Explore Top Camping Spots Near Ela, NC: Nature Retreats & Outdoor Adventures Await!
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Ela, NC, outdoor enthusiasts will find a variety of camping options that cater to every preference, from RV camping and tent sites to dispersed camping. The region is characterized by lush forests and proximity to the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering a breathtaking backdrop for your adventure. For RV campers, sites at the nearby Cherokee/Great Smoky Mountains KOA provide full-hookup amenities and are conveniently located near hiking trails and local attractions. Tent campers can enjoy primitive sites at the nearby Nantahala National Forest, where serene settings and the soothing sounds of nature create an ideal atmosphere for relaxation. For the more adventurous, dispersed camping is available throughout the national forests, allowing for a more secluded experience amidst towering trees and scenic vistas. With its diverse camping choices, Ela, NC, is the perfect base for exploring the great outdoors while soaking in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

















Deep Creek Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (2 hrs 20 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,800 feet. There are a total of 92 campsites including 56 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 36 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 28 feet. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, restroom, amphitheater, pay telephone. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cheoah Point Cabin 2 is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 27 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,896 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cheoah Point Cabin 1 is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 27 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,896 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, marina. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Tow String Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 13 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,118 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Smokemont Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 17 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,198 feet. There are a total of 142 campsites. The campground is open all year. 137 sites can accommodate RVs between 21 and 200 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, restroom, pay telephone, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Smokemont Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 15 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,235 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Balsam Mountain Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 7 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 5,310 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 23 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, amphitheater. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Round Bottom Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 32 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,162 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Elkmont Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 17 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,150 feet. There are a total of 211 campsites including 51 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of November. 160 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 54 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 3 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, amphitheater, firewood, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Elkmont Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 17 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,158 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $38.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Cataloochee Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,748 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Cataloochee Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 4 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,610 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Cataloochee Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,535 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $50.00 per night.
Cosby Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (57 min south of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 2,459 feet. There are a total of 157 campsites including 133 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 24 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 44 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Cosby Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (55 min south of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 2,308 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Anthony Creek Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 7 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,074 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Cades Cove Group Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 8 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,961 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $50.00 to $94.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, ramada, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Cades Cove Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 7 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,807 feet. There are a total of 161 campsites including 27 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 130 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 2 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, general store, restroom, amphitheater, ice, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Balsam Lake Lodge is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 20 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 3,654 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Prices start at $170.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, laundry facility, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Big Creek Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (51 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,700 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 18 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Big Creek Group Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (55 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,694 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Big Creek Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (51 min southeast of Morristown, TN) with an elevation of 1,563 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $36.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, horse stable, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Van Hook Glade Campground is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 51 min northwest of Anderson, SC) with an elevation of 3,255 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 36 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Standing Indian Campground is located in the Nantahala Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 46 min north of Gainesville, GA) with an elevation of 3,381 feet. There are a total of 77 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 74 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Cheoah Point Campground is located in the Cheoah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 42 min south of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,000 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 6 sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include shower, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Rattler Ford Group Campground is located in the Cheoah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (1 hr 51 min south of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,076 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Harmon Den Horse Campground is located in the Appalachian Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (59 min northwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,895 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Abrams Creek Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (53 min south of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,125 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the end of October. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 12 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cove Creek Lower Group Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (54 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,967 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cove Creek Upper Group Camp is located in the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forests in North Carolina (54 min southwest of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,967 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.