Campsite Odds

Booking odds · September

Cades Cove Group in September: How Hard Is It to Book?

Cades Cove Group · TN · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The verdict

Lottery-hard

Booking difficulty 10 out of 10. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Sells out at openBased on 3 years of reservation data

September weekends are typically gone within minutes of the booking window opening.

Cades Cove Group in September scores 10 out of 10 for booking difficulty — lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical September booking was locked in about 253 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 64% full that month. The lightest arrival day is Tuesday, so shifting to a midweek start is the single easiest way to improve your odds.

Lead time

How far ahead people book

Same day: 1% of bookingsSame day1–3d: 2% of bookings1–3d4–7d: 1% of bookings4–7d1–2wk: 4% of bookings1–2wk2–4wk: 7% of bookings7%2–4wk1–2mo: 4% of bookings1–2mo2–3mo: 4% of bookings2–3mo3–6mo: 15% of bookings15%3–6mo6mo+: 63% of bookings63%6mo+Median booking lead time: 253 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

Best odds: arrivals are lightest on Tuesday in September. A midweek arrival is your easiest booking.

Cancellation alert

Get notified when a spot opens

Cades Cove Group in September books up fast. We'll email you if a spot opens up. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Booking window · September 2027

When September reservations open

Reservations for Cades Cove Group in September 2027 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

September 1 stays open

March 1, 2027

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for September 1, 2027 become bookable on March 1, 2027 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout September releases day-by-day exactly 6 months prior to arrival.

Facility note: Standard Recreation.gov 6-month rolling window: sites become bookable 6 months before arrival at 7:00 AM ET.

Fees

How much does it cost to camp at Cades Cove Group?

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

Fee details as listed on Recreation.gov. Rates and passes change by season, so confirm the current price on Recreation.gov before you book.

Plan B

Easier nearby options in September

If your dates are flexible, these nearby campgrounds are typically easier to book.

FAQ

Cades Cove Group in September: common questions

How hard is it to book Cades Cove Group in September?
Cades Cove Group rates 10 out of 10 for September — Lottery-hard. Gone within minutes of release. Bring a plan B.
How far in advance should I book Cades Cove Group for September?
The typical September reservation was made about 253 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do September reservations open for Cades Cove Group?
Reservations for Cades Cove Group in September 2027 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for September 1 become bookable on March 1, 2027 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Cades Cove Group in September?
Arrivals are lightest on Tuesday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

← Cades Cove Group complete reservation guide & all months