We love it up in Tennessee's Smokey Mountains, specifically in area between Gatlinburg and Townsend. Anyone experienced camping in this general area and/or planning to head up that way this year?
We may make our way up that way. We often take a decent number of extended weekend type trips and the Gatlinburg area isn't a bad drive for us. Last time we were over that way we stayed in a hotel and I'd love to go back to camp.
-Sean
We really enjoy Townsend.
We love the Smokies and Townsend has plenty of riverside campgrounds; trees, tubing, flyfishing and opportunities to free Fido from leash constraints abound. And with the National Park just minutes away with all that it offers, well, this area is a jewel. If ever any Florida's LL'ers head that way, shout out...might just caravan with you.... :)... :D..... 8-) .... (how many are there of us anyhoo?)
I like the Cosby area 30 miles north of Gatlinburg. Cosby campground on the North end of GSMNP is really a nice peaceful campground,though mostly tent sites it has around 20 designated RV sites.Also since it's in the park it's a dry campground,but that's offset by the campground never getting crowded like Smokemont,Elkmont and Cades Cove also in the park and that cost more to camp at than Cosby. Also the Restaurant at Carver's Apple House down the road serves a killer breakfast plus lunch & dinner which are also very good all served with homemade apple fritters and apple butter along with a small glass of fresh cider.
Here's a link to the Campground
http://www.recreation.gov/tn/cosby/campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70960
Here's info about Carver's
http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/carvers_applehouse_restaurant_orchard/
Thank you, vmcmn on the great lead for Cosby area camping. We have spent the past 20+ years going up to this 'neck of the woods' and never knew about Cosby. Will be sure to check it out next time we go, hopefully later in April....still to be determined. Also plan to head up in mid-August. Will take a day or two to drive west to Nashville for Charlie Daniels' annual patriotic 'Volunteer Jam' with impressive line-up of good 'ol-boys' rockin' out through the night. Proceeds go to our wounded Veterans....yes, Sir! Let's "get er done!" If there's interest out there, LL'ers, this event always sells out and it's not too early to get tickets!
Army Corps of Engineers has numerous nearby campgrounds on large, nearby lake system. http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/states.cfm?state=TN
Check it out, Ya'll! 8-)