Smokey Mountain National Park

[donniejoel]

We are planning a trip to Smokey Mountain National Park area in mid April.  I haven't  been to this area since I was a kid back in the early 70's. I am hoping someone can maybe direct us to a good campground.  We prefer to camp in forest service campgrounds, not to worried about hook ups unless they are available.  We are kind of new to rving as we just bought our first 5th wheel about a year ago and have made 3 trips in it so far.  I get a little nervous on some of the really narrow roads and prefer something not to far off the highway.  We have been looking on the internet at some of these camping areas but it is really hard to tell what the roads are like getting in them. If anyone has camped in this area we would be very grateful for any info you could give us.

 

[Jeff3]

The only FS campground we have used is on route 441 going through the Park It is located at the bottom of the grade along a creek about 10 miles into the park from Cherokee. It is OK and easily accessible but you will be on 441 which has some tight turns and a pretty good climb.

 

[ceemike]

Try Elkmont Campground in the park.  It is a few miles inside the park but it is closer to the entrance than Smokemont as I recall.  We had a site in loop F right along the Little River.  We loved the site.  The CG has no hookups and there are no showers, just toilets (as I remember it).  We were there in mid May.  I would recommend reserving a site before you go.

 

[donniejoel]

Thanks.  That is the kind of info Im looking for.  I looked at Elkmont on the forest service web site.  It looks very pretty there.  One more question though. Do you know if there are any dump sites around the area.  Jeff do you remember the name of the one you stayed at.  I don't mind the steepness of the road or the curves as long as there aren't any steep drop offs and the road is wide enough.  We went to Colorado last summer and I white knuckled it trough some of those roads. 

 

[Don C1]

Dump Station is across from the Visitor Center about 7 miles away.

 

[donniejoel]

Thanks Don.  That will work.

 

[blue661]

Another option would be cades cove, very beautiful area.

 

[Jeff3]

Edgemont was the cg we used.

 

[BruceinFL]

Cades Cove is the best in the park but no hookups. Generator use is permitted during certain hours.

 

[donniejoel]

Appreciate all the info.  Generator is a necessity for us.  I noticed some of the sites don't allow generator use.  We made it 5 days last summer before we had to charge the batteries. 

 

[Steve & Linda2]

We took our 1st RV trip to cg at Cades Cove. Enter from Townsend rather than Gatlinburg b/c road from Gatlinburg follows river, is narrow and very curvy. You will fall in love with Cades Cove! The 13 miles loop around the cove is a must see at different times of the day for best wildlife sightings. Taking a toad over Rich Mtn road (1 way traffic only enters from w/I Cove) is exciting and scenery is breathtaking. Hiking or biking w/I Cove will keep you busy.

 

[Bobtop46]

I am staying at Teaberry Hill.  Small commercial campground a little ways from the Smoking Mountain Park in the spring.  1-5 May.  Be aware there is a Mini Cooper Rally in the area during these dates booking up everything in site.  I dont mind a small communte in my Mini to the park.  I prefer SP and NF but have company on this trip and need the hook ups. 

 

[donniejoel]

Cades Cove looks very interesting.  I think this will be something we will go see.  We will be going the second week of April so I guess we will miss the mini cooper rally.  I sure hope the dogwoods are in bloom.  We usually go to Arkansas this time of the year, but now since we have the trailer we are trying to get out and see more of the country. 

 

[Ron from Big D]

    One thing not mentioned:  How long is your rig?  The campgrounds have length limits.  I believe about 35 feet.  Check when making your reservation.

 

[Don C1]

Everyone should try to visit Elkmont Campground for the Synchronous Fireflies. Never seen anything like it. Small hike from inside the campground.
Since 1993, the peak date has occurred at various times from the third week of May to the third week in June. Park Services can usually predict the 2 week window for the year.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm

 

[Seilerbird]

Everyone should try to visit Elkmont Campground for the Synchronous Fireflies. Never seen anything like it. Small hike from inside the campground.
Since 1993, the peak date has occurred at various times from the third week of May to the third week in June. Park Services can usually predict the 2 week window for the year.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm

I took that hike about 10 years ago. Positively mind blowing. It was a night hike and they didn't tell us what we were going to see. Flashlights were outlawed and they passed out 6 flashlights with red cellophane taped over them. The hike started at 9:30 on a moonless night with about 35 poeple. After about 15 minutes we stopped and played some silly game identifying smells. Then we hiked another 15 minutes in total darkness (except the 6 red flashlights) and stopped and played some other silly little game. So I am thinking, 'man, this is the lamest ranger program I have ever been to'. Then we stopped again a few minutes later and the rangers had 6 red flashlights turned off and about a minute later these fireflies put on the most amazing show I had ever seen. I have been on hundreds of ranger talks and walks and this one is in my top five.

 

[ceemike]

Here's a link to the Great Smoky Mountains trip planner if you haven't seen it already.  It has a lot of great info about the park.

 

[donniejoel]

Thanks again for all the info.  I had not seen that site on the trip planner.  I will look at it very closely tonight.  Our trailer is 32 feet, not sure how long with the truck attached. I have stayed in a couple of Texas state parks that were rated at 35 feet, just parked the truck sideways in front of the trailer We booked a site at Cosby campground.  There were not any available sites we could reserve in our time slot at  Elkmont.  The fireflies sounds like something we might do. 

 

[SmokerBill]

Synchronous fireflies!? Wow!  I am so glad that the natural world never ceases to amaze my ignorant self.

 

[SmokerBill]

Synchronous fireflies!? Wow!  I am so glad that the natural world never ceases to amaze my ignorant self. That is something I must definitely see.