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09-23-2019, 06:37 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2021 27' Globetrotter
Dana Point
, CA
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
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Traveling to Great Smoky Mountains in October
We plan to spend a week in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We like to hike with our two dogs but know we can't do that in a National Park. Looking for campgrounds near the National Park to stay and be able to hike with dogs. anyone??? thanks!
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RickP
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09-23-2019, 09:39 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Hillbilly Hollywood (Nashville)
, Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 371
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There are several NICE campgrounds in Townsend TN right outside the entrance to the park.
Great place to stay!
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Mike
Remember "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts"
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09-24-2019, 03:14 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Ayer
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,114
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We found a place called Anchor Down RV Resort. Looks pretty good, not to far off the highway.
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09-24-2019, 06:57 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
Western NC
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 860
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TN or NC side?
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2023 Van Leigh Vilano 320GK
2019 International Serenity 27 FBQ “TC Escape” SOLD
2019 Ford F-350 Platinum
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09-24-2019, 07:13 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Hillbilly Hollywood (Nashville)
, Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 371
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Anchor Down is a nice campground on Douglas Lake.
It is also a LONG WAY from the Park!
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Mike
Remember "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts"
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09-24-2019, 09:07 AM
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#6
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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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Anchor Down is beautiful - if you plan to stay at the CG. It's pretty far away from everything except Dandridge. It's very far from Cades Cove, especially since you'll have to go through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge traffic to get there.
I second staying in Townsend or Walland on the quiet side of the park. You can then take either Hwy. 321 or the newly opened section of the Foothills Parkway to get to the chaos in Pigeon Forge. Or, you can take Little River Road to go directly to Gatlinburg.
October is one of our high seasons. Expect crowds, but beautiful views. Be sure to go up to the new Sky Bridge (by way of the Sky Lift) from downtown Gatlinburg.
__________________
Kelly & Matt
WBCCI - #4335
2005 Diesel Excursion
2008 31' Custom Classic "Moonshine"
2016 Interstate "BugOut"
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09-24-2019, 09:10 AM
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#7
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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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Actually there are two trails inside the park (a number of them outside the park) that allow dogs on leash. One is on the TN side, the other on the NC side. Because of the bears and other wildlife the Rangers get tough on this issue so don't think you be able to sneak a pet onto one of the trails. If a Ranger doesn't catch you another hiker will turn you in. You don't want to be banned from the park for something like this.
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Kelly & Matt
WBCCI - #4335
2005 Diesel Excursion
2008 31' Custom Classic "Moonshine"
2016 Interstate "BugOut"
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09-24-2019, 09:28 AM
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#8
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New Member
1986 31' Sovereign
Murphy
, NC
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
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Hike the Smokies on FB
You might post this to the "Hike the Smokies" group on Facebook. They are extremely helpful with great tips. We live on the edge of the Smokies and this is my go to group when I am looking for advice.
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09-24-2019, 10:39 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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Townsend is our favorite.
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Bruce & Rachel
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68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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09-24-2019, 10:39 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 283
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If you dont have reservations you need to get after it. I was looking around at some in Pigeon Forge and they are booked. Fall break for schools and the leaves changing has them all packed.
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09-24-2019, 10:53 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
Western NC
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 860
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We live just outside the park, as far as hiking with dogs that’s a no go. All trails are no dogs/pets. Trails outside the park (national forests etc) are fine which is where we take ours. Note most of the Blue Ridge Parkway is outside the park, lots of good trails off the Parkway
__________________
2023 Van Leigh Vilano 320GK
2019 International Serenity 27 FBQ “TC Escape” SOLD
2019 Ford F-350 Platinum
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09-24-2019, 01:29 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Flying Cloud
Greenback
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 294
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Another Option
You might want to try an area which is not in the park, but a little south of there and in the same mountain range. Tellico Plains, TN is at the northern terminus of the Cherohala Skyway, a lovely road which crosses the mountains and connects the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. Same fall colors, some Forest Service campgrounds and nowhere near the number of people that you'll find in the Smokies. For full-hookup camping, try Tellico Plains , TN or Robbinsville, NC. The Forest Service is also more dog-friendly, but keep them on a leash if you want it to stay that way. That general area is not so well-known as the National Park and, in many ways, just as lovely.
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09-24-2019, 01:40 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Good info, thanks. Planning a trip there next month.
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09-26-2019, 10:27 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2020 30' Classic
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 22
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We like Little Arrow in Townsend, TN. You will for sure need reservations in October.
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09-26-2019, 01:18 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Cincinnati
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 178
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Have stayed at Big Meadow Family Campground and the Townsend KOA, both are nice. The KOA is right outside the entrance to the park. Big Meadow is a little further down the road.
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09-26-2019, 11:02 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
2021 27' Globetrotter
Dana Point
, CA
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
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thanks! What full service campgrounds do you recommend in Tellico Plains?
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RickP
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09-27-2019, 06:23 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2005 33' Land Yacht Gas 33
pembroke pines
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 59
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Your most recent post asked about full service campgrounds, but none of the posters mentioned Elkmont, which is believe is electric only, but is in the park. I think the cades cove campgrounds will be closed for repairs in october, and are also electric only.
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10-02-2019, 10:27 AM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2017 27' Tommy Bahama
2016 30' Flying Cloud
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Hot Springs Village
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 328
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Neither Elkmost or Cades Cove have hookups. There are some generator loops in both.
Rick
__________________
2017 27 Tommy Bahama
2020 2500 GMC Duramax
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10-02-2019, 10:30 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
1993 19' "B" Van Airstream 190
Cosby
, Tennessee
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
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There are several parks on the east side of Gatlinburg on Hwy 321
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10-02-2019, 10:38 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
Western NC
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 860
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There are also a number of full service parks in Cherokee NC and Maggie Valley NC. Challenge will be a site.
__________________
2023 Van Leigh Vilano 320GK
2019 International Serenity 27 FBQ “TC Escape” SOLD
2019 Ford F-350 Platinum
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