Gatlinburg Trip

bullman · 03-12-2013, 11:07 AM

I am considering a family trip down to Gatlinburg the first week of April. Anyone know if there is anything open at this time of year? I am also looking for a campground for the week. Any ideas? I know a lot of you have ridden the area. I won't have the bike, just looking for a vacation for the family.

**jlreeves** · 03-12-2013, 12:48 PM

Check the park service site for road closures in the area. Lots of landslide damage and closures.

abbo · 03-12-2013, 05:43 PM

If you are looking for a nice cabin look at Timber Tops. Stayed there in 2012 and they provide excellent places to stay.(NOT A PAID ENDORSEMENT)

**coacha** · 03-12-2013, 10:03 PM

Contact Goose or Nomad Tom. They live fairly close.

bullman · 03-13-2013, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the info, I am planning on taking our camper, so am looking for a campground. I will definitely check the road closures. I am not sure if anything is open there this time of year, could be too early in the season.

usranger74 · 03-13-2013, 10:23 AM

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

This link will show you road conditions in the Park as well as campgrounds.

If you have the time, ck out Cades Cove (see the map).

**jlreeves** · 03-13-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullman

Thanks for the info, I am planning on taking our camper, so am looking for a campground. I will definitely check the road closures. I am not sure if anything is open there this time of year, could be too early in the season.

This is the same site but direct link to campground and road closures.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

**rayski271** · 03-13-2013, 01:37 PM

can i ask a question it seems to me every time someone brings up the smokie mountians or the surrounding area people bring up cades cove what is the big deal there ? when i was there i spent damn near three hours in traffic trying to go around that circle to possibly see some animals three hours for what a two or three mile dirt circle seen one deer and one bear was on bike and couldnt get around any cars or anything i would not send anyone in that direction maybe i was there at a bad time but was not worth three hours of my time to play in a three mile traffic jam i would avoid the place at all costs just my opinion

usranger74 · 03-13-2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayski271

can i ask a question it seems to me every time someone brings up the smokie mountians or the surrounding area people bring up cades cove what is the big deal there ? when i was there i spent damn near three hours in traffic trying to go around that circle to possibly see some animals three hours for what a two or three mile dirt circle seen one deer and one bear was on bike and couldnt get around any cars or anything i would not send anyone in that direction maybe i was there at a bad time but was not worth three hours of my time to play in a three mile traffic jam i would avoid the place at all costs just my opinion

Ray - I feel your pain. But, if you were there weekdays in Apr. that would not be a problem. Also, if camping, the campground there is nice.

bullman · 03-13-2013, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the link, I will have to check the road situation as we get closer.

54zamboni · 03-14-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayski271

can i ask a question it seems to me every time someone brings up the smokie mountians or the surrounding area people bring up cades cove what is the big deal there ? when i was there i spent damn near three hours in traffic trying to go around that circle to possibly see some animals three hours for what a two or three mile dirt circle seen one deer and one bear was on bike and couldnt get around any cars or anything i would not send anyone in that direction maybe i was there at a bad time but was not worth three hours of my time to play in a three mile traffic jam i would avoid the place at all costs just my opinion

We had the same experience two years back, in late September -- we thought it would be less traffic that time of year, on a weekday, and boy were we wrong! not an enjoyable experience at all. bumper to bumper, single file, stop and go, seemed like hours to get thru, with no way out. couldn't really enjoy the scenery while worrying about the driver behind us spacing out and rear ending us. torture. other than Cades cove, we had a blast riding all over the area.

landman · 03-16-2013, 03:43 PM

well let's see,the last time i went to gatlinburg was for my honeymoon in october of 1970.it wasn't crowded at all.oh am i ageing myself a bit?

fammdw · 03-16-2013, 05:15 PM

The only time worst than Summer to head up that way is Fall. Probably more people up there in September and October than June and July.

usranger74 · 03-17-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landman

well let's see,the last time i went to gatlinburg was for my honeymoon in october of 1970.it wasn't crowded at all.oh am i ageing myself a bit?

Bob - 1970 was a good year. My wife and I spent our honeymoon there as well!!

And, the very best time to visit is the middle of Sept. After schools have started back up and before all colors. Mid week the Park, the Blue Ride PW and Gatlinburg are wide open.

**jlreeves** · 03-18-2013, 07:46 AM

Big fire in Pigeon Forge.

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/260...east-35-cabins

03-12-2013, 11:07 AM	#1
bullman Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Painesville, Ohio Posts: 193	Gatlinburg Trip I am considering a family trip down to Gatlinburg the first week of April. Anyone know if there is anything open at this time of year? I am also looking for a campground for the week. Any ideas? I know a lot of you have ridden the area. I won't have the bike, just looking for a vacation for the family. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-12-2013, 12:48 PM	#2
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	Check the park service site for road closures in the area. Lots of landslide damage and closures. __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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03-12-2013, 10:03 PM	#4
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Contact Goose or Nomad Tom. They live fairly close. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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03-13-2013, 08:37 AM	#5
bullman Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Painesville, Ohio Posts: 193	Thanks for the info, I am planning on taking our camper, so am looking for a campground. I will definitely check the road closures. I am not sure if anything is open there this time of year, could be too early in the season. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-13-2013, 10:23 AM	#6
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm This link will show you road conditions in the Park as well as campgrounds. If you have the time, ck out Cades Cove (see the map). __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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03-12-2013, 05:43 PM	#3
abbo Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rockwell City, Iowa Posts: 215	If you are looking for a nice cabin look at Timber Tops. Stayed there in 2012 and they provide excellent places to stay.(NOT A PAID ENDORSEMENT)
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03-13-2013, 01:37 PM	#8
rayski271 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: hometown ILL Posts: 716	can i ask a question it seems to me every time someone brings up the smokie mountians or the surrounding area people bring up cades cove what is the big deal there ? when i was there i spent damn near three hours in traffic trying to go around that circle to possibly see some animals three hours for what a two or three mile dirt circle seen one deer and one bear was on bike and couldnt get around any cars or anything i would not send anyone in that direction maybe i was there at a bad time but was not worth three hours of my time to play in a three mile traffic jam i would avoid the place at all costs just my opinion __________________ National Rally 2009 - Custer, SD NorthCentral Regional Rally 2010 - Prairie du Chien, WI National Rally 2011 - Maggie Valley, NC
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03-13-2013, 11:19 PM	#10
bullman Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Painesville, Ohio Posts: 193	Thanks for the link, I will have to check the road situation as we get closer.
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03-16-2013, 03:43 PM	#12
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	well let's see,the last time i went to gatlinburg was for my honeymoon in october of 1970.it wasn't crowded at all.oh am i ageing myself a bit? __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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03-16-2013, 05:15 PM	#13
fammdw Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 543	The only time worst than Summer to head up that way is Fall. Probably more people up there in September and October than June and July. __________________ *Mike Williams* *Wichita, Kansas* VBA Member #02104 2013 HD 110th Anniversary Electra Glide Ultra Limited 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager 2009 Yamaha FJR1300 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad 2002 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom 1989 Yamaha Virago 750
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03-18-2013, 07:46 AM	#15
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	Big fire in Pigeon Forge. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/260...east-35-cabins __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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