I am trying to finalize plans for our trip to the Smokey Mountains and need some input from those of you that have been there.
Should we stay in two diffrent end of the park say Cades Cove and Smokemont or Cades Cove and Elkmont (i have heard such great things about these two campgrounds) or should we split among all three?
When we go to Yellowstone we either split our time between the two ends of the park or try ot camp right in the middle, but i think there is considerably more area to cover in Yellowstone.
Or am I missing a must stay at campgound or anything else?
You Might want to come down off the hill for a day or two. Like visiting the Luray Caverns. The Shenandoah Valley is beautiful for the below to. Then back up the hill. I just can't see staying long in any spot when there is so much to see. JMHO Bill
Hi again.. the answer to your previous question, the road you asked about is the road to the CG from the major road. It's not that bad at all. To answer this one, it depends on what you want to do. Elkmont is closer to G'burg, shops, stores, restaurants, aquarium, Newfound Gap and Cherokee. There are hiking trails around Elkmont. Cades is more remote... a good hour from G'burg. Lots of trails to hike, motorloop to drive, horse back and bike rentals available. Townsend is about 10 miles away.. small stores only. I would split it up.. 8 days and 6 days.. depending on your prefernce ( from Elkmont a lot of things to do/see and keep you busy) and Cades for peace, quite, nature (no restaurants, shops).
I wouldn't worry about Smokemont... you can drive to Cherokee from Elkmont.. unless you want to spend a few days in the Casino.
I don't know what type rig you have, but let me warn you that sites for large rigs are few and far between in all three parks. I'm sure my rig is more difficult than most with a 37' fiver and a crew cab with 8' bed.
We were at Cades Cove a couple days ago and had a really hard time getting into sites because of large stones, small saplings and ditches, even though the sites themselves were roomy enough. We finally got into site 59 in the generator section
2005 F250 Crew Cab LWB Power Stroke, 2007 Montana 3500RL Fifth Wheel,Honda EU3000IS, Honda EU2000i, Porta Bote with 6HP Nissan and sail kit, S&W security system
Hi again.. the answer to your previous question, the road you asked about is the road to the CG from the major road. It's not that bad at all. To answer this one, it depends on what you want to do. Elkmont is closer to G'burg, shops, stores, restaurants, aquarium, Newfound Gap and Cherokee. There are hiking trails around Elkmont. Cades is more remote... a good hour from G'burg. Lots of trails to hike, motorloop to drive, horse back and bike rentals available. Townsend is about 10 miles away.. small stores only. I would split it up.. 8 days and 6 days.. depending on your prefernce ( from Elkmont a lot of things to do/see and keep you busy) and Cades for peace, quite, nature (no restaurants, shops).
I wouldn't worry about Smokemont... you can drive to Cherokee from Elkmont.. unless you want to spend a few days in the Casino.
Thnaks, the is exactly the advice I neeed I think we will try for 8 days at Elkmont and 6 at Cades Cove.I hope our 35 ft MH with Toad will fit? I have read of others really struggling to fit into a site.
You are very knowledagable about the area! Any ideas on places to put our kayakss in?
The Smokies are not as spread out as Yellowstone! You did not say if you have any children who might get tired or riding around? Sometimes it's nice to try more than one campground.
Quote: The Smokies are not as spread out as Yellowstone! You did not say if you have any children who might get tired or riding around? Sometimes it's nice to try more than one campground.
We are semi-empty nesters, that is to say we have a 19 y/o living at home and going to college. We travel without kids at this point. We love to hike, bike and kayak. ...... At least until our bodies won't let us anymore.
I have to agree that 2 weeks is a long time to stay in one place in the Smokies unless you REALLY like to sit and watch nature, hike. I haven't seen too many places to kayak because of the rocks in the rivers. Sometimes you have to go to Nantahala which is not in the GSMNP.
14 days is not too much for the Smokies but it does depend on what you like to do. We don't usually go to the tourist places like Gatlinburg. We spend every spring there because we like to hike, take photos, see wildflowers and kick back. Cades Cove is our favorite with Smokemont coming in a close second. Elkmont is OK but not one we would go back as we like the other two better. There is no real reason for this. We have seen kayakers in the river near Cades Cove but not very often so it may depend on the amount of water in the river.
Smokemont has sites right on the river, very nice. There is a trail in the CG is that really beautiful. Less to do on that side of the park. Tons of trails near Cades Cove.
If you can, the Cataloochoo Valley area is really great with few people. They introduced elk there several years ago and the herd can be seen daily in the valley. Good trail too. They have a CG there but there is no way we would take a trailer up that mountain although, from the looks of the CG, there are many who do.
Have a great time - we go there so often we consider it our second home. There are some pictures in our webalbum (see link in our sig.)
Susan
Ray and Susan
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Not many places to kayac (sp?) The river is normally too low but you may luck out. I have seen several in a small stretch. Exit CG and turn left on Little River Road towards Townsend.... go about 2 miles and check out water. Good luck.
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...... At least until our bodies won't let us anymore.
