Newfound Gap Road?

[Awanderlust]

Has anyone driven their MH across Newfound Gap Road (US441) from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC in the Smokey Mountains NP? We are thinking about taking that scenic route, rather than I-40. Or, I may just spend a day or so near Gatlinburg and take the toad to sightsee this scenic highway.

Any experiences?

Thanks!

[Awanderlust]

Has anyone driven their MH across Newfound Gap Road (US441) from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC in the Smokey Mountains NP? We are thinking about taking that scenic route, rather than I-40. Or, I may just spend a day or so near Gatlinburg and take the toad to sightsee this scenic highway.

Any experiences?

Thanks!

[doc]

We have done it several times with the 36 foot DP pulling a toad. Pleasae be courteous enough to pull over and let the faster traffic get by. Only "bad" part of the road is is about 3/4 mile on either side of the summit (NC/Tenn border)
Saves a lot of time and miles rather than going the I-40 route. Trucks and all the curves in the canyon in the 40 make for some interesting travel on busy days.

[Lorna]

I grew up near that area (Franklin, NC). We have run the road many times all thru the year. It is a beautiful ride. Watch out for the bears as they will run across the road right in front of you. And don't feed them, they are very dangerous as most have lost their fear of humans.

You need to be very, very, very comfortable with driving your RV down very narrow, curvy roads with very heavy traffic. The summer traffic, especially on weekends is bad. Take your towed instead. It is a shame to miss such beautiful scenery and you would be limited as to where you can pull over in an RV. Plus there's lots of idiot drivers on that road.

If "I" were staying in Gatlinburg (not that I would) and just was popping over the Gap to stay at another campground in Cherokee or Bryson City (not that I would). I would drive it. But I would do so very early in the morning before the tourists get started (although the fog is quite bad as you climb up towards the Gap). But I learned to drive on roads worse than 441 thru the Park. But it's the tourists that are the biggest problem. It's hard to drive when 1) you've never enountered a curve in the road before and 2) you are trying to look at the scenery, scream at the kids in the back seat and try to talk on your cell phone all at the same time. I've seen it done and there is almost no cellphone service on that road (so who are they talking to??). Watch out for the few semi's that run it. They eat up both sides of the roads and you had better move over for them, no matter what you are driving.

As a local and someone who loves the GSMNP, drive your RV down I-40 and take 441 in your car! It is a beautiful ride. We often packed a picnic lunch and "day-tripped" for that road.

The Cherohalla Skyway between Robbinsville NC & Tellico Plains TN is also another great drive. Ever bit as beautifull as Hwy 441 but less visited.

[Awanderlust]

doc and Lorna - Thanks for the insight into the area. I am leaning towards taking the MH via I-40 to the Cherokee area, camp there and take the toad back north to enjoy the scenery. I used to have a lake house near Branson, MO, so I am pretty familiar with what we will face in Gatlinburg.

Got any suggestions for campgrounds around Cherokee?

Thanks again!

[doc]

We like Happy Holidays on US19 a couple of miles above the casino. (On the left) Security, pool, trout fishing, 50 amp (some sites are 30 amp) Stream side camping as well as other.

Have stayed at KOA on Big Cove Road and did not like it at all. very small, crowded sites, kids EVERYWHERE on some stange bicyle contraptions, high prices, in rainy weather some sites on the back become boggy.