NE Ohio to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN

SidecarFlip wrote:
Notwithstanding the nice RV parks, my wife and I went there a few years ago and we will never go back. Pigeon Forge, Gattlinburg, Severville and surrounding areas are tourist traps and little more.

I'd rather go to Shipshewanna and get fleeced by the Amish than go down there and get fleeced by gentiles.... not for us.

That's why you should have done your research prior to going there. Bryson City on the North Carolina side or anywhere near Lake Fontana is much better and much cooler in my opinion. We did the Tennessee side for years and got disgusted with the traffic and people. Oh we still go over to visit but we go out of season. We like the mountains and scenery in the park itself. Pigeon Forge has turned into a Panama City Beach look a like! What a shame. If I had to go and stay on the Tennessee side it would be Townsend, Tremont Hills.

I don't think anyone has said Maggie Valley yet, it is a nice break from the throngs of people with just enough town to have some good eating and you are on the south east side of the park, a side less visited, we just spent 6 days at Cataloochee CG (no hook ups and very narrow windy gravel road).


we usually stay in the park or mile high CG, we go for the hiking and cool weather and not the people, and noise.


out of the 31 times we have been in the smokies we still like it other than PF and GB, we will hit the chocolate factory in GB to get our treats, and a couple outdoor stores looking for something er other and then head into the park never to see town again, If I had to pick a favorite NP CG it would be smokemont I guess, as it is close to the BRP and we always explore the south 60 miles or so each time we go down.

Based on your trolley question you want to stay at Rivers Edge in Pigeon Forge. The trolley has a stop in the campground that will take you thru the entire Pigeon Forge system or to the transfer station to get on the Gatlinburg trolley system that will take you all over Gatlinburg. It also has one of the best bath houses I have ever been in.