Picnicking

 

Picnic sites have a picnic table and a raised grill for cooking.

Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimneys, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. 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 remain 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 by calling [phone], or online at https://www.recreation.gov.

All pavilions except Twin Creeks and Greenbrier cost $25 per use. The fee for the pavilion at Twin Creeks ranges from $40-80 depending on the usage. Greenbrier costs $12.50 per use. Payment can be made by credit card or personal check at the time the reservation is made.

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 due to 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 and have to be euthanized. 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	2022 Open/Close Dates	Number of Sites	Pavilion	Notes
Big Creek	4/15 - 10/31	10	No
Cades Cove	Year Round	81	No	Closes at 8:00 PM April 30 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates.
Chimneys	4/01 - 11/29	68	No	Closes at 8:00 PM April 30 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates. Lower loop with vault toilet: April 1 - Nov 29; Lower and upper loops with flush toilets: April 15 to Oct 31
Collins Creek	4/01- 10/31	182	Seats 70	Closes at 8:00 PM April 30 - Aug 31; at sunset on other dates. Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $25. Flush toilets open April 1, weather permitting.
Cosby	4/15 - 10/31	35	Seats 55	Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $25
Deep Creek	Year Round	58	Seats 70	Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $25 from April 1 - October 31. Restrooms only open during the reservation period.
Greenbrier	Year Round	12	Seats 70	Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $12.50 from April 1 - October 31.
Heintooga	5/13 - 10/11	41	No
Look Rock	4/29 - 10/31	51	No
Metcalf Bottoms	Year Round	122	Seats 70	Pavilion can be reserved in advance for $25 from April 19 - October 27. North half of picnic area closed during winter. Only "pack it out" picnicking from November 1 - April 19, all dumpsters are removed during the winter. 10-ton wgt. limit on Metcalf bridge. —no buses, motorhomes, trailers, etc.
Twin Creeks	4/01 - 10/31	Pavilion only	Seats 150	By reservation only ($60)

 

Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park's online store for books, maps, and guides to the park. Operated by the nonprofit Great Smoky Mountains Association, proceeds generated by purchases at the store are donated to educational, scientific, and historical projects in the park.