Smokey Mountain Trip Recommendations

[crl]

My DW and I are planning a May trip to the Smokies. Although we have camped across the country for many years, we have never visited the Smokies. Was wondering if anyone had recommendations for the best areas and some nice RV parks?

We are trying to plan early to make sure we can beat the rush. Got some good recommendations from the group last September for the area around Colorado Springs, so I was hoping for the same here. Any input would be appreciated.

[Oma/opa]

Last year we stayed at Duvalls in the Smokies campground. It is in Sevierville.
Small park , super clean and very friendly and helpful owners .

[Grumpy]

We like River Plantation

https://www.riverplantationrv.com/

[CastIron]

Check out Up The Creek RV Camp. Just outside of Pigeon Forge, TN. Near Gatlinburg and Dollywood. DW and I camped there a few years ago and it was very nice. Small park situated between two creeks. Check out their web site.

[Pfflyer]

Several campgrounds in Townsend our favorite place to stay. Away from but close enough to the traffic and attractions in Pigeon forge and Gatlinburg and right at the entrance to Cades Cove. Wherever you stay you need to see Cades Cove.

[RipinSC]

X2 on River plantation. Great park.
Twin creek is located in Gatlinburg and the shuttle bus stops just outside the park. Nice park also. Only problem is it is costly.
Weekend traffic is terrible. Plan your trip so you have the weekdays to explore.
Dollywood is also very nice to visit.

[2naEagle]

River Plantation is where we like to stay. Very big rig friendly. A lot depends on what you want to do. The way we look at it you have to pretty much drive a good deal to see all the sights of the mountains. So if you want to take in a lot of the shows or the good food that are in the Pigeon Forge area stay somewhere close. Makes it easier to get back to camp after the show. IF the show's are not your thing or just like setting around camp out in nature look farther out.

[Ohiofinlander]

X2 for Up The Creek Campground. Has nice sized sites. West side of Pigeon Forge, so you wouldn't have to go into town if so desired. You can enter the National Park on the west side taking you directly to Cades Cove and other areas such as falls, and loops over to Gatlinburg using park roads.

[triplebvalp]

Great RV Park … we stayed last year at the end of September:

https://www.smokymountaincamping.com/

[Marine71-76]

We stayed at Greenbrier Campground several years ago & really enjoyed the setting. We have also stayed at Pigeon Forge KOA. Wherever you decide to stay, try to find a park that you can get to by taking back roads. You really want to avoid the main drag.

We were there in early October and ended up staying at a park outside of Knoxville. Even during the week the main drag was busy.

[crl]

Great recommendations and information. We have already started checking some of the parks out. Can’t wait to get back on the road. Thank y’all so much.

[robkelly]

We stayed at Camp LaConte a couple of years ago. It's a fairly small family run campground, very well maintained and with all the amenities. There's also a shuttle stop out front so you don't have to deal with your TV when going to see the attractions.

[WeRJuliian]

We go to the Smokies every year, in the Fall, and I would recommend Indian Creek CG, just outside Cherokee, NC, if you like peace and quiet.

No fairgrounds, hot dog stands or neon - just a clean, simple, privately owned CG with trees, creekside pitches and nice people. For us, that's what camping is about.

Indian Creek Campground - Campgrounds In Cherokee NC

[Riverman]

i prefer the south side of the mountains.... the quiet town of Bryson City instead of a million people and cars on the north side. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

[RoyBraddy]

We go to the Smokey Mtn Natl park and camp at ELKMONT CAMP...

Our love here is camping not shopping....

Will go to Townsend for groceries and camping supplies...

If you are into shopping the Gatlinburg town is a walking town with little or no parking available… You can walk to all of the shops day and night...

The Pigeon Forge area is a driving event for shopping. You can drive up to most stores and park....

There is a never ending line of people in both areas... This is more noticeable in the Gatlinburg area since everyone is walking the streets and sidewalks...

We like to visit the Natl Park in the fall of the year and perhaps just after school starts up...

Quite an adventure for first time goers haha...

In our case we would rather do the camping and watch the wildlife around the Natl park... Cades Cove is high on our list to visit...

It all depends on what you are interested in doing...

Roy Ken

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

We go to the Smokies every year, in the Fall, and I would recommend Indian Creek CG, just outside Cherokee, NC, if you like peace and quiet.

No fairgrounds, hot dog stands or neon - just a clean, simple, privately owned CG with trees, creekside pitches and nice people. For us, that's what camping is about.

Indian Creek Campground - Campgrounds In Cherokee NC

We stayed there ^ last year, such an awesome campground out in the woods away from everything. Enjoyed fly fishing for trout directly behind our trailer.

We go to the Smoky's at least four times per year for the last 15+ years.

Campgrounds we enjoy -

Elkmont (primitive and one of our favorites)
Duvall in the Smoky's
Pine Mountain RV Park
Greenbrier
Townsend KOA
Little Arrow (Townsend)

So it really depends on what your preference of camping is, you can find just about any option around the GSMNP.

[JDPEagle]

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in a Townsend, TN. Best campground and resort around.

[Bbyrd45]

Greenbrier campground or Little Arrow in Townsend. Both you can back up to the stream. Peaceful.

[DocBrown]

We stayed at Smoky Bear Campground 20 minutes east of Gatlinburg. Away from the crowds and mayhem. Quite, very clean and well maintained and the hosts are wonderful. Ask Klaire where her favorite places to hike are.

Parking in Gatlinburg can be a pain, but there is a city owned parking structure on the east end of town. Even by the hour it's far cheaper than the tourist lots further in down town and it's easy in, easy out.

If you do like hiking the only way to beat the rush any time of year is to get to the trail heads early. Really early. 9:00 AM is too late, any parking will be filled. And most of these are real mountain trails with parking for only a few cars. But the back country stuff is the best stuff to see. Lots of rivers, rapids, waterfalls and dramatic overlooks to see.

[Chopperdoc]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

We like River Plantation

https://www.riverplantationrv.com/

We will be at River Plantation this coming week. Sunday to Saturday. We've been to that area about 5 times but never during Christmas. looking forward to it