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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its great diversity of species, including 65 species of mammals. The raccoon, known as the “masked bandit” is an intelligent, mostly nocturnal mammal. Fully grown, raccoons weigh from 8-14 pounds, and live up to 7 years old. They feed on many aquatic species such as frogs or crayfish, and […]
Every year in late May or early June, thousands of visitors gather near the Elkmont Campground located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to witness the naturally occurring phenomenon of “Photinus carolinas,” a firefly species known for flashing synchronously. There are 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but Photinus […]
Mingo Falls on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a lesser-known gem! The 120 ft waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. Of all the hikes to Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls, this one is relatively short, being only 0.4 miles in length, one-way. However, it […]
Up the Creek RV Camp is a great base camp for visiting Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is popular for auto-touring, hiking, bicycling, wild life viewing and photography. An 11-mile paved loop road winds through this scenic mountain valley dotted with original pioneer cabins, businesses and churches dating back […]
The White-breasted Nuthatch is commonly observed at Up the Creek RV Camp. Readily attracted to bird feeders, it spends much of its time laboriously carrying seeds away to hide them in crevices. It gets its name from its habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with its sharp bill […]
Pink lady’s-slipper is a fairly rare spring wildflower in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The blossom has a pink inflated pouch (“slipper”) & two large basal leaves that are strongly ribbed.It is a member of the orchid family & grows to up to 18 inches tall. Witnessing these amazing wildflowers in bloom is a truly exhilarating experience! […]
May 9-13, 2017, is Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Last year, the International Festivals & Events Association awarded Wilderness Wildlife Week as the “Best International Event of 2016”. Most events including demonstrations, classes, storytelling, and a photography contest will take place at the Leconte Center in Pigeon Forge. Outdoor Excursions are also part of […]
Pioneer botanist, William Bartram, discovered flame azaleas in 1791. He described the plant as “certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known.” In the Great Smoky Mountains, flame azalea flower colors range from white to peach to orange, yellow, or red. Blooming time is April and May in the pine and oak forests […]
One of the first wildflowers to bloom each year, the fragile bloodroot appears well before trees leaf out. Native Americans used bloodroot as dye for baskets and clothing, as well as for body paint. In large quantities, the orangish-red juice found in its rhizome is poisonous and can be lethal. These flowers appeared near the […]
Before the fires of November 2016, we went hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a cold, cloudy day in December. The Chimney Tops Trail, accessed from the New Found Gap Road, is a 4-mile, round-trip moderate to difficult trail. Hiking through the clouds for almost the entire approach, we were pleasantly surprised […]
1919 Little Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
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Our personal camping experience in RV parks and campgrounds across America inspired us to find the most ideal setting to create a campground with over-sized RV sites that are easily accessible. We’re a refreshing alternative to those unreasonably cramped campsites that we’ve all grown accustomed to. Nestled between two creeks, Walden Creek and Cove Creek, surrounded by magnificent hardwoods, you can relax in the shade and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the creek.
We look forward to having you as our guests!
Alison & Tony Rast, Owners & Operators
