The short answer: Cades Cove Campground is open year-round. It has drinking water and flush toilets, but no showers or standard electric, water or sewer hookups at individual sites. Reserve a specific campsite before you go; winter availability is limited to part of Loop C.
Choose the right site
The campground sits near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road, making an early start easier than it is from a gateway town. It accepts tents and RVs, but site lengths and permitted equipment vary. Use the site-by-site details on Recreation.gov to confirm that your vehicle and setup fit. Do not assume a vacant site is available without a reservation.
Loop B and parts of Loop C operate from spring into late fall. In winter, the National Park Service lists only sites C1–12 and C26–61. Check the current campground listing for the exact dates, open sites and total price. The park’s published standard campground fee was $30 per site per night when this guide was checked; the booking page controls the price you actually pay.
Open the official campground map before choosing a site
The NPS numbered campground map (PDF) shows the A, B and C loops, individual site numbers, restrooms, the camp store and bike rentals, the dump station, and the Anthony Creek trail access. Save the PDF for offline use before you drive in.
Use the map to understand where a site sits; use Recreation.gov’s site-by-site listing to confirm what can actually be booked, the permitted equipment and length, and the current price. A map does not guarantee a site is open in your season. The NPS map marks accessible sites; verify the specific accessibility features you need on the booking page or with the park.
Facilities and practical limits
- Flush toilets and potable water are available; there are no campground showers.
- Fires belong only in established fire rings. Follow the park’s heat-treated firewood rule.
- Pets must be leashed, cannot be left unattended, and are not permitted on park trails.
- Quiet hours and generator restrictions apply. Confirm the rules for your assigned loop.
- A parking tag is required if you leave your vehicle parked elsewhere in the park for more than 15 minutes. A vehicle at its designated campsite is exempt.
Food storage is part of the reservation
This is bear habitat. When food, cookware, coolers, scented items and water containers are not in use, the campground rules require them to be inside a sealed, hard-sided vehicle or camping unit. A soft-sided tent or an unattended cooler does not meet that rule. Put rubbish in the provided bear-resistant dumpsters promptly.
Before you leave town
Save your reservation details and a map offline; mobile service can be unreliable. The campground store and bicycle rentals operate seasonally, so bring the supplies you will need even if you expect the store to be open. Check current park conditions and the Loop Road guide before planning your first morning.