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.