Pigeon Forge, TN is it worth it?

[stacktester]

Wow, these are great responses. I'm torn where to stay now. I do think out of PF for sure, maybe like Townsend or Cades Cove. I was talking to some friends who live in our neighborhood and they want to go with us. I was originally going to take the pop up but it looks like the 5th wheel now for sure. They have 3 kids and will be following us. It will help out with expenses as well as giving my daughter and I some company to enjoy the trip with. We will go to Dollywood one day and the rest I want to spend in the mountains and historic type stuff so is Townsend going to be the best bet?

 

[vick]

We have stayed in Townsend and PF. We liked the KOA in Townsend, but they charge way too much now. My sister stayed at Lazy Days this fall abd said it was better than the KOA and quite a bit cheaper. I want electric, water and sewer, co the Cades Cove campground would be out!

We stayed at Clayboughs in PF and enjoyed it too. It is close to the main drag in PF, but away from the traffic.

It is a pretty scenic drive from Townsend into PF or Gatlinburg. If other kids will be with you, I vote Townsend. If it was just going to be you and Annie, she might like the action in PF better. If you stay in Townsend, take bicycles. There is a nice bike trail.

 

[vick]

http://www.lazydazecampground.com/index.html


Check out that link Donnie. It sounds like a campground adults and kids would enjoy. It is close to the entrance to the National Park. Be sure to take the drive through Cades Cove. Just be sure the kids go to the bathroom before beginning the tour. There isn't a bathroom until the halfway point.

 

[Tygansmom829121]

My family loves Gatlinburg. I agree with everyone's statements about Pigeon Forge, too commercial. We go to Gatlinburg at least once a year. There are plenty of things to do.

There is a campground within the city limits of Gatlinburg, Twin Creek RV Resort. We plan on staying there in November.

Don't forget about Splash Country, it is across the street from Dollywood and one of the nicest waterparks I have ever been too.

 

[stacktester]

OK, looks like we're going June 19-24. I'm leaning towards KOA Townsend. Looks like they have a lot to do. There's 2 things we want to do away from the campground for sure and that's go to Dollywood one day and Cades Cove. Now Splash Country has been mentioned. The KOA claims to have a tube ride right from the cg so we'll see how much more water fun we need afterwards. Thank you all for the comments. I'm looking forward to the trip.

 

[Tygansmom829121]

Cades Cove is nice but if you want a place to go that is really secluded and away from eveything that has great hiking trails, check out the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg. Some of the hiking trails lead to waterfalls. It is a one way paved road that really takes you back in time. There are several stops with old houses/log cabins that you can go inside of and an old mill right beside the road.

There are plenty of places to go white water rafting and horseback riding in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area also.

 

[zakerdog]

We were just there and I really enjoyed it. You can read my TR if you like, the first few days will tell you about it.

http://www.carol-anne.ca/2009 April Trip Report.htm

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

If you stay at the KOA in Townsend try to get a site on the river, they are really nice. If you call to make a reservation, they will tell you specific sites that are open. So have the campground map open on your computer and you can pick your site.

 

[fortcampers]

Pigeon Forge has a lot of outlet shopping going on and a nice year-round Christmas store (that now has it's own hotel as well), but other than that, it is very touristy with a lot of arcades and tourist shops. The traffic is horrible and I would not stay in PF. Gatlinburg has the Ripleys Aquarium, which is really, really nice and from what I hear, Dollywood and Splash Country is nice. We live an hour and half from there and we have not even been to Dollywood yet, though! You have to take the 11 mile one-way Cades Cove loop driving tour--for sure. Have fun!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

We stayed in Creekside RV resort. this park is one of the cleanest I have ever stayed in. It's 3 blocks from the main strip in PF on US321. it's about 5 miles to Gatlinburg. The campground is on the trolley route so you don't have to drive anywhere.

Must do's are the Aquarium, wax museum,and Bubba Gumps. all are in Gatlinburg. and on the Gatlinburg trolley route. both trolley routes meet at the National park visitors center parking lot or at the Aquarium in Gatlinburg there is also a parking garage there too. You don't want to drive in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge if you can help it. also DON'T pull your trailer in Gatlinburg. To much traffic and to small roads

http://www.creeksidervpark.com/

http://www.pigeonforgetrolley.org/rideguide.html

http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us/transit/trolley.htm

 

[liv luvs disney]

Of course it's worth it and you'll have a great time! I live right here in the Smokies (but grew up 20 miles west of Jacksonville) and I agree with all of the advice you've been given so far! Cades Cove is lovely and Dollywood is wonderful. My kids actually like Splash Country (Dolly's waterpark) better than Dollywood now that they've been to WDW! Gatlinburg is a lot of fun too and most of the shows in PF are good if you want to fight the nightmarish traffic.

 

[2goofycampers]

I haven't read the other posts, if this is a repeat, sorry. PF is nice and loads of fun. Do not go on the weekend, go during the week. Also look on line to make sure no special events are going on that week. Here is a nice clean and quiet CG.

http://stayriveredge.com/

 

[4mickey2]

the trolley also comes into the campground (elk mount) that we stayed at. it would of been kind of convenient, except we had the dogs and they were not allowed on it .

i believe it went to gatlinburg and from there you could get one that went into pf. cheap too..