Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday

For us Tennesseans, when the call of the Great Smoky Mountains beckons, we look for a place that combines convenience, comfort, and a true sense of hospitality. Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday in Cosby, TN, stands out as a premier destination that consistently exceeds expectations. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the warm welcome from a staff dedicated to making your stay as enjoyable and seamless as possible. This isn't just a place to park your RV or pitch a tent; it's a vibrant camping experience designed for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike, offering a fantastic base for exploring all that our beloved Smoky Mountains region has to offer.

This KOA Holiday campground is renowned for its exceptional cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. From the inviting camp store, stocked with essentials and treats, to the meticulously kept restrooms and private showers (complete with individual locked doors for privacy), every detail is considered to ensure a comfortable and worry-free stay. Guests consistently praise the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, who go above and beyond – from assisting with camper setup to delivering firewood and pizza right to your site. This level of service truly sets Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday apart, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to return again and again.

Beyond the superb service, the campground offers a wealth of amenities and planned activities, transforming a simple camping trip into a memorable vacation. Whether you're splashing in the inviting outdoor pool, letting your furry friend roam at the Kamp K9, or participating in the fun-filled scheduled kids' activities on a weekend, there’s always something to do for every member of the family. The strategic location, offering easy access to both the excitement of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, while still being nestled in the natural beauty of Cosby, truly makes it an ideal choice for a relaxing retreat or an action-packed adventure in the heart of Tennessee’s scenic wonderland.

Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is conveniently located at 4874 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA. This prime address places it on the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, providing a fantastic balance of peaceful mountain ambiance and easy access to the region's most popular attractions.

The campground's direct access from Hooper Highway (also known as Tennessee State Route 321) ensures straightforward navigation for all types of vehicles, from passenger cars to large RVs and trailers. Unlike some more remote mountain roads, Hooper Highway is generally well-maintained, facilitating a smooth arrival. While tucked away enough to provide a sense of natural seclusion, the campground's strategic position offers remarkably easy access to two of Tennessee's most iconic tourist towns: Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Despite being in Cosby, guests consistently highlight the convenience of reaching the bustling attractions of these towns, including Dollywood, Ripley's Aquarium, countless shows, and dining options, within a reasonable driving distance.

Furthermore, its proximity to the less-congested Cosby entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a significant advantage. This allows campers to quickly access a vast network of hiking trails and scenic areas, often with fewer crowds than other park entrances. For those who enjoy hiking, there's even direct access to trails like Maddron Bald Trail from near the campground, meaning you can leave your vehicle parked and walk straight into the beauty of the national park. While public transportation options are limited in this area, the excellent road access and central location make Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday highly accessible for all visitors, ensuring your journey to and from your mountain adventure is as smooth as possible.

• Diverse Site Options: The campground offers a variety of site types to suit every camper's needs, including RV Sites (back-in and pull-thru, with full hookups and 30/50 amp service, some with KOA Patios®), Deluxe Cabins (with kitchenettes/full kitchens and full bathrooms), and Tent Sites (with water & electric hookups, sand tent pads, fire pits, and "bear boxes").
• Immaculate Restrooms and Showers: Consistently praised by guests for being "extremely clean" and private, with individual bathroom settings featuring locked doors, ensuring comfort and convenience.
• Large Laundry Room: A well-maintained and spacious laundry facility is available, providing convenience for extended stays.
• Fully Stocked Camp Store: The main office area features a clean and well-stocked camp store with a great selection of essentials, gifts, firewood, propane, and ice.
• WiFi Access: Reliable Wi-Fi service is available throughout the campground, allowing guests to stay connected.
• LP Gas (Propane) Sales: Propane is available for purchase on-site, a convenient service for RVers.
• Site Services: Staff offer helpful services like guiding campers to their site ("Jordan was great taking us to our site"), delivering wood, ice, or pizza directly to your site, and daily trash pick-up.
• Cafe/Snack Bar: A cafe and main office area, along with a gift shop, provide additional amenities and convenience.
• Pet-Friendly Facilities: The campground is pet-friendly, featuring a Kamp K9® dog park for furry companions. Pets must be leashed, and specific policies apply.

• Exceptional Staff and Service: Consistently highlighted in reviews, the "extremely friendly and ready to help in anyway possible" staff, including personalized assistance with camper setup, delivery services, and daily trash pickup, create an outstanding guest experience.
• Spotless Facilities: The "extremely clean" restrooms and showers, which offer individual, private, lockable settings, are a major highlight, setting a high standard for campground hygiene.
• Variety of Accommodations: Offering RV sites, Deluxe Cabins, and Tent Sites ensures that all types of campers can find suitable lodging, from those seeking full comfort to a more rustic experience.
• On-Site Recreation: The campground features an outdoor pool (seasonal), a very nice playground for kids, disc golf, horseshoes, basketball, a game room with air hockey, foosball, and pool, and even an outdoor movie cinema on select dates.
• Scheduled Kids Activities: Weekends often include planned activities for children, adding an extra layer of family fun and engagement.
• Kamp K9® Dog Park: A dedicated off-leash area for pets allows furry family members to exercise and enjoy their stay.
• Direct Trail Access: A short walk from the campground leads directly to the Maddron Bald Trailhead, providing immediate access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for hiking without needing to drive and find parking.
• Convenient Location: Despite being in Cosby, the campground offers easy access to the main attractions of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, making it a perfect base camp for exploring the entire region.
• Secluded Feel on Sites: Many sites, like Site 17, offer a "nice level spot with trees surrounding which makes you feel secluded," providing a sense of privacy even within a busy campground.
• Community Fire Pit and Pavilion: These areas provide spaces for campers to gather, socialize, and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere.

Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, as part of the KOA Holiday brand, frequently offers various promotions and special deals to enhance your camping experience. These can include seasonal discounts, extended stay offers, and special benefits for KOA Rewards members. For example, they often have a "Stay 5 Nights & Save 30%" promotion for bookings between March 15 and December 31, 2025 (excluding Paw Pen sites and not combinable with other discounts). They also participate in the "Care Camps Big Weekend" (typically in May), where a portion of your stay on the second night supports children with cancer attending medically supervised camps. Additionally, KOA Rewards Appreciation Weekends (like September 5-6, 2025) offer KOA Rewards holders a free night when staying on the preceding Friday. Military veterans, service members, police, firefighters, and first responders can also receive a 10% "Hero Discount" on their reservations, with valid ID. It's important to note that these offers often have specific terms and conditions, such as blackout dates, minimum stay requirements, and non-combinability with other discounts. For the most current and detailed information on promotions, it is always best to visit the "Hot Deals" section of their official KOA website or call the campground directly. Booking in advance, especially for popular weekends and holidays, is highly recommended.

For inquiries, reservations, or more detailed information about Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday, please use the following contact details:

Address: 4874 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA

Phone: (800) 562-2485

Mobile Phone: +1 800-562-2485

As a KOA Holiday location, they also have a comprehensive website where you can view site availability, make reservations online, and find detailed information about all their amenities and scheduled events. Calling the toll-free number is an excellent way to speak directly with their friendly staff for personalized assistance and to confirm any specific needs for your stay.

For us Tennesseans, Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is an exceptional choice for a memorable camping getaway, perfectly blending convenience with a high-quality outdoor experience. Its suitability for locals is multifaceted. Firstly, its location in Cosby offers a quieter, less congested approach to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park compared to the main Gatlinburg Strip, yet it maintains incredible proximity to all the major attractions of both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. This means less time in traffic and more time enjoying the beautiful scenery and countless activities our region has to offer, making it an ideal weekend escape or a base for a longer family vacation without extensive travel.

Secondly, the consistent praise for its "extremely friendly" staff and "very clean" facilities resonates deeply with the value Tennesseans place on hospitality and well-maintained environments. Knowing you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome and have access to immaculate restrooms, private showers, and a large laundry room significantly enhances the overall camping experience. The added convenience of services like wood and pizza delivery, along with daily trash pickup, transforms a camping trip into a truly relaxing holiday where every detail is taken care of.

Finally, the wide array of on-site amenities and scheduled activities, from the inviting pool and playground to Kamp K9 and organized kids' events, ensures there's always something for everyone in the family to enjoy without even leaving the campground. This holistic approach to camping, combined with its accessibility and commitment to guest satisfaction, makes Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday a premier choice and a beloved destination for us locals seeking to create lasting memories in the heart of the Tennessee Smokies.