Great smokey np

[Gaetan]

We will be driving from canada to florida end of october traveling with a truck camper
We would like to spend a few days in the great smokey np.
Any suggestions, routes camping, must see...
Gaetan

[KO]

We have been here for last week -leaving Saturday early. Beautiful time of year. Just be advised the leaves are turning and the crowds are getting crazy. Traffic is a zoo in Gatlinburg. I suggest finding a spot in Pigeon Forge. Saturday supposed to turn cold - 20's Saturday night. Enjoy your stay.

[huachuca]

Snowman9000 wrote:
What it is like in early November? NP CGs still open? Reservations needed? (Dry camping is fine by us.)

Some loops in Cades Cove and Smokemont are open year round. Elkmont is open through 11/28. GSMNP campgrounds

[Snowman9000]

What it is like in early November? NP CGs still open? Reservations needed? (Dry camping is fine by us.)

[GeoBoy]

ken56 wrote:
If you come in on I-81 head toward Asheville on I-40 and get off at exit 435 to pick up 321 and take that into G'burg and to Elkmont. That way all you deal with is G'burg traffic as it bypasses Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. You are coming in on prime color tour tourism time and expect things to be congested in town.

There is the Gattlinburgh bypass to get from Pigeon Forge to GSNP.

[ken56]

If you come in on I-81 head toward Asheville on I-40 and get off at exit 435 to pick up 321 and take that into G'burg and to Elkmont. That way all you deal with is G'burg traffic as it bypasses Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. You are coming in on prime color tour tourism time and expect things to be congested in town.

[Veebyes]

Presently sitting in Davidson River NF CG, Brevard, NC. Another favourite is Smokemont, up the valley from Cherokee, NC, but that one is all dry camping. Both great riverside CGs.

[Gaetan]

Since we will be driving south on I-81 and we would like to spend 2 or 3 days in great smokey np our intention is to start from the north Pigeon Forge,
We should be there on the 24th of October
Gatlingburg and after head south, our next stop should be Savannah.
Any other suggestions and what not to mist are well come.
Gaetan

[djsamuel]

Gaetan wrote:
That is great, what do you sugest we visit, we intent to be at leas 2 days in the area and. Then
Met some friends in Savanah ga
Gaetan

I'd definitely hit Cades Cove. The 11 mile loop road is nice, and there are several old log homes and old churches to walk through. If you like to hike, there are plenty of nice trails off of the loop like Abrams Falls, Rich Mountain Loop, and more.

You can easily fill the 2 days. The North Carolina side's Oconaluftee Visitor Center has a collection of old farm buildings there, and the Sugarlands Visitor Center is good with a movie about the park. Plenty of great hikes from Clingman's Dome tower to Alum Bluff, depending on how much you like to hike.

[Gaetan]

That is great, what do you sugest we visit, we intent to be at leas 2 days in the area and. Then
Met some friends in Savanah ga
Gaetan

[its_just_me]

Harley Dude wrote:
We always stay at Tremont Campground. In Townsend...right at the edge of the Park and 5 minutes from Cades Cove. 30 minutes to Gatlinburg. This area is considered the Quiet side of the Smokies. We'll be back there in late Oct.

http://www.tremontcamp.com/index.html

We agree entirely with this post. If you're interested in the NP, skip Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Camp in Townsend. There are several really good campgrounds there, such as Tremont, KOA and Big Meadow.

[gapeachy]

ken56 wrote:
If you go hiking watch out for the bears, they are trying to fatten up before hibernating.

NOT!

[Gaetan]

Thanks for all the interestinr comments
Gaetan

[ken56]

If you go hiking watch out for the bears, they are trying to fatten up before hibernating.

[djsamuel]

Harley Dude wrote:
We always stay at Tremont Campground. In Townsend...right at the edge of the Park and 5 minutes from Cades Cove. 30 minutes to Gatlinburg. This area is considered the Quiet side of the Smokies. We'll be back there in late Oct.

http://www.tremontcamp.com/index.html

Townsend is very nice. We stayed at Big Meadows Family Campground for 2 weeks and really enjoyed it. Townsend is close to the Cades Cove area of the park. Lots of hiking.