Cosby Picnic Pavilion

Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this picnic pavilion creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. The pavilion is along Cosby Creek; the picnic area is sheltered and accessible, and just across the parking area is an accessible restroom. Cosby Picnic Pavilion can accommodate up to 55 guests and offers a covered eating area, multiple grills, flush toilets and other modern amenities, making it an ideal location for a party or family get-together. The pavilion may be reserved for a morning or evening block, so visitors who wish to use the area for a full day should reserve both time slots. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, a number of them easily accessible from Cosby, including the Appalachian Trail, just three miles away via the Lower Gap Trail. Hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular. Visitors can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park it is not uncommon to spot one during the right time of year. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, and holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States: over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated. At 2,460 feet, the pavilion provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Cosby Picnic Pavilion is a day-use only facility, though the nearby Cosby Campground offers overnight camping. Cosby, Tennessee, about five miles from the pavilion, offers convenience stores and fuel. Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the picnic area, offering tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.