Looking for quiet Smoky mountain rv park

[PanJH]

Based on what you originally stated, I think Maggie Valley would be a better match than Anchor Down or Two rivers. Maggie Valley is pretty quiet and getting into the national park is a pleasant drive on 2 lane,uncrowded roads. Our experience with Anchor Down and Two Rivers is that you need to drive through horrendous traffic to get into the park. Now if you are into the "stuff" in Pigeon forge ( shows,Dollywood, etc.) then Anchor Down /Two rivers is better.
Pride RV or Creekwood farms are pretty close to the interstate and have large sites.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by irene67

We are going to be traveling from Asheville NC where we are staying a few nights, into the Smoky Mountains. We had planned to stay at Smoky Bear campground due to the great reviews.....however now we are thinking maybe we should look for a park in a more rural part of the park.



We are definitely more small town type people and really have no interest in the touristy things. We may go into Pigeon Forge just to see, but that is definitely not where we want to focus our time.



Is there an area that is convenient to the park but avoids the crazy parts? I have started to do some research but am pretty much clueless as to where the best place is to stay to appreciate the wilderness part of the area - north? south? east? or stay in NC on the western side? I have been searching threads and see that Townsend is sometimes a recommendation?



Also - any input on the best route from the Asheville area into GSMP?

If the Smoky Bear campground you are referring to is on US321 about 14 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, then it’s in a very rural setting.

[Jake21]

If you decide on Franklin, I recommend Cardinal Ridge. It is private property of the owners who live there. Great place, quiet. Good biking and hiking in the area. No amenities, just laid back peaceful country setting.

[rapid rick]

Check out Momma Gerties campground. U tube has a review,worth watching.

[426smartin]

Originally Posted by rick5963

Try Pine Mountain RV park. Red light 6 in Pigeon Forge. Off main drag about 4 blocks.
Nice,clean and quiet.

We like Pine mountain RV park also !!

www.pinemountainrvpark.com/

[rtbroke]

We stayed at Anchor Down a couple of years ago. Very nice park.

[mricet1005]

On TN side on western end I would recommend Whispering River RV resort. About 10 miles from entrance to NP. Townsend also about 10 miles has grocery and decent restaurants. Close to Foothills Parkway which is a nice scenic drive. Much quieter part of area. Stayed there for 2 weeks last October.

[irene67]

Thank you all! We decided to do a bit of both! We are staying near Maggie Valley for half the time to visit Asheville and then the eastern side of the mountains....and then we will move to Smoky Bear to spend a few days on the other side.

Now we just need to keep all fingers and toes crossed that this year's trip actually happens! Last year we had a big trip planned to Maine and we instead spent the vast majority of the summer in the hospital (twice!) with our very very sick little girl. We are a little apprehensive and hoping that history doesn't repeat itself but until we actually get there, we will be extremely nervous!

[Superslif]

How about Elkmont about 15- 20 minutes inside the northern side of the national park. It is a dry campground with many creek front sites. We stayed there 4 nights and found it very relaxing. Was about 15 degrees cooler than downtown Gatlinburg. If you don't like generators, make a reservation in one of the non-generator loops.

Elkmont Campground pic

[Frutza]

You didn’t say were in Magie. Valley, so look at Winngray
Winngray Campground Home
One of quietest campgrounds I’ve been to, we left there and went to Townsend a lot busier, but beware of the “ it’s my last camp site” ploy to get you in, yes, I won’t recommend the Cg we stayed at in Townsend, beautiful place ,enjoy