Camping in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Area

viking camper · Jan 09, 2009, 05:50 PM

We were wondering if anyone could recomend a very clean family campground in the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Tennessee area. It would be great if the campground would allow us to put up a tent on a the same site.
This is our second year with our NTU Popup. We camped at Kentucky Horse Park last year and loved the campground. We will be stopping there on the way down, back or both.
I have to take my vacation at the end of June begining of July so that would be the time frame.
Any suggestions would be great, Thanks!

paxsman · Jan 09, 2009, 06:19 PM

I believe the absolute best area to camp in is at Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains. This is a state park that is top notch with respect to wild life. You will see Bear, Deer by the hundreds and much much more. Look here for more information http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm. My wife and I have been camping at Cades Cove for many years and have enjoyed each trip. You are a few minutes (30) from Gatlinburg but worth every minute. You will definitely need reservations so book ahead. All the campsites are great so location (Near to restrooms or far away) preference is up to you. This camp ground is old so the facilities are as well. However they are well maintained. The historic value is top notch. It will take multiple trips to see all the points of interest. The 11 mile loop is a must at dusk (Car or bike). Did I mention unlimited hiking trails. Good Luck :-)

K_and_I · Jan 10, 2009, 06:35 PM

Are you looking for hookups or are you willing to rough it? The campgrounds in the park are nice, but no hookups.

viking camper · Jan 11, 2009, 07:15 PM

Quote from: K_and_IAre you looking for hookups or are you willing to rough it? The campgrounds in the park are nice, but no hookups.[/QUOTE

I don't mind ruffing it BUT MY WIFE would like hookups and VERY CLEAN BATH ROOMS. I might be able to get her to go for a couple of days ruffing it but that would be it. We will be going for 2 weeks. More than likley 1 week at Kentucky Horse Park because it is very clean. The other week in the smokeys.

viking camper · Jan 11, 2009, 07:20 PM

Quote from: paxsmanI believe the absolute best area to camp in is at Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains. This is a state park that is top notch with respect to wild life. You will see Bear, Deer by the hundreds and much much more. Look here for more information http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm. My wife and I have been camping at Cades Cove for many years and have enjoyed each trip. You are a few minutes (30) from Gatlinburg but worth every minute. You will definitely need reservations so book ahead. All the campsites are great so location (Near to restrooms or far away) preference is up to you. This camp ground is old so the facilities are as well. However they are well maintained. The historic value is top notch. It will take multiple trips to see all the points of interest. The 11 mile loop is a must at dusk (Car or bike). Did I mention unlimited hiking trails. Good Luck :-)

Great suggestion! I have not been there since I was 10 years old.

brainpause · Jan 11, 2009, 08:49 PM

It has been a couple of years, but we enjoyed Clabough's Campground. It is right in the middle of the shopping cities.

http://www.claboughcampground.com/

Larry

K_and_I · Jan 12, 2009, 11:25 AM

We spent a week at Smoky Bear Campground last Spring

http://www.smokybearcampground.com/

and liked it very much. The campground owners are very friendly and accomodating. It's close enough to the park and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge to work, but far enough away to escape the congestion.
I don't know if you've looked at the reviews of various campgrounds in the area, but a good place to look is:

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Tennessee/Gatlinburg.html

Planning is half the fun

magnmike · Jan 12, 2009, 11:31 AM

We haven't been here yet, but am planning on the Jellystone at Great Smoky Mountains. Take a look at the photos of the sites with the mountain stream running through the campground! Anyone been there?
http://www.greatsmokyjellystone.com/photo.asp

viking camper · Jan 13, 2009, 07:12 PM

Thanks for the links to the campgrounds. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let us know. It has been years since we have been to Tennessee.

Old Starcraft · Jan 13, 2009, 08:14 PM

Quote from: viking camperThanks for the links to the campgrounds. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let us know. It has been years since we have been to Tennessee.

Don't forget this website, another one I found on here. This has been a big help for finding future camp grounds.

http://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/

viking camper · Jan 14, 2009, 07:44 PM

Quote from: Old StarcraftDon't forget this website, another one I found on here. This has been a big help for finding future camp grounds.

http://www.epgsoft.com/CampgroundMap/

Thanks, Great website. The reviews really help you to narrow down the search. I think I found a winner.

magnmike · Jan 20, 2009, 08:59 PM

Let us know where you chose to go and when you get back how you liked it.

Quote from: viking camperThanks, Great website. The reviews really help you to narrow down the search. I think I found a winner.

viking camper · Jan 22, 2009, 07:44 PM

Quote from: magnmikeLet us know where you chose to go and when you get back how you liked it.

In the past the company I work for has had a 2 week shut down (must save your vacation for this time) at the end of June into July with the 4th of July falling in the 1st week (I have been there 10 years and it was this way for the 27 years my Dad worked there). Well this year it looks like they are spliting it 1 in June and 1 in August. The 1st week hits part of 1 kids football camp and the 2nd week hits part of our others band camp!!!!!!!!!!!! Not Sure my wife will leave town with out them and I dont want them to miss their camp but........... Not sure what we are going to do. Waiting to find out for sure what is going to happen at work. Mean while the camp gounds are filling up............

pricerj · Jan 24, 2009, 10:29 AM

We camped at Jellystone (formerly Little River CG) last summer for 2 nights on a cross country trip last. My only regret was that we couldn't stay longer. Sites were beautiful (if a little tight). I highly recommend booking early for a premium site that backs up to the river.We met multiple families who come here every year for a week of vacationing. Its on the quiet side of the mountain but the drive was not too far to Gatlinberg. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

spicetrader · Feb 12, 2009, 01:24 PM

Cades Cove is wonderful!!! But as mentioned, no hookups, so if it's hot and no wind, you'll be miserable. Down the road is a campground with hookups, but I cant remember it's name :-(

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Camping in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Area