http://www.SmokiesInformation.org

Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.

Auto touring
Auto Touring
Auto Touring is a popular way to explore the park.
more...
Black bear
Black Bears
An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park.
more...
Junior Ranger Badge
Become a Junior Ranger
Kids ages 5-12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge by exploring the park.
more...
Regulations Concerning Pets
Regulations Concerning Pets
Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas and along roads, but are not allowed on park trails.
more...
The park is named for the misty clouds that hang over the mountains.  

Did You Know?
The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees. On the high peaks of the Smokies, an average of 85 inches of rain falls each year, qualifying these upper elevation areas as temperate rain forests.

Last Updated: November 30, 2007 at 10:38 EST