Great Smoky Mountains - Montana Owners Club

Illini Trekker · 01-18-2006, 06:46 AM

Plaining to go to the Smokes. First trip there for us and the 5er, looking for information for CG in the park or around park. Will be coming from Illinois so problem if not in the park on the Tennessee side.

We are Passport and have looked at Creekside CG. Are there better CG would not want to miss out on something nicer.

Plan on bringing the bikes and hiking (day hikes). Any suggestion on good eats in the area? SeeYa

Glenn and Lorraine · 01-18-2006, 10:44 AM

We have stayed at Creekside, King's Holly Haven and Riveredge. Creekside has the advantage of being a Passport America park, otherwise we recommend them all.

sreigle · 01-18-2006, 12:44 PM

We stayed nine nights at Creekside and moved for two reasons - one was the wifi wouldn't work (it was brand new there) and the other was the sites were too small for us, at least the one they put us in. We moved to Twin Creeks CG at Gatlinburg, much closer to the national park, and a very nice park. We stayed six weeks in that park and really enjoyed it.

Emmel · 01-18-2006, 01:22 PM

We have stayed at Eagle's Nest in Pigeon Forge a few times. It is Passport and they honor it every month except October, leaves change and all, nice sites and full hookup. As far as good eats, every corner it seems like, a little of everything for everyone. If you get a chance see Cades Cove, beautiful drive around the mountain,

fulltimedreamer · 01-18-2006, 02:09 PM

Dennis,

We have stayed at the Eagle's Nest with our PA discount several times. We like the park and will use again. Creekside, as Steve mentioned is a nice park, but the sites are very small. As above, mske sure you visit Cades Cove (around sunset to see the most wildlife). Also, do the Roaring Forks drive in Gatilinburg. Hope you have a great trip.

P.S. Make sure you visit Mel's Diner in Pigeon Forge and have the biggest icecream sundae you've ever had.

jrgwdenner · 01-18-2006, 04:59 PM

AAAAhhhh, yes, definitely Mel's Diner. We stayed at King's Holly Haven. Nice park.

Illini Trekker · 01-19-2006, 03:04 AM

Mel's sounds like a must stop hope they have butter pecan? How about the meal and show at Dixie Stampede, really the meal is what I'd be going for but the show might be fun? Also there is the Old Mill?

There are a number of trails any suggestion on the best to take?

We also ride bikes the circle at Cades Cove allows bike only traffic on two mornings a week, has anyone tried this ride? Can you suggest any other bike trails?

Creekside RV Park or Eagle's Nest both look like nice CGs. See-Ya

adelmoll · 01-19-2006, 03:32 AM

We stayed on the NC side. Nice park backed up to the river. I can't remember the name of it now but something like Rivers Edge

We drove our 5th wheel across without a problem (before Monty).

Dixie Stampede is a fun one time experience.

I can't tell you all the places you can ride your bikes but don't even think about riding it to "The Top of Old Smokey." Bill is still trying to catch his breath from walking it and I sat at the bottom four years ago waiting for him to come down.

sreigle · 01-19-2006, 10:37 AM

Mels' Diner. We ate there two or three times. It's good.

If you need any ideas what to see in that area, particularly in and around the national park, click the "our rv travels' link in my signature and peruse the postcards from April 8, 2005 through June 24, 2005.

2007dura · 01-19-2006, 02:29 PM

We stay at http://www.riverplantationrv.com/ River Plantaion. Have some of the largest sites we have seen in the area. One thing to plan on is alot of traffic, no matter where you stay. There is really no longer an off season there.

For hiking, we like to go to Cosby. It is not as near crowded as some areas of the park, as on some trails, they need to put up stop lights at the intersections for all the people. There is a easy hike out to some waterfalls in Cosby, and if you want a good hike(are in shape), you can go up to an old lookout that the CCC made in the 30's or so. I would suggest you pick up a park map that has the trails marked.

Some good eats are to be had at the Apple Barn, I think it is called. Right down from River Plantation as you go into Pigeon Forge. If you are in the mood to splurge for a killer steak, head to The Peddler.

Bob and Sheri · 01-22-2006, 05:59 PM

Riversedge has the most beautiful bathhouse I have ever seen in an RV park. It's on the trolley route and worth a look even if you don't stay there! Serious! It's also a very nice place that is centrally located. Yep--the Old Mill Resturant is not to be missed, even if there's a wait! Just be patient with the traffic in town. You will be glad you went!

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