Lake thunderbird reservations free#

Trees killed by bark damage create a safety hazard and reduce shade, so don’t nail into a tree or hang your lantern on a tree. Tree bark, like skin, is vulnerable to disease when damaged. Minimize the erosion, siltation to the lake, and trampling of vegetation by using the areas and access trails already established. Your campsite can cause impact on the environment. Do use biodegradable soap, not detergent. Scatter wash water well away from the bank. Never bathe or wash anything in the lake. Be Sanitaryīury and cover all human waste and toilet paper in a small hole about 6 inches deep and at least 100 feet from any water. Remember food waste, aluminum foil, cans, and bottles do not burn. Take out all of your trash, then go a step further and take out the trash a thoughtless person left behind. Reservations are required for all shelters and some tent sites.įor more details, check out the Great Smoky Mountains camping page.įrom the U.S.

Lake thunderbird reservations free#

Backcountry campsites require free permits.Group campsites can be found at Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont. Group campsites (for at least 8 people) require reservations and charge fees that range from $20 to over $60.Frontcountry campsites can be found at Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock, and Smokemont. You can reserve a spot up to five months in advance for May 15 through October 31. Frontcountry campsites have cold running water, toilets, grills, and picnic tables, but no showers or hookups.The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about a 45-minute drive from the Cottage, offers “frontcountry” (developed), “backcountry” (primitive), and group camping spots. Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Reservations should be made at the Cheoah District Office. A beautiful trout stream flows by the camp and rugged, primitive hiking trails are nearby. There are horse shoe pits and a volleyball court. Rattler Ford Group CampgroundĪlso near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, this area has flush toilets, hot showers, and four units that will accommodate up to 50 people per unit.

The campground is beside Little Santeetlah Creek. Four campsites remain open in the winter, although the water is turned off.

Located near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, this campground has 18 units with flush toilets. The nearby Wauchecha Bald Trail provides access to the Appalachian Trail, about 8 miles away. The campground, which is open mid-April through October, includes areas for tent and RV camping and has both flush toilets and showers. 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. In addition to the primitive campsites, there are family and group campsites in the lake area: Cheoah Point Recreation Area Camping at primitive lake sites requires no fee or permit, but the Forest Service does ask that you follow certain guidelines. Forest Service has recently rebuilt some of them to include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and lantern posts. Although these sites have no toilets or water faucets, the U.S. There are more than fifty primitive campsites scattered around Santeetlah Lake. Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Camping in the Santeetlah Lake vicinity.