Smokey Mountains: Cades Cove vs Smokemont
Hi All, We are planning a trip to the Smokies for next year and would like to stay in the park. Which campground would be better for large travel trailers? Ours is 35 feet long. Both say trailer...
Forum Discussion
It would be easier for you to go to Cades Cove. I will assume that you will come down from Mass. on I-81. Smokemont is on the North Carolina side near Cherokee so you would need to enter the park from that side UNLESS your are experienced and brave enough to pull your trailer through Newfound Gap. Going over the mountain is steep and twisty. Every time I have gone through there I have seen class C's and A's with burned up brakes. Most of the trailers I see going thru the Gap are small ones, Pods, Casita's, Pop ups and most are less than 24 ft. long.
Cades Cove is on the West end of the park near Townsend and you could take 321 out of Pigeon Forge over to Townsend and the into the park. 321 has a short section of road that is steep down hill from that direction with a switchback turn but it is wide enough to handle it easilly. Keep your speed SLOW. Do NOT enter the park at the Gatlinburg entrance and think you can take Little River rd. through the park to get to Cades Cove. The road is narrow and has some tight turns and with all the traffic that road handles you would be facing a big challenge.
Both campgrounds have no hookups but they do have water and a dump station. A/C is not an option. It can still be pretty darned hot in both places. In August you never know. How uncomfortable are you willing to be? 35 ft. is going to be a challenge in my opinion. The sites are not big although some may be suitable. Townsend has some very nice campgrounds if the Cove doesn't work out so all will not be lost.
Cades Cove is on the West end of the park near Townsend and you could take 321 out of Pigeon Forge over to Townsend and the into the park. 321 has a short section of road that is steep down hill from that direction with a switchback turn but it is wide enough to handle it easilly. Keep your speed SLOW. Do NOT enter the park at the Gatlinburg entrance and think you can take Little River rd. through the park to get to Cades Cove. The road is narrow and has some tight turns and with all the traffic that road handles you would be facing a big challenge.
Both campgrounds have no hookups but they do have water and a dump station. A/C is not an option. It can still be pretty darned hot in both places. In August you never know. How uncomfortable are you willing to be? 35 ft. is going to be a challenge in my opinion. The sites are not big although some may be suitable. Townsend has some very nice campgrounds if the Cove doesn't work out so all will not be lost.
