Great smokey np

ken56 wrote:
If you go hiking watch out for the bears, they are trying to fatten up before hibernating.

NOT!

Thanks for all the interestinr comments
Gaetan

If you go hiking watch out for the bears, they are trying to fatten up before hibernating.

Harley Dude wrote:
We always stay at Tremont Campground. In Townsend...right at the edge of the Park and 5 minutes from Cades Cove. 30 minutes to Gatlinburg. This area is considered the Quiet side of the Smokies. We'll be back there in late Oct.

http://www.tremontcamp.com/index.html

Townsend is very nice. We stayed at Big Meadows Family Campground for 2 weeks and really enjoyed it. Townsend is close to the Cades Cove area of the park. Lots of hiking.

Pine Mountain RV Park in Pigeon Forge is very nice, Has a trolley stop across the street, if you want to go into town without your TC. Be aware of some low tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway may not fit your TC. Three days are enough time to hit the highlights of the park. Good luck.

We always stay at Tremont Campground. In Townsend...right at the edge of the Park and 5 minutes from Cades Cove. 30 minutes to Gatlinburg. This area is considered the Quiet side of the Smokies. We'll be back there in late Oct.

http://www.tremontcamp.com/index.html

Despite the warm weather - have some warm clothes! We got stuck on the Blue Ridge the 3rd week in October about 5 years ago, 8"of snow that closed the campgrounds! Was really pretty with snow up high and fall colors in the valleys below! ST

If Cataloochee campground in the park is open when you will be there, I highly recommend it. This campground requires reservations because of the long drive in. Check the park web site for closing dates, amenities, and reservations.

Thanks a lot for the very interesting informations, we look forward a great trip
Gaetan

If you are traveling south on I-81 in Virginia, you can exit at Front Royal and pick up the Skyline Drive and take it all the way south to the Smokies. The Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway (heading south the Skyline Drive becomes the Blue Ridge Pkwy at Waynesboro, VA) run parallel to I-81 for awhile. The Blue Ridge Pkwy ends at US 441 near Cherokee, NC. You can then drive over the mountain to TN on US 441 into Gatlinburg. All in all, a beautiful drive (about 570 miles) but you should allot at least 3 days to do it (4 is better). Lots of stopping points and short hikes to water falls, etc. on the way. As others have said, a beautiful area to travel in the fall!

Once in the Smokies don't miss Cades Cove. If you come via the Blue Ridge Pwy, stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to pickup all the information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you come via I-81 and Rt 66 & 321 into Gatlinburg, go out to the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg to get all the park info.