Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA

The Great Outdoors

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, and you can add to that when you come here while RV camping at Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA. There are flowering plants and dozens of wildlife species to observe here. There is an interactive species mapper tool available. Outdoor recreation opportunities include scenic drives, hiking and biking, fishing, horseback riding, picnicking, and nature and wildlife viewing and photography. Visitors can also explore historic homes, churches, and other structures. A limited selection of food, beverages, groceries, and convenience items is available at the Cades Cove Campground Store and the Elkmont Campground Concession. The Great Smoky Mountains Association operates bookstores that provide maps and guides, children’s books and games, branded apparel, gifts and souvenirs, convenience items, and traditional mountain foods.You can see Nantahala Gorge like very few people ever do when you take a zip line canopy tour close to the RV park. There are eleven different zip lines and seven canopy bridges. The fully guided tour lasts about three hours. Intensity is moderate, and no previous experience is required. A harness, helmet, and gloves are provided. The tour offers spectacular views of waterfalls, Clingman’s Dome, and Fontana Lake. You’ll also enjoy aerial views of multiple ecosystems, hemlocks and hardwoods, and native flowering plants. The tour accommodates children over eight years old, and there is an aerial zip line playground for children. A package that also includes whitewater rafting is available too.The 106-mile Blue Ridge Parkway ends in Cherokee, near your Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA camping site. The Blue Ridge Parkway is divided into the Ridge region, the Plateau region, the Highlands region, and the Pisgah region. The Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the gateway parks at either end of the parkway. There are 15 visitor centers along the route offering interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, keepsakes and merchandise, restrooms, snacks, drinking water, and Junior Ranger programs. The Blue Ridge Pkwy Travel Planner app is downloadable, and there are also printed, printable, and downloadable maps available.

Exploring the Area

There’s plenty to do and see in Cherokee itself when you're RV camping at Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA. Cherokee Indian culture is celebrated at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, and the “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama. The Oconaluftee Indian Village offers an interactive, immersive journey through Cherokee life and history. Cherokee storytellers also tell tales around a bonfire on summer weekends. The Cherokee Bear Zoo is home to many bear species including black bears, cinnamon bears, and grizzlies as well as other exotic animals. Perhaps the most well-known attraction here is Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, which rivals the glitz and glamour of Vegas casinos. Enjoy real games of skill and chance, take in a spectacular show, dine and drink, and shop until you drop here. Make sure to check out Visit Cherokee NC and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce for up-to-date information on area attractions, events, businesses, and tourism.You’ll also be only a short, scenic drive from the amenities and attractions of Pigeon Forge when you camp in an RV near Cherokee. Enjoy mountains, gem mining, lots of live music, a wide variety of restaurants, breweries and distilleries, spas, outdoor activities, fairs and festivals, and more in this tourist and family mecca. It’s also the site of the famed Dollywood amusement park, celebrated as the only theme park with Southern charm. Don’t miss Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, Rock the Smokies, or Smoky Mountain Christmas.There is a grill on the grounds of Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA with breakfast, burgers, wings, pizza, and ice cream. There are many other dining options nearby, including spectacular buffets and high-end restaurants at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. You can also choose from local diners, the state’s famous barbecue, and familiar fast-casual restaurants. You will probably also need to refill your tank while you are here and there are plenty of service stations, convenience stores, and truck stops where you can find either gasoline or diesel fuel easily.