Looking at taking a trip to Gatlinburg in early October. I have never stayed at either park, any recommendations would be appreciated.

We liked the Jellystone in Cosby TN.

If you have kids, by all means, Jellystone. If you don't or if they are older, try Smoky Bear, which is just up the road from Jellystone. It is a 5 star, owner run campground. It's a good one.

The camp sites inside the Smoky Mtn Natl Park are no HOOK-UPS with central bath room facilities. Water is available at the bath room facility that you can tote to the trailer. The park has a couple of dump stations located near the entrance of the park.There is several really nice camp grounds between COSBY and Gatlinburg... We havent been that way in a few years now but always liked to stay at the ARROWHEAD camp ground. Nice folks there that ran it... If you have kids the Jellystone is kid orientated for sure... All of this is close to groceries and sight seeing in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge towns...ALot of folks like to stay on the south side of the Gatlinburg in Townsend TN to get away from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge noise and people... We always stayed at ELKMONT inside the Park but of course with hook-ups... In Pigeon Forge we would stay at the RIVER EDGE RESORT some as well...Numerous camp grounds all over the area there to suit your style of camping...This area catches all kinds of reunions and functions all year long.Always a very busy place... Pigeon Forge is well know for its old cars get-togethers. They run up and down the strips almost every weekend... You have to learn the back roads real quick to miss all of that...Roy Ken

Never stayed in either, but have seen the campground at Cades Cove and have stayed in a Jellystone (Cherokee, NC) before. 2 different types of camping. Weather can be iffy in October. could be cool and could be mild. You may need A/C and then again, you may need some heat at night. Jellystone - FHU and great for the kids.GSMNP - No hookups and better "camping" experience. They usually have a generator loop that you can run your generator for a little bit each day at certain times.

Make your reservations ASAP. October is the busiest month for the Smokys.

Camping the Smoky's or Jellystone? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

crawford
Explorer
Sep 13, 2014
from smoky bear camp ground which has hook ups and jellystone which aren't about a mile apart going to town is only about 5 or 6 mile away is that far for you? But if you have kids go to Jellystone and say hi to Yogi for us
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Agreed....plus there are some shortcuts over to Pigeon Forge without having to go into Gatlinburg. We've never camped in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, but have stayed in cabins numerous times. It's always good to be able to get away from everything and get to some peace.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2014
It's nice being away from the craziness of G-burg/P-forge! The ride in isn't that bad!
DinTulsa
Explorer
Aug 29, 2014
Looked at a lot of reviews and that was one if the deciding factors. I wanted to be a little closer to Gatlinburg but it will all work out. We are going to be there for 5 days, so we will probably make a trip or two into town. The rest of the time will be spent in the park.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2014
You'll love it! Have you checked the reviews on RVPR? Almost all 9's and 10's!
thedoghouse
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
Had great time last year at thanksgiving at jelly stone
DinTulsa
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
Just made my reservation for jelly stone!
magnusfide
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2014
Make your reservations ASAP. October is the busiest month for the Smokys.
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
Never stayed in either, but have seen the campground at Cades Cove and have stayed in a Jellystone (Cherokee, NC) before. 2 different types of camping. Weather can be iffy in October. could be cool and could be mild. You may need A/C and then again, you may need some heat at night.

Jellystone - FHU and great for the kids.
GSMNP - No hookups and better "camping" experience. They usually have a generator loop that you can run your generator for a little bit each day at certain times.
RoyB
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2014
The camp sites inside the Smoky Mtn Natl Park are no HOOK-UPS with central bath room facilities. Water is available at the bath room facility that you can tote to the trailer. The park has a couple of dump stations located near the entrance of the park.

There is several really nice camp grounds between COSBY and Gatlinburg... We havent been that way in a few years now but always liked to stay at the ARROWHEAD camp ground. Nice folks there that ran it... If you have kids the Jellystone is kid orientated for sure...

All of this is close to groceries and sight seeing in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge towns...

ALot of folks like to stay on the south side of the Gatlinburg in Townsend TN to get away from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge noise and people... We always stayed at ELKMONT inside the Park but of course with hook-ups... In Pigeon Forge we would stay at the RIVER EDGE RESORT some as well...

Numerous camp grounds all over the area there to suit your style of camping...

This area catches all kinds of reunions and functions all year long.Always a very busy place... Pigeon Forge is well know for its old cars get-togethers. They run up and down the strips almost every weekend... You have to learn the back roads real quick to miss all of that...

Roy Ken