Cades Cove

[tinkerreknit]

I've had two campers sing the praises about Cades Cove. We plan to camp several places in North Carolina this year, so I think we might extend the trip to include this area. Where should we camp at Cades Cove? What should we avoid? Campground info, road info, all is appreciated. Retirement has provided us with longer leashes, and it's great!

[CharlesinGA]

I visited Cades Cove (the preserved community) for the first time last fall.

There are two major campgrounds on the Tennessee side of the GSMNP, Elkmont Campground Rec dot Gov website and Cades Cove Campground which is closest to Cades Cove itself.

I was traveling with my travel buddy and his wife, and we both have truck/trailer combos, and we stayed at Look Rock Campground which is located just off the Foothills Parkway. Both Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds are very large, jammed together sites and just not to our liking. They get very busy in the summer and so you need reservations early. Look Rock was closed for 9 years and reopened last fall for about 6 weeks as a test, after having been repaved and a new water system installed along with about 10 sites converted to electric. Many people are not aware of it and so it may not be so crowded. Many of the sites are tiny, so choose carefully.

I am not familiar with any of the commercial campgrounds on the Tennessee side of the park, as this was my first visit. We have traveled several times to the North Carolina side and have stayed at Smokemont, and Balsam Mountain campgrounds (Balsam Mtn is limited to RV units of 24 ft and less and for good reason, accessed off the Blue Ridge Pkwy but within GSMNP). We also have stayed at Mt Pisgah Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and north of Ashville at Linville Falls (also on the BRP).

On the NC side on the same road off the BRP as Balsam Mtn is Mile High campground, a private campground on tribal land, and it has some good views. Down below Brevard on US276 is Black Forest Family Camping Resort, which we enjoyed the two days we stayed there, It is very much in the woods and spread out. We ended up there when Pisgah was full. https://www.blackforestcampground.com/

Campsites at Look Rock
Overlook view off the Foothills Parkway
Momma bear digging in the leaves, baby was across the road from her, this is on the Cades Cove loop
Little River, somewhere close to Elkmont campground

Charles

[High Road Travelers]

We will camp at Smoky Bear Campground on Hwy 321 near Gatlinburg/Cosby, TN. (Have not stayed here before, so do not know what it is like). That is fairly close to Cades Cove. We have been to Cades Cove 2 or 3 times and at busy tourist times it can turn out to be a nightmare of stop and go traffic like a huge parade. If you can go when it is not extremely busy it is very nice and relaxing. The drive thru the GSMNP is beautiful with a number of neat stopping places.
We will spend a good bit of time in NC this summer (after leaving TN) in West Jefferson at Greenfield Campground and in Maggie Valley at Cross Creek Campground. We really like Cross Creek at Maggie Valley.
Thanks,

[CharlesinGA]

Some of the decision as where to stay depends on your camping style and willingness to do "without", such as electric and water hookups. Typical National Park campgrounds mostly lack such things at most sites, but it gets you closer to the park, usually cheaper and more into nature.

Be aware that vehicle passes are now required in GSMNP.

Charles

Sign says it all.


Spiral ramp leading up to Clingman's dome viewing tower. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi.



Mingo Falls. On tribal land just outside of Cherokee NC, easy accessed by a quarter mile walk from the parking area. 120 ft high, located just past the Cherokee KOA


Gotta be quick, Elk on the Balsam Mtn Rd before the Balsam Mtn Campground. This road has several overlooks with good views, and at the end of the paved section is a large day use picnic area. Beyond that is a one way gravel road that is a drive thru the forest at high elevation working your way down until you come out at Mingo Falls and back into the town of Cherokee. Road is suitable for most vehicles that have some ground clearance (more than the typical car). High sitting SUVs, pickups, Jeeps, etc.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Be aware that vehicle passes are now required in GSMNP.
Charles
]

Just to clarify. Parking passes are required. Driving through or stopping for 15 minutes or less at an overlook, for example, does not require a pass.

[tinkerreknit]

Thank for the replies! I won't single out anything just yet, but I've been surfing and mapping like crazy this morning and I think I see a trip outline emerging from all the possibilities. I am checking out each campground and area mentioned.
Camping style is a very interesting topic. We prefer primitive but sometimes struggle with roads and campsites that are pretty hard to get into. We rarely care about amenities and spend lots of time at a campsite. We stayed at Mama Gerties last year and surprised ourselves by enjoying it. It's like an apples to oranges comparison but we also liked Stone Mountain State Park very much. So State parks are kind of the sweet spot. I want to stay on the Blue Ridge Parkway at perhaps two campgrounds. Elk viewing is high on the list too.
So this is just to say thanks for the super responses. I'll firm up plans before too long.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Rob_M

Just to clarify. Parking passes are required. Driving through or stopping for 15 minutes or less at an overlook, for example, does not require a pass.

While thats all good and well, its kinda difficult to visit Cades Cove or hike a trail or visit Clingman's Dome, without being parked and playing tourist.

I think the reason they specify this is the fact that a US highway (441) passes thru the park, and several county roads that pass in and out of the park boundaries.

The reason for a vehicle pass rather than a park admission is that the park was created from numerous tracts of private land (such as Cades Cove) where people were "encouraged" to move out, and land that the timber companies had clear cut and had no further use for, all of which was acquired by the State of Tennessee and then deeded to the National Park Service with a specific restriction that no admission could ever be charged. As a result, the GSMNP, the busiest park in the nation (actually a very close second behind the Blue Ridge Parkway), has a huge expenditure operating and maintaining the park but no direct source of income, like other parks. Famous parks like Yellowstone (#12) , Grand Canyon (#13), and Yosemite (#21), pale in comparison, looking at visitation numbers.

https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/visitation-numbers.htm

The next time I am up there, I will have no qualms spending the $5 for a daily pass or $15 for a weekly pass.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Charles

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

While thats all good and well, its kinda difficult to visit Cades Cove or hike a trail or visit Clingman's Dome, without being parked and playing tourist.

I think the reason they specify this is the fact that a US highway (441) passes thru the park, and several county roads that pass in and out of the park boundaries.

The reason for a vehicle pass rather than a park admission is that the park was created from numerous tracts of private land (such as Cades Cove) where people were "encouraged" to move out, and land that the timber companies had clear cut and had no further use for, all of which was acquired by the State of Tennessee and then deeded to the National Park Service with a specific restriction that no admission could ever be charged. As a result, the GSMNP, the busiest park in the nation (actually a very close second behind the Blue Ridge Parkway), has a huge expenditure operating and maintaining the park but no direct source of income, like other parks. Famous parks like Yellowstone (#12) , Grand Canyon (#13), and Yosemite (#21), pale in comparison, looking at visitation numbers.

https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/visitation-numbers.htm

The next time I am up there, I will have no qualms spending the $5 for a daily pass or $15 for a weekly pass.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Charles

I agree. I was just adding info. We support the National Parks.

[tinkerreknit]

I think Cades Cove might be the focal point, so I hope to stay at that campground. I'm playing around with adding stops and campgrounds before and after that. I have added to my places to go until the list is ridiculous. We haven't set a total trip length yet though. My total length is about 48' hooked up so I am very limited at Cades Cove campground. I see a few sites (generator) there at 47' and 48' total length. I do not like having my TV separate in a parking area. Any thoughts on this point?

[CharlesinGA]

Didn't realize until now that your trailer was a 5th wheel. As far as traveling the Blue Ridge parkway goes, I would suggest not with the trailer except to access one of the campgrounds.

The issue is the tunnels. On the south end there are a couple of rather low tunnels, so you need to be aware of tunnel heights. Center height is no problem, its white line edge height that is. None of the tunnels are straight, most are long enough and with enough curve that you cannot see one end from the other, so you have to be prepared to stay in your lane.

https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/tunnels/

There are five tunnels from the south end of the Parkway at Cherokee and the first highway interchange, with US19. Two of those, possibly three are the biggest concerns. That being said, I pulled my trailer up US19 to the parkway and then back down the parkway to Balsam Mt Rd to get to Mile High campground. I won't do that again. US19 is narrow and has guard rails right on the edge of the pavement with no shoulders, plus it winding. The next trip I went up and down the parkway from Cherokee to Balsam Mtn Rd, much easier, and my trailer is low, so the tunnels were not an issue.

Now I know your focus is Cades Cove, but I throw this in as you indicated you may be traveling in North Carolina.

Be aware that one day of the week, cannot recall which but I think it is Wednesday, Cades Cove loop is limited to foot traffic, no vehicles. To see all of it, you will stop several places and walk some distance to houses or buildings. One stop has restrooms and a large parking lot, plus an old barn and grist mill. My guess is that you can spend a half day or a little more (depending on traffic) doing the Cades Cove loop. There are several other roads that are, in themselves, scenic rides, such as the Little River Gorge Rd, which runs from the Townsend Wye (an intersection of the Cades Cove Rd, Townsend Entrance Rd, and Little River Gorge Rd) to Elkmont campground along the Little River (pic above) and then continues to US441 at the Sugarlands Vistor Center. At the Elkmont Campground the Little River turns and runs thru the campground.

The Foothills Parkway which runs from Wears Valley to US129 on the Little Tennessee River, is a nice scenic ride. It is easily accessed off of US 321 near Townsend. The Foothills Parkway is slated to be extended north from Wears Valley all the way to I-40 which is about 30 miles. The land is already acquired, they just need the money to construct it.

US129 is also know as the "tail of the dragon" and many of the fast cars and bikes that frequent it venture up the Foothills Parkway. It seems the Park could make some good money putting rangers out there handing out tickets. It gets dangerous at times.

There is a $5 information packet called the Smokies Starter Kit, which contains some good information on the Cades Cove loop and what you will see, plus other points of interest. There are maps of the park which you will want, as cell coverage is spotty.

Depending on how long you stay, be sure and ride US441 across the park to Clingmans Dome (on a day with few clouds) and to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on the Cherokee side. There is a mountain farm museum located there with original buildings from various other places, moved there to preserve them.

Clingman's dome gets crowded and parking becomes tight, so go as early as possible. There was talk of setting up a bus service to help alleviate this but no telling when or if it will ever happen.

Charles

Foothills Parkway sign

View from the Look Rock Observation tower looking south toward the Little Tennessee River.

[DaFish]

GSMNP is now an annual extended trip for us, with this coming fall being the third consecutive year we have included it in our camping plans. We stayed at the KOA Holiday (w/ full H/U) in Townsend TN the first year, and have made it a repeat each of the following years, including this fall. I cannot say enough positive things about this campground. It is quiet and relaxing as compared to the KOA in Gatlinburg, which reflects the commercialism of that area. It is also directly on the way into the Park and Cades Cove. The campground backs itself up against the Little River.

We routinely include day hikes (LaConte, Chimney's, Clingman's Dome, AT, etc.) as well as bicycle trips through the Park in our daily activity, weather dependent. The Cades Cove loop is closed to motorized traffic on Wednesdays in the summer months for bicycle traffic and it is a great ride. The summer months include rafting and tubing the Little River out of the mountains. There are shuttles and rentals along Hwy 321 in Townsend.

The campground is right on Hwy 321, which is a straight shot coming through Knoxville, through Maryville and into Townsend and then going directly into the Park.

Enjoy!

[High Road Travelers]

DaFish, we are staying in Smoky Bear Campground in Cosby, TN this year for the first time. I believe it is close to the KOA where you have stayed. Have you seen this campground? Just checking to make sure it is a decent place to stay (I just picked it out on the internet). If you know anything about Smoky Bear I appreciate your input. This far out I may can change my reservation if needed.
Thanks,

[DaFish]

wog099, I am not familiar with the Smokey Bear Campground. While their mailing address is Cosby TN, their physical address is closer to Gatlinburg, which is one of the entrances to GSMNP. From their website, it appears very nice. The whole Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area are very busy with commercial activity. When we are there, we spend almost every day either hiking in the Park or biking in or out of the Park and avoid the hustle and bustle of the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge areas - they are very nice, just not what we are there for.

The other side (south) of Gatlinburg is the the Townsend area with an immediate highway into the Park and shorter access (drive time) to many of the trailheads and Cades Cove itself. If you bike (or e-bike), there is a very nice bike trail that starts in Townsend and follows the Little River out to Maryville/Alcoa and I believe it goes further than that (we will find out this fall).

While GSMNP has several campgrounds within it, they are not big rig friendly and require reservations many months in advance. The KOA Holiday in Townsend, which is an older CG, is big rig friendly for 5er's and comfortable for class A's. The staff there is very experienced and knows how to direct you into any spot. The newer CG's in the area (Smokey Bear) appear to be laid out with the big stuff in mind. We are fine at KOA Townsend (36' + toad), but just wanted to be perfectly transparent.

If this is your first time exploring the area, you cannot go wrong with your choice from a location perspective - close to the commercial activity and close to an access point into the Park to explore. A reminder that this is the first year that a parking pass (daily, weekly or annual with the annual being $40) is required if parking at any of the trailheads or attraction parking areas greater than 15 minutes. All the funds stay in the Park. These are available on line or at any of the visitor centers or free standing kiosks.

Let me know if you have any additional questions - be more than happy to help however I can. As you can tell, this is a favorite area of ours.

[hamm2018]

We have been there numerous times. Sometimes we stay at Clabough's on Wears Valley Road. Last year we took the Spyder and rode Foothills Parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, Moonshiners, 441, all in 1 day. Long day, but great fun.

When you go and if you have time by all means drive these routes. But you want fun try to rent a 4-person Slingshot and do these.