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Tent Camping in the Smokies?
Posted on 6/7/18 at 8:57 am
Posted on 6/7/18 at 8:57 am
Instead of one large vacation, we're planning a couple of mini-vacations this year. One thing we're considering is (car) camping in the smokies. Have any of you done it? One issue I'm seeing is the lack of showers at any of the campgrounds. I know we're camping, but a shower is nice when car camping. Any suggestions for showers? The park website states there are privately owned showers around the park, but finding them seems to be difficult.
Any other tips, like best campsites, or trails, or whatever? I've been up there but it was years ago and I stayed in a cabin.
We're also considering going to the ocoee/parksville lake. It has the advantage of showers and a lake to fish/swim, but I'd kind of like to go someplace I haven't been recently.
Any other tips, like best campsites, or trails, or whatever? I've been up there but it was years ago and I stayed in a cabin.
We're also considering going to the ocoee/parksville lake. It has the advantage of showers and a lake to fish/swim, but I'd kind of like to go someplace I haven't been recently.
11
Posted on 6/7/18 at 9:27 am to Teague
Following
Posted on 6/7/18 at 9:39 am to Teague
shower in the stream bro
Posted on 6/7/18 at 9:48 am to Teague
Here's a few alternatives that are less crowded
Indian Boundary
Frozen Head
I could give you more if needed.
Indian Boundary
Frozen Head
I could give you more if needed.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 9:49 am to Teague
Sponge bath or I bought a 5 gallon solar powered "shower".
Just make sure it's full in the morning and sitting in the sun.
Just make sure it's full in the morning and sitting in the sun.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 11:33 am to Teague
What about Cades Cove? I know they have showers and bathrooms for their camping area.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 11:33 am to Teague
Mt mitchell
Posted on 6/7/18 at 12:04 pm to jimbeam
There ain’t a dang thing at the top of mt Mitchell except 9 camping “spots” and bears.
It’s freaking awesome.
It’s freaking awesome.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 12:52 pm to Teague
Get a solar shower bag - clear on one side and black on the other so the water absorbs heat from the sun. And it has a spout and can be hung from a tree. It's also nice to have hot water at the camp site for washing stuff like cooking utensils.
Or find a campground with a nice sized stream. Coopers Creek in north GA is one I remember liking.
Or find a campground with a nice sized stream. Coopers Creek in north GA is one I remember liking.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 2:04 pm to Teague
Standing Indian Campground. Take the hike up to the AT, then bathe in the Nantahala's headwaters.
(Also has showers)
(Also has showers)
Posted on 6/7/18 at 4:27 pm to Teague
If you’re on the AT in the smokies then you have to camp at the shelter. Tent camping is only allowed on the trail if the shelter is at capacity. It won’t be this time of year because the NOBOS are in Virginia by now at least
This post was edited on 6/7/18 at 4:28 pm
Posted on 6/7/18 at 5:17 pm to Teague
The less crowded campgrounds are ones like Cataloochee there are only 27 spots and it’s not as visited. Also Balsam Mountain, Big Creek and Deep Creek too.
At Cataloochee sites close to creek are nice and much bigger.
Places like Elkmont and Cade’s Cove look for sites that are on the periphery.
The smaller campgrounds have very few amenities Cataloochee only has 4 flush toilets for instance.
When you log onto Recreation.gov you can pull up a map which is more cartoon rendering and look for locations of sites.
Remember if you get a spot by the bathroom you listen to the racket all night.
As for backcountry camping in shelters you have to reserve and pay as well now there too.
Leave nothing in your car if you back country camp because it is highly likely your car will be broken into.
At Cataloochee sites close to creek are nice and much bigger.
Places like Elkmont and Cade’s Cove look for sites that are on the periphery.
The smaller campgrounds have very few amenities Cataloochee only has 4 flush toilets for instance.
When you log onto Recreation.gov you can pull up a map which is more cartoon rendering and look for locations of sites.
Remember if you get a spot by the bathroom you listen to the racket all night.
As for backcountry camping in shelters you have to reserve and pay as well now there too.
Leave nothing in your car if you back country camp because it is highly likely your car will be broken into.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 6:56 pm to Phideaux
quote:
Also Balsam Mountain
This used to be my go to campground when I lived in Georgia. It's the highest campground in the area at over 5,000 ft elevation so it's the coolest. And it's well off the beaten path so I never had trouble finding a spot. It's a great place to camp during a meteor shower, the night sky is really good.
Posted on 6/7/18 at 8:54 pm to Teague
First year I decided to do the Smoky's, I lugged it all up there. Turns out it was projected to be 22 degrees for the night I got there. I adjusted and haven't looked back. Think Townsend, or so it was back then, '87?
Posted on 6/7/18 at 9:19 pm to Phideaux
Cataloochee
think this is where my uncles tent camp. Is this where the elk are. they said it was the best experience waking up and watching the elk
think this is where my uncles tent camp. Is this where the elk are. they said it was the best experience waking up and watching the elk
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