Plan Your Next Trip Into the Smokies.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is our backyard — 800+ square miles of trails, streams, and ridgelines just a short tow from Knoxville. Below are seven full trip guides built around three ways to camp: off-grid backcountry, base camp / dump camp, and glamping. Each one lays out a day-by-day plan, hikes of different lengths, meals you can actually cook (or pick up), and things to do around camp.

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Find Your Camping Style

Off-Grid / BackcountryPark your teardrop at the trailhead as basecamp, then backpack in and sleep at designated backcountry sites — cook over fire or a lightweight stove, no hookups, no crowds. Your trailer's waiting with a real bed when you hike back out.
Base Camp / Dump CampTow your teardrop in, set up once (or relocate once or twice), and day-hike out from a fixed campground. Room for a dual-burner stove, a cooler, and real chairs.
GlampingTow your teardrop to an upscale RV resort or glamping-style campground — full hookups, a pool or hot tub, and easy access to restaurants in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend. Comfort first, hiking boots optional.
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3-Day Trips

Off-Grid / Backcountry

Big Creek Backcountry Blitz

A quiet, low-traffic backpacking loop out of Big Creek — swimming holes, a night at a backcountry site on the creek, and a fire-tower side trip.

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Base Camp / Dump Camp

Cades Cove Weekend

An easy, family-friendly long weekend based at Cades Cove Campground — wildlife-watching on the loop road, waterfall hikes, and a campfire dinner rotation.

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Glamping

Townsend Glamping Getaway

Home base on the "peaceful side of the Smokies" — easy trails, a cave tour, riverside tubing, and dinner at some of East Tennessee's best tables.

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5-Day Trips

Off-Grid / Backcountry

AT Traverse: Davenport Gap to Newfound Gap

A real backpacking trip — roughly 32 miles of the Appalachian Trail across the spine of the Smokies, shelter to shelter, over five days.

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Base Camp / Dump Camp

Smokies Grand Loop

Two base camps, five days, most of the park — Elkmont for the west side, then Cosby for the quiet east side, with a Newfound Gap day sandwiched between.

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7-Day Trips

Glamping

Seven-Day Smokies Glamping Escape

A full week touring the park in comfort — Cades Cove, Elkmont, Cataloochee, and Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome), with a different elevated dinner nearly every night.

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Fly Fishing

Smoky Mountain Fly Fishing Expedition

A week chasing wild brook, rainbow, and brown trout across the park's best water — Little River, Abrams Creek, and the remote Hazel Creek.

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Bring the Right Rig.

Every trip on this page tows easily behind a KnoxDrops teardrop — gear storage for the backcountry runs, a proper kitchen for base camp, and a comfortable place to sleep no matter which style you pick.

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