As it is snowing :( here I am thinking about our trip to the the Great Smoky Mountains this summer :).We will be coming down I-40 from Arkansas so we were thinking of camping on the western side.Would love to hear advice on campgrounds, things to see and do, etc...

Camping --Elkmont CampingTrip this year picsOther side of Mtn, Cherokee, NCThings to do, hiking, waterfalls, nice camping, nature, fish, camping, streams, wildlife, etc.....Not far from Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, City stuff (fun & games, food, shopping).Great area, great times!Markiemark:C

Smokemont is nice but is south and it's a long drive over the mountains to lots of attractions. If you want you want nature and outdoor things that's a good place. The Indian Museum in Cherokeee is great. None of the campgounds in the Park (to my knownlede) have hook-ups but Cades Cove or Elkmont might be more centrally located. Traffic really slows travel in season. If you want full sevice we like Twin Creeks in Gatlinburg which is nice and close to the Park entrance, markets, eating places and tourist traps. Lots of other choices depends on what you want to do.

I'm doing the same as you! It's currently 20 degrees outside and I can't wait til we go to the Smokies. We are going in April and I'm really looking forward to it. We've never been there but it seems like there is so much to do that I don't know how I will get to do all of it in a week!I've looked at tripadvisor and the amount of info is just overwhelming.rbtglove: Thanks for the idea to visit the Indian Museum. After a quick web search it looks like a place I'd like to visit and the reviews say even kids will like it. Those tips are pretty helpful.

Depending on your timing of the trip, if at all possible keep an eye out for this:Synchronous FirefliesNot sure if 2014 dates published, just yet.Did go this year, and it was really cool, surreal, and a great adventure!Markiemark:C

Fireflys are usually 2nd or 3rd week in June.

Smoky Mountains (West Slope) | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

rbtglove
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Smokemont is nice but is south and it's a long drive over the mountains to lots of attractions. If you want you want nature and outdoor things that's a good place. The Indian Museum in Cherokeee is great. None of the campgounds in the Park (to my knownlede) have hook-ups but Cades Cove or Elkmont might be more centrally located. Traffic really slows travel in season. If you want full sevice we like Twin Creeks in Gatlinburg which is nice and close to the Park entrance, markets, eating places and tourist traps. Lots of other choices depends on what you want to do.
Markiemark32
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
Camping --

Elkmont Camping

Trip this year pics

Other side of Mtn, Cherokee, NC

Things to do, hiking, waterfalls, nice camping, nature, fish, camping, streams, wildlife, etc.....

Not far from Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, City stuff (fun & games, food, shopping).

Great area, great times!

Markiemark:C

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Smoky Mountains (West Slope)

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