Great Smokey Mountains

[Furniss]

Are we being overly optimistic ? We would like to go to the Maggie Valley area for three weeks starting the last week of June through the fifteenth of July . I have heard about how crowded it is and the lack of RV space at this time. Anyone with any actual local recent experience ? We are traveling in a Discovery 39V with a Jeep tow .

Walter Furniss
39V Discovery
2013 Jeep Sahara

[Aggiefan]

We're going in July and were able to get a reservation at Great Outdoors RV near Franklin, NC. However, they are having rallys both weekends that we will be there and the CG was nearly full. We made the reservations at least a month ago. I would suggest making a reservation.

[znt1186]

There are several campgrounds in the Maggie Valley area that can accommodate you. Winngray Campground and Creekwood Farm come to mind. some of the others in Maggie Valley proper are too small and one of the large ones does not allow campfires. there is a really nice and big rv park just across Soco Gap in Cherokee called Happy Holiday that is a favorite of ours. It is about 20 or 30 minutes from Maggie Valley and close to the casino in Cherokee.

[znt1186]

On edit, the road between Maggie and Cherokee is steep and twisty. Not for the faint of heart in a motorhome

[andy29847]

Try for a spot at Tuckaseegee RV Resort. It is on 74/23 near the turn-off to Cherokee. We have been there several times with our 38' 5th wheel and love it.

Tuckaseegee RV Resort | Come enjoy our own little corner of the Smoky Mountains

If they are full, try Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground. I haven't stayed there, but my friends who have spoke highly of it. Thsi park is probably not as busy as Tuckaseegee.

Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

[Betr2Trvl]

We've been in Happy Holiday in Cherokee the last week, and heading out to Asheville for a few days tomorrow, it is nice, but not fancy, and we would come back. If you need a clear shot for satellite TV, make sure you let them know (most sites are ok, but some are not (along the stream in front for instance, the next row back is mostly good).

We drove by the the Cherokee KOA and Yogi, they are in a more wooded area and they seem very geared to family's with kids (which was our perception to being with, and why we chose HH). Not that HH has no kids, but it is a more low key park.

There was another park on Big Cove Road near KOA and Yogi that looked nice from the road, River Valley, I think? but we did not look closely.

Lots of others in the area that are more full time resident oriented, so be cognizant of that.

There are also some campgrounds within the park itself, Smokemont is just inside the park at the Cherokee entrance and can accommodate a mid size rig, but no sewer hook up, and no way you are getting a satellite TV feed.

[ChasA]

We are going stay at Pride RV park for a week starting Sunday. We got a reservation for two sites two weeks ago, no problem. We prefer Creekwood Farm, which is next door to Pride. But the teenage granddaughters picked Pride for the amenities.

[Furniss]

Thanks for the replies. We have reservations at The Great Outdoors , Franklin , N.C. for a month. I told the office staff that AGGIEFAN referred me to them.


Walter Furniss
39V Discovery
2013 Jeep Sahara

[Betr2Trvl]

Great Outdoors in Franklin is very nice, but not much of a Smokey Mountain feel to it. You'll have about a 45 minute drive in a car to Cherokee. But if you are going to be in the area for a month it is probably a great choice overall. Also about 2 1/2 hours into Atlanta from there if you want to venture outside the mountains.

Regards

[gthunts]

Stayed at Creekwood Farm last October. Sites on the creek are nice. Campground is small and sites are close together but it was comfortable and about 10 minutes from Maggie Valley.

[Aggiefan]

Hi Walter! I hope you enjoy Great Outdoors. I'll be arriving there on July 11 so our stays will overlap a few days. Thanks for telling the CG staff that I referred you! Let me know how it works out for you! I'll look you up when we arrive.

Regards,

[Betr2Trvl]

Originally Posted by znt1186

On edit, the road between Maggie and Cherokee is steep and twisty. Not for the faint of heart in a motorhome

I would not drive a MH or pull a trailer of any size on 19 for any distance, particularly between Maggie and Cheroikee, or on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Use 23/74/441, and you'll be just fine, even if you have to go a round about way between Maggie and Cherokee......

Nor do I think it is either wise, or courteous to others to take any larger size MH, TT, or 5th wheel on 441 through the park between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. I saw several, including a tag axle DP smoking his brakes, and holding up 20 cars going down into Cherokee. I know it makes it a short trip, just do not think it is appropriate to do so........

[JMonroe]

We saw a 40' rig towing a full size pickup last week, pulled off into one of the pullouts (and taking up the whole thing). That engine has to be roaring going up the steep grades and the engine brake has to be shaking the leaves off the trees on the downgrades (or he's burning up his brakes), not to mention a couple of the switchbacks - he'd be taking up both lanes.

I agree, I would not take a big rig through the park. Yes, you could do it, but Betr2Trvl's comment on courtesy is right-on.

[raceday]

My bother has a has a house in MV & recently told me about Cross Creek, I plan to visit it soon. Hope this helps r