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Camping in the smokies
We have been camping in the Smokies since 1982. Our last trip there was with our 30' International and we stayed in Elkmont. It is awesome there and close to the historic cabin area now being restored. At campgrounds inside the park, there are no hookups except for a few handicap sites that can accommodate 120V for things like medical equipment. If you use solar and are not too much under trees you can probably go all week depending upon your battery usage. If not, you can get a generator site to charge or use electric during certain hours. Blackwater was not an issue for us as they now have flush toilets to help minimize usage. We did use a tote to drain off a bit of gray water and dump in the greywater basins to extend without going to the dump station which is not right at the campground (it is near Sugarland). We also filled freshwater once with 6 gal jerry cans from water stations at the campground ... easier for us using a 2 wheel cart. Cades Cove is a beautiful campground too. On the NC side there is Smokemont. Cell reception is poor throughout most of the park. But, at certain areas, such as Newfound Gap or Clingmans Dome, or at Sugarlands visitor center you can get great reception. To us, it well worth staying within the park. If you choose not to, on the TN side, on 321, there is a campground we stayed a lot in with our kids when they were young called Crazy Horse. They were bought out a few years ago, but last time we drove by they were still there. We have visited Greenbiar also off of 321, but not stayed there (they were booked at the time). It seemed nice and they have water flowing through it. Both are far enough outside of Gatlinburg not to be in congestion. You could try Cosby for campgrounds, we just have not been to any there. On the NC side, in Cherokee, we have stayed at the Happy Holiday Campground off of 19. Large campground, with water and electric and a great staff. There is also a KOA on that side that is nice, but seemed pretty crowded most of the time. If you want full hook ups and constant cell service and internet, our experience has been you must get closer to to congested areas such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We may go in for a visit to those, but prefer not to stay there due to the congestion and desire to be in or closer to the park itself.
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