Camping around Pigeon Forge

[boatbiologist]

Was going to try camping around Pigeon Forge this summer so the kids can try skydiving. Since they are under 18, this is pretty much the only way I can think of.


I was looking for campgrounds that are pet friendly- easy enough, there are many. The ones I have found online also have a "no firearms" policy. Would like to ccw while there. I would be tempted to ignore the policy since no one would see it anyway, but I really don't want to support someone that doesn't support my right to carry.

Is there an easier way to find pet and 2a friendly campgrounds? Anyone camp out there before? Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks.

 

[hairba111]

Anywhere in the Great Smokies of NC, just across the line in NC. That's where I'm from originally. Less expensive than Tennessee also. As far as CCW they recognize VA permits I think. Criminal element is almost non-existant though.

Also this; Cherokee area is nice but expensive because of the casino, the same with Maggie Valley. Lots of campgrounds in Haywood County.

The mountains are cooler than down in Pigeon Forge. Any of the National Park campgrounds are nice and FREE.

 

[aray]

We stayed at the Jellystone Park just outside of Gatlinburg a couple of years ago. We had a great time and I can highly recommend the campground. It is pet friendly. I didn't have a CCW at the time so I didn't inquire on that. The campground is family owned and is well maintained - clean, nice, warm showers, pool, kid friendly etc. There is a trout stream running through the campground and lot of folks caught trout in there. It's close to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We don't have the time or resources to go back there this summer, but I hope to go back and camp next summer at this same spot.

FYI if you want to check it out their web site is: http://www.greatsmokyjellystone.com/default.asp

They accept tents, RVs, and have cabins as well. We stayed in a tent. If you do the tent route, let me know and I can tell you the better tent spots within the tent area.

 

[aray]

Oh, by the way, I am (or was) a skydiver as well. Didn't jump in TN while we were camping down there, but I have jumped in IL, FL, MD, PA, and VA while I was still active. Love my license number: D-13666!

 

[aray]

Sorry, one more follow-up: I just realized you were talking about the vertical wind tunnel in Pigeon Forge. Yeah, nice for the kids to try without actually having to "jump out of a perfectly good airplane". There's another vertical wind tunnel on International Drive in Orlando if you ever get down that way as well.

Enjoy and let us know how your kids like it, and also how you like whatever campground you chose.

 

[boatbiologist]

thanks for the campground heads up. I have stayed at a jellystone around natural bridge and had a good time. I haven't booked anything yet- really need to get on it.

There must be a new 18 years old min fed law for even tandem jumping. The wind tunnel should be something different anyway. Didn't know about one in Orlando. We usually head towards the mountains in summer.

Hopefully going to Mt. Washington again in August if I get thru the wait list. Bike race got rained out in '08 when I was there last. No shortage of campgrounds with empty sites up there.

Been AFF once in Chambersburg years ago. It was a rush the kids would be up for now.

 

[aray]

Been AFF once in Chambersburg years ago. It was a rush the kids would be up for now.

Yeah, I jumped at Chambersburg many times, but not as a student skydiver. By the time I moved into this area I was already experienced. Never went the tandem or AFF route. I learned at a small DZ in IL while in college & the only student equipment or training they had available was static line. After 7 static line jumps - out you went on your own.

Let us know how the CCW experience goes. In what state do you have your CCW license?

 

[Biggfoot44]

It's been a long time since Nat'l Park, or developed Nat'l forest campgrounds have been free. Primative camping ie randomly out in the woods, still free in NFs .

 

[hairba111]

It's been a long time since Nat'l Park, or developed Nat'l forest campgrounds have been free. Primative camping ie randomly out in the woods, still free in NFs .

SMOKEMONT

Entrance Fee
Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free. The park is one of the only major national parks that does not charge an entrance fee.

I have pictures of me in diapers, in the creek with several cousins taken in 1951. I've camped there hundreds of times. The last time was in 2005.

IT"S STILL FREE!

I gave this information to boatbiologist as a kind of insider suggestion. I would not give false information about my home. Where did you get your information, rectal cranially?

 

[hairba111]

bump

 

[boatbiologist]

I don't see a firearms policy on the Yogi Bear/ Jellystone site so I take that as ok to use my FL CCW permit. My issue was with the anti gun rights campgrounds and where I spend my money, not that I really cared about their rules and regs telling me what I can't do. Yogi Bear also shows a creek running thru the campgound like you said-- big bonus for labs to cool off after the death marches my wife puts us thru.

Looks like Smokey Bear and Twin Creeks are 2 other campgounds around Gatlinburg that got good reviews and don't have their own anti firearms policy. Maybe it's just Pigeon Forge campgrounds that voted Obama.

Camping with a 23' hybrid trailer (opens to 32) and loose the dvd, tv, microwave, AC and heated matresses without elec and since I have grown soft, I am fond of those niceties-- no more primitive camping in my future.

I checked the Great Smokey Mountains NPS site. Free for sure! But it was harsh on dogs. Full page of nonsense about how they scare small children, spread disease, frighten wildlife (like trashcan bears?), not allowed on trails... what a let down.

I'm thinking I need to get off my ass and reserve the Jellystone site since we are leaving in a couple weeks either way.

 

[aray]

I don't see a firearms policy on the Yogi Bear/ Jellystone site so I take that as ok to use my FL CCW permit. My issue was with the anti gun rights campgrounds and where I spend my money, not that I really cared about their rules and regs telling me what I can't do. Yogi Bear also shows a creek running thru the campgound like you said-- big bonus for labs to cool off after the death marches my wife puts us thru.

Looks like Smokey Bear and Twin Creeks are 2 other campgounds around Gatlinburg that got good reviews and don't have their own anti firearms policy. Maybe it's just Pigeon Forge campgrounds that voted Obama.

Camping with a 23' hybrid trailer (opens to 32) and loose the dvd, tv, microwave, AC and heated matresses without elec and since I have grown soft, I am fond of those niceties-- no more primitive camping in my future.

I checked the Great Smokey Mountains NPS site. Free for sure! But it was harsh on dogs. Full page of nonsense about how they scare small children, spread disease, frighten wildlife (like trashcan bears?), not allowed on trails... what a let down.

I'm thinking I need to get off my ass and reserve the Jellystone site since we are leaving in a couple weeks either way.

I think your family will enjoy the Yogi Bear/ Jellystone site if you chose to go there. We certainly did, and my wife & kid would go back tomorrow if they could, and would probably revolt if I suggested any other location (though I'm sure there are other fine choices in the area as well). As I said it's well maintained and run, very pretty wooded setting, and it has the mountain trout stream bubbling along to give a great backstop. I'd suggest trying to get a camp site right up next to the stream, especially if your dogs love to get wet.

And I agree with you on not subsidizing business that don't support the 2A. But I don't think that's a concern at this campground. In our experience the family that runs the camp are good people.

Besides the vertical wind tunnel you'll find lots of fun things to do in Pigeon Forge. We enjoyed Dollywood and their water park next door much better than I expected to do so. Since I used to work at Disney World (and my brother still does - a career guy) I'm hard to impress when I know what the "gold standard" in amusement parks can be. Likewise The Dixie Stampede. My kid really got a kick out of that. Heck, the whole town is busting full with a diverse set of family entertainment opportunities.

Enjoy your trip and give us an update when you return!

 

[Biggfoot44]

Just checked the Great Smokey NP website. As of 5 min ago, Campground fees ranged from $12-$20 depending on campground and season.

 

[tdt91]

thats a beutiful area but I didn't like the congestion going through Pigion Forge/Gatlingburg.

 

[RetNavyHD]

thats a beutiful area but I didn't like the congestion going through Pigion Forge/Gatlingburg.

Just got back from there last week, wife and I spent a week there and the traffic is horrible but the scenery is beautiful! Rode the harley and stayed in our timeshare which was off the beaten path some so didn't have to deal with traffic too much.

Rode a bunch of route on the bike including parsons branch road which is a dirt road leading to the tail of the dragon (which is closed on one end due to rockslide) but we did get to ride the dragon but to be honest parsons branch road was much more challenging!

Had a few beers at smokey mountain harley as well as they had some bands on the weekend, overall great trip will be going back.