Smoky Mountains on the Fly

If you've got a case of cabin fever, catch a breath of fresh air—and some fresh fish—with Smoky Mountains on the Fly, a professionally licensed fly-fishing guide service. An overnight fishing excursion into the backcountry costs $950 for two people and includes meals, tents, and fishing equipment. Full- and half-day trips are also available. For more information, call 828-586-4787 or visit online

Camping

Whether you're camping in a group or by yourself, the park has something for everyone. Before setting up your tent, be sure to make a reservation with the National Park Reservation Service at 800-365-2267 or go online/ And don't forget to check with ranger stations for site-specific information. Download a park map.

Frontcountry Camping

These developed campgrounds have restrooms with running water and flush toilets but no hot showers or electrical hookups. Other amenities include a personal fire grate and picnic table at each site. Frontcountry campgrounds can be found at Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock, and Smokemont. The maximum occupancy per campsite is six people. Fees range from $14 to $23.

Backcountry Camping

If you prefer roughing it with a backpack, get a free backcountry permit and head into the wild. But beware of bears! According to a 2004 study, about 1,600 bears live within the park, which translates into about two bears per square mile (2.6 square kilometers). Call for site reservations at 865-436-1231. For general information, call 865-436-1297.

Groups

Some of the frontcountry campgrounds (Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont) provide sites for groups of campers that are limited to tents only. Minimum group size is eight people, and the maximum stay is one week. These sites do not include showers and electric hookups. Cost per night ranges from $26 to $65.