Toby Bear
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/30/2003
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I need some advice.
We would like to go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tenn....
to view the Mts, lakes, and the autumn leaves. We will be driving up from Alabama on US 59. Which rout would be the best way to go up after we inter Tenn. at Chattanooga (US 24/75)....US 75, SR 11, or SR 411?
I am pulling a 5er (WT. at the max.for my truck/towing pk.brakes trans.cooler syn.oil)and I do not have any experence in pulling in the Mts. Is there much of an incline/grade% on US 75 or SR 411 from Chattanooga to Pigeon Forge? Most of our trips are in Texas, Louisiana, Miss. Ala. and FL. on mostly flat interstate hwy. I would like to go to the Oregon coast next summer and this trip to Tenn. would give me some idea about pulling in the Mts. What do you think?
Has anyone stayed at the KOA in Pigeon Forge off US 441? I figured with KOA I would know what I was getting. Can you suggest a nicer camp ground. Thank the help.
Toby
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taylor10
S.E. Tennessee
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Come on up 75 past Chattanooga to Cleveland and take 64 by pass to 411 north. No mountains to speak of. Take this trip several times a year. River Edge or King's Holly Haven would be my pick.
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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I second Taylor's choices. We've stayed at both. King's is closer the to center of Pigeon forge and right on the hwy to Cades Cove. The hwy can get mighty congested in busy seasons (of which fall is one!) so I would choose that one - besides River is very close to I40 on the other side from your approach. I would call for reservations, tho - fall is a very popular season for visitors.
See ya' down the road!
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Gas Man
Winston-Salem, NC.
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Toby, We just returned from Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge had a good stay at a place called Claybough's Camp Ground. Claybough's Fort Wear Campground is in the rear of it, that one was a little close together. River's Edge and River Plantation are also good stays. Kings Holly Haven is newer, clean but very few trees ( not my personal choice ). The KOA is tight, tight , tight and wasn't impressed by the management style last year either. Both Clayboughs are merging this year as one so request the sites towards the Exxon area for the larger sites. Cannot advise of approach from the west as we always arrive from the east.
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lmhester
South Alabama
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We were there in June and will be back in Oct. We will be staying at Crazyhorse campground north of Gatlinburg. We stay on the 75 to 40 thur Knoxville and get of at exit 435 and go south on 321. This is not a bad drive at all. No big hills to speak of. You are going to love the mountains in the fall. We try to go every year. If I can help with anything email me. Will be happy to help with any info I can.
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speedytang
Marengo, Ohio, USA
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CrazyHorse just sent me a discount email with 50% for this month (Sept). It looks good on the web site but since owning a RV since Aug.03 I have been burned with bad parks twice. I am getting a feeling that this RV stuff ends up being a part time job finding nice places to stop.
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Carrera man
Warrington, Pa.
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Just got back from the area. Stayed in Pigeon Forge at Rivers edge for three nights and then we stayed in the national park the rest of the visit. Didn't like Pigeon Forge one bit. Very, very croweded. There where times when the six lane highway that runs through town was grid locked. Couldn't wait to get out of there. Rivers edge is a very crowded campground. The fith wheel that was backed up to our motorhome was 6" off our back bumper. There is no privicy what so every in this campground . The only positive thing I can say is that the people where nice. We did enjoy our stay in the national park and I would suspect that we will return some day. I was sorry that we did not stay in Townsend. The campgrounds looked better and its a more peacefull atmosphere.
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Louba
Delaware, Ohio
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Hi neighbor - I'm heading to the smokies in a week or so and Crazyhorse was on my list of possible campgrounds. Do you know why you got this 50% discount email? Had you stayed there in the past or just got on their mailing list? I got on the mailing list last night but haven't gotten an offer like this yet so I sent them an email asking about it. That would sure be enough to make my decision.
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Louba
Delaware, Ohio
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fyi...if anyones heading to the Smokies in September and is interested in a deal...call Carzyhorse campground at 800-528-9003 and mention the phrase "CRAZYHORSE SEPTEMBER SPECIAL" and you'll get 50% off any campsite or cabin.
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davidcnelson
College Station, Texas
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How about another version of this question?
Does anyone have experience with the campgrounds in the Great Smokey Mountains Park itself? I have a 36-foot class A vehicle.
Just so you know, I am aware that the park campgrounds have no hookups and that generator noise can be offensive.
Otherwise, are the commercial campgrounds vastly superior to what is in the park?
Dave
College Station, TX
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