Own an RV? Beware of Smoky Mountain National Park
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the MOST VISITED National park in the country, but is it a mistake to RV in the park?
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Should you RV Smoky Mountain National Park?
02:30 - UGLY TRUTH # 1
06:33 - UGLY TRUTH # 2
08:02 - UGLY TRUTH # 3
08:41 - Nomad Near Me for Android!
10:10 - "Do Instead" # 1
12:50 - "Do Instead" # 2
13:55 - "Do Instead" # 3
14:36 - Our Favorite Things To Do in SMNP
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GSMNP is one of my fav places. Im glad to see the parking passes started. They are trying to control people that parked on the side of the road, many times blocking in others or sticking out in the road and blocking traffic so even first responders could not get to emergency situations. Be aware the park service IS enforcing and 100s of vehicles have been towed over the last several weeks because they were parked in areas with No Parking signs. The southern section around Cherokee is not nearly as busy and Smokemont campground has a designated loop for RVs only and can accommodate some large rigs. Deep Creek and Cosby are quiet as well. Our fav spot is Cataloochee but the road in is windy, very narrow and has steep drop offs so not good for rvs. Its a nice quiet area with lots of elk.
As a Tennessee girl who, like y'all, was raised going to this park several times a year it makes me so sad to see how over population is affecting the park. Hiking up Mt. LaConte in the mid 80's was one of my favorite memories of the Smokeys. I'm afraid my memories will have to do; I can't bear to think about traveling the over crowded roads and paths that used to be so quiet and serene. Oh, well...nothing stays the same. 😞
I agree - I wish people would go somewhere else - We just can’t hold anymore people - Iam hoping the new things park is doing now - charging more - will cause people to go somewhere else
We liked the NC side and camped at Smokemount or Smokemont Campground near Cherokee. Uncrowded there. Close to the small town of Cherokee which is picturesque and the home of the Native American tribe of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. There is a demonstration farm near which is a wonderful thing for children to visit and an old water wheel flour mill near. We saw Elk and Turkey there near the Visitor's Center. There is one harder thing about Smokemont as it does not allow generators in the evening or the early morning and no hookups. There is a water spigot. There also are nice bathrooms and a sink for washing dishes at the bathroom building on the side of the block house building. Very pretty area!
Smokemont is the best campground in the Smokies. So much less crowded.
Couple of additional notes: 1) You don’t need the Natl Park Pass to get into Smoky Mountain Natl Park - there’s NO fee station, thus the parking passes are a GREAT idea to protect the park from people who parked nearly anywhere and everywhere. We tried it this past spring, it works easily. 2) While not all campground areas in Elkmont are open in early spring, it was still very easy to get a campsite in mid-April. If you avoid National Parks in June-July-August, it’s not near the hassle. 3) Plenty of National Parks are limited in campsite size. Those of us who pull a 27-foot travel trailer will take those sites and enjoy them. Thanks as always for your outstanding, fun videos!
Thanks for the tips.
@@LessJunkMoreJourney At 14:48 you are driving past a lake with a playground behind you. You are in the 5th wheel open rang. Looks like a winery/fruit orchard. Where is this? Thanks
Respects to you guys for camping with your kids! But realize you can’t take your house with you everywhere! We camp with a 12’ retro camper and have never had a problem! We spend very little time in the camper…we’re there for the outdoor experience…not for king size beds and tv…. Just pick your park for the mega campers and go there…leave the rest for the little guys like us. Great video! Thanks for posting
Don't forget about Townsend, TN or Cherokee, NC for less of a touristy experience.
Those are good points!
Agreed. The KOA in Cherokee is very nice and very chill.
Townsend is also a much shorter drive to Caves Cove.
@@teabroncfan Cherokee KOA is $100 to $150 a night. Too rich for me for a camping spot.
@@sharlamccall I'm in Townsend right now and there are a lot of campgrounds here. Only 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. I would rather stay here and be out of the traffic. We stayed in Pigeon Forge last year and it was a nightmare.
I am local to SMNP so I get the changes. But it’s the only large NP that has no admittance fees! They can’t by law - every other large NP (Yellowstone, Glacier etc) has daily fees unless you have a pass. The only was they could raise $ for maintenance etc was the parking pass. I don’t see the problem with that.
I thought they were the only park that didn't charge but found out they are not.
Coming from Florida, we usually stay on the south side of the park near Cherokee or we stay in Townsend. We avoid Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Too crowded and never ending traffic jams. We get enough touristy stuff living in Florida! Lol!
@@brucefranklin6765we love the Townsend "quiet side".
We camp in Elkmont every fall. We have 20 ft RV, SELF CONTAINED. We leave our house at home and It's 6 months in advance to reserve. Yes, summer is busy which should be expected no matter where you go. GSMNP IS THE MOST REASONABLE. MOST CAMPERS DO THERE HOMEWORK. MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET A SMALLER RIG OR GO SOMEWHERE YOU THINK IS PERFECT
The problem some people have is the people paid for some of the park and it was with the idea it would always be free to the people now with a parking fee some folks are upset as they feel it goes around that agreement long ago
My husband and I have had hitch trailers, a 5th wheel trailer, and a moho, and wondered for years why new RV parks aren't designed with angled back-in parking, instead of perpendicular parking. We've left suggestions in the "comments" box at every RV park we've been to throughout the years in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, and California, all to no avail. We feel your pain and jangled nerves with parking situations.
In addition to weekdays, I would also recommend early May or late September if you can do it. The weather is generally pretty good, the crowds are at their lowest, and chalets/hotels are at their cheapest.
Staying in Townsend is by far the way to go, you are right by the national park, but well away from the mess in pigeon forge.
Good point 👏👏👏👏
I'm thankful that Cade's Cove is a day trip for me. Thank you for all the good info. Yes, Elkmont is a hard place to get into, but it sure is fun.
It is a blast! Love that area.
We've always stayed on the NC side of the park. Quieter and usually cooler in the summer than the TN side. Lots of cool small towns on the NC side to see and not as 'Touristy' unless you like to visit a Casino in Cherokee. We've been to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg a couple times and honestly, that's all we needed. We come to the Great Smokies to disconnect and having a site along a river does just that. I have no issues spending a few $ to park (they need to get revenue somehow since they can't charge admission) and certified firewood on the NC side was only $8/bundle and more than 5 pieces. Also, camping for $30 per night (yes, dry camping) is still affordable unlike certain State Parks (talking about you SC) that are charging $80/night for Water/Electric. GSMNP is still an awesome value and we'll be coming back for years to come.
Great video. This area has been my family’s home away from home for fifty years. I’m 53 now and have been going there since I was 3. We’ve owned cabins and my brother actually owned a store on the strip for a few years and I lived there and helped him. It’s a special place.
As for fees, as you guys know from your travels, many many national parks charge admission fees.
Not many people know this but when the Smokey Mountain National Park was being acquired by the govt part of the acquisition process had stipulations that the govt could NEVER charge an admission fee.
As a result of this, along with it being so visited and costs associated with park rangers, road maintenance, trail maintenance, garbage control etc, the Smokey’s lagged behind in creating much needed revenue to offset those costs.
This is why the parking fee was created. You can buy a daily pass, or a weekly or an annual and the cost of the annual parking pass is pretty much in line with other national park annual admission passes.
Now with that said, it’s a whole different discussion as to how I feel about fees in general in our parks as to whether the parks should be fully funded by taxes or not is a different discussion. And I will say that for you guys buying the annual “all parks” pass not including parking in the Smokey’s is an oversight on their part as I think it should be included for you.
I tell the other story about how the fees came about just so folks who don’t know understand why and how the parking few structure came about and how it’s not a lot different than pulling up to the Grand Canyon and actually paying a larger fee to get inside the park.
Yes, a park pass should be a park pass. I understand cost too. Our national parks are for us to visit and should be very affordable. I have noticed though since owning a camper now almost 10 years, that in the last few years, greed has taken hold in the camping world. It is ridiculous to pay over say triple the cost of a stay. If you come and use maybe $10 of resources- water, sewer, elec. OK that is per night- Make $20 and charge $30. The national parks, many of them, have no resources to share but they are charging like $40-$50 a night just to park. That is a lot of money X all that visit.
My first RV camping experience was in New Zealand and I loved it. What is so strange is how we pay so much to camp in comparison. Their Top 10 Holiday Park facilities everywhere are amazing. We would call them resorts. The facilities are vast and there are pools playgrounds, movie houses-unbelievable and they might be $50 a night for full hook up camping at the most as of 2023. They were really cheap when I was there. We now charge $40 for nothing and like $200 a night in what we call a resort with a gravel parking lot and a small pool with hook ups. One of the top 10 camping spots in the United States is a private in Columbus Ohio and I went to stay there in 2015. It was $60 a night then. It is now $72 a night but be prepared to park about 10 feet from another camper. My neighbor yelled at me to come out when their campfire almost caught my truck on fire.
That area of the country has become very popular for RVers, which makes it difficult to find a campsite without making a reservation a year in advance. When the RV dealer was late in delivering my son's fifth wheel by about two weeks, it caused him and his wife to lose the campsite they had reserved in Lenoir City Tennessee, which is just outside of Knoxville. They spent a week in a hotel making dozens of calls to other campgrounds in the area, only to be told they were booked solid for months out. Thankfully, they finally found a place closer to Chattanooga, but only because another RVer gave up their spot earlier than planned, and he happened to call at the right time.
When I lived in Tennessee in the 60s and early 70s, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that Tennessee would become one of the most popular destinations in the country, both for visitors and tourists and for people looking to relocate.
Good vid! Already booked at The Ridge for the end of Oct. Cant wait.
First I hope Nathan is feeling better and I am glad to hear JJ is good. What a scare! Second sounds like one should prepare for anything at SMNP. Great video!
Love that park. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings
I watch Everything Auto TH-cam channel which is a towing company in Gatlinburg and the NPS has just started towing for parking violations in Great Smoky Mountains national park if you park alongside the road or in a grassy area not designated for parking. And the tough part is that you can get stranded it they tow you from there because some people have actually walked the 5 miles or so to the impound lot because there is no other transportation off the mountain!
Wow, can you imagine walking off the mountain after having your car towed.
Exactly! Jeff & Kristen are the most wonderful couple with that channel!
They get soooo much garbage from people for towing them.
Entitlement! Visitors here think they can park where ever they want, Everything Autos get a
call to tow, and get grief because “I was only parked there for 10 minutes!!!”
New to your channel...love it. Thanks for the time put into it. Thanks for being real. We used to RV. Now looking forward to sailing as a travel vessel. Many ideas on your channel can be mirrored to the boat, AFA scaled down living, connecting to internet, exploring travel stops.
Thank you so much and thank you for watching.
we live in Sevier county TN so we know the traffic and tourism and national park, it's our home, we love it
GSMNP is one of our favorite travel/camping destinations!! Because we particularly like Cades Cove we camp, 28' motorhome towing a Jeep Wrangler, away from the craziness of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge at the Towsend KOA. Clean, beautiful campground with easy park access and a nice drive to the touristy towns to the north. Thanks for a great video! 😊😊
Thanks for sharing!
We were there last weekend - stayed at Sun Outdoors in Sevierville - the gateway city to Pigeon Forge! Surprisingly we did not encounter huge crowds. Went to the park on Sunday and visited Cades Cove, then drove up to Clingman’s Dome. There were lots of people but by no means gridlock. May have gotten worse in the afternoon. Plus it was cloudy on top and a little rainy so might have discouraged folks. But a great time there. Would love to come back and spend more time exploring - we only had a day so picked the top things and focused on them. Thanks for your review. We loved our time in TN. Spent a day in Nashville as well - stayed at Seven Points COE campground. An outstanding area.
Awesome.
Thank you that was so informative and helpful. Appreciate your transparency.
You are so welcome, thank you for watching.
I love that you created an app. Really nice idea. 10 years ago, who knew you were going to be traveling, growing your family on the road, and making an app. I also didn't know how much I would love watching your journeys. Hope the future gets more awesome for us all.
Thank you so much.
I say Pigeon Forge/Gattlinburg is the Myrtle Beach of the mountains! Tons of people, small roads, crowded roads and yes, pancake houses-just like the strip of Myrtle Beach!
Excellent information and beautiful scenery. 🙏❤️🙏
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching.
It's been about 30 years since I've been to Smoky Mountain National Park. I think I'm glad I went when I did because from what you are saying I don't think I'll be going back unless my wife insists on it. It''s kind of too bad so many folks are going because the parks are getting loved to death. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
So glad we did the Smokies when we were part timers in a 28’ travel trailer. Still took us forever to get parked!
Thanks so much for the information!
Thank you for watching.
My MIL lives in Loudon TN and we love Dollywood and Cades Cove! We own a tiny teardrop so no prob for our little bed on wheels lol!! Great info on the parking pass 😢.
That is awesome!
We have been on nomad near me .. I love it thanks for putting that out there again. Maryann
Thank you.
Great info from your homestate
It’s a special place to us ❤️. Thanks!
Rocky Mtn NP has been on the timed entry permits for 4 or so years now. They’ve adapted the system as they’ve seen how the use of the park goes. Two separate permits to choose from: Bear Lake corridor, the most heavily used area of the park, is more limited, and the rest of the park is less limited. It has definitely helped control overwhelming traffic during peak hours, and getting a $2 permit when you need it is not that hard. It pays to get very familiar with the reservation system in advance. The America the Beautiful pass also is honored at other non-NPS locations, as well as discounts on campsite reservations. It’s definitely worth having. Excited for your app to take off!
I think if I ever go back to the Smokey Mountains and camp in National Park, it will be with a tent.
2 years ago we stayed at a very nice private campground called Greenbriar. Very rustic.
Yehaaah, go Smoky! The Cummins sound is a good music to my ear. Hopefully ours will be here soon to pair with our Momentum toy hauler. Happy trails!🤠
Sorry for the absence, travelled to Italy for my 50th birthday. Great to catch up on your journey. Until next time take care travel safe. LJMJ ❤❤🇬🇧
We love driving through in October/November when the leaves are changing, Gatlinburg is still a bumper-to-bumper headache and there's NO parking anywhere but heading up to the lookouts is great fun. The hike to Laurel Falls is nice so long as there's no ice. Always the best time.
I remember the park from the 70's and since and have noticed why there is little advantage for RVs in the park. It's the most traveled park in the US and so they want to keep emissions down and from idoling. So they aren't going to make it RV friendly or easy in the park itself at most locations higher up and even lower down. But in Elkmont, Smokemont campgrounds you can get in most spaces but use the every inch you have, even from empty sits adjacent to yours to get backed in. Also, you'll notice around the area just outside the park, there is a massive amount of RV camping and parking and some for longer duration. If you have an RV, they assume you have an automobile in which to drive into the park for outings. Also why they have jeep central rentals everywhere as well as buggy vehicles and pink trucks. If Moab as this traveled, they'd probably do the same thing. It's a park that will never be known as a RV high experience park due to the above. But if you can two it and your good at angling, you can still find spots.
I grew up tent and pop-up camping in the Smokies back in the '60s with my Dad and Mom. Great memories. My wife and I went in our 21' camper van last year right after Thanksgiving from our home in Virginia. Main goal was experiencing the Dollywood Christmas - which was incredible btw! We camped in Pigeon Forge and drove in to the National Park one day. Could not believe how packed it was! Having camped all over the country now, I doubt we'll be heading back there. So many other wonderful places to enjoy without those kind of crowds.
Very sad to see what has happened to GSMNP. We used to go all the time --we live 45 minutes away. But now it is so crowded it isn't fun anymore. Even off season. We just don't go over there anymore. So commercialized and expensive. Not at all like it used to be.
We were there when LJMJ were in the Sierras (we live in CA). We have no desire to go back there. 😢
Thank you guys for this valuable and useful information!!! We have a Grand Design Momentum 29G and it’s about 33ft so yeah great information! Oh and the crowds and extra fees now! We have a lifetime parks card too, ugh! Just like Rocky Mountain National Park, gone are the peaceful quiet days lol, still an amazing area all around just like the Smokies! 😊
Wow! It looks like Pigeon Forge is in the process of turning into another Branson, Missouri.
The biggest complaint so far to the GSMNP parking pass is that people are having to walk back to their car to get their license plate number. They don't mind paying the fee, just the perp walk back to their car! I look forward to what that revenue can do for the park. =o)
Smokey mountain has never had an entrance fee. The parking pass to help with the cost of upkeep in the park is well worth it to me.
While in scouting as a youngin' I camped at Elkmont lots during the winter and put food in the creek to cool it.. btw.... when Dollywood was then "Goldrush Junction". Cheers, you guys are great.
We stayed at Douglas Headwater Campground...It was a wonderful campground right on the lake and a short drive to the national park.
We love Smoky Mountain National Park but we haven't camped when we have gone down there. It looks like most if not all of the campgrounds inside the park have sites without electricity and we haven't progressed to the point where we can operate comfortably without electricity. LOL But we love that area so much! Pigeon Forge definitely freaked us out when we first hit the area but Gatlinburg is so quaint and the park itself is beautiful. Yes, if you are traveling with kids you'll probably have to embrace some of the tourist spots. That's what drew our sons to the area when we traveled with them. Now that they're grown, we're looking forward to going back with just the two of us and immersing ourselves in the nature. Also, the Gatlinburg Pass helps make the trip back and forth to the park a lot faster!
I feel this way about Zions national park. I Loved growing up there and now it’s so crowded.
That Park is one of my favorites! I totally get how it is hard for those who have seen them change over the years.
Great advice! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful, thank you for watching.
We are still tenting but LOVE Mile High Campground in Maggie Valley, NC. You can RV there as well but it’s primitive and there are generator guidelines. The views of Balsam Mountain are amazing…totally worth the primitive experience for the views and solitude! You may even see Elk in the campground 😃
Thanks for the tips!
My wife and I just spent the week of July 4th in Pigeon Forge Watching our grandson play baseball at The Cal Ripken complex. Gatlinburg was jammed up traffic wise, but a day later it had slacked off a tiny bit so we could get around better, we’ve been in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge in late summer (September) its much easier to navigate.
Two words - Smokemont campground. They have a number of pull through sites that will accommodate larger RVs, at least 35 feet, but probably bigger. Gateway town - Cherokee, North Carolina. The reason for parking fees is because Smoky Mountain National Park has no entry fee, a rarity. The money was needed to maintain a number of facilities including campgrounds, visitor centers and visitor center parking lots.
Also Cosby Campground and Balsam Mtn
Excellent info - we are very close to this park
- just hadn’t thought much about going in. Pigeon Forge though - ha ha - we drove through there years ago and just cannot (but we don’t have kids and we are old 🤣). I’ll embrace Dolly, but that’s all!
We’ve been camping for over 40 years. And traveling all over the country since retiring 18 years ago. We love State and National Parks. Many of which have smaller sites. We traveled for 14 years in a 19’ Roadtrek Van. Then 6 years in a 17’ Micro Minnie travel trailer. Currently camping in a Ram Promaster. We’ve never had trouble finding a site. We’ve always been able to camp or park anywhere.
Yes a smaller rig can give you a lot of flexibility.
We spent a week in Sevierville we stayed at Riverside RV Park & Resort on the pigeon river.
Yes, the traffic going into Dollywood requires prepared patience. Check your routes and look for the back routes depending in time of day versus yoir RV routing apps, depending on your rig size. SMNP is a tourist trap, from the freeway exit north of Knoxville all the way through PF/Dollywood, as well as ALL of the attractions near and un the SMNP. Knowing this, adjusting your expectations provides a much better and fulfilling experience.
The best time to camp at Cades Cove is during the week. On Wednesdays they close the loop to motor traffic and you can hike or ride bikes. It is the best! Also at the pavilion near the camp store you can get wifi if you really need to make a call or check something or especially to set up your GPS before you leave the campground. 😊
Good to know!
Next time consider staying in Townsend,, you can go through Wares valley or go through the park and come into the upper side of Gatlinburg and avoid all of Pidgen forge
Acadia National Park is going the same way. Two years ago they instituted a reservation system to go to the most scenic viewpoint. You can only get a reservation on line and it costs an extra $6 for the reservation. I see more of that coming for anything that is very popular. Similarly, although there is no reservation required yet, the wait to go to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse can be up to an hour.
We just returned from GSMNP (mid November) and we stayed at Smoky Bear RV Park east of town away from the congestion. Really nice small park with full hookups and pull through sites for big rigs. I would stay there again for sure.
We’re y’all at the Smokey Mtns. recently ? Love all of your videos. My wife and I are considering going there this fall or maybe Branson , Mo.
Yes this is a new video and was filmed recently. 😀
We stay at Whispering River RV park in Walland, TN. Maybe check it out next time.
I like the scenery and the 900+ miles of well developed hiking trails in the Smokies and of all the mountains I have been to it is my favorite, however I like the Rockies for overall height of the mountains and the free dispersed camping available.
Great video! Great advice and tips on going to the Smokey Mountain Park. I would definitely get a smaller Rv and camp there. Like the size you got. That looks like a fun thing to do is to go to Pigeon Forge. I would love to do that. Sounds fun to me. Thank you Nathan and Marissa. Have a great night and see you soon!
Thanks for watching!
@@LessJunkMoreJourney
I’m catching up on all the videos now! Going to watch Sundays video today!
You can go either for the tourist traps and adventure activities, or to see the mountains. For good rv camping, go to Greenbrier or KOA east, and explore the Greenbrier, Cosby, and areas like Heintooga. Way less crouded, but just as scenic.
Thank you ❤
I will have to check out The Ridge RV park. We always stay at Claybough’s RV park on Hwy 321 towards Townsend. It is about a half mile maybe on the left from the main strip in Pigeon Forge.
Was just down in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in June for a week vacation. Reminds me the Wisconsin Dells on steroids...lol A lot of fun though. My youngest son did the Turtle Time event at the aquarium and absolutely loved it.
Got to say it...... Flapjacks! I couldnt believe how many pancake places are down there.
So many RVs get stuck in that area due to the steep rounds with turns. There are wrecker TH-cam channels that help get the RVs unstuck so keep in mind the elevation/ steep hills and turns in that area.
LOVE YOU GUYS
Aww! So sweet! Love you guys! It’s the best community ❤️
That is sad. I grew up going to SMNP too. Parking Permits are ridiculous when you already have a pass. The RV size issue is common in the National Parks and well documented. My take is to keep the RV at 28 feet or less to have the most spots available. The no power or hookups, water, etc. in the park is something I know about. I am currently camping and planned to go to Elkmont (there are spots) this week but I am having second thoughts as I am in the mountains already and at a higher elevation (cooler) and without crowds. I followed your advice years ago saying in Pigeon Forge in a Passport America place you stayed and recommended as a savings spot. It was but now it is like $200 a night to camp!
Yes, your shirt is correct!!
Smoky National Park is free to enter so you don't need your national park pass. I agree we needed these passes to help raise money's to update parking and help control people parking in none parking spots which damages areas along the roads. You can still drive through the park without the pass as long as you don't park. There are other areas just outside the park that are beautiful and have Rv parks that will accommodate really large rigs like in Townsend and you are only less than 5 miles to the park.
Thanks!
I have visited SMNP several times in the last several years. There is no way I would try to bring my 38' fiver into the park, let alone a campground. I park outside the park and commute into the park. We were fortunate to get the park pass for $20 lifetime since we are geezers. SMNP is beautiful but it's worth commuting to see it. Finally, your app is available for Android! I've been, not so patiently, awaiting the release.
Its like that at our YOSEMITE NP...too crowded to even go anymore..but the good news is that there are sooo many other undiscovered places here in the West that we can get away from it all..and enjoy nature.
At Mount Rushmore you pay to park, the park pass will get you in then pay to park your car or truck
Oh ok!
I agree with the fact that the area has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. Our opinion not for the better for the most part. still love going every year but the crap cluster area to go through has ruined it.
Omg , that’s not me not a chance I would go there and go through that !
Scary to have an RV and no place to park it ! I did it once 16 years ago after I drove 386 miles , 14 hours later and I still had not parked in a site , never did that again!
Camping in Townsend gives you the park experience and you can drive into pigeon forge for the touristy.
Most federal parks and many state parks are for RVs under 35 feet because they were built back before RVs were so long. There are RV parks in Gatlinburg not far from entrances. Mt. Cammerer Campground in GSMNP is usually easier to visit. If you can visit during the week and after kids have started school, it can be a bit more pleasant. If you stay in Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, learn to navigate the backroads.
A couple weeks ago we drove threw Elkmont and Cades Cove Campgrounds and they were packed. The ranger had an AR out due to bears hanging around Cades Cove. We saw a bear with 2 babies cross the road and another just outside Cades Cove.
I am a tent camper but I still hate Elkmont. My favorite is Smokemont. I enjoy Cherokee. I do a lot of day hikes and on my rest days I drive around. I have no issues driving across the mountain on 441 but I am normally by myself which makes a big difference.
I'm a local. (Hence all the cinnamon bread comments I make 😂) If you take the Viva again, try Cosby Campground. They have a 25 foot limit, but it's very quiet and peaceful out there.
Please try the North Carolina side! Bryson City, Sylva, Cherokee. It is beautiful and no where as crowded as the Tennessee side.
Good advice.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching.
Riverside RV park in Serville is a great place to camp.
These new rigs are bigger so the parks need to make changes to accommodate these new rigs. It's all about Federal Funding. The COE parks close the day after Labor Day, "really?" this time of year in the South is really a nice time to camp. We are in a 29' Airstream, your overall 5th wheel rig length is probably shorter than we are. One last thing, Anchor Down RV Resort on Lake Douglas is a great RV park and is close to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. It's near Dandrigde Tn.
Thks for info. But being from Ohio, everyone I know goes to Tennessee for trip. Way too many people for me. But thks again again for sharing.
Try Cosby TN. It's about 10-12 miles outside Gatlinburg TN
Love the Smoky Mountains!
Most of the campgrounds were built back when most people had tents or teardrop type trailers.
Love GSMNP. You don't have to go through Gatlinburg to get there. Townsend TN - the quiet side of the Smokies IS NEVER BUSY. Easy access to Cades Cove and further into the park. Get into the park through Cherokee, NC. Lots of other options. Lots of other campgrounds. So what on the parking $5 fee? Goes directly to the park and helps with the upkeep, costs of campgrounds, trail maintenance, historical landmark preservation. Let's not be short-sided on $5. Or you can what, spend $70 a person to go to Pirates Voyage?
Many of Florida's state parks are not "big rig" friendly. And I've found the same with many SP and Federal parks across the nation. For this reason we are considering selling the 5ther and buying a smaller camper.
Backing in to your site-The first site you tried--pull straight into the site across the street then straight back in. I know the etiquette is not exactly correct but if the space is available, use it.
The problem I was having was I knew the campground was going to fill up and if I could not back in I would not be able to pull out. There was so much more to that back in that we didn't film 😀
I'm a local Sevier County TN resident, my family and I HATE the new changes and the management of GSMNP. It's ridiculous, the parking passes ESPECIALLY for local residents, need to go!
We have a tent. really hesitant to get an RV because of the whole parking thing.
The parking fee gives me anxiety and has kept me from hiking since it started. But I totally get why they do it.
Yep! Its Bidenomics!
Big RVs are not going to make it in these national parks. I wouldn't do it. Just go smaller. Or, tent it out.
nice video !!!
Thanks!
We camped at the Pigeon Forge KOA. Park was nice but the traffic was horrid. Very touristy town. Two retired empty nesters. We got stuck in driving up a mountain to see a lookout and like 4-6 miles took us 4 hours! No bathroom stop options. We were miserable. Not what we expected at all. Countryside is beautiful, if you can get to it. Our opinion was that everything was a tourist trap and pricey. Not anything this retired granny/grandpa could afford.
For sure. It has changed so much recently. Used to go there a lot, but haven't been for a couple of years now and we live 45 minutes away. We avoid it, I really miss just running over for the day, but way too crowded to be enjoyable.