Favorite Campground near Smokey Mountains

[The_LeRoys]

What is your favorite campground near the smokey mountains? And why?

We're looking for one that has a creek / river nearby that we can tube or raft down. We'd like something with a view of the mountains and waterfront. We'd like something with full hookups. We're staying for a week in June.

[djsamuel]

Geez, those pictures are making me want to go back now! We weren't planning on it this year.

[bakerkids]

My site last spring at Big Meadows in Townsend.



The brown benches behind my yellow T@B are sitting along the creek

[93Cobra2771]

If you want true commercial type tubing where there is a shuttle to take you back and forth, then Townsend is the only one that fits the bill.

However, if you are willing to walk roughly a quarter a mile within a campground to tube, then look at Riverbend Campground in Pigeon Forge.

Nice big sites, full hookups, all concrete pads/patios, and paved road. It is 1/2 mile off the parkway, but you would never know it. It is very peaceful and has an older crowd that camps there.

Doesn't have a playground, pool, or anything like that, but plenty of area to ride bikes, and the river is mostly in the shade so you can play around in that all day long.

[austinjenna]

We stayed at Treemont Outdoor Resorts in Townsend, had a site that backed right up to the river so the kids could go tubing. I would stay there again if we go. Like others have mentioned there are a few CG's right in that area and when I checked them out they all looked pretty nice. We didnt want the traffic and tourist trap stuff.

[bigbullelk]

We have stayed at the Jellystone in Cherokee about 3 times. River/creek runs right through it. We bought some cheap tubes and tubed it over and over with the kids. I'd say it is a good 1/4 mile of tubing. Just get out and hike back to front of park and do it again. Fun!

I've never been but want to check out Deep Creek campground near Cherokee.

[mister_d]

We had a site right on the river at the KOA in Townsend and would stay there again. We were within an hour of all the hikes and drives that we wanted to do which was great!

[padredw]

We have stayed at Holly Cove which has a great hillside view, not far east of Cherokee at Whittier, NC. A bit further east we have stayed at Creekwood Farm near Waynesville, NC. I would recommend both for consideration.

[LakeN]

Anyone stayed at Cherokee KOA??

[crawford]

X2 Jellystone in Cosby and X2 Pine mountain RV by the way keep the pesty bear out of my site stole my pick-nick basket again LOL

[michigansandzil]

js6343js6343 wrote:
What do folks think of the Cherokee CG's?

I haven't stayed or even checked out any of the campgrounds in Cherokee, but I can say without a doubt that I liked the North Carolina side of the Smokies better than the Tennessee side; prettier mountain views and much less traffic. I also enjoyed the Oconaluftee visitor center in North Carolina better than Sugarlands on the Tennessee side. Oconaluftee had the Museum Farm which which all 5 of us enjoyed more than the entire portion of Cades Cove.

I do have to admit that the Cherokee side of the Smokies is quite run down though. That surprised me.

[Herd_Fan]

The Little River flows parallel to the road through Townsend, and it's wonderful for tubing. There are several tubing rental/shuttle companies along the way (River Rat, River Rage, and Cowboy.) Check with the various companies, as there are faster, more exciting sections and there are very long, peaceful floats.

We have stayed at Big Meadow CG (River Rat Tubing right next door) and the KOA. We enjoyed both places. Big Meadow is a bit stricter rule-wise and does not have fire pits at the sites, but it is very quiet. The CG is actually across a small road from the river, so it isn't what I would call true riverfront, but it is darn close. The KOA FHU sites were very close together, but did have decks at each site. It was a bit noisier there due to more kids, but not bad. Both CG's had nice swimming holes.

Tremont is also very popular, but we have never stayed there (drove through and got brochures and it appeared very nice as well.)

The Townsend area is beautiful and quiet. It is right at the entrance to the park, and close to Cades Cove, etc.. We also like the convenience of Wears Valley Road as a quiet "shortcut" up to Pigeon Forge for when we want to shop or eat at restaurants (although there are several very good restaurants right in Townsend.)

If you want away from the craziness/traffic and want to be close to the rivers, trails, and scenery of the park, then Townsend is perfect.

[dodge_guy]

X2 on the Jellystone in Cosby. very nice place! although the creek is small so you can`t tube on it, but it is peaceful. RVPR shows almost all 10`s for ratings, which one of those is mine.

[RayUSMC]

Teamfour wrote:
Another vote for Townsend.

Same here. We don't like the tourist traffic of Gatlinburg.

[bid_time]

My favorite is Elkmont, with Cades Cove a very close second. But from reading your post I'm guessing my priorities are different then yours.