Quiet side of the Smokies

Don't want to miss Cade's Cove. We went through on bicycles on the morning cars were prohibited. Don't remember what morning of the week it was. It was very exciting. We saw several squirrels, a rabbit and a black snake. Great exercise and we ran into some people who actually saw a deer.

Last month we spent a few days at Smoky Bear rv Park just outside Gatlinburg, our first time in the area. On a Tuesday around noon we decided to go into town. We couldn't believe all the traffic congestion. Couldn't wait to get out of there. Never again.
JK

We stayed at the KOA in Townsend this spring. Very nice and well run park. The area was very quiet, but may be less so in warmer weather because I saw several tubing outfitters along the Little River in town.

We visited Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountain NP from there. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg looked like too much traffic for me.

First time to RV in the Smokies was in Gatlinburg. Never again.
Have stayed around Townsend the last 3 times. Once at Cove Mountain and twice at Cove Creek. Next time will be at Up the Creek. Reserve early.
https://www.upthecreekrvcamp.com/

LibertyMan wrote:
Just left yesterday from a camping trip in Townsend. We stayed at the KOA but have stayed in others along the river. Love the area and is hardly ever crowded (at least in the off season). Numerous places to eat as well. I could care less about going into Gatlinburg, way too crowded. My wife talked me into going just one time and people just seem to walk like cattle up and down the side walk on the main strip with no particular place to go or do. Never again!! I prefer the Townsend side and do my walking on the numerous trails that are in and around Cades Cove.

Amen! That is my feelings exactly. We loved Cades Cove and went in every pull over, building and read every historical sign we could. Now we need to go back, I'm homesick!

Just left yesterday from a camping trip in Townsend. We stayed at the KOA but have stayed in others along the river. Love the area and is hardly ever crowded (at least in the off season). Numerous places to eat as well. I could care less about going into Gatlinburg, way too crowded. My wife talked me into going just one time and people just seem to walk like cattle up and down the side walk on the main strip with no particular place to go or do. Never again!! I prefer the Townsend side and do my walking on the numerous trails that are in and around Cades Cove.

We are local to that area. Townsend markets itself as the Quiet Side of the Smokies. Our fav CG there is Big Meadow CG which is right on the river and next door to a rafting company. Its also our fav place to do Thanksgiving as everyone there brings a dish to the hall and the CG supplies the meats.

We always camp at ELKMONT in the NatlPark and visit Townsend for supplies...

Roy Ken

Thank you for the replies. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Even the quiet side is getting a lot noisier than it used to be. We enjoy the Townsend area.