If you haven’t been to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), you’ve most likely at least heard its hype, considering it’s the most popular park in America, racking up almost 12 million recreational visits in 2024, per the National Park Service (NPS). People long to capture a selfie surrounded by the park’s breathtaking scenery, adding hashtags like #mountainview or #nature to their Instagram posts (the GSMNP’s page alone has over 620K followers).
The increasing interest hasn’t only made it a renowned tourist destination via online outlets, but the influx of crowds is felt in person, too. Particularly, the summer is the busiest time to visit the park due to it being the most likely season for families to get away, with the fall being a close second, according to campground and RV industry expert Jeff Crider.
However, there are methods to enjoy the GSMNP and save money, time, and headaches, so you too can take in the beauty of the grounds bordering North Carolina and Tennessee. Read on for how to turn your trip into the ideal RV camping getaway without the stress.
The Benefits of RV Camping at the GSMNP
We probably don’t need to tell you that RV camping has many favorable benefits over hotels and lodging when visiting the GSMNP (we’ve shared this before in several of our previous articles, like this one). But bringing along your RV is especially recommended when traveling to the GSMNP, as it provides flexibility, whether you’re staying inside the park or in one of the communities just outside.
Cheaper Lodging
The campgrounds inside the park include Cades Cove Campground, Smokemont Campground, Elkmont Campground, and Deep Creek Campground, all of which accommodate RVs and generally cost just $30 per night.
Having the comfort of your RV is a significant perk because it allows you to have all the joys of home, like a private bathroom and shower, depending on the vehicle, when venturing around the park. (Note: Public restrooms and flush toilets are available in campgrounds within the park but do not have showers.)
Easy Food Preparation
Campers can also bring their own snacks and prepare meals in their RVs, saving them from eating out, which is an added expense. (Another note: The GSMNP has limited food services, mostly consisting of vending machines or quick bites at visitor centers.)
While a granola bar or a small bag of trail mix on your hike might tide you over until lunch, having an RV stocked with food and drinks can easily satisfy your cravings, not to mention that you can also pack a basket for picnics along the way.
When to Travel to the GSMNP
As we said, the summertime is a particularly prominent time for visitors to travel to the GSMNP, and the fall is not far behind, with people yearning to take in the beautiful fall foliage throughout. While winter has fewer crowds, the trade-off is that fewer campgrounds are open (Cades Cove and Smokemont Campground are the only ones that stay open year-round).
Keep this in mind when planning your next trip, which Crider highly suggests doing months in advance because the campsites fill up fast! He says that six months ahead of time is the ideal time to book at the park’s campgrounds, and options may be limited if you wait until closer to your trip.
Additionally, the GSMNP is a prime spot for leaf peepers (people who travel specifically to see the changed fall colors of the leaves), particularly in Cades Cove and along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, so consider this when organizing your stay.
Buzzed-About Attractions
If you haven’t already done your research on what the GSMNP has to offer, here’s a guide provided to Crider to help you create the itinerary that hits all the best spots in the park.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is popular among travelers for its picturesque view of the landscape, and the campground is situated in the heart of it. It’s also one of the best sightseeing spots in the entire park, with 11 miles of waterfalls, historic Appalachian Mountain cabins, mills, and other landmarks.
Guests can also see in the cove area a grassy mountaintop meadow, with panoramic views known for its azalea blooms in the midsummer. There’s so much to see in this alluring part of the park that the NPR recommends reserving at least two to four hours to tour the cove.
The road is open every day from sunrise to sunset, closing one day a week during the summer (which days have yet to be released at the time of this publication). For the latest information on road closures, visit the Cades Cove section of the GSMNP’s website or call the park at 865-436-1200.
Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome)
Another must-see attraction is the Kuwohi (also known as Clingmans Dome), the highest peak in the GSMNP and Tennessee, measuring upwards of 6,643 feet. Painting the picture, Crider says there’s a road that travels up the mountain to a parking area, followed by a steep 0.5-mile trail to the observation tower at the top (a one-mile round-trip). It provides arguably the best view in the park and is regularly sought out by guests to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Due to its oftentimes crowded walkways, the NPR proposes venturing up the road by shuttle. Numerous private shuttle services can be found on their website and can be booked in advance for early preparation.
Newfound Gap Road
Frequent visitors of the GSMNP are familiar with the Newfound Gap Road, and it’s frequently raved about for its 33 miles of forests like northern hardwood, pine, oak, and spruce-fir at Newfound Gap. The scenic drive takes visitors across the GSMNP from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Something else visitors should seek out, according to Crider, is the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a 5.5-mile one-way drive through a notably stunning area of the GSMNP. Roaring Fork is an especially can’t-miss destination, as it’s one of the park’s largest and fastest-growing streams.
The area also has plenty to admire, including old-growth forests and historic buildings, like well-preserved log cabins and gristmills. (Beware: motorhomes and trailers are not permitted on this road because it is narrow and winding and is reserved for passenger vehicles only.)
Alum Cave Trail
A route that’s especially enjoyed by hikers is the Alum Cave Trail, a 4.6 round-trip trail aligned with mountain streams and dense, old-growth forests. Despite what the name suggests, the trail doesn’t lead to a cave, but rather an 80-foot cliff curled inward into the mountain.
Travelers who are up for the challenge can continue past the Alum Cave Trail to the 6,593-foot Mount Le Conte for a 10-mile round-trip hike, which is considered one of the most spectacular hikes in the Eastern United States.
Tips for First-Time GSMNP Visitors
For those planning their first trip to the GSMNP, Crider offers some travel tips to make it a memorable hideaway. For one, he stresses considering staying in one of the many campgrounds outside the park if there’s no availability in the campsites on the grounds.
He says that while these independently owned and operated campgrounds are often more expensive, they offer more amenities like full hookups, swimming pools, Wi-Fi, and playgrounds. These campgrounds also usually provide games for kids and organize family activities to keep everyone entertained.
The parks he urges guests to check out are Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA Holiday in Cherokee, Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Cherokee, Big Meadow Family Campground in Townsend, Townsend/Great Smokies KOA Holiday in Townsend, Greenbrier Campground in Gatlinburg, Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park in Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge Landing in Pigeon Forge.
Making the Trip
Traveling to the GSMNP is a dream getaway for many nature lovers, and while it has its busy months (reminder, summer and fall have the most crowds), RV camping offers a peaceful experience and is more affordable than traditional hotels and lodging. And once you get there, you can venture to the park’s many noteworthy attractions with a clear mind that you were well-prepared.
Final note: Be mindful of weather-related road and trail closures. You can reference the NPR website for an updated list of continuing road and trail closures to avoid surprises once you arrive.