Pigeon River Campground

The Great Outdoors

Book an RV in Cocke County, and you are prepared and ready for a unique vacation that is like nothing else you've ever experienced. Driving an RV is thrilling, and something you need to try at least once. Now that you have your rental RV, head towards Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area, a popular destination for hiking and horseback riding. The park has miles upon miles of trails designated for one or the other activity, and it is also a good place for picnicking and taking in the scenery. Certain parts of Harmon Den are open to hunting, so you should exercise caution if it's hunting season (brightly colored clothing is recommended); fishing for trout is allowed in the ponds and streams, and there are areas where you can enjoy camping beside the gravel roads (watch for signs indicating whether camping is allowed or not).Chuck Swan State Forest was formerly the site of numerous small farms until the land was reclaimed and designated for recreational and other managed uses, such as timber cultivation. The forest consists of hardwood trees such as oak and hickory and varieties of pine trees; logging is selective in order to promote the forest, and some trees are believed to be more than 90 years old. The park has roads that can be driven on, but you should check with park rangers about road conditions before attempting to take your motorhome rental on them. There are trails for mountain biking and horseback riding, and you can enjoy fishing and hunting. The park has a firing range which is open on limited days and hours; inquire before you arrive to find out when they're open.North Cumberland WMA Sundquist Unit is a two-hour drive northwest when you're camping at Pigeon River Campground. It's part of the greater North Cumberland WMA and consists of a variety of habitats and wildlife; it's an ideal setting if you enjoy bird watching, as there are cerulean and golden-winged warblers (here and across the entire WMA), wood thrush, ruffed grouse, and other bird species. Much of the park has hardwood forest, but parts have been cleared from logging, strip mining, and gas exploration, leading to an increase in brown-headed cowbirds (which migrate towards cleared areas). The park is part of an Elk Reintroduction Program that is bringing elk back to the area. You can see them (and the birds) from the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower; you'll also see varieties of wildflowers and butterflies. The park is open to the public 24 hours a day, year-round.

Exploring The Area

Now that you've had your fill of the outdoors, there is still a lot to see in the urban areas that you don't want to miss. Newport is a smallish, friendly town with a Baptist Conference Center that can be used for religious or non-religious events, and several distilleries, one of which prides itself on producing quality (legal) moonshine that is honey or fruit-flavored (they use real fruit, not artificial flavors). The distillery staff can educate guests about the history of moonshine and other trivia. There is a family farm that welcomes visitors and a speedway where you can enjoy a variety of types of races conducted on an asphalt track. The town has a reliable selection of eateries to choose from, but one, in particular, offers Russian, Eastern European, and Asian items on its menu.Cosby is also a small town with a great vibe and several orchards where you can buy fresh produce and some canned goods (like relish, jams, and jellies) right off of the farm. It also has a number of tour companies, and some of them offer helicopter tours of the area. If you have the chance, you should visit the Mt Cammerer Lookout Tower where you have a 360-degree view of the entire area (the hike there can be steep, though).Tennessee is the perfect state for doing everything or doing nothing, making the most of the untamed outdoors or relaxing and taking it all in. Pigeon River Campground is here to help you and make sure you do exactly that, whatever it is that you're after.