Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday Introduce
Hello, fellow Tennesseans! If you’re looking for a camping experience that truly offers the best of both worlds – the peaceful serenity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park combined with convenient access to the excitement of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge – then the Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday in Cosby, TN, is a destination you’ll want to put on your radar. This isn't just a place to stay; it's a vibrant, amenity-rich campground designed to create unforgettable memories for families and campers of all ages.
For us living in the Volunteer State, having a base camp that allows us to explore the natural wonders of the Smokies by day and enjoy the entertainment options of the nearby towns by evening is a huge plus. The Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday strikes this balance beautifully, offering a comfortable and engaging environment that has garnered rave reviews from families who have found their perfect vacation spot here. It’s a testament to how a well-managed campground can enhance your entire Smoky Mountain adventure.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes this KOA Holiday campground such a popular choice among locals. We'll cover its strategic location, the impressive array of services and amenities it offers, the standout features that make it so enjoyable, and how you can connect with them to plan your next memorable trip to the Smokies. Get ready to discover your new favorite family-friendly camping destination in Tennessee!
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday is conveniently located at 4874 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA. This address places it just a short drive from the bustling attractions of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, while still being far enough away to offer a peaceful, "state park vibes" atmosphere. This strategic positioning is a major advantage for Tennessee visitors, allowing for easy access to the region's diverse offerings.
The campground is situated near the Cosby entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is often considered a quieter entry point compared to the main Gatlinburg entrance. This allows for direct access to less crowded trails and a more immersive natural experience. Reviewers explicitly mention being "able to get right on the trail from the KOA," highlighting excellent accessibility for hiking enthusiasts.
For those traveling by RV or car from various parts of Tennessee, the drive to Cosby is generally straightforward via well-maintained highways. While you get the feeling of being nestled in the mountains, you're not so remote that accessing essentials or regional attractions becomes a chore. This ideal balance of seclusion and accessibility makes it a practical and appealing choice for families and campers from across the state.
The Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday goes above and beyond to provide a comprehensive range of services and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and entertaining stay for its guests:
- Diverse Accommodation Options: They offer a variety of ways to stay, including RV Sites (many with full hookups, level spots, and privacy from surrounding trees), Tent Sites (with grass pads and access to water and electricity), and various Cabin rentals (from basic camping cabins to deluxe cabins, some fully stocked with kitchenettes or full kitchens and private bathrooms).
- Clean and Modern Facilities: Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness and quality of the facilities. This includes "clean and very nice" individual bathroom settings with locked doors, ensuring privacy and comfort, as well as a well-maintained laundry area.
- Convenience Services: To enhance your stay, the KOA offers daily trash pickup directly from your site, and staff will deliver firewood, ice, or even pizza directly to your campsite. This on-site convenience minimizes hassle for campers.
- On-site Cafe and Store: A cafe and main office area with a gift shop are available, providing easy access to meals, snacks, camping essentials, and souvenirs without having to leave the campground.
- Recreational Amenities:
- Outdoor Pool: A highly popular feature, especially for families, allowing for refreshing dips and relaxation.
- Playground: A "very nice playground" keeps younger campers entertained, as highlighted by happy families.
- KampK9® Dog Park: For furry family members, a dedicated fenced dog park allows pets to play safely off-leash.
- Disc Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Games: Additional outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy.
- Game Room: Provides indoor entertainment options.
- Scheduled Activities and Events: The campground organizes a variety of activities, particularly on weekends and during holidays. These include "family activities," crafts, tie-dye, bingo, outdoor movies, pancake breakfasts, and themed weekends, ensuring there's always something fun happening.
- Internet and Cable: Wi-Fi is available, and many RV sites offer cable TV, allowing for connectivity and entertainment options if desired.
- Propane and Firewood: Available for purchase on-site, ensuring campers have access to essential supplies.
- National Park Access: Direct trail access from the KOA into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday shines with several key features and highlights that make it a premier choice for campers in Tennessee:
- Exceptional Staff and Hospitality: Consistently mentioned in reviews, the "amazing," "friendly and gracious," and "extremely helpful" staff are a major highlight. Their dedication to delivering firewood, picking up trash, and facilitating activities creates a truly welcoming and stress-free environment for guests.
- Ideal Balance of Peace and Proximity: Campers love being "close to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge while still being far enough away to enjoy the quiet, state park vibes." This unique blend offers both lively entertainment options nearby and the tranquility of the natural surroundings.
- Family-Friendly Focus: The abundance of amenities specifically designed for children, such as the playground, pool, and organized weekend activities (with special shout-outs to staff like "Ms. Hollie"), makes it an outstanding choice for families with young kids. It truly helps create "great memories" for "first family camping trip."
- Variety of Site Types and Accommodations: From secluded RV sites with privacy to fully stocked cabins, the campground caters to diverse preferences and needs, ensuring every type of camper can find their perfect spot. Level sites with adequate space are frequently praised.
- Direct Trail Access to GSMNP: The ability to "get right on the trail from the KOA" into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a significant advantage for hikers and nature lovers, offering an immediate connection to the region's wilderness.
- Clean and Well-Maintained Facilities: The emphasis on cleanliness, particularly in the individual shower facilities and laundry area, adds a layer of comfort and convenience that is highly valued by campers.
- On-Site Convenience: Services like firewood and pizza delivery to sites, along with daily trash pickup, demonstrate a strong commitment to guest convenience and a hassle-free camping experience.
To plan your wonderful family camping trip or inquire about availability at 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
Booking in advance, especially during peak season or for specific cabin types and popular weekend activities, is highly recommended to secure your preferred accommodation. Their friendly staff are readily available to assist with reservations and answer any questions you may have about the campground or the surrounding area.
For us Tennesseans, the Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday truly stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended camping destination. Its appeal is rooted in a thoughtful combination of prime location, extensive amenities, and a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction, all designed to make your Smoky Mountain getaway as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Firstly, its location offers the ideal balance that many locals seek. Being close enough to the attractions of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge provides options for entertainment, dining, and shopping, while still being nestled in Cosby, which maintains a more serene "state park vibe" and direct access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This means you can easily switch between thrilling amusement park rides and peaceful nature hikes, all from one convenient base camp.
The array of services and features is particularly well-suited for families, a common demographic for local campers. The clean individual showers, organized kids' activities (with dedicated staff like Ms. Hollie!), the pool, playground, and even the KampK9® for our furry friends, all contribute to an environment where everyone in the family can have a "wonderful time" and create "great memories." The added conveniences like firewood delivery and daily trash pickup are small touches that significantly enhance the overall relaxation factor, allowing us to truly enjoy our time off.
Furthermore, the consistently praised "amazing," "friendly," and "extremely helpful" staff reflect the best of Southern hospitality, making every visitor feel welcomed and cared for. This level of service, combined with well-maintained sites and diverse accommodation options, ensures a reliable and positive experience. Whether you're planning your first family camping trip or returning to the Smokies, the Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday offers a comprehensive, enjoyable, and genuinely convenient solution for any Tennessee local looking for their next adventure in our beautiful mountains.
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday Photos










Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday Location
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday
4874 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday Reviews
We recently stayed at this KOA for a week with our two young kids (6 and almost 3). We stayed in a one room cabin and had a WONDERFUL time! I was surprised how many items the cabin already had stocked. It turned out several things we had brought were duplicates we did not need. The KOA staff was amazing. We appreciated how friendly and gracious everyone was. They did trash pickup and delivered firewood directly to our site. Our kids LOVED the playground, pool, and activities on the weekend. (Special shout out to Ms. Hollie who facilitated the family activities during our stay.) Even though we had some rain off and on during our stay, we still had a ton of fun. We liked being close to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge while still being far enough away to enjoy the quiet, state park vibes. We were able to get right on the trail from the KOA.Thank you for helping to make our first family camping trip full of great memories. If we decide to return to the Great Smokies, we know we'll be staying here again.
Jun 21, 2025 · Katy ReynoldsThe staff was very friendly and extreamly helpful! The shower facility is clean and very nice with individual bathroom settings with locked doors. They have a laundry area also. The cafe and main office area with gift shop is nice as well. They have a pool and very nice play ground for kids. The scheduled kids activities on the weekend was a nice added feature as well. The staff deliver your wood, ice, or pizza to your site and have daily trash pick up. Now for our camp site we stayed at site 17 with a 32ft camper it was a nice level spot with trees surrounding which makes you feel secluded with fire ring and picnic table still had plenty room for our truck and other things. There is a small gravel road/drive way behind the site but very little traffic. I would go back to this camp ground in a heart beat! We absolutely loved it!
May 20, 2025 · Vanessa MinnerRecently stayed for 5 nights at site 101. It was super spacious with views of the woods. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. Great location about 25 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg and walking trails in the great Smokey mountain national park right behind the campground. We will definitely be back!!!
Jun 21, 2025 · Lindsey EklundFrom the minute we arrived the staff was extremely friendly and ready to help in anyway possible. The camp ground was very clean. Jordan was great taking us to our site and helping to get the camper in to our location. The camp store was clean and had a great selection. The pool was open and looked wonderful but to chilly out to use. The wifi worked well our entire stay. The restrooms and showers, even though we did not need to use them, were extremely clean and also private with locks. They also have a big laundry room. Would stay here again in a heart beat. It was easy to get to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
May 09, 2025 · Amy SkrinakService was great from the time we pulled in to the campground. The staff went above and beyond to make sure that our stay was great. Lots of activities to do and being able to buy food there was a plus. We will definitely be staying there again. Thanks.
Jun 15, 2025 · Mark Lundy
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