R-pod Owners Forum : Great Smokey Mountains https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Camp Grounds : Great Smokey Mountains Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 28 May 2026 15:01:06 +0000 Mon, 14 May 2018 17:32:52 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=11352 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Great Smokey Mountains : Originally posted by furpodBoondocking... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109226#109226 Author: DavMar
Subject: 11352
Posted: 14 May 2018 at 5:32pm

Originally posted by furpod

Boondocking at Balsam Mountain is the best camping the park has to offer, IMHO.. Wink


+1 Furpod

If you want full hookups head over to Moonshine Creek Campground in Balsam. It's like going home for me since I once lived a mile away. Smile
]]> Mon, 14 May 2018 17:32:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109226#109226 Great Smokey Mountains : Originally posted by furpod Originally... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109121#109121 Author: Guests
Subject: 11352
Posted: 12 May 2018 at 8:10am

Originally posted by furpod


Originally posted by David



I hope they re-open Look Rock at some point.



https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/funding-announced-to-reopen-look-rock-campground-in-smokies/article_ed3723ef-1c69-527a-9ac2-ecf7415627f7.html



Thanks for the link....that is great news! Look Rock was kind of like the "Cosby of old" - not heavily used and tranquil. The Western area of the park seems to be overlooked by many.

Yes, the road to Balsam is a treat in itself!

]]> Sat, 12 May 2018 08:10:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109121#109121 Great Smokey Mountains : Originally posted by David I... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109120#109120 Author: furpod
Subject: 11352
Posted: 12 May 2018 at 7:20am

Originally posted by David



I hope they re-open Look Rock at some point.




https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/funding-announced-to-reopen-look-rock-campground-in-smokies/article_ed3723ef-1c69-527a-9ac2-ecf7415627f7.html
]]> Sat, 12 May 2018 07:20:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109120#109120 Great Smokey Mountains : Originally posted by Tars... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109119#109119 Author: furpod
Subject: 11352
Posted: 12 May 2018 at 7:12am

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas


Over a mile high and there are some great places to get to nearby.  Did you ever get to talk to Ranger Jack Campbell there?

The Smokies is big and varied enough that for me anyway, where to stay depends a lot on what you want to do while you're there.  For those folks who think the Smokies equals Dollywood or Gatlinburg, Balsam Mountain might not be the best place to camp.



Never more then a passing "hello" to any rangers there.

But yes, other then going into the back country to do some of the old CCC camp sites.. BM is about "as far as you can get" from the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sieverville "experience."
Cataloochee is a solid contender, but being lower in elevation, it's not as cool in the summer. We were just there last month. was beautiful.. Saw several elk, turkeys, deer, etc.. no bears, and we were looking hard..
But the road in isn't for.. everyone, even with only a Pod in tow.. in fact I know some who won't drive it even without a trailer.. LOL. We met 6 horse trailers when we were coming out.. Clap

Also, just off the road over to BM, there is a private CG owned by the Cherokee, "Mile High".. we have never stayed there, but have checked it out.. nice. flush toilets and hot showers.. almost every site is on the edge of the mountain, and the views are pretty fantabulous from any one of them..

Also, to address part of the OP question.. if hiking, be aware, dogs/pets are not allowed on the trails in the park, other then 2 small ones near the park offices/visitor centers. When we go "in season" we use a couple private parks with FHU's so we can leave the pup in air conditioned, history channel watching splendor.
]]> Sat, 12 May 2018 07:12:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109119#109119 Great Smokey Mountains : Agree with everyone above. Each... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109117#109117 Author: Guests
Subject: 11352
Posted: 12 May 2018 at 6:52am


Agree with everyone above. Each campground seems to have it's own personality and characteristics. Cosby is my sentimental favorite. It was my first camping in a NP at 18 years old. However, it has been getting busier over the years and even occasionally fills - unheard of back in the day. The area outside the park has been growing also.

Cosby does have a dump station but, it may be difficult for some to use. They installed (about) a 10" riser on the drain. For some, this would mean trying to dump "uphill".

I hope they re-open Look Rock at some point.


]]> Sat, 12 May 2018 06:52:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109117#109117 Great Smokey Mountains : Originally posted by furpodBoondocking... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109111#109111 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 11352
Posted: 11 May 2018 at 9:25pm

Originally posted by furpod

Boondocking at Balsam Mountain is the best camping the park has to offer, IMHO.. Wink

Over a mile high and there are some great places to get to nearby.  Did you ever get to talk to Ranger Jack Campbell there?

The Smokies is big and varied enough that for me anyway, where to stay depends a lot on what you want to do while you're there.  For those folks who think the Smokies equals Dollywood or Gatlinburg, Balsam Mountain might not be the best place to camp.

None of the campgrounds inside the park have any hookups at all.  Not all of them, most, really, don't have dump stations, although dump stations are available not horribly inconveniently.  We always stay in the park, but there are plenty of campgrounds at or near the entrances to the park that do have hookups.

Like most parks anymore (as far as I know) you are not allowed to bring in your own firewood.  You have to buy heat treated wood -- or GRMNP does allow you to collect dead and down wood.  A couple of exotic pests have had extreme impacts on the forest recently.  Not to mention the elimination of the Chestnuts roughly a century ago.  Good reasons for paying a little more for bug free wood.

TT
]]> Fri, 11 May 2018 21:25:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109111#109111 Great Smokey Mountains : Boondocking at Balsam Mountain... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109108#109108 Author: furpod
Subject: 11352
Posted: 11 May 2018 at 8:44pm

Boondocking at Balsam Mountain is the best camping the park has to offer, IMHO.. Wink]]> Fri, 11 May 2018 20:44:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109108#109108 Great Smokey Mountains : Check with the Park Visiter Centers... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109091#109091 Author: Awchief
Subject: 11352
Posted: 11 May 2018 at 4:48pm

Check with the Park Visiter Centers for latest maps, updates and trail conditions. They change daily. ]]> Fri, 11 May 2018 16:48:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109091#109091 Great Smokey Mountains : In GSMNP, Elkmont on the TN side... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109082#109082 Author: Subzilla
Subject: 11352
Posted: 11 May 2018 at 2:35pm

In GSMNP, Elkmont on the TN side is wooded, beautiful and popular.  Smokemont is nice but not as pretty (near Cherokee)]]> Fri, 11 May 2018 14:35:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109082#109082 Great Smokey Mountains : We are heading to the Great Smokies... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109075#109075 Author: HandsCamping
Subject: 11352
Posted: 11 May 2018 at 12:45pm

We are heading to the Great Smokies the last week in May and we are staying at the Gatlinburg East KOA. We are also spending one night in Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia. I will let you know how it goes. ]]> Fri, 11 May 2018 12:45:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=109075#109075 Great Smokey Mountains : I'm in the GSMNP a good bit... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106843#106843 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 11352
Posted: 04 Apr 2018 at 6:34pm

I'm in the GSMNP a good bit but I stay in the park campgrounds too.  No hookups.  Water and dump station are available with varying convenience. 

One thing to consider is whether you are coming to the Park or if you want to spend a lot of time and money in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (a lot of people do!)

The North Carolina side of the Park is a lot quieter, whether you stay in the park or in a commercial campground. The park isn't so big that you can't stay on one side and still get to and do things on the other.  You have to enjoy auto touring and the scenery. 

There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails.  You'd do well to Google "hiking trails in the Smoky Mountain National Park".  The range of trail length, difficulty, locations, w/ or w/o waterfalls, etc., etc., is extensive.  If you want to stay near Gatlinburg you probably don't want to consider trails near Fontana Lake or Cataloochee, for example.

TT
]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:34:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106843#106843 Great Smokey Mountains : Is there any particular area... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106836#106836 Author: Guests
Subject: 11352
Posted: 04 Apr 2018 at 4:07pm


Is there any particular area that you are interested in? I have done most of my camping within the National Park. When you say "RV park" are you wanting something outside of the NP that has hookups?
]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2018 16:07:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106836#106836 Great Smokey Mountains : Thinking of going to the Great... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106834#106834 Author: Lakeway Rpod
Subject: 11352
Posted: 04 Apr 2018 at 2:58pm

Thinking of going to the Great Smokies. Any suggestions for hiking and RV Parks.  Thanks]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:58:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11352&PID=106834#106834