Forum Discussion

lsyfers's avatar
lsyfers
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013

Help needed first time motor home rental

My fiancé and I are starting our lives together by renting a motorhome so I can drag him from the east coast to my home in Southern California! We pick up the motor home in Atlanta and we want our first stop to be at great smoky mountains. Need help on campground to stay at FHU. No kids or tow vehicle. I know we need to stay outside the NP but need help where to stay? This is our first time "camping" so I am trying to get it right so we actually make it to the west coast (still talking to each other). Also do you suggest we rent a car to drive through the NP?
Thanks
  • stuckinthesand's avatar
    stuckinthesand
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    If it were me I would drive right thru the park and stay in Gatlinburg and camp, rent a car (there are plenty) and do the tourist thing. I was just there and toured Cherokee and Gatlinburg and Tenn wins hands down in every respect unless you want to gamble. Just my opinion, your results may vary.
  • littlemo's avatar
    littlemo
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    I've been to Cherokee before but never stayed in CGs. It looks like there is a lot of choices, though. You could stay here and rent a car to drive through RMNP over to Gatlinburg. When you get ready to head west again take the drive along the Ocoee River gorge on 74 toward Chattanooga. It is a pretty drive.

    Cherokee

    About Cherokee
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Apr 28, 2013
    There is a couple of nice camp grounds just outside the entrance to the Natl Park in TOWNSEND..

    If you want closer to the bigger town stay at the RIVEREDGE RESORT two lights away from DOLLYWOOD entrance in PIGEON FORGE. Has TROLLY CAR stop at the camp ground...

    Not sure how big your motorhome is but keep in mind the roads inside the NATL PARK are narror and have alot of cut back curves... Just be careful abound the rock overhang areas. Everyone likes going to the CADEs COVE area at dusk to watch all the animals come out... Might even see a black bear... Driving around Gatlinburg streets will be fun also in a motorhome. Most folks park and walk the main street to visit all the shops. Pigeon Forge is best to drive to all of the shops and park close by to go inside.

    Roy Ken
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Apr 28, 2013
    Hey, welcome to the forum and best wishes for a great adventure!

    Do you have a smartphone or an iPad or iPod Touch? There are camping apps for both iOS and Android that show campgrounds and details about them available either for free or a couple bucks. I wouldn't hit the road without them.

    I've got Woodalls (free), Good Sams (free), and Allstays (not free, couple bucks), as well as Recreation.gov (free), and National Parks from National Geographic (partly free, but the specific guides aren't). Each has slightly different info, but combined they'll give you lots of choices with excellent info. There are others, btw.

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