camping in or near smokey mints np

Not likely in the park itself. There are lots of options though in the area. Do a search for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area camping. Check in the Cosby area too. It all depends how close to town you want to be. Check the National Park Service web site for the 3 campgrounds, Elkmont, Smokemont, and Cades Cove, in the park as to sizes that can fit. None have improved sites that have hook-ups. You really have plenty of other choices to choose from.

Check out Big Meadows in Townsend.

Hands down the Smokemont CG up the valley some from Cherokee is our favourite. No power, no WIFI, no TV, no cell service but hey, it is camping the way it is supposed to be complete with a creek running through it. Phone & WIFI works a few miles back down the valley at the visitors center. Cades Cove is a drive to get to with a trailer.

Now if all of the comforts of civilisation are a must, there are plenty of full service, close together site CGs in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville. Stayed at River plantation, Sevierville a couple of times. Pool, laundry, 50amp, flat sites, cable anything you might need right there with all of the shopping & glitzy stuff minutes away.

Unless you just want to be close to the shopping and kiddie amusements in Pigeon Forge I would cross over to the North Carolina side of the park and stay there. Last fall we stayed at the Tuckaseegee RV Resort close to Sylva, NC. Easy access to the Smoky Mtn park and numerous waterfalls in NC and a whole lot less traffic and noise than Pigeon Forge.

We took our 36'TT up to Elkmont a couple of summers ago. We had no problem getting a site that would fit, but it is dry camping and it was HOT and humid. When we go back now, we stay in Pigeon Forge at Pine Mtn RV Park and drive up to Elkmont, Cades Cove, etc. We have plenty of power, cable and AC but are able to enjoy the wildlife and scenery when we want to.

The large sites are limited, but they do have them to fit the larger RVs.

It depends on the experience you want. If you are into touristy type attractions I would recommend you stay in the Gatlinburg area. There are many RV parks, do a search on RV Parkreviews.com to find one that best meets you needs. If you want a less hectic place to stay I would recommend Townsend, TN. Big Meadows or the KOA seem to be popular.

Either place, I encourage you to do some hiking in the park. There are trails available to fit any fitness level and experience.

Have a great time!

As other have said, it all depends on the experience you want.
We avoid the touristy places, so we stayed at a little CG near Whittier, NC called Timberlake. There where plenty of large sites / rigs of all sizes when we where there.

If you like a resort feel I highly recommend Anchor Down Resort. It overlooks Douglas Lake and is big rig friendly. It is about 15 minutes to Pigeon Forge. It puts you close but keeps you out of the touristy area. The place is practically new. The views are awesome. If you are going in the summer I suggest one of the sites on the top with trees.

We also like Smokemont. It's one of the NPS campgrounds so no hookups but you'll fit nicely in almost all of the F loop sites; Those that backup to the creek are our favorites. Be sure to visit the nearby grist mill and Cades Cove is well worth the drive.

We have been to the jellystone in Cosby. Great setting, small campground, but we had a great site on the steam which the kids loved. About 15 minutes from gatlinburg.

We want to go back this summer, anyone been to Adventure Bound campground?