The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Cosby Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for those who are looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten path and away from the big crowds in the park. Nestled on the northeastern side of the Smoky Mountains, Cosby is a great destination for hikers, cyclists, campers, horse lovers, and the locals!
The Historic Fire Tower atop Mt. Cammerer (Photo: Kirkendal/Spring Photographers)
Great Hikes in Cosby
Cosby Nature Trail – 1 mile roundtrip
This is a terrific one-mile long nature trail beginning at the Cosby Campground near the outdoor amphitheater. A great little walk through a bit of old-growth forest, which Cosby Creek runs through, is magical any time of the year.
Hen Wallow Falls – 4.2 miles roundtrip
Hike to Hen Wallow Falls on Gabes Mountain Trail which begins across the road from the Picnic Area just before the entrance to Cosby Campground. One of the main highlights of this trail is the big trees of the old-growth forest. A spur trail steeply descends to the right at mile 2.1 to lead to the base of the waterfall. Use extra caution when stepping on the slippery rocks.
Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower – 11 miles roundtrip
This strenuous hike begins on Low Gap Trail located near the designated parking lot for hikers near the Cosby Campground Picnic Area. Low Gap Trail, which is horse-friendly, climbs steeply for 3 miles before intersecting with the famous Appalachian Trail (AT). Take a left on the AT towards the Mt. Cammerer Trail. At almost the 5-mile mark, you’ll find the spur trail that leads the summit of the 4,928 ft. tall mountain. From here, it’s about seven-tenths of a mile to the historic fire tower with views of the beautiful Pigeon River Gorge.
Sutton Ridge Overlook – 3 miles roundtrip
The hike to Sutton Ridge Overlook begins on Low Gap Trail for about four-tenths of mile to intersect with horse-friendly Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. At about mile 1.4 mile you’ve reached the overlook. Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail continues on to access backcountry campsite #35 and then on to intersect with the Appalachian Trail.
Poet Laureate of the Smokies & WWII POW Ella V. Costner Gravesite – less than 1 mile roundtrip
The graveyard is accessed via Snake Den Ridge Trail that begins near Campsite B-55 at Cosby Campground. The trail begins as an old road and after three little creek crossings you’ll see the small graveyard on your right. Costner (1894-1982) was born in Cosby and grew up on Crying Creek near the Gabes Mountain Trailhead. After her stint as an Army nurse in Pearl Harbor and Guam, she returned to Newport, Tennessee and published several books of poems and essays. For more information on Ella V. Costner, check out her Facebook page!
Great Camping in Cosby
The Cosby Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is huge with 157 campsites for tents and RVs up to 25 ft. in length. There is an amphitheater, restrooms with potable water, and a dump station. All but 26 sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis even on holidays. The remaining sites can be reserved by calling 423-487-2683 or visiting Recreation.gov. Cosby campground is open from early to mid-April through October. The great thing about camping in Cosby is that the campground is rarely full!
Cosby Campground also has a large picnic area with 30 picnic tables, a pavilion, and restrooms.
Cosby Campground is located 21 miles east of Gatlinburg, TN off of Highway 321 and is 64 miles north of Asheville, NC.
Great Cycling in Cosby
Cyclists will appreciate the light traffic on the 2-mile long paved entrance road to Cosby and the campground loops. Unfortunately there are no trails open to bicycles in the Cosby area. However, the eastern section of the Foothills Parkway is minutes away off of Hwy. 321 and is a must-see for both cyclists and motorists.
Cosby History
The Cosby watershed has been a land in transition for the last two centuries. Once this fertile and forested land was a sacred hunting ground of the Cherokee. With the coming of the Europeans the land was taken, settled and cleared, like most of the Smoky Mountains. The remoteness of this land made it ideal for the production of moonshine when the federal government passed the prohibition laws of the early 20th century. At one time Cosby was considered the “Moonshine Capital of the World!” The fame of the region for moonshine was short lived when barely 100 years after the forced relocation of the Cherokee, settlers found themselves being evicted to make way for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
