Townsend / Great Smokies KOA

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is this country’s most frequently visited national park, and you can visit too when you have a rental motorhome at Townsend/Great Smokies KOA. The park captures the spirit of America in many ways with its celebration of Appalachian mountain culture, historic homes and structures, diverse flora and fauna, and spectacular natural beauty. Recreational opportunities include hiking and biking, self-guided driving tours, fishing, picnicking, nature and wildlife viewing, and more. Special events and ranger programs for all ages are held throughout the year. Park stores are operated by the Great Smoky Mountains Association and carry maps and guides, park merchandise, books and toys, Appalachian music, traditional mountain foods, and other gifts and souvenirs. The park concessions offer a limited selection of groceries and convenience items. The Smokies Guide newspaper is online so that you can prepare for your visit.

The Tuckaleechee Caverns are known as the Greatest Site Under the Smokies, and you can see them when you are RV camping at Townsend/Great Smokies KOA. They are estimated to be between twenty and thirty million years old, and they have been carved into the earth’s oldest mountain range. The caverns also host the world’s most sensitive seismic station. It is used to detect nuclear testing across the planet, and data is transmitted to the Department of Defense and other organizations. The caverns are open seven days a week, and guided tours are available.

You can also experience the great outdoors at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area when you rent a camper near Townsend/Great Smokies KOA. This National Park Service property features sandstone bluffs, scenic gorges, historic structures and sites, and a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Interpretive programming and special events are held throughout the year and include a ghost train, photo contest, a storytelling festival, and dark sky themed activities. There are two visitor centers with maps and guides, gift and souvenir shops, and rangers on staff. Authorized park service providers include kayak and river guides, hiking guides, railroad excursions, bike rentals, and raft and tube rentals. Park brochures are downloadable.

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center celebrates the cultural heritage of the region, and you can learn more about the area where you’ll be visiting when you camp in an RV near Townsend. The museum centers around the earliest inhabitants of the Great Smoky Mountain region, including settlers and Native Americans. Exhibits and displays include a historic village, authentic artifacts, buildings and structures, and a themed model railroad. Special events are held throughout the year and include the annual Blue Ribbon County Fair and summer and fall concert series. The unique gift shop is also a celebration of regional crafters, artisans, photographers, authors, and musicians.

For more Smoky Mountain culture and celebration, take a short drive to Sevierville with your rental motorhome. Things to check out here include an iconic bronze Dolly Parton statue, plenty of distilleries for the adults in the group, an old-fashioned cider mill and general store, museums, live entertainment, and retail therapy. Make sure to check out the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, the Sevierville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Visit My Smokies for updated information on area events, attractions, happenings, coupons and discounts, and visitor guides.

Townsend/Great Smokies KOA offers an ice cream and sweet shop with homemade fudge, baked goods, and other tempting treats to enjoy while RV camping here. When you venture out into town, you’ll find plenty of family-style restaurants with good home cooking, barbecue, ethnic eateries, and familiar fast-casual chains. Also, you’ll be able to find either gasoline or diesel fuel to refill your tank at any of the area’s convenience stores, truck stops, or service stations.