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DiaperDude's avatar
DiaperDude
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013

Camping in the Smoky Mountains

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!

14 Replies

  • 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.
  • 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
  • Gatlinburg=tourist, amusment park kind of stuff
    Cherokee=not as touristy with lots of native american stuff
    Townsend known as The Quiet Side
    All three have good campground selection and park access