Campgrounds near Gatlinburg

[MCSCOTT]

So I'm running behind on reservations, but this year instead of getting renting my normal cabin in the area my g/f is wanting to tent camp. I've looked around at different places, but thought some of the fine folks on here might know of good campgrounds in that area for tent camping. I'd like somewhere that's fairly quiet if at all possible, and preferably somewhere close to one of the rivers or streams. Other than that I don't have many requirements other than maybe rest rooms of some sort. She's use to camping at Elkmont and Cades Cove, but I was wondering if any of you knew any good campgrounds in the area that I may not have heard of yet.

[VERO1]

Look at the National Parks websight. We used to camp in the Smoky Mtn National Park every summer. Been a lotta of years since then though.

[Mike.357]

if you are going to stay in the park I would look at Cosby. It is off the beaten path more so than the campgrounds off of 441 or out towards Cades Cove. I admit it has been some years since I tented there but it was nicer than the other campgrounds.

And there was a place down on the main road not too far that had showers for a fair price.

[MCSCOTT]

if you are going to stay in the park I would look at Cosby. It is off the beaten path more so than the campgrounds off of 441 or out towards Cades Cove. I admit it has been some years since I tented there but it was nicer than the other campgrounds.

And there was a place down on the main road not too far that had showers for a fair price.

Thanks Mike. I noticed the one at Cosby when I was looking around the web today and was wondering about it. Elkmont and Cades Cove seem to be a couple of the two main ones, so a campground that is off the beaten path is exactly what I'm looking for.

[Guest BEARMAN]

In the Townsend/Walland area is KOA, Tremont and Misty River. We have stayed at all three and highly recommend all of them. They are all at the edge of the GSMNP, except Misty River, which is in Walland, a few miles west of Townsend, but still very accessible to Gatlinburg, and on the Little River too.

[Mike.357]

Thanks Mike. I noticed the one at Cosby when I was looking around the web today and was wondering about it. Elkmont and Cades Cove seem to be a couple of the two main ones, so a campground that is off the beaten path is exactly what I'm looking for.

make sure you post up about what you decide to do. Then give us a review with pictures, and if possible a pic including a gun in it

Dang this makes me want to go camping.

[MCSCOTT]

make sure you post up about what you decide to do. Then give us a review with pictures, and if possible a pic including a gun in it

Dang this makes me want to go camping.

Will do, and the pic with the gun in it may be easy to do since there's talk of her getting me a new gun of some sort for this occasion. She's still being persistant about Elkmont though, but I'm going to try to talk her into trying something new.

[VERO1]

Even if you do talk her into somewhere different, you'll lose!

[chemprof]

+1 for Cosby!

[peejman]

Awfull hot and humid for tent camping this time of year. Unless you get a backcountry permit and find a site up high. Beyond that, Indian Boundary (Tellico), Abrams Creek (Smoky's), Big South Fork, Breaks Interstate Park (KY), Joyce Kilmer, are other options (though obviously not near Gatlinburg).

[MCSCOTT]

Awfull hot and humid for tent camping this time of year. Unless you get a backcountry permit and find a site up high. Beyond that, Indian Boundary (Tellico), Abrams Creek (Smoky's), Big South Fork, Breaks Interstate Park (KY), Joyce Kilmer, are other options (though obviously not near Gatlinburg).

It will be the end of September when we're there, so the weather up there will be fairly pleasant. Like I mentioned, I'm use to cabin rentals so I figured I better get going on making reservations for a campsite. Up until now I hadn't been to excited about it, but I've started to look forward to it here the last couple of days. Even though I use to tent camp several times throughout the year, it's been probably 5 years since I've even unpacked the tent.

[peejman]

It will be the end of September when we're there, so the weather up there will be fairly pleasant. Like I mentioned, I'm use to cabin rentals so I figured I better get going on making reservations for a campsite. Up until now I hadn't been to excited about it, but I've started to look forward to it here the last couple of days. Even though I use to tent camp several times throughout the year, it's been probably 5 years since I've even unpacked the tent.

Oh, since you said you were running behind, I figured you planned on going next week. End of September should be very nice. I haven't been tent camping in years either.

[Guest Bluemax]

Elkmont or Cades Cove should be pretty nice in September after school starts back and the construction near Elkmont should be finished by late August. If ypu don't mind getting a little farther away from Gatlinburg, check out Cosby, Smokemont is nice too but make sure they will be finished paving. Post lots of pics !!

[gregintenn]

The commercial campground sites I've priced around the Smoky Mountains are nearly as expensive as a hotel room.

[Mike.357]

It will be the end of September when we're there, so the weather up there will be fairly pleasant. Like I mentioned, I'm use to cabin rentals so I figured I better get going on making reservations for a campsite. Up until now I hadn't been to excited about it, but I've started to look forward to it here the last couple of days. Even though I use to tent camp several times throughout the year, it's been probably 5 years since I've even unpacked the tent.

Cosby might be closed by then, I am not sure. I know they shut it down for the off season at some point.

I drove down Rt 321 out towards Cosby this morning, it really is nice out there.

[MCSCOTT]

Cosby might be closed by then, I am not sure. I know they shut it down for the off season at some point.

I drove down Rt 321 out towards Cosby this morning, it really is nice out there.

I'll have to check further on that, but if the paving around Elkmont will be finished by the time we're there then that is most likely going to be where we end up. I can't seem to talk her into going somewhere different, as usual with women, but we will definately be checking Cosby out while we're up there for a future trip. I also agree with Greg that you can find hotel room just about as cheap up there, but I'm just not a hotel room kinda guy when I go to the mountains. I usually get one of the secluded cabins when I go, but her family did alot of tent camping growing up so that's what she's really wanting to do this year instead of the cabin.