Cherokee, NC
Time of Trip: June 2026
Length of Visit: Two nights
Activity Highlights: Wildlife viewing, Hiking, Fishing, History
Campground Reservation: Smokemont Campground, Site B024
I’ve traveled through Cherokee, NC, multiple times in my life. Cherokee lies within the Qualla Boundary, which is the reservation for the sovereign nation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee is also the gateway to the NC entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the reservation offers many attractions from fishing and hiking to museums and even a casino with a dispensary nearby– there is entertainment for all sorts of visitors. Wildlife here is common, especially elk and bear, and the Cherokee side of the GSM park is much quieter than the TN side with Cades Cove and Gatlinburg, TN.
When I was younger, my grandparents used to take me and my brother cabin camping at the nearby “Yogi in the Smokies” campground. I hadn’t been in Cherokee overnight though since our last camping trip together. I wanted to try out a campground that didn’t have showers, and I was looking for a campground with fewer young families, so I booked a campsite at Smokemont instead. Because I didn’t know how much I would enjoy a campground without showers, I kept my visit to a short two-night stay. Similar to other places I’ve visited, the area has little-to-no cell service. The town of Cherokee does have free public Wi-Fi, though it can be spotty.
Campground Review
Lying within the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, roughly 6 miles from downtown Cherokee, Smokemont campground is a relatively quiet campground with 142 campsites catering to tents, trailers, and RVs. There is a generator-free loop for campers who want a quieter space. There is also an RV-only loop that’s riverside to the Oconoluftee river, which flows through the property and is calm enough for swimming and fishing. A wide variety of mature trees exists throughout the campground. The tent sites feature gravel tent pads. These sites also vary widely in terms of size and privacy– some campsites are rather private while others have little-to-no brush or space that separates them from their neighbors– C & D loops are especially close together. Sites are reservation and first come, first served– they will not allow you to drive through the campground without the intent to stay. The campground also has a few hiking trails which vary in length from one mile to 8+ miles.
I reserved site B024 months ahead of my trip by calling the ranger office at the entrance of the campground asking for recommendations– I wanted to get a site that would allow me to use my hammock. I spoke with a very friendly female ranger who was happy to refer me to a good campsite, and even took a quick drive around the campground looking for such a site while I remained on the phone. I am very glad I called, the ranger recommended a lovely campsite! My site was one row back from the river so that I could hear it, and I had a couple of large trees that made using my hammock a breeze. My neighbors were roughly 15-20 feet away from my tent pad– close, but not right on top of me. My section of the B-loop probably had the best spread-apart campsites within the campground.
Upon arrival, the ranger at the office checked me in and supplied me with a “reserved” pass to put up at my campsite. They were straight forward about the rules to keep wildlife away, as both bear and elk regularly visit the campground. The campground does not offer bearproof storage containers at the campsites, so I brought an airtight dogfood container and kept my food & toiletries within that, locked inside my car at all times unless I was actively eating. There are certainly wildlife present– I saw an elk nearby as soon as I finished pitching my tent, and I even saw a pileated woodpecker above my site. Bugs are very prevalent here, though not mosquitoes– “no-see-ums” were everywhere there was a light after sundown. Getting into my tent with a light on without bringing some bugs inside with me was rather difficult.
Though there are no showers at this campground, there are five toilet houses. These houses were regularly cleaned, though the cleaning focused heavily on the sinks, toilets, mirrors, and floor rather than the walls & ceilings– those were rather full of bugs and cobwebs. The lighting inside the houses was also rather poor, though I could see clearly when I was inside at night. There were some small shelves over the bathroom sinks, which were useful.
Overall, I did enjoy my stay at this campground and would return. Though there were young families, there were more adults than there were children, and most kids I saw were ages 10 and up. Because of this, the campground was rather quiet. I also stayed in the generator-free area, and which was a rule respected by all of the other visitors. The campground is overall very clean and is well maintained. Since there are no showers, you will need to bring shower wipes or a portable camp shower; bathing is prohibited in the river. Also keep in mind the campground’s surrounding area; it is a high elevation camp within the Smoky mountains that makes summer rainstorms prevalent. I recommend bringing an extra rain tarp with extendable tarp poles to put up over your tent pad and/or picnic table.
Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, flush toilets, potable water, dump station, dishwashing station
Need to Know: There are no showers
For more information about the campground and to book your site, follow this link: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232486?tab=fees
Near the Camp
Even though my trip was short, I had lots of activities to choose from for fun! The campground is only a few miles from the Oconoluftee Visitor Center where you can view elk, hike, and tour a replica farmhouse like those of the earliest European settlers in the region. However, note that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the busiest national park in the country. Because of its popularity, the GSM National Park requires parking passes for anyone who wishes to stay parked past 15 minutes within the park, which includes the visitor center. You may purchase these passes ahead of your trip online or at the visitor centers throughout the park. A parking permit was not needed for the campground.
In addition to multiple local-owned businesses and restaurants, Cherokee itself is also home to the Qualla Boundary Arts & Crafts Mutual CoOp, the Oconoluftee Living Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, the outdoor drama “Unto these Hills”, and the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. It is also a world-renowned trout fishing destination, and every summer the reservation hosts a Native American Powwow with tribes visiting from throughout the Americas. There is truly something here for everyone! Other neighboring towns with their own attractions include Bryson City and Maggie Valley, and a day trip to Asheville is less than a two-hour drive.
For more information on the GSM park and nearby attractions, view the links below:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Summary
Even though the campground lacks showers, I would gladly return to both Smokemont Campground and Cherokee– and if I bring a camp shower, I will stay much longer! Some campsites are closer together than I would prefer, but my individual site and the ones surrounding it were lovely. The campers were respectful of each other, and the campground is clean. Smokemont is close enough to Cherokee so that if you need anything, you can venture into town. Cell service is nonexistent in the general area, so be prepared with a Starlink satellite if you think you’ll need service unless you want to spend all day at a local business in town. Nonetheless, there are attractions for nature lovers, history buffs, and business enthusiasts alike. If you are looking to get into solo camping, this is a perfect place to begin!
Paw-Friendly Rating: 4/5
This is a wonderful place to bring your furry companion! The campground is clean, and you can take them to many outdoor activities nearby. There’s plenty of space to walk them around camp, and the bathrooms are large enough that you can sneak them in with you. The only reason it’s not 5/5 is because of wildlife; because of the prevalence of bears, I wouldn’t leave them alone. Either bring them wherever you go, trust them with a camp neighbor, or keep them in your vehicle should you need to separate for a short amount of time.
Women-Friendly Rating: 4/5
The only reason it’s not a 5/5 is because there aren’t showers. If you’re ready for this, then it’s a perfect 5/5. The campground is popular enough that you have neighbors close by. The camp is clean and staffed, except for winter. Though walkways aren’t lit at night, the bathrooms are. I never once felt unsafe and will happily return.