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07-15-2018, 02:14 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Cades Cove Campground GSMNP
We were going to spend 4 nights in Great Smoky Mountain NP in mid-October. I have stayed at Twin Creek in Gatlinburg several times, but this time we are wanting something scenic and more rustic. We are thinking about Cades Cove Campground, has anyone stayed there? Did you enjoy?
Thanks in advance,
Greg
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07-15-2018, 02:16 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Yes, nice campground, and kind of out away from the busyness...and yet not too far from Gatlinburg and the rest of the park.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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07-15-2018, 02:17 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Yes, nice campground, and kind of out away from the business...and yet not too far from Gatlinburg and the rest of the park.
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Thank you!
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WBCCI #8996
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07-15-2018, 02:19 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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My best memory is relaxing in my zero gravity chair and a nuthatch landed on my knee. Stayed there for a full minute looking at me, like, "where's my treat?"
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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07-15-2018, 02:21 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
My best memory is relaxing in my zero gravity chair and a nuthatch landed on my knee. Stayed there for a full minute looking at me, like, "where's my treat?"
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That sounds like a special moment!
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WBCCI #8996
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07-15-2018, 03:11 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,084
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Have stayed there, a lovely and peaceful place.
Maggie
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🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-15-2018, 03:23 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lily&Me
Have stayed there, a lovely and peaceful place.
Maggie
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Thank you Maggie, sounds perfect. I am going to pick my daughter up from college for fall break and we are going to have a five-day father daughter outing. Campfires, hiking, etc...
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WBCCI #8996
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07-16-2018, 09:48 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1962 22' Safari
Jackson
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 20
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I have stayed there. It has very heavy tree cover, but not much vegetation between sites—so not the most private of CG’s I have been to. I preferred smokemont....it had a bit more privacy, and is right on a scenic creek....but is on the other side of the park
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07-16-2018, 10:04 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2008 31' Classic
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Lenoir City
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 264
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Just remember that you are visiting during the height of the leaf-peeping season. The park, and all surrounding areas, will be very congested. Just take your time, allow yourself time to get into the campground before it gets dark (otherwise, navigating can be a bit tough in the dark), relax and enjoy the cool environment of the campground. Since you will be staying in that section of the park take time to go into Townsend and visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (with its new museum), Appalachian Bear Rescue Education Center, and eat at Dancing Bear Lodge. Have a great time!
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Kelly & Matt
WBCCI - #4335
2005 Diesel Excursion
2008 31' Custom Classic "Moonshine"
2016 Interstate "BugOut"
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07-16-2018, 10:49 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
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also there is Elkmont Campground. It's closer to Gatlinburg. I'm not sure you can get your 30' in there.
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07-16-2018, 10:58 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
2017 27' International
Currently Looking...
Antes Fort
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
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'Camped' in an Appalachian Trail shelter and hiked down to the cove years ago. Was backpacking the Smoky Mountains during October. The best month.
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07-16-2018, 11:17 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaag
We are thinking about Cades Cove Campground, has anyone stayed there? Did you enjoy?
Greg
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Yes, years ago in a tent camper. It's my favorite place in the Smokies. Not sure how the road in would be for an Airstream. Be sure to get up early and take the loop road. We'd take a thermos of coffee into the woods from the cutoff, and just sit. Deer walked about 10' from me. I once met a bear on a trail. All I recall is how big his feet were. I froze and he kept going.
Mid October? I'm sure the Smokies get crowded with the "leafers".
OBTW, we were enjoying dinner at the picnic table when about 50 skunks came out of the woods, looking for garbage. They are fearless. Ever had skunks step on your feet while eating?
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07-16-2018, 11:25 AM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marciekaput
I have stayed there. It has very heavy tree cover, but not much vegetation between sites—so not the most private of CG’s I have been to. I preferred smokemont....it had a bit more privacy, and is right on a scenic creek....but is on the other side of the park
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Thanks for the information, I will also look into Smokemont.
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07-16-2018, 11:26 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfrere
Just remember that you are visiting during the height of the leaf-peeping season. The park, and all surrounding areas, will be very congested. Just take your time, allow yourself time to get into the campground before it gets dark (otherwise, navigating can be a bit tough in the dark), relax and enjoy the cool environment of the campground. Since you will be staying in that section of the park take time to go into Townsend and visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (with its new museum), Appalachian Bear Rescue Education Center, and eat at Dancing Bear Lodge. Have a great time!
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Thanks for the reminders and recommendations!
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07-16-2018, 11:49 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimfa440
also there is Elkmont Campground. It's closer to Gatlinburg. I'm not sure you can get your 30' in there.
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Thank you for reminding me about Elkmont, I will take a look at that. I will actually be pulling my 25 for this trip, so it might fit?
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07-16-2018, 11:51 AM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
Yes, years ago in a tent camper. It's my favorite place in the Smokies. Not sure how the road in would be for an Airstream. Be sure to get up early and take the loop road. We'd take a thermos of coffee into the woods from the cutoff, and just sit. Deer walked about 10' from me. I once met a bear on a trail. All I recall is how big his feet were. I froze and he kept going.
Mid October? I'm sure the Smokies get crowded with the "leafers".
OBTW, we were enjoying dinner at the picnic table when about 50 skunks came out of the woods, looking for garbage. They are fearless. Ever had skunks step on your feet while eating?
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Wow!
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07-16-2018, 01:11 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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If you need a full hook up site, Townsend is where we always go. The locals call it " the peaceful side of the Smokies". It is close to Cades Cove. Since you are going in mid-October don't wait to make reservations as the others have noted it is peak leaf season and the crowds are big.
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Bruce & Rachel
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68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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07-16-2018, 01:55 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2018 27' Flying Cloud
Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 269
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We spent a week in the Great Smokies in May. We stayed at the KOA in Townsend, Cades Cove, and Smokemont. It was a great time to go there as the weather was great and almost no crowds. It felt like we almost had the park to ourselves.
About the campgrounds:
1. KOA in Townsend was typical KOA. A bit too close for comfort but nice to have the hookups. It is about 8 miles from Cades Cove.
2. Cades Cove Campground is, of course, dry camping. Haul water in 6 gallon containers. Use solar (except there are trees everywhere) or generator to keep batteries up. The 11 mile loop in Cades Cove was quite pretty but would recommend bicycles or ebikes instead of car. The loop is one way and can get very congested and full of exhaust fumes. It was literally bumper to bumper moving at most 2-3 MPH on the Sunday we tried to drive. On Saturday and Wednesday morning the loop is is closed to cars and only bicycles are allowed. Much nicer.
3. Smokemont Campground - Nice pull through sites but also dry camping. There is a bit less tree cover on some sites so solar could work better. The site is within a few miles of the Ocanaluftee Visitor's center. There were elk near the center at dusk each day. Cherokee is only a bit further, and we used to replenish our supplies.
Really you can't miss with any of these. Hope you enjoy!
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07-16-2018, 02:07 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2017 22' Sport
2018 26' Flying Cloud
Brighton
, Michigan
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 76
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Just returned yesterday. All sites at CC are "primitive" by design, 2 loops, B and C. One is generator friendly the other is generator free. Lots of shade, smaller sites, fairly close together.
Camp store across from the ranger station has basic necessities. Temps were in the low 90's with 70% humidity. Walk-up sites were available, although all sites are reservable.
You will need a reservation in Oct. as this is a very busy time according to the rangers.
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07-16-2018, 02:42 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 68 TWind
If you need a full hook up site, Townsend is where we always go. The locals call it " the peaceful side of the Smokies". It is close to Cades Cove. Since you are going in mid-October don't wait to make reservations as the others have noted it is peak leaf season and the crowds are big.
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Thank you for the feedback!
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