Need help ID'ing Campground in Cherokee!

[cobra93]

Guys,

I am almost finished with restoration on my 79' Sovereign 31' and we are trying to make reservations and plans to take the kids to Cherokee, N.C. this summer. I used to go there with my folks in the early 80's and our favorite park was a Safari Campground just outside of Cherokee itself. It was on the Qualla reservation and the stream ran all the way down the side of it. I know that that fits a lot of parks, but does someone out there remember this park and know what it's called now? I want my kids to have the fun I had and we loved this place. Any help is appreciated.

-Don and Jennifer Antie

Baton Rouge, La

[tin sista]

The Smokies are so beautiful, hope you have a marvelous time. Your old campground may have changed ownership, tried to find it online...but didn't.I'm sure you'll hear from others who will have better luck!Here's some campgrounds in Cherokee from the website.
The National Park on that side has Smokemont Campground, no hook ups but lovely scenery.
Hope you all have a great time creating fun new camping memories with your family! We camped in Cherokee when I was a kid, and I had fond memories of it as well.

[cobra93]

Sista,
Thanks for the reply. I tried to find it too. I know the name changed, just don't know to what! Most of the campgrounds are closed so calling them doesn't work either. I'm looking forward to it too. I hope the kids like it as much as I did.
-Don

[Silver Threads]

there is a jellystone between cherokee and gatlinburg that looks like a lot of fun. we plan to stay there this spring. is the one you are looking for on the indian reservation?

[maxandgeorgia]

Sounds just like the place my daughter stayed at a couple years ago, about five miles up the road (she says) beyond the KOA. Her photos were great showing the rushing stream they were camped beside. But, she is here for the holiday and cannot remember the name of the place. If she remembers when she gets home and emails the name to me this week, I'll post it here.

[nilesrob]

I'll try and resurrect a campgreound we stayed in 4-5 years ago just north of Cherokee. We made plans at one spot and then moved because it was a parking lot. Give me a few days to see if we can remember! It's a great area!

[cobra93]

Thanks guys!! I look forward to some help with my already failing memory...-D

[Mike Lewis]

you may be thinking of the Happy Holiday Camp ground on the east side of Cherokee on the road going toward Magie Valley. There is a stream running on both sides and it's on the res.we stayed there this summer. yes it's nice
pieman

[cobra93]

I'll check it out, I think I have it on a favorites list already. Thanks.
-Don

[Phil Gobie]

One of my favorite sites is Elk Mount. It is on the north side of the park. It is about 7 miles west of Gatlinburg. There is a river that goes through the camp ground. It is closed in the winter so check the calender. You are about an hour from Cherokee which for me is just about right after about 10 minutes. If you have not been to Cherokee for a long time you may be in for a surprise. Any way the area has allot to offer and it is beautiful. Have fun.

[scf31]

While going to Cherokee did you go up and over the Mountian from Gatlinburg or go around ? its a huge Climb and decent , Any problems towing and brakeing?

[cobra93]

It's been a long time since we went and then my Dad was driving, but as I recall we went from Baton Rouge to Stone Mountain, Georgia and then from Stone Mountain to Cherokee. Can't recall much more of the route than that. I don't think we'll have a problem though, my wife has an Excursion V-10 and I have a 2002 Dodge Diesel, both with Tekonsha Voyager brake modules and the Airstream is getting a brake overhaul as part of it's restoration. Thanks for all the help guys.
-Don

[Silverhobby]

With no luck of finding Safari, I looked under the Cherokee, NC listing in an old Woodall's directory. Most of the camps still have the same names. Sorry I was of no help.

[cobra93]

Kevin,
Thanks for looking! That's an angle i

[cobra93]

woops...hit the wrong key. My typing is not so hot since the table saw decided to sample the left side of my index finger yesterday!! Talk about some blue air around here....Oh well, I got the bullnose for the A/S cut, it just has some odd coloration on one spot!!! Anyway, thanks for looking Kevin, that's an angle I had not thought of.
-Don

[Dark Cove]

Hey Cobra93,

My home is about 20 minutes from Cherokee. There are a couple of campgrounds along the Oconaluftee River on the Reservation.

Dig deep into your memory....was it near Santa's Land?

It doesn't really matter, I'll get some info to you directly if you want (brochures, etc.)

During the next couple of months I be going over that way and will check things out closer for you. Be aware....Cherokee has changed alot since the fourlanes and the casino have made it a weekend target for Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville, etc. There is still a lot of the old ways such as the TeePee and the Chief to take your kids photos with, but a much quicker pace on the main drag.

Anyway, I'll help you plan a fun time as best can.

Cheers,

David

[cobra93]

David,
The campground WAS on the Oconaluftee river just outside of Cherokee (my childs memory says only 15 minutes or so out of Cherokee but it may be faulty). We had to turn right over the river to enter the campground and the thing I remember most is that adjacent to the streamside sites, there was this deep hole in the stream and the Indian kids showed us how to jump off of this big overhanging rock!! Freaked my parents out!! That hole must have been 10-12 feet deep and about 40 feet long right in the middle of the stream! I imagine it has changed, but as long as there are tacky spots for the kids to get those goofy spears with the rubber tips and rubber bowie knives it'll be ok! Odd what the childhood memory retains isn't it? The old Safari campground had a store, one pool and the river went down the side of it and angled off to the right. We also drove upstream about 20 minutes or so and hit the big trout farm where they got the trout for the stream stocking and then we also bought dirt for a dollar a bucket and seined it in a flue looking for rubies!! God that was great!! Thanks for the help.
-Don
P.S. email me at djantie@cox.net if you find anything.
-D

[Roscinante]

Happy Holiday

Go here. This place is well rated and has some pictures. It is on the reservation (or near).

[Dark Cove]

Originally Posted by cobra93

David,
The campground WAS on the Oconaluftee river just outside of Cherokee (my childs memory says only 15 minutes or so out of Cherokee but it may be faulty). We had to turn right over the river to enter the campground and the thing I remember most is that adjacent to the streamside sites, there was this deep hole in the stream and the Indian kids showed us how to jump off of this big overhanging rock!! Freaked my parents out!! That hole must have been 10-12 feet deep and about 40 feet long right in the middle of the stream! I imagine it has changed, but as long as there are tacky spots for the kids to get those goofy spears with the rubber tips and rubber bowie knives it'll be ok! Odd what the childhood memory retains isn't it? The old Safari campground had a store, one pool and the river went down the side of it and angled off to the right. We also drove upstream about 20 minutes or so and hit the big trout farm where they got the trout for the stream stocking and then we also bought dirt for a dollar a bucket and seined it in a flue looking for rubies!! God that was great!! Thanks for the help.
-Don
P.S. email me at djantie@cox.net if you find anything.
-D

Ok Cobra,

There are several campgrounds on both the east and west sides of the reservation along the Oconaluftee River. Deep Creek comes in from Smoky Mt. Nat. Park from the north. I'll scout it out (no pun intended) and get back with you in a couple of weeks.

Cheers,
David