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Smoky Mountain NP Camping *EDIT Nope, Beach Camping Now
Posted on 8/7/13 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 8/7/13 at 7:52 pm
Any recommendations of a good campsite in the smokies? We're going to take a camping vacation the first week in Sept, and I think we're going to do it in the smokies. It will be tent camping with the wife and our 8 year old daughter. The more secluded the better, but not backpacking. It would be nice to be by water. Showers would be nice too since we're planning to stay a week. But, most of the sites I've read about don't have showers.
This post was edited on 8/8/13 at 6:33 am
7
Posted on 8/7/13 at 7:56 pm to Teague
Try Davidson River campgrounds in Brevard, NC. Myself and some college friends and co-workers are going there in mid September to camp and fish. You're in the mountains but they have showers and the town, Brevard NC is right down the mountain in 5-10 minutes.
Posted on 8/7/13 at 7:58 pm to Teague
Posted on 8/7/13 at 7:58 pm to Teague
Not sure about any, but if possible I'd look close to Townsend as opposed to Gburg. I hiked Mt. Sterling and it was desolate, so if you find anything close that could work too.
ETA, that's where I walked up on a bear.
ETA, that's where I walked up on a bear.
Posted on 8/7/13 at 8:02 pm to Teague
How do you define backpacking?
There are some sites used by fly fisherman a lot on Hazel and Eagle Creeks, across Fontana Lake from Fontana Dam. You can pay to have a boat drop you off or take kayaks. There is a hike to get to the sites, but I don't think it is too far, may depend on whether there is a designated drop zone by the Park (there sometimes is) further from your site.
That is a pretty secluded area, so it may not be what you're looking for. About as backcountry as you can get in GSMNP, I believe.
There are some sites used by fly fisherman a lot on Hazel and Eagle Creeks, across Fontana Lake from Fontana Dam. You can pay to have a boat drop you off or take kayaks. There is a hike to get to the sites, but I don't think it is too far, may depend on whether there is a designated drop zone by the Park (there sometimes is) further from your site.
That is a pretty secluded area, so it may not be what you're looking for. About as backcountry as you can get in GSMNP, I believe.
This post was edited on 8/7/13 at 8:04 pm
Posted on 8/7/13 at 8:06 pm to Teague
[obligatory smokies are lame, go to Asheville]
Posted on 8/7/13 at 8:06 pm to Pettifogger
Thanks, guys. I'll look into these.
Well, we'll have a carload of crap, I'm sure. And, we'll be taking the big tent, which is enormous and heavy. So, basically, we'll have to drive up to the campsite. Personally, I'd rather go backpacking, but with the wife and kid, and the long stay, it's just not really going to happen. We couldn't pack enough stuff to keep them happy that long.
quote:
How do you define backpacking?
Well, we'll have a carload of crap, I'm sure. And, we'll be taking the big tent, which is enormous and heavy. So, basically, we'll have to drive up to the campsite. Personally, I'd rather go backpacking, but with the wife and kid, and the long stay, it's just not really going to happen. We couldn't pack enough stuff to keep them happy that long.
Posted on 8/7/13 at 8:28 pm to Teague
CG's in the park will not have showers, and most don't have electricity. Fontana Dam has showers and is known as "The Hilton" to AT trail hikers. For car camping, just stay at one of the many private owned CG's or a State Park.
Also, check out DeSoto State Park and the Chattanooga area state parks. Similar scenery with a 4 hour shorter drive. Little River Canyon in DeSoto is absolutely beautiful.
Also, check out DeSoto State Park and the Chattanooga area state parks. Similar scenery with a 4 hour shorter drive. Little River Canyon in DeSoto is absolutely beautiful.
This post was edited on 8/7/13 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 8/7/13 at 9:51 pm to PvilleP
I agree about little river canyon. It's a nice area. We've camped there before, and I've hunted on the WMA there some.
And, I appreciate all the responses, but while we were trying to decide on this, we changed our minds. We're going down to St. George Island to camp. We tried to go last year but a tropical storm changed our plans. Gonna try again this year.
And, I appreciate all the responses, but while we were trying to decide on this, we changed our minds. We're going down to St. George Island to camp. We tried to go last year but a tropical storm changed our plans. Gonna try again this year.
This post was edited on 8/7/13 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 8/7/13 at 10:52 pm to Teague
quote:
Any recommendations of a good campsite in the smokies?
As primitive and beautiful a spot you find aways off the main trail.
quote:
not backpacking.
Ah...can't help. I hope to backpack the area one day. Haven't been there since I was a kid.
Posted on 8/7/13 at 11:31 pm to PvilleP
quote:
Little River Canyon in DeSoto is absolutely beautiful.
yep. that's where i found one of my dogs too, almost starved to death [insert unfair Alabama redneck comment here].
great hiking on the desoto scout trail.
Posted on 8/7/13 at 11:57 pm to Teague
quote:
We're going down to St. George Island to camp.
Bring bug spray, lots of it. The island is nice and I don't remember the state park campground being overly buggy, but my husband and I got swarmed by mosquitos when we hiked from the campground to the bay.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 6:37 am to Dorothy
quote:
Bring bug spray, lots of it. The island is nice and I don't remember the state park campground being overly buggy, but my husband and I got swarmed by mosquitos when we hiked from the campground to the bay.
OK, thanks. I won't mention that to the wife.
It looks like a nice place to camp though. My daughter loves to be outdoors and she loves catching critters. I figure there will be plenty of crabs and stuff to keep her entertained. And I can fish! Posted on 8/8/13 at 9:09 am to Teague
quote:
We're going down to St. George Island to camp.
Camping in a tent on on the florida coast in early Sept? Prepare to sweat your arse off and get bitten by tons of bugs.
Sleeping in a hot humid tent is the worst.
I would reconsider and go with some earlier options posted in the mountains.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 10:18 am to gamatt53
quote:
Sleeping in a hot humid tent is the worst. I would reconsider and go with some earlier options posted in the mountains.
This for sure. Sand will get in ever crack and there is no getting it out.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 10:45 am to gamatt53
We've done it before.......... pussies.
I admit, it can be hot, but there's power hookups, and we bring a fan.
I admit, it can be hot, but there's power hookups, and we bring a fan.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 11:46 am to Teague
quote:
My daughter loves to be outdoors and she loves catching critters. I figure there will be plenty of crabs and stuff to keep her entertained. And I can fish!
Have you considered Cape San Blas/St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park? We stopped there on the same camping trip we went on to St. George Island; fell in love with that place and have been back a couple of times. Supposed to be good fishing, and the bay is great for catching critters--shallow and easy to wade around in. I think my husband even found a pygmy rattlesnake when he went out herping. (Not in the bay--in the woodsy areas!)
It's kind of remote though, not many restaurants or stores but very peaceful if that's what you like.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 11:58 am to Teague
Get some hammocks and hang. Much cooler.
Posted on 8/8/13 at 12:16 pm to Dorothy
quote:
Have you considered Cape San Blas/St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park? We stopped there on the same camping trip we went on to St. George Island; fell in love with that place and have been back a couple of times. Supposed to be good fishing, and the bay is great for catching critters--shallow and easy to wade around in. I think my husband even found a pygmy rattlesnake when he went out herping. (Not in the bay--in the woodsy areas!)
It's kind of remote though, not many restaurants or stores but very peaceful if that's what you like.
SSSSssshhhhhh! I've already made reservations for St. George. Just say good things about St. George Island and I'll keep the other place in mind for next time. ;)
Posted on 8/8/13 at 12:20 pm to Teague
I hear the surf fishing at St. George is outstanding. 
(To be honest, hubby may have liked CSB better because he located a snake there and didn't find one at St. George.)
(To be honest, hubby may have liked CSB better because he located a snake there and didn't find one at St. George.
)
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