Picnic sites have a picnic table and a raised grill for cooking with charcoal.
NPS Photo
Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimneys, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, and Metcalf Bottoms. Use the map above or download a park map to view the location of picnic areas in the park.
The picnic areas at Cades Cove, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms are open year-round. The remaining picnic areas are closed during the winter. See schedule below.
Picnic pavilions are available at Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek,
Greenbrier, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. Pavilions can be reserved for groups one year in advance online or by calling 877-444-6777. Impromptu use of pavilions is allowed only when the pavilion has not been reserved.
Please remember that feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal. The black bear symbolizes the invaluable wilderness qualities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but bears are dying unnecessarily from improper disposal of garbage or illegal feeding by visitors. A bear's remarkable sense of smell may lead it to human foods, such as a picnicker's cooler, garbage left in the open, or food scraps thrown on the ground or left in the grill.
A bear that has discovered human food or garbage will eventually become day-active and leave the safety of the backcountry. It may panhandle along roadsides and be killed by a car or it may injure a visitor. Please do your part to help protect black bears and other wildlife in the Great Smokies. Clean your picnic area, including the grill and the ground around the table, thoroughly after your meal.
Picnic Area
2025 Schedule
Number
of Sites
Pavilion
Notes
Big Creek
4/18–10/31
10
No
One ADA-accessible site.
Cades Cove
Year-round
81
No
Closes at 8 p.m. from 4/25–9/1; sunset on other dates. Three ADA-accessible sites.
Chimneys
4/1–12/1
68
No
Closes at 8 p.m. 4/25–9/1; sunset on other dates. Lower loop with vault toilet open 4/1–12/1; Lower and upper loops with flush toilets open 4/11–10/31, weather permitting.
Collins Creek
4/1–10/31
182
Seats 70
Closes at 8 p.m. 4/25–9/1; sunset on other dates. Pavilion can be reserved up to a year in advance. Flush toilets open 4/1, weather permitting. Two ADA-accessible sites.
Cosby
4/18–10/26
35
Seats 55
Pavilion can be reserved up to a year in advance. Hiker parking area open year-round.
Deep Creek
Year-round
58
Seats 70
Pavilion can be reserved up to a year in advance from 4/18–10/31. Restrooms only open during the reservation period.
Greenbrier
Year-round
12
Seats 70
Pavilion at separate site can be reserved up to a year in advance from 4/18–10/31. Vault toilets available.
Heintooga
5/16–10/13
41
No
Look Rock
4/25–10/26
51
No
Metcalf Bottoms
Year-round
122
Seats 70
Pavilion can be reserved up to a year in advance from 4/18–10/26. North loop, pavilion, and south gated loop only open from 4/18–10/26; remaining sites open year-round. Only "pack it out" picnicking each fall/winter (until 4/17/2025, then 10/27/2025–4/2/2026). All dumpsters are removed during the winter. 10-ton wgt. limit on Metcalf bridge—no buses, motorhomes, trailers, etc. Two ADA-accessible sites.
Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's official online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Smokies Life, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.
