New R-Pod 180 Owner in Tennessee

I'm another Smoky Mts. guy, of about 40+ years. Up until about 10 yrs. ago, I went to Cosby or Look Rock. Look Rock is closed and I know of no plans to re-open it. Up until this year, I started going to Elkmont, for about 10 years. My "take" on the place is similar to TT's. I tried to like the place but, I went back to Cosby this last October. If my week there is typical, it has gotten a little busier but, it still seems OK. They repaved the roads and parking spurs recently - which is nice. One "downside" is there are not many RV sites. Most are "tent only". I suggest reserving online the RV sites, as there are few. Cosby closes for the season at the end of October.

Of course, there are no hook ups. Cosby has a dump station near the check in station at the campground. Elkmont has no dump station. The nearest one is across from the Sugarlands Visitor Center - about 7 miles (+ or -) away. If one likes the bling of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Elkmont is closer. Newport is about 30 mins. from Cosby (I-40) and you can get most anything you would likely need there. Elkmont does have a small camp store & firewood in the campground. Cosby does not. There is a convenience store and gasoline just outside of the park, however.

As far as I know, the only 2 campgrounds, in the Park, that are open year round are Cades Cove and Smokemont.

Site A20 is a good site - if you can get it. It can not be reserved. It is large and on the end of the loop road. It drops sharply from the parking spur (no R-dome) and has a small stream at the "bottom". The map shows it as a tent site (probably due to the drop off) but, your Pod would fit there. My Coleman is roughly the same size. As a bonus, Cosby is less expensive, per night, compared to Elkmont.

I've spent many a night in a tent at Elkmont too, and in the cabins.  Even a night or two at the Wonderland.  I have ties to Elkmont that go way back; even dear friends in the graveyard there.  But lately they close the Elkmont campground in winter and it seems like Elkmont is about the most likely campground to get rowdy.  For what it's worth, the NC and TN sides of the park are almost like night and day.  We like the relative peace on the south side.  Pulling a trailer over the Gap is not the best aspect of Smokemont though, but not too bad.  You have the truck for it! 

TT

Welcome from a fellow Middle Tennessean.  We spend a lot of time in the Smokies with the pod, in GSMNP campgrounds (no hookups).   Usually Smokemont on the NC side. We're headed back in a few weeks.  We have a small generator for keeping the battery topped off.  Of course it can't be used at night, but that's almost never been a problem.  (It came close to being an issue once when the temps got into the low 20s.)  But we have been able to use the generator all night a time or two when we were the only ones in the campground.  We seem to like cold weather camping more than most people.  The pod stays nice & toasty with it's furnace, a Mr. Buddy heater, or, if you have power a little 1500 watt electric heater.

This forum is a great place for help -- and let me know if there's anything I can help with locally.

TT

Originally posted by techntrek Just saw your post edit - I was in Murfreesboro for two years at MTSU.

Welcome to the group!!