Spring in the Smoky Mountains

[Camsmom]

Hello All
Looking for a few tips here. We are planning a spring camping trip to the Smoky Mountains in May. We are travelling from Ontario, and will have approx 12 days for the little trip. We figured 2 down 2 back leaving us 8 days in the area. We were thinking we would start around Asheville NC and finish near Knoxville. We want to do the Blueridge parkway, but will be pulling a 21 ft Rockwood Mini Lite. Should we set up for 2-3 days at a time at a campground and just take the truck to explore the parkway. Should we set up in the National Park. What about staying around Pigeon Forge for a couple of days. We really don't know that much about the area, we have always travelled more to the coastal areas, but thought a trip to the mountains would be a nice change.
We are looking for a balance of seeing the natural beauty of the area, exploring some history and sight seeing, some hiking, and of course always room for a little shopping. Our camping options are open, we can be set up for no services at all, but also don't mind balancing that with a few days of conveniences.
Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[skipnchar]

Spring time along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful time of year with many flowers in bloom bringing spring time colors to everything but get there too early and it's just another winter scene. If often takes a few weeks after winter is over to get the parkway cleaned up and fog is often an issue in early spring making all of those wonderful views only a rumor. Check local forecases and conditions before committing to spending a lot of time there. When you hit it right it's fantastic. My favorite way to see the parkway is to take the trailer along and stay at the great "campgrounds" not rv parks, along the parkway. We traveled from end to end on three occasions (Front Royal to GSMNP) and really found the slower paced parkway a very relaxing and enjoyable drive. For the most part the road is kept in very good condition which also adds to the relaxation factor. Another very nice thing about early spring is the availability of spots in campgrounds but do some checking because some of them have a rather late opening date.
Good luck and have a great trip / Skip

[Merrykalia]

We are a little over 2 hours from both Asheville and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg areas. We enjoy them both.

Asheville should be good for 2-3 days. Biltmore is there and that can take up a full day. It has a large art and crafts population and you should be able to take in a few shops that offer handicrafts. We have never camped in Asheville, but friends of ours like Mama Gertie's.

I would NOT pull my TT across the Blueridge Parkway. Park at a campground and use your truck to see the sites. If you aren't used to pulling on small two-lane, curving roads, you should definitely NOT use this time to try it.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg can be a great place or can be living H#*L! There are lots of shopping in the PF area. Gatlinburg has lots of really nice small shops in town along with OberGatlinburg (ski area). There are also some not so nice shops that sell, well,junk! Really good restaurants abound in both towns.

We really like Pine Mountain RV Park in Pigeon Forge. It is a "resort" and sites are smaller, but so are most of them in the area. It has a couple of pools, indoor and outdoor, so you can use them in May. It is a couple of blocks off the parkway, so you don't get the noise that you do in many of the ones ON the parkway. It is in main area, so you don't have to spend lots of time driving in the PF area. Sometimes (weekends and holidays, especially), traffic can be horrendous and it will take you hours to be a few miles. During the week, it's not usually as bad. On the Pine Mtn end of PF, there is not as much traffic. It is closer to Gatlinburg. It, along with the rest of the campgrounds in Pigeon Forge, has a trolley stop so you don't have to drive. Dollywood is good if you have kids and May is usually a great time to go. It is kinda $$$, but it's an amusement park.

Elkmont Campground, in the GSMNP, is a really good campground, but it is dry camping. The fireflies are there the 2nd week of June (give or take) and they are magnificent. Google them.

If you are looking for another place to check out, try Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia. It's about 3 hours from the PF/Gatlinburg area, heading back north. We will be camphosting there in May and would love to meet you and show you the park. Views and the "natural" tunnel are magnificent and it's a great state park and campground.

If you have any specific questions, PM me.