Great Smoky Mountains Driving Advice

[awkirch]

Good advise preceding . Unless you have young children, you might want to reconsider KOA. Look at Indian Creek Campground a few miles farther up Big Cove Rd. Very quiet , secluded, run by great folks, Jon & Janet. Right on a beautiful trout stream. We are actually sitting here now in our 25’ Safari. Have been coming here for 20 yrs every August

[Mbstrustee]

Drove the Parkway in July from Asheville to Cherokee with F-250 (gas) pulling a 25 FC. beautiful trip, no problems. If you like you can come down and go to the Casino in Cherokee.

[kfrere]

Are you staying at the KOA in Pigeon Forge, or the one in Townsend?

We live off Hwy. 321 on the Townsend side of the Smokies. We have lived here for almost 60 years. If you have any questions at all about activities, little known adventures, best hikes/waterfalls, crowds, restaurants, area sights, etc. feel free to contact us. If you get stuck in Cades Cove by the traffic and want a way out we locals know of a road that you can take that will dump you back out into Townsend directly from Cades Cove.

The last section of the Foothills Parkway finally opened, and it's also a beautiful drive. One of the entrances is not far from Townsend, another in Wears Valley, so you can get on whether you're staying in the Pigeon Forge area or the Townsend area.

September is actually a good time to off. It's shoulder season between school kids and the leaf peepers. Next best time would be April during the dogwood season which is between the snow worshipers and summer crowds.

Have a great time! Don't try to get close to the bears! Mama bears are out with their cubs right now and can get very nasty if you get anywhere near their cubs. Don't even leave food locked up in your tow vehicle - bears will bust through the windshield and destroy your vehicle trying to get to that food. They have a particular fondness for donuts and muffins.

[djbar]

Just back from BRP trip up to Boone and down to Brevard area. In addition to the campgrounds along the BRP up by Boone/Blowing Rock, consider "Down by the River" campground on the Linville river at Pineola, and the Davidson River National Forest campground outside Brevard. Had zero problems with out 25FC and F150 5.0L.


Have a great time; Safe Travels.

[GatorDave]

Yep, that is a delightful drive. Helen is a hoot during October fest. Many waterfalls and hikes in the area. Top of Georgia is a great location. Rely on maps to detour around Atlanta. Take the “ Red” roads on the mapsfor some scenic drives in Georgia.

[369goose]

Originally Posted by Overstreet

Hwy 441 should be fine but no go on some of the roads off of it in the park. Don't go to Clingmans Dome for example even though they takebussrs up there.

I-40 is fine. Well depending upon traffic. The nice thing is it dosen't go through Atlanta like I-20.

Hwy 441 through Gatlinburg can be a trail.

You cannot legally tow on the blue ridge parkway.

We’ve also towed our Airstream(s) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In fact most recently leaving the Airstream Park in VA with several other Airstreamers who were coming/going to the Airstream Park. Have seen truckers on it too. Assuming they were “commercial” with logos and all. Spectacular drive.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by mattRox

In early September we are staying in a KOA near GSMNP,..........

Thank you,

Mattrox, you weren't specific, but if the koa is in travelers rest, you will love it!!!!


https://koa.com/campgrounds/greenville/

Low key,beautiful, wonderful staff, involved onsite ownership...and great pizza in downtown TR, 6 miles down the road.

B

[PEN]

Great thread timing for us. We’re leaving central AR the end of Sept thru mid-Oct to make a loop to Nashville, up to and Lake Erie, over to NY, VT and NH. Staying several days in NH before heading home via, MA, CT, NJ, PA, VA and finally the length of TN. This will be our first big trip in our new Globetrotter and I was worried about mountain driving through TN, VT, NH, & VA. Most of ours will be interstate so I am hoping it won’t be an issue for newbies. Just wish we had more time.

My input for OP is to be careful in Dallas, especially crossing Lake Hubbard, if you decide I-30 to I-40! Enjoy some trout fishing while in GSMNP!

[PKI]

New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine have good roads and frost heaved roads. If you are on two lane expect the worst. Take care and slow down if it gets rough.

Good Luck on your trip. Sounds like a great adventure. Pat

[mattRox]

Neither,

We are staying in the Cherokee KOA, south of the park. We have a creekside spot, hopefully the sound of the creek will lull us to sleep.

Love all of the comments- we are super stoked to be in the area!

Thanks,

Originally Posted by kfrere

Are you staying at the KOA in Pigeon Forge, or the one in Townsend?

We live off Hwy. 321 on the Townsend side of the Smokies. We have lived here for almost 60 years. If you have any questions at all about activities, little known adventures, best hikes/waterfalls, crowds, restaurants, area sights, etc. feel free to contact us. If you get stuck in Cades Cove by the traffic and want a way out we locals know of a road that you can take that will dump you back out into Townsend directly from Cades Cove.

The last section of the Foothills Parkway finally opened, and it's also a beautiful drive. One of the entrances is not far from Townsend, another in Wears Valley, so you can get on whether you're staying in the Pigeon Forge area or the Townsend area.

September is actually a good time to off. It's shoulder season between school kids and the leaf peepers. Next best time would be April during the dogwood season which is between the snow worshipers and summer crowds.

Have a great time! Don't try to get close to the bears! Mama bears are out with their cubs right now and can get very nasty if you get anywhere near their cubs. Don't even leave food locked up in your tow vehicle - bears will bust through the windshield and destroy your vehicle trying to get to that food. They have a particular fondness for donuts and muffins.

[awkirch]

We just drove US441 through GSMNP yesterday in our TV from Cherokee to Pigeon Forge and back for a day trip. The sign at the entrance says “Steep winding mountain road next 35 miles”, and they aren’t just whistling Dixie . You can surely do it with your trailer, but count on it taking 60-90 minutes. Max speed is 45, most of it is 35, with several areas of 25 mph. Elevation change is about 3500’ to about 6000’ at the gap and back down again. There are 2 nearly 360deg hairpins near the TN end. It is a beautiful drive, but not a relaxing one pulling a trailer .

[Hyo Slvr]

Very timely post as the wife and I are staying at the Pigeon Forge KOA over the Labor Day long weekend. Any good antique stores in the surrounding area? Plan on 1 day shopping, 2 days reexploring the Park.

[awkirch]

Pigeon Forge is a mountain version of Myrtle Beach...all tourist “attractions”. It is really interesting to see all the stuff they have jammed into a couple miles of highway . Lots of shops, but Gatlinburg might be better for antiques. Better would be the smaller towns like Sylva, Bryson City and comparable towns in TN