New to RV ing. We have just bought a new 28 ft class C and are planning our first trip. I have driven large trucks and pulled trailers for over 40 years so I have large rig experience. This class c drives just like a small box truck. I have been to the Smokys in a car before but can not find anyone that has drove there rig up to Clingmans Dome or thru Cades Cove loop. Just curious if anyone has made those drives. I have all the park rules and maps from the ranger station, And know the rv restricted routes.

What is the length of the RV ? I was there last year and believe that Clingmans Dome is fine getting to, just possibly an issue parking.. And Cades Cove was a tight road IF you go all the way in that may create an issue depending on the size.... A lot of people were pulling over at times to see wildlife, that would/could cause an issue for you driving the class C in Cades Cove

We were there last year and saw a few very small Class C rentals, 22 ft so so, drive up to Clingmans Dome.

There are a couple of tight turns on the park road with somewhat low overhang.... Have to watch for those and stay in the middle of the road to keep from dragging your roof line... Lots of big trucks use the park roads getting across the mtns...We love camping at ELKMONT CAMP inside the park with our OFF-ROAD POPUP setup... Its an easy drive going to both of the places you mentioned but we are in our truck doing this...When we camp at Elkmont we always go to TOWNSEND for groceries and supplies... Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is a very very busy town both day and night haha... Driving your CLASS C through both of those towns but especially Gatlinburg will not be much fun... Gatlinburg is a walking town with folks everywhere... We always give them the right-away even when they are not at cross walks.... Also Gatlinburg will not have a easy parking for your Class C... Can't just drive up and park at a store and get out to go visit it... Pigeon Forge on the other hand is not as bad for walking folks and in most cases you can park close to the store you want to visit... At Gatlinburg I would park in one of their parking lots and walk the town just like everyone else is doing ahaha... It even gets worse when school is out - big time...Almost all of our camper roads go through Gatlinburg TN haha... Been doing it for years and years...Roy Ken

Getting to Clingmans Dome won't be an issue, but parking will be, especially if it's busy, which it usually is. It's difficult enough to find parking in Cades Cove for a car let alone a 28ft motor home. There is pretty good parking at the visitor's center that may be suitable. Have you thought about renting a car for the duration of your trip? Lots of places to rent from in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.

I drove my 32' long class C aroudn the Cades Cove loop. I made it, so it's possible, but I would not do that again or recommend it to you. There are many relatively low branches over the road, and many people pulling "off" the road here and there and leaving precious little room to get around them. The length wasn't too much the problem, but width and height and general maneuverability are challenges.Parking at the visitor's center at the far end of the loop is entirely suitable for larger vehicles.Cades Cove itself was well worth seeing.

Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove Smoky Mountains | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Campfire_Time
Explorer
Jul 09, 2019
Getting to Clingmans Dome won't be an issue, but parking will be, especially if it's busy, which it usually is.

It's difficult enough to find parking in Cades Cove for a car let alone a 28ft motor home. There is pretty good parking at the visitor's center that may be suitable.

Have you thought about renting a car for the duration of your trip? Lots of places to rent from in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2019
There are a couple of tight turns on the park road with somewhat low overhang.... Have to watch for those and stay in the middle of the road to keep from dragging your roof line... Lots of big trucks use the park roads getting across the mtns...

We love camping at ELKMONT CAMP inside the park with our OFF-ROAD POPUP setup... Its an easy drive going to both of the places you mentioned but we are in our truck doing this...

When we camp at Elkmont we always go to TOWNSEND for groceries and supplies... Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is a very very busy town both day and night haha... Driving your CLASS C through both of those towns but especially Gatlinburg will not be much fun... Gatlinburg is a walking town with folks everywhere... We always give them the right-away even when they are not at cross walks.... Also Gatlinburg will not have a easy parking for your Class C... Can't just drive up and park at a store and get out to go visit it... Pigeon Forge on the other hand is not as bad for walking folks and in most cases you can park close to the store you want to visit... At Gatlinburg I would park in one of their parking lots and walk the town just like everyone else is doing ahaha... It even gets worse when school is out - big time...

Almost all of our camper roads go through Gatlinburg TN haha... Been doing it for years and years...

Roy Ken
IB853347201
Nomad II
Jul 09, 2019
We were there last year and saw a few very small Class C rentals, 22 ft so so, drive up to Clingmans Dome.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jul 09, 2019
What is the length of the RV ?

I was there last year and believe that Clingmans Dome is fine getting to, just possibly an issue parking..

And Cades Cove was a tight road IF you go all the way in that may create an issue depending on the size....

A lot of people were pulling over at times to see wildlife, that would/could cause an issue for you driving the class C in Cades Cove

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Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove Smoky Mountains

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