Campsite Odds

Booking odds · October

Smokemont Group Camp in October: How Hard Is It to Book?

Smokemont Group Camp · NC · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The verdict

Hard

Booking difficulty 9 out of 10. Competitive. Be ready when the booking window opens.

Sells out in daysBased on 3 years of reservation data

Popular October dates usually sell out within a few days of release.

Smokemont Group Camp in October scores 9 out of 10 for booking difficulty — hard. Competitive. Be ready when the booking window opens.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical October booking was locked in about 69 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 62% 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: 6% of bookings6%1–3d4–7d: 1% of bookings4–7d1–2wk: 9% of bookings9%1–2wk2–4wk: 16% of bookings16%2–4wk1–2mo: 15% of bookings15%1–2mo2–3mo: 6% of bookings6%2–3mo3–6mo: 20% of bookings20%3–6mo6mo+: 26% of bookings26%6mo+Median booking lead time: 69 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

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

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Booking window · October 2026

When October reservations open

Reservations for Smokemont Group Camp in October 2026 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

October 1 stays open

April 1, 2026

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for October 1, 2026 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout October 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 Smokemont Group Camp?

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 October

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

FAQ

Smokemont Group Camp in October: common questions

How hard is it to book Smokemont Group Camp in October?
Smokemont Group Camp rates 9 out of 10 for October — Hard. Competitive. Be ready when the booking window opens.
How far in advance should I book Smokemont Group Camp for October?
The typical October reservation was made about 69 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do October reservations open for Smokemont Group Camp?
Reservations for Smokemont Group Camp in October 2026 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for October 1 become bookable on April 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Smokemont Group Camp in October?
Arrivals are lightest on Tuesday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

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