Thunderbird Mountain Cottage

On this page:

• Camping in the Santeetlah Lake vicinity
• Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Camping guidelines from the U.S. Forest Service

Camping in the Santeetlah Lake vicinity

There are more than fifty primitive campsites scattered around Santeetlah Lake. Although these sites have no toilets or water faucets, the U.S. Forest Service has recently rebuilt some of them to include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and lantern posts. Camping at primitive lake sites requires no fee or permit, but the Forest Service does ask that you follow certain guidelines.

In addition to the primitive campsites, there are family and group campsites in the lake area:

Cheoah Point Recreation Area

Located adjacent to the lake, less than a mile from the Cottage, Cheoah Point Recreation Area has developed swimming, camping, picnicking, fishing, and boating facilities. The campground, which is open mid-April through October, includes areas for tent and RV camping and has both flush toilets and showers. The nearby Wauchecha Bald Trail provides access to the Appalachian Trail, about 8 miles away.

Horse Cove Campground

Located near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, this campground has 18 units with flush toilets. Four campsites remain open in the winter, although the water is turned off. The campground is beside Little Santeetlah Creek.

Rattler Ford Group Campground

Also near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, this area has flush toilets, hot showers, and four units that will accommodate up to 50 people per unit. There are horse shoe pits and a volleyball court. A beautiful trout stream flows by the camp and rugged, primitive hiking trails are nearby. Reservations should be made at the Cheoah District Office.

Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about a 45-minute drive from the Cottage, offers “frontcountry” (developed), “backcountry” (primitive), and group camping spots.

• Frontcountry campsites have cold running water, toilets, grills, and picnic tables, but no showers or hookups. Fees are typically under $20. You can reserve a spot up to five months in advance for May 15 through October 31. Frontcountry campsites can be found at Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock, and Smokemont.
• Group campsites (for at least 8 people) require reservations and charge fees that range from $20 to over $60. They accommodate only tents. Group campsites can be found at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont.
• Backcountry campsites require free permits. Reservations are required for all shelters and some tent sites.

For more details, check out the Great Smoky Mountains camping page.