Smokey Mountains Trip in April- May.

Rich Mtn Road is gravel and one-way to the border of the park. It's a slow drive, but very easy. After you get to the park border it's paved and two-way, and has hairpin curves as you go down the mountain. Since it's narrow, that part is actually harder to drive than the gravel, but still not too bad. Just take your time. It takes us about an hour from start to finish.

Herd Fan wrote:

AlabamaTraveler wrote:
If you are going to enjoy the mountains, and not for shopping, Townsend is the place for you. We have been going there almost every year since 1972. For a suggestion, drive the loop at Cades Cove, then start around for a second trip. This time turn right on Rich Mountain Road. This is a beautiful drive back to Townsend. We have seen bear on this drive many times.

I have considered this drive (the Rich Mtn. Road to Townsend segment) many times, but always talked myself out of it. I believe it is a one-way road, correct? Is it gravel most of the way, and would it be safe with a 3/4 ton truck?

You can easily make it in the truck. I drove it with no issues in a PT Cruiser.

AlabamaTraveler wrote:
If you are going to enjoy the mountains, and not for shopping, Townsend is the place for you. We have been going there almost every year since 1972. For a suggestion, drive the loop at Cades Cove, then start around for a second trip. This time turn right on Rich Mountain Road. This is a beautiful drive back to Townsend. We have seen bear on this drive many times.

I have considered this drive (the Rich Mtn. Road to Townsend segment) many times, but always talked myself out of it. I believe it is a one-way road, correct? Is it gravel most of the way, and would it be safe with a 3/4 ton truck?

Travis_R wrote:
We have stayed at the Big Meadow Family Campground in Townsend, TN several times. The staff is very nice and the campground is clean and easy to manuver in. Some of the campgrounds in Townsend and Pigeon Forge are really tight (premium real estate) and getting parked can be a hassle, not so at the Big Meadow. The river is next to the campground and you can walk to a few stores, etc.
bigmeadowcampground.com

good luck and have fun.

Travis

I don't know when you were there last but we stayed there 2 years ago and they shrunk the sites so much that you had to move your vehicle to "rent" a fire ring to go on the gravel where you would park your truck. You were then required to clean up the gravel from your fire or you would not get your fire ring deposit back. They also mowed the 1 foot patch of grass on our site while we were eating and blew the grass into our lunch. We won't be back.

We have stayed at the Big Meadow Family Campground in Townsend, TN several times. The staff is very nice and the campground is clean and easy to manuver in. Some of the campgrounds in Townsend and Pigeon Forge are really tight (premium real estate) and getting parked can be a hassle, not so at the Big Meadow. The river is next to the campground and you can walk to a few stores, etc.
bigmeadowcampground.com

good luck and have fun.

Travis

AlabamaTraveler wrote:
If you are going to enjoy the mountains, and not for shopping, Townsend is the place for you. We have been going there almost every year since 1972. For a suggestion, drive the loop at Cades Cove, then start around for a second trip. This time turn right on Rich Mountain Road. This is a beautiful drive back to Townsend. We have seen bear on this drive many times.

I second this. Tremont is a nice campground but since I have inlaws in their nineties and may have to cancel due to their health. I won't reserve a site there as they bill you for the entire stay and have a no refund policy.

The KOA in Townsend is on of the best KOA's I've ever visited. They will take your reservation with only 1 night deposit which works much better for me.

If you are into hiking you can PM me and I will give you some great trail suggestions in the Townsend area.

CliffandIris wrote:
Alabama Traveler, thanks for that tip, we will certainly try that. We are not much on shopping, but come to these places to see the natural Beauty. I just retired so this will be our first of hopefully many long trips. We looked at campgrounds in Townsend and Cosby, can't decide which just yet.
Happy Travels

Our preferences are the same as yours: natural beauty. We also visit historic locales. Cade's Cove is terrific but becomes crowded at peak season. Wildlife is accustomed to the traffic though.

Alabama Traveler, thanks for that tip, we will certainly try that. We are not much on shopping, but come to these places to see the natural Beauty. I just retired so this will be our first of hopefully many long trips. We looked at campgrounds in Townsend and Cosby, can't decide which just yet.
Happy Travels

rv2go wrote:
For your stay in the Nashville area, Seven Points is a COE campground on J. Percy Priest Lake.

One of our favorites. Book it now as it is a very popular park.

I like river vista rv resort in Dillard Georgia. Very close to Cherokee and smoky mountains.