THE ROAMANS
  • Home
  • About
  • The Sprinter Van
  • The Econoline
  • Blog
  • Contact

Camping & Adventuring Through Great Smoky Mountains National Park

10/15/2016

4 Comments

 
One of the best investments we've ever made was the National Park Pass. For $80, you can enter any and all National Parks, Forests, sometimes monuments for either a discounted price or completely free. It has really saved us a ton of money in the long run as far as adventuring goes.

But, Vanessa and I were thrilled and surprised to find out last week that Great Smoky Mountain National Park doesn't charge entrance fees at all. It's freeeeeeeeeee. Which is a beautiful and glorious thing. The only downside to this incredible park being free, is that it gets busy. So busy that on our first afternoon up to Cades Cove Campground, we found out that the entire, ENTIRE park was booked. Turns out there's a group of people dubbed "Leaf Peepers" who travel from all over to watch the leaves change. Since it's definitely leaf changin' time in the Smokies, we were without a campsite for the night. But that did not hinder our RV camping in the Smoky Mountains agenda. No ma'am. It was solitude or bust.
RV camping in the smoky mountains

​Thanks to the Park Ranger who tipped us off to Cosby Campground on the other side of the park we were able to nestle in for a 4 day, 3 night stay in the mountains. It was an extremely quiet park, no hook-ups, with ample space between sites. There are about ten RV sites so reserving is definitely what you want to do. But we showed up on a Tuesday and were able to find a spot right away.

What we loved about Cosby Campground, is that besides the low, low price of $14 a night, you also have access to about 8-10 different trailheads. Vanessa and I chose two trails during our stay, the first was the Mount Cammerer trail, and the second was the Hen Wallow Falls Trail.
​

RV camping in the smoky mountains
RV camping in the smoky mountains
RV camping in the smoky mountains

​Mount Cammerer Trail was insanely beautiful and insanely difficult. I'm not going to lie, it's a 2900-ft ascent, and you're legs may or may not be in agony. But the feeling you get once you reach the top, and cross over part of the Appalachian Trail is worth the entire trip.

Hen Wallow Falls was on the following day, and this was much less strenuous of a hike. Clocking in at about 5 miles roundtrip, what breaks up this hike is a stunning waterfall at the end of the trail. You can bring a picnic, snap some photos, or just sit and enjoy the flowing falls. Besides a few climbs, and an annoying bee sting, we made this hike in under 3 hours.

​
RV camping in the smoky mountains
RV camping in the smoky mountains

​We needed this time away to disconnect from everyday RV living and reconnect with nature. There wasn't any service, so you may as well tuck your phones away while you're there. We had campfires every morning, read four books in total, and relaxed in the hammock as much as we could. We also spent a lot of time with our animals. It's nice every once in a while to be out in the middle of nowhere, and let them enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, too. It was pure bliss.

Also, make sure on your way up to Cosby Campground, you stop at Mountain Hardware & General Store in Cosby. Buy some firewood, because you'll need it. And say hello to Aileen and Jay. They're transplants from Miami, and opened the coolest mountaintop store around. Tell them The Roamans sent you.
4 Comments
Kira
10/17/2016 16:13:48

Yes the national park pass is the best. I applied for one for my son, who's handicapped. We used it when visiting the fort in st. Augustine Florida.

Reply
Jay & Aileen
10/22/2016 23:33:42

Thank you for the kind words in your blog! Looking forward to seeing you again back in the great smoky mountains! Everyone comes back when the mountains start calling.

Reply
Jim Warnock link
4/10/2017 21:32:25

Enjoyed your writeup and looking forward to taking the R-Pod to the Smokies!

Reply
The Roamans
4/14/2017 16:33:16

Thank you very much!! We LOVE R-pods. Hope you have a wonderful time :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURE

    The Roamans Published a Book

    Archives

    September 2019
    December 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All
    Community Contributions
    Conscious Living
    Meaningful Work
    Recipes From The Road
    Trailblazing
    Trail Blazing

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Tea Gifts
    Birth Announcements and Invitations
    Homegrown Collective
    Shop adidas.com Online

    RSS Feed




WHERE TO NEXT?


     Copyright © 2015 THE ROAMANS, All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
  • The Sprinter Van
  • The Econoline
  • Blog
  • Contact