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Old 02-21-2013, 10:20 AM   #1
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Recommended Campgrounds for Smokey Mountain National Park

We are planning on visiting Smokey Mountain National Park this summer. Do any of you have any recommendations for a campground to stay at that gives best (or broadest??) access to attractions in the park?
Thank you!
(36' DP with tow)
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Old 02-21-2013, 01:03 PM   #2
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You don't say who will be with you (adults only or kids (with ages) or how long you'll be in the area. At a high level, your best bet is to stay around RT 441. The welcome centers are on this road on both east and west sides of the park. Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, and the scenic lookouts as one goes over the mountains is all accessed via RT 441.

That being said, there is also the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area. These are entertainment areas similar to Branson, MO. Dollywood, Smokey Mountain Opry and a host of entertainment with a Smokey Mountain flavor. Go to Smoky Mountain Vacation Planning for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville - Coupons & Smoky Mountain Cabins Deals - Sevier County, TN for some ideas on what to do in the entertainment areas.

As to CGs, they are plentiful. For a class "A" coach, try http://www.hiddenmountain.com/index....=88&Itemid=505 for a great location combined with peace and quiet. Otherwise, there are many CGs along RT 441. River plantation is a popular choice. They are at http://www.riverplantationrv.com/
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Old 02-21-2013, 01:56 PM   #3
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We stayed on the 'main drag' one year and it was a zoo.

The next year we went to the KOA in Townsend, TN and enjoyed it much better. Quiet but we could drive 20 minutes to get to the hussle and bussle when we needed to.
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Old 02-21-2013, 01:57 PM   #4
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+ 1 for Hidden Mountain, we can highly recommend the Dell.
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Old 02-21-2013, 07:04 PM   #5
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Sorry I didn't post passengers. Two adults and one 15-yo boy. We definitely like QUIET. Access to scenery and hiking preferred ... I am sure we will stay far away from "entertainment" areas. Two. +'s for hidden mountain - I will take a look at the link!

Do the CG's tend to fill up? Should I make reservations sooner than later (call it ~1 week stay)???
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Old 02-21-2013, 09:24 PM   #6
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We have camped at Tremont. The river front sites have decks on the bank. You rent your tube and float back to your campsite. It is the closest campground to Cade's Cove.
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:38 AM   #7
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Here is a older thread with lots of information.

Click here
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:43 AM   #8
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Smokey Bear CG...near the Greenbriar section of the park...very nice and quiet...
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:50 AM   #9
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Yes, that was my thread from last year. We had never been there, so I wanted to try a few different areas. We did stay at "Camping in the Smoky's" campground which if you want a quite place close to the downtown Gatlinburg area, on the bus route and very clean...It was just about 2-3 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg. Save yourself the trouble of finding parking...take the shuttle....Here are a few pics of the campground pic #1 pic #2 I would call it a small sized campground with about 70 full service sites. Most of the sites are good sized and level....It's not the fanciest place, but the price is right and very well kept. We used this place for 3 nights to charge up our battery and do laundry between the other 9 nights we spent inside the park. We stayed 4 nights at Elkmont campground on the northern side of the park which is about 10 miles SW. of Gatlinburg and then 5 nights on the southern side of the Smoky's at Smokemont inside the park....

Temperatures in Gatlinburg last June were running in the 90's to a few days in the 100's, but at the Elkmont campground which is deep in the woods and about 1500' higher they were in the low to mid 80's....Here are a few pics of your campsite in Elkmont #1 #2 #3 you can see by the pictures it is very shady...And yes the water is ice cold...but there were kids tubing and swimming in it....Now remember none of the Great Smoky Mtn. campgrounds inside the park which are Federal have showers or electric. They do have places to fill your water tanks. If you want to see the true Smoky's streams, waterfalls, trees and you don't need your cable TV...Elkmont fills the bill. About a 1/4 mile from the campground there is the historic town of Elkmont which I believe the last person moved out in 2002. About once a week there is a park guide that gives a 2 hour tour and history of the village.....Very good tour if your into that stuff which I love. At one time there were about 55 summer homes, but the park service is going to and have started to save about 17 for the future, the rest will be torn down.

On the Southern side we stayed 5 nights at Smokemont which is near Cherokee NC. The southern side was a little more busy as far as the campground because it is about 5 miles from the casinos in Cherokee.

In closing, if you like the hustle & bustle of people/ cars / noise /attractions like you would find in Myrtle Beach then Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge or Sevierville is the place....But if you are into streams, hiking, auto touring, nature in general...Being in the park is where you will find peace.. I would do the same trip again....staying at the same places

Smoky Mountain picture gallery June 2012
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:43 AM   #10
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This past summer we stayed for a week at Adventure Bound Camping resorts....800-528-9003....it's just outside of Gatlinburg (about 7miles) and WAY more quiet. Very nice staff and clean. They have a small waterside that we all enjoyed...16/13 yr olds and the DW. We day tripped from there all over. We made the reservations about 3 months prior and had no issues. Good luck

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Old 02-22-2013, 05:37 PM   #11
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O, Yes just a reminder. The Smoky's do get very busy, so reservations are a must, especially Elkmont which can be made 6 months out. The main route coming from the north ( route 66 / 441) is wall to wall vehicles. They have made improvements to widen the road to 3 lanes each way, but just the sheer amount of traffic is crazy.
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Old 02-22-2013, 05:55 PM   #12
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Hi MN_Traveler,
Reservations are needed if one stays along the Parkway. Hidden Mountain Resort (HMR) is usually available (except during leaf peeper season). This is because they don't advertise. One needs to "know" about HMR or one will not know enough to stay there.

The SMNP is good for a couple of days. For me, after that, I need other activities. Unlike Glacier and RMNP where one can hike a different trail every day seeing different sights, SMNP is hiking in the trees.

The 15 year old may like some of the shows and other entertainment along the parkway.

To minimize the traffic, get up early (leave the RV at sun up) to get to SMNP. If attending a show, have dinner at a restaurant next to the show. This gets you there before the traffic starts. If attending a dinner show, get there a bit earlier than the advertised time. If the show offers a matinée, take it. FYI, Dollywood is a lot of entertainment for the price. It's not just rides. There are a bunch of top notch shows. The bottom line is anyplace you go, get up early and get there early.
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Old 02-22-2013, 06:05 PM   #13
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We visited the Smokies last October and stayed at Cove Mountain RV Resort just outside Townsend. There is a National park entrance about 3 miles down the road. The site we were given was ABSOLUTELY the largest site we have ever been lucky enough to get. We were able to look out our side windows or from the front patio right into the mountains. Very reasonably priced and a real joy.

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Old 02-22-2013, 06:19 PM   #14
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Here is a good link to a site that lists most of the campgrounds in the area.

Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds: 30 campgrounds located in and around Gatlinburg

For the quiet side in Townsend we like Tremont Resort. They have sites on the river with covered decks. It's near the park entrance and Cades Cove. Townsend has a great bike path the length of the town with the Apple Barn Cafe at one end to reward yourself with some delicious apple pie and ice cream.

When you want to see the other side you cut through Wears Valley and there is where you will find all the people and traffic but Dollywood and Splash Country are worth the effort. Good family oriented parks!
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