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View Full Version : Camprgound for Scouts near AT/GSMNP?



slbirdnerd
12-19-2013, 20:41
Our Troop is headed to East Tennessee in June and may spend a day on the AT in/near GSMNP. We're the trip planners for this: our annual "long trip." We can't camp in the park because none of the campgrounds have showers and being a family trip that's a deal breaker. I'm looking for campground suggestions on the east side of the park, but not in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge--I hope! A group site would be ideal. Got any suggestions? Thanks!

gollwoods
12-19-2013, 21:07
if you might be able to go to the south west indian boundry has alot to offer with a lake and trails into the mountains.
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/chercmp.htm#indian boundary

hobby
12-19-2013, 21:21
Cade's Cove has a nice group area, but book early! Our troop stayed at a private campground in Townsend when we missed out on the Cades Cove area. (don't remember the name of the campground though)

elmotoots
12-19-2013, 21:47
I like the Indian Boundary Waters area, as suggested above, real nice showers, miles of National Forest to explore.

In June one of the nice areas of the AT, is at Carter Gap.

Roan MT State Park, would be a great place to stay , they have nice showers, and are a really friendly bunch. Pretty sure they have group sites also.

Roan Mountain, is home to the Rhododendron Festival

Google.......... roan high knob, carter gap, the humps, Rhododendron Festival.

There is also a campground just outside the entrance to the Cosby area of the GSMNP, have seen several Scout groups camped there.

slbirdnerd
12-20-2013, 12:50
Thanks, I'm thinking Cosby/Newport. You don't happen to know the name of that Cosby campground do you, elmotoots?

illabelle
12-20-2013, 13:33
If it fits your schedule, you could camp at Bandy Creek in Big South Fork http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/bandycreekcampground.htm. I assume you'll be coming down I-75. You'll have to drive into the gorge west of the interstate, which includes a short section of hairpin turns. Spend a day exploring there, then camp, and head for the Smokies the next morning (about 3-4 hours drive).
While at the Smokies, you'll probably want something closer. But this could be a nice spot to visit on either end of your trip.
Bring tick spray. There's a bunch of the little itsy bitsy deer ticks.

HooKooDooKu
12-20-2013, 14:19
Thanks, I'm thinking Cosby/Newport. You don't happen to know the name of that Cosby campground do you, elmotoots?
Using Google Maps, I can only assume elmotoots is talking about this camp ground:

Cosby Ranch
(http://maps.google.com/local_url?dq=campgrounds&q=https://plus.google.com/101271634390197052100/about%3Fgl%3DUS%26hl%3Den-US&ved=0CA4QhgU&sa=X&ei=wIm0Up_tLsXPgQSq5IHwDw&s=ANYYN7l9-9hSlRCLucP3EarMpCUKGl5o2g)311 Tennessee 32, Cosby, TN ‎
(423) 487-3178 ‎ · cosbyranch.com (http://maps.google.com/local_url?dq=campgrounds&q=http://cosbyranch.com/&ved=0CBMQ5AQ&sa=X&ei=wIm0Up_tLsXPgQSq5IHwDw&s=ANYYN7mGdJYuiqhzBSQG32UcgWAC_prluw)

It's located less than one block from the Cosby Campground entrance to GSMNP

elmotoots
12-20-2013, 14:28
That is it, if it is one block from the entrance to Cosby Campground.

I think it was called the Fox Den, But it was up for sale.

I just Google Earthed it and the name was still Fox Den but the image was from 2007.

We were there two years ago and the owner was real friendly.

It is rustic, but had a good group site by a small pond and.

elmotoots
12-20-2013, 14:32
I just looked at their web site and it says it used to be Fox Den.

Good job Hookoodooku