Best (and worst) Smoky Mtn campgrounds

[Knoxscoop]

We live in Knoxville TN and camp with our pop up in and around the Smokies all the time. Here are some places we like, one we'll never return to and a couple in between.

Greenbriar Island Campground, about eight miles from Gatlinburg on US 321 is our favorite. It has no web site, is run by a fifth generation Smokies family, the McCarter's. Sadly, Tom McCarter passed last fall when working but his wife, Kay, and their adult kids are still keeping things in great order. They don't allow wild partying. The sites are mostly quite large by commercial standards. There's not much in the way of "amenities" and just one bathhouse that charges two quarters for a shower,but the campground is surrounded by two pristine mountain streams, there's a deep swimming hole, great tubing, fish that bite, and wonderful people. Never crowded or full except on holidays. It's right across from the Greenbriar entrance to the national park. Tell the McCarters that the Davis family sent you - and clean up after yourself! (lol)

Crazy Horse Campground, about two miles from Greenbriar (10 miles from Gatlinburg?), is much more developed. We loved it when our kids were small because of the mountain waterslide, the old coated-concrete kind that winds down the mountain. It's wonderful. We still usually go back and pay by the hour to slide. There's a view of Mt. LeConte from  the top. They also have a FREE drama program for kids. A guy comes with costumes and they have a little playhouse where kids put on a production ev. Sat. night. We love the shuffleboard. They have a nice pool, fishing pond and store with best ice cream cones in the Smokies. The sties are a little small and karaoke night can be AWFUL! They have Kamping Kabins if you have friends without an RV or who don't want to tent. Prices kind of high but worth it if you want the amenities.

Twin Creeks: Beautiful, small and perfect for big RVs. Each site has a wood deck. Usually sold out well in advance. Many people stay for months.

Inside the park: Cades Cove and Elkmont: overrated except in offseason (late fall, winter and early spring). These are ALWAYS full in season, though here's a tip. both are huge and there are always "no shows." The only way to find out is to go to the campground and beg.  Elkmont is by far the better of the two. It's near beautiful trails and has lots of water access. Try to get Riverside if you reserve in advance. In summer there's a trolley you can ride back and forth to Gatlinburg (though I don't know why you would want to do that)
Deep Creek is  a wonderful campground on the NC side of the park. Smokemont is also great, very high on Newfound Gap road and cool in hot weather. Remember, there are NO showers in these national park campgrounds.

If you're visiting the Smokies, don't overlook the massive Cherokee National Forest, on either side of the national park but not nearly as crowded or expensive. Our favorite campground so far is Indian Boundary, near Tellico Plains, with a huge lake, swimming beach, etc. This campground is very clean and well patrolled. Campground host always on duty in season. There are good restaurants and grocery stores in Tellico Plains but little other commercial activity..

Last, but not least, avoid Tremont Hills campground in Townsend. This used to be a nice place just outside the park but was sold not long ago. They hugely increased number of sites, which are now miniscule and ridiculously overpriced. They charged my husband, with two boys, $198 for three nights on a postage stamp sized site. We just left and went to Greenbriar after I got there. Everyone who'd come back from previous years was complaining. Little River, Lazy Days and Big Meadow CGs, all nearby, are still pretty nice though getting expensive.

Personally, we don't like Fall Creek Falls in middle TN because you have to drive everywhere. Cumberland Mountain State Park is OK and Norris State Park is good and its fun to see the dam. Fontana Village in NC has been redone and is great! Frozen Head State Rec. Area is remote but oh so beautiful, especially in spring when rivers are flowing well.  

Enjoy our Smokies. Treat them with care. Get a map and avoid the traffic jams and ugly attractions on 441, or leave it til the last day so your kids don't drive you CRAZY. Go to Dollywood at 3 p.m. and your ticket's good for the next day! Stay away from anything on 441 in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville unless you want to spend your vacation sitting in traffic. By the way, its much quicker to get to Smokies by exiting I-40 in downtown Knoxville (on Henley Street). When you cross TN River it turns into Chapman Highway (441), a four lane. You'll soon be out of the crowd. Head  south toward Smokies. If you exit I-40 at 407 onto US 66 (as most people do) you'll end up in a traffic jam that will "blow your mind."


Sorry to have been so long but I love the Smokies and want others to love it as much as I do.

[Kay in NC]

thanks for the info, we are looking to camp near Townsend!

[broseyj]

Thanks for the info - we are planning to vacation in this area next year and this information will help in our planning.  I had no idea what the campgrounds were like and which to choose.  Thanks again.

[Mike in OH]

Good info.  I'm staying at Little River in the near future.  So, you think this one is OK?  Appreciate the directions from Knoxville, too.

[sandskeeter]

We enjoy going to Yogi in the Smokies which is located in Cherokee NC on the Indian reservation...It sits back up in the foothills near a beautiful trout river quiet clean... we just bought our first popup and we are headed there this weekend for its maiden voyage..

[brainpause]

Good info.  I'm staying at Little River in the near future.  So, you think this one is OK?  Appreciate the directions from Knoxville, too.

It is one of our favorites, but try to get a river site! Worth the extra $$$.

Larry

[dcampbell1969]

Nice info.  Allthough we love Elkmont.  Been camping there for over 20 years now.  We had 22 of us last trip.  Again, NO HOOKUPS.  but it's all in your preferences.  Great people.  The same folks year after year.  The river(more like a large creek) runs through the campground.  I prefer to stay away from places with pools, arcades, playgrounds, etc.  Hiking o'plenty in the smokies.

[klock]

thanks for the info, we are looking to camp near Townsend!

We camp at the Little River Village Campground in Townsend and love it..  Have been going there every year for the past 6 years.  It is located near the cades cove entrance in townsend.

[munchkin]

What about Lazy Daze in Townsend or Timberlake in NC? Anyone been there?