My family and I are looking at taking a 5 day trip in late October (gotta love school breaks) to the Smoky Mountains. We looked on line at the campgrounds inside of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and they sound extremely rustic. We normally camp in Missouri State Parks and Corps of Engineers parks, but the campgrounds we looked at in the national park sound like they are a step (or two) more rustic than what we are used to. Can anyone recommend a good campground in or around Great Smoky Mountain National Park that meets or exceeds our list of wants? We would like to at least have 30 amp electrical hook up, access to a dump station and a shower house. Additionally, we would want to be near wildlife/attractions and not be horseshoed in next to our neighbors. I know I am probably asking for the moon, but folks on here have never steared me wrong on campgrounds before. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Gatlinburg=tourist, amusment park kind of stuffCherokee=not as touristy with lots of native american stuff Townsend known as The Quiet SideAll three have good campground selection and park access

I camped in the Creekside RV Park in Pigeon Forge. Quite nice and with a free shuttle to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

I haven't been since it was called Crazy Horse, but you can check Adventure Bound's Gatlinburg. Used to be very nice and lots of stuff to do at the campground.http://abcamping.com/abgatlinburg/Gary

Riverbend Campground in Pigeon Forge. Full hookups and bathhouse and 15 minutes from gatlinburg. They aren't too busy in October, so you can have several sites between you and the next camper. You are .5 mile off the main parkway but in a very quiet area. Walking distance to several restaurants.

Thank you for the quick responses!

Camping in the Smoky Mountains | Good Sam Community

wmoses
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
Phil & Stephie wrote:
Creekside RV Park, no free shuttle to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but is on the Fun Time Trolley route, 50 cents per ride.

I stand corrected I guess. I thought that it was free. At 50 cents it is just about free. :)
93Cobra2771
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
True that - luckily, we know the backroads. Several can save you 15-20min in Pigeon Forge alone.
jeeptp75
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
We just stayed at Clabough Campground in Pigeon Forge right off of Traffic Light #8 I beleive. Really nice campground but our last trip, prior to this one, we stayed down on the other side of Gatlinburg. I think I would have rather been down outside of Gatlinburg. The traffic on the main drag in Pigeon Forge can be a real pain in the butt during busy times.
amxpress
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
Your post said "around" the Smokey's. We found a CG on the North side of the National Park. Brown Mountain Beach Resort. It's secluded, yet has all the CG amenities. 30/50A full hook up sites that back up to a beautiful mountain stream. No cell phone service, no cable TV or antenna TV. The area offers hiking trails, canoe trips, white water rafting, FLY FISHING, and peace & quiet. The owner's are awesome people and there are limited number of sites.
October can be very cool and it might be a little late to catch the trees turning colors.
Here's their website: http://brownmountainbeach.com/rv-sites/
Dtaylor
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
Just got back from Maggie Valley. We stayed at Pride RV Resort, great place with full hookups. Creekwood farms RV park is next door, also a good place to stay. both around $50/nite. There is a KOA just out of Cherokee at about $75/nite with full hookups. If you want to go a little less expensive, look at some of the state parks. Many will have electric and water, no sewer but dump stations. Check reviews on RVParkReviews.com. I will tell you that is peak season so reserve early
Phil___Stephie
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Creekside RV Park, no free shuttle to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but is on the Fun Time Trolley route, 50 cents per ride.

Misty River is about 10 miles from Townsend, away from the National Park. Might look at Big Meadow in Townsend or Treemont in Townsend. Quieter side of the Tennessee side of the Smokies.

October is a prime month for the entire area, make reservations early. Very popular with the "empty nesters", many that travel by RV.

Come visit, it's beautiful that time of year.
epusher
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
We stayed at Happy Holiday RV Park in Cherokee, NC late last September. Full Hookups, not very many campers there and right outside the entrance to GSMNP. I would have preferred staying up in the park as we have battery bank and generator, but needed cell phone access to complete some business/work. Plus it started raining and the Casino turned out to be a good option.
Merrykalia
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
If you are wanting the real "camping" experience, look at places that are NOT in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

I can recommend Misty River Campground in Walland (close to Townsend) and also Smoky Bear in Cosby. These are both out of the tourist trap areas and are nice clean campgrounds.
TPUC
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Foothills RV park in Pigeon Forge is a nice small park
DiaperDude
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Thank you for the quick responses!