No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Cosby Picnic Pavilion continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 76 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18 – Oct 25, 2026): 67 open for online reservation · 9 reserved.
Where the open windows are
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 25, 2026Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 35 fall on weekdays and 32 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026October holds the most room. 46 of 50 reservation dates are still open there.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 2 day-use units| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| 4-8PM | 38 |
| 7AM-3:30PM | 29 |
The 2 day-use units with the most open reservation dates in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotThe next bookable date is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
All 2 day-use units with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-8PM | 38 | 38 dates | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +26 more |
| 7AM-3:30PM | 29 | 9 dates | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 23, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4 +17 more |
About Cosby Picnic Pavilion
Overview
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.
Picnic pavilion is along Cosby creek. The picnic area is sheltered and accessible. Just across the parking area is an accessible restroom.
Recreation
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, with a number of those trails 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 activities.
Campers 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.
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one during the right time of year. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also 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 in the park.
Facilities
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.
Natural Features
World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.
At 2,460 feet, Cosby Picnic Pavilion provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachian. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts, which tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Nearby Attractions
Cosby Picnic Pavilion is a day-use only facility, however the nearby Cosby Campground offers overnight camping.
Cosby, Tennessee, located about five miles from the pavilion, offers convenience stores and fuel.
Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 20 miles from the picnic area, offering visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
Getting there
Seasonal phone is 423-487-2683 From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles from junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Group camp is another 2.2 miles.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?
Reservations for Cosby Picnic Pavilion are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 67 of 76 tracked reservation dates are open (88.2%), though availability can change. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which month has the most availability at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?
October 2026, with 46 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 50.
When is the next open date at Cosby Picnic Pavilion?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Let the app watch this shelter
Choose the reservation dates you want at Cosby Picnic Pavilion.
Campsite Sniper can monitor this facility and notify you if a selected date becomes available.
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.