Camping in GSMNP?

We're planning a camping (glamping?) trip over winter break, and really want to see snow (gf has never seen it before).

We live in Florida, so it seems like Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the answer. Any good campgrounds that will be open December? Primitive camping is also acceptable–we've got 4wd and are more than happy to use it.

Will we need snow chains? I understand they are a good idea offroad, but it's my understanding that I should be legally good to go with the little "snowflake" on my tires and 4wd.

All I can think is will the national parks be open again yet? Otherwise the trooper should be more than capable for what they call winter down there.

I havent been there but I am currently living in TN and from what I have heard of winter here, you have nothing to worry about.

GSMNP is open again. NC and TN are footing the bill right now. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/15/great-smoky-national-park-reopens/2990561/

However, if you are looking at coming in December, I'm not sure if any of the official GSMNP camping areas are open. I believe most are seasonal and close sometime in November. Is the GSMNP website down? If not get on there and check which campgrounds are open during that time.

Another suggestion, would also be the mtns of NC such as Beech Mtn, Grandfather Mtn, Sugar Mtn, Banner Elk, Linville area. Grandfather Mtn is now a NC state park. If the Blue Ridge parkway is open (gov shutdown, and it closes in bad condition) it has some of the best views in the area. There are also several places to camp just off the Parkway.

I will warn you though that the past few years we have not had a lot of snow in East TN or West NC. And the snow we have had has come after the first of the year. I know we are hoping that changes this year as my kiddo loves some snow.

If you have 4wd, know how to use it, and don't drive like a maniac, you will be fine. I've lived in Western NC and East TN for a combined 10+ years and never had to use chains. 4wd is always nice to have, and if you are in some of the remote areas you will need. If you are in some of the more populated areas roads will be pretty well taken care of and cleaned as soon as it begins to flurry. Just take it slow and you will be fine. A lot of people think just because they have 4wd they can drive balls to the wall wherever they go, or drive their vehicle just like they do on dry normal roads... Not so.

Also make sure you have proper recovery gear in your vehicle and you will be fine. Tow points, tow straps, etc. You know the common things you take when you are fourwheeling. Plus a shovel, bag of kitty litter, and make sure there are blankets, food, etc in the vehcile should you get stuck. Maybe a CB depending on how remote you are going.

Lastly, if you are going to be up here, shoot me a PM and I'll give you my number. That way if you do get stuck somewhere you'll at least have one local yokel to come help you out. Plus us Jeep guys never get tire of rescuing stuck Isuzus...

Good tires with lots of tread, not necc. snows, are a big plus. as has been said. 4wd will help you go, but it will not help you stop or turn. if you keep to the public roads , you should have no problems.

I think this calls for a follow up story and a return to Traverse City in the winter.
Make it a business trip and cover the Sno-drift rally.

Most times if they do get snow in the mountains they close the main roads.

Hmm, okay.

Does anybody know any good trails around there, preferably ones that don't close when it snows?

Drove through it yesterday after a trip to deals gap. The foot hills parkway through the park was closed, but 441 from Cherokee was open. As posted above, they opened them today and will be open for a little bit after a hefty donation was made to the parks. The drive up 441 and the views were breathtaking. I would love to spend a few days in that park.

Here is another possible option:

Lake Jocassee has primitive camping. Some of the roads are seasonal, and if you want to go crazy you can row out to some of the campsites.'

http://www.lakejocassee.com/services/camping.aspx

Smokemont Campground just outside of Cherokee should be open once they straighten out the shutdown crap. It has bathrooms, but no hot water. It's the site of the coldest camping trip I have ever been on. I can't say it has a lot of snow though, and its possible they could close it if it does. You may have to check out private campgrounds.

In reply to Brett_Murphy:

I spent a week at Lake Jocassee, nice. Grab some kayaks and do the primitive camping, won't be any snow. It's still not very "wild" around there.

Go winter "camping" here with your girl:

http://www.bigwhite.com/geo/usa

Don't be a little bitch, do it.

Have not had the opportunity to go primitive camping up there, but GSMNP is beautiful. I did stay at the KOA near Cherokee twice, that was pretty nice but not the true 'primitive' camping experience.

Be aware, as noted earlier, that the Blue Ridge Parkway can be closed due to winter weather conditions. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=76

This may or may not mean anything to you but it's also 'dry', as in you can't buy beer wine etc on the reservation areas, i.e. the end toward Cherokee.

You'll probably have snow on the ground if you can both plan around weather forecasts and can leave at a moment's notice. If you just go and hope for snow, you'll probably be disappointed.

The park is beautiful anytime, more so in the fall. Winter removes all the leaves but you can see more of the topography and, in its' own way, still spectacular.

Fall is very crowded so primitive camping away from the popular attractions is a must. Many trails have primitive cabins for overnight stays and plenty of area for setting-up tents. You'll have to hike a few miles to reach them and the trails take a toll on out-of-shape hikers.

Private campgrounds with primitive sites are an excellent alternative. Usually cheaper, too.

clownkiller wrote: Go winter camping here with your "girl": http://www.bigwhite.com/geo/usa Don't be a little bitch, do it.

ftfy