Our Journey to an Epic Smoky Mountain Adventure

After enduring over a week of stifling heat at Grammi’s family farm, we found ourselves yearning for cooler weather. The kind of invigorating weather that makes you feel refreshed, not like you’re trapped in a slow cooker. So, naturally, we asked ourselves, “What better place to cool down than the Smoky Mountains?” But true to Grammi and Grampa style, we couldn’t resist taking the scenic route, transforming an eight-hour drive into an unforgettable eight-day adventure filled with unexpected detours and delightful surprises.

But, before we could get too far down the highway, we had a very important matter to address: dumping our tanks. After staying off the grid at the farm with no hookups for more than a week, it was time to take care of some business. Thankfully, Love’s Travel Stops was just 30 miles down the road. Many of their locations offer RV dump stations for a reasonable fee (about $10), and, much to our relief, this one had exactly what we needed. With that essential task out of the way, we headed south toward our next destination, but guess what? We didn’t even make it out of Illinois that first day.

Our stop was South Marcum Campground near Benton, Illinois, one of four U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Rend Lake. If you’ve never stayed at an Army Corps campground before, you’re missing out. They are consistently well-maintained, and with a National Parks Pass, the sites are half-price. Talk about a deal! We’re big fans of these parks—not just for the price, but because they’re often situated near lakes or rivers, offering all kinds of outdoor activities. Many times, they are comparable to state parks for their natural setting and amenities. On the first day, we had deer walk right up to our campsite.

One of the highlights of our stay was the 22-mile bike trail that follows the south side of Rend Lake. The bike trail connects South Marcum to Sandusky Campground and is mostly paved, though there are some sections that are hard packed stone. The trail meanders along the lake, then at the dam, heads downriver for about half a mile, through the woods and across a picturesque bridge, making for a fun and scenic ride. 

During one of our bike rides, we stopped at Rend Lake Visitor Center. This modern facility has a ranger on duty to provide information, along with some great exhibits and educational programs. We sat in on a presentation about air pressure, featuring a homemade hovercraft—a real hit with the kids as they rode on top of it! We clocked in a lot of miles on that bike trail during our stay. After one particularly long ride, we rewarded ourselves with dinner at the Jack Russell Fish Company in Benton. If you’re ever in the area, make sure to stop by—it’s a real treat!

After four nights at South Marcum, it was time to pack up and move on to our next stop—Dog Creek Campground in Kentucky, another Army Corps of Engineers Park. This quiet, secluded park on Nolin River Lake was a stark contrast to the busier Rend Lake. It catered primarily to boaters, with its large boat launch and ample parking for trailers. Although there weren’t any bike trails to speak of, we enjoyed leisurely evening walks around the campground. The peaceful views of the lake, combined with a crackling campfire, were perfect for soaking in the calm surroundings.

Our only excursion from Dog Creek was to Munfordville to check out Kentucky Stonehenge, a quirky little attraction located about 18 miles away. Imagine a replica of England’s Stonehenge, but in the middle of Kentucky. Located on a private estate, the owners welcome visitors during daylight hours. There’s no admission fee, though donations are welcomed. It was definitely a unique experience!

Leaving the quiet of Dog Creek behind, we were finally ready to seek out the cool breezes we’d been chasing. Our next stop? Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’ve been here plenty of times before, so it felt very familiar. But this time, we decided to treat ourselves to a stay at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge—and what a treat it was! 

Let me tell you, resort-style camping isn’t usually our thing. We’re more about nature, peace, and quiet. But as we near the end of our summer adventure, we figured, why not splurge a little? And boy, did we splurge! This place had everything: spacious paved sites with full hookups, swimming pool, hot tub, lazy river, piano bar, and a restaurant with a breakfast buffet. There was even a much-needed laundry facility. And to top it off, its location in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, offered countless things to do. I’d be lying if I said we didn’t enjoy it. It was bliss. We loved it so much that we extended our stay.

Of course, no trip to Pigeon Forge would be complete without a visit to Dollywood. Believe it or not, despite all our trips to the area, we had never made it to the famous theme park owned by Dolly Parton herself. We had heard so much about it that we already had an idea of what to expect when we finally decided to go.

Our first stop was the bakery, where we indulged in some of the legendary cinnamon rolls. We had seen Marissa from YouTube’s “Less Junk, More Journey” rave about them, and let me tell you, she wasn’t exaggerating. Delicious doesn’t even begin to cover it—they were soft, gooey, and the perfect balance of sweetness. Definitely a great way to start the day!

Next on our list was a ride on Dollywood’s famous steam train. We had heard its whistle echo through the valley on our previous visits to Pigeon Forge and were excited to finally experience it ourselves. However, when we arrived at the station, we were disappointed to find out that the train was down for maintenance. We decided to try again later in the day, hoping the ride would live up to its reputation.

When we finally got the chance to board, it didn’t quite meet our expectations. We had anticipated a scenic journey around the park, but instead found ourselves on a short out-and-back route with little to see. It felt a bit underwhelming. Though the history and charm of the steam train were interesting, the experience didn’t quite live up to the hype for us and definitely wasn’t worth the wait.

While the park is renowned for its many roller coasters—some of them real monsters—those days are behind us. We skipped the thrill rides and opted for the more leisurely merry-go-round. The newly opened Dolly Parton Experience, a museum-like exhibit showcasing memorabilia from Dolly’s illustrious career, caught our attention.

Walking through the displays of her gold records, iconic dresses, wigs, and other personal items was reminiscent of our visit to Graceland. Much like Elvis, Dolly has her passionate fans, and while some might not be as impressed, I have to admit that I am a Dolly fan. In particular, Dolly’s tour bus was a highlight for me—seeing how she traveled on the road offered a unique glimpse into her life behind the scenes.

But if anything truly stood out that day, it was the live shows. Scattered at various venues throughout the park, the performances more than made up for any minor disappointments, like the steam train ride. The entertainment was truly first-class, with toe-tapping music that had us clapping along. The talent on stage was incredible, and it was a delight to experience such lively Southern hospitality in the form of music and dance.

Just about the time we were ready to take the tram back to our truck and find a nice restaurant in town for dinner, a thunderstorm rolled in, and an announcement echoed through the park with a weather warning. Our dinner plans quickly changed as we sought shelter at the Front Porch Café. We barely had time to settle into a cozy table by the window before the skies opened up.

From our spot, we watched dozens of people scramble through the downpour, their shoes sloshing in flooded streets. Watching the scene unfold, I felt a wave of relief that we hadn’t tried to rush to the parking lot—we would have been drenched. Instead, I was much happier sitting inside, looking forward to my order of shrimp and grits—a southern classic. 

As quickly as it had begun, the rain ceased. By the time we finished our meal and made our way back to the tram, the streets had cleared, and the air felt fresh and cool. Reflecting on our day as we rode back, we couldn’t help but smile. Dollywood had been everything we hoped for: great food, live shows, and a sense of fun that left us feeling entertained and satisfied. The sudden storm only added to the adventure, giving us a memorable end to the day.

Another highlight of our trip was a day spent in Gatlinburg, just a short drive from Pigeon Forge. This town holds a special place in my heart, as I’ve been visiting since I was a kid. Our main goal was to visit the Gatlinburg Skybridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. At nearly 700 feet long and 500 feet above the valley, the bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains.

Getting there required a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain —a fun start to the adventure. The real thrill, though, came when we reached the 30-foot glass walkway section of the bridge where you can look straight down between your feet to the ground hundreds of feet below. For many people, this was absolutely terrifying. We watched as they froze and had a strangle-hold on the cable supports. I, on the other hand, decided to have a little fun and jump up and down on the glass to see if I could scare Grammi. She wasn’t amused and gave me the patented eye-roll. 

After indulging in all the luxuries of Camp Margaritaville, it was time to switch gears—dramatically. Our next stop? Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains. This peaceful valley, framed by the mountains, is one of our favorite places in the world. If you’ve never been, let me paint a picture for you: no hookups, no cell service, no distractions—just pure, unadulterated, rugged, no-frills beauty. 

Cades Cove holds many fond memories for us. It’s a place we’ve camped with our children when they were young and a destination we’ve returned to time and time again. Over the years, we’ve hiked to Abrams Falls, gone horseback riding through the peaceful meadows, and explored the historic cabins and churches that dot the landscape along the loop road. It’s also a place where we’ve witnessed the beauty of nature up close—herds of deer grazing in the meadows, and black bears roaming through the trees. 

Despite having visited so many times, there was still one thing we had never done—bike the 11-mile loop road. We’ve driven it countless times, but we had never pedaled the full distance. Biking the loop has been on our bucket list for a while now, and we were finally determined to make it happen. Every Wednesday, they close the loop to cars, creating the perfect opportunity for a peaceful, car-free ride.

Two years ago, we had planned to bike the loop, but we ended up getting sick and spent most of that trip holed up in our camper. This time, though, we were on a mission, determined to finally complete the ride and cross it off our bucket list.

We woke up early Wednesday morning, eager to get started. Grammi packed some food and filled the water bottles, while I double-checked the tire pressure on the bikes. Once everything was in order, we were off. As we started pedaling down the Cades Cove loop road, the serenity of the morning surrounded us. There was a calm peacefulness that we never experienced when driving through the cove in our vehicle. With no cars around, it felt like it was just us, the mountains, and the cool morning air.

Being fully immersed in nature like that made us appreciate the beauty of the cove in a whole new way. The mountains stood tall around us, and the open meadows stretched out under the soft light of the morning sun. We didn’t stop to explore the historic cabins or other structures this time; we’d done that plenty of times before. Instead, we set a slow, deliberate pace, savoring every pedal stroke, every breath of fresh air, and every moment of the ride.

About halfway around the loop, we reached the visitor center, where we stopped for a quick bathroom break and a snack. It was the perfect spot to rest our tush and recharge for the remainder of the ride. As we relaxed, we spotted our first deer of the day grazing peacefully in the meadow nearby. Watching it quietly go about its morning felt like a quintessential Cades Cove moment—until some idiot decided to walk toward it. I’m not sure if he thought he could pet it or just get a closer look, but the deer clearly wanted no part of him and disappeared into the trees.

The day before, we spotted a bear cub up a tree near the campground entrance and while driving the loop in the truck, we saw a few deer and even a coyote dart across the road in front of us. Up to this point on the bike ride, we had only seen that deer and a few wild turkeys wandering in the meadow.

As we rested, I couldn’t help but think about all the wildlife living in Cades Cove. Wouldn’t it be amazing to come across a bear while riding the bikes? The idea of such an encounter was a thrilling thought. There’s something magical about seeing a bear in the wild, it’s one of those rare experiences that makes every trip to the Smokies unforgettable. But, of course, not too close—just close enough for a glimpse without getting in harm’s way.

Although we completed the loop that morning without seeing a bear, we still felt a sense of accomplishment. We’d finally done the ride! Thanks to our electric bikes, it wasn’t all that difficult, although we did have to walk them up some of the steeper hills. The experience was so enjoyable that we decided to do it again—this time in the early evening.

After a restful afternoon, our evening ride was just as peaceful as the morning had been. However, this time, we got the encounter we’d been hoping for. We spotted a young bear—too big to be a cub but not quite fully grown—feasting on wild cherries high in the branches of a tree next to the road. It was an awe-inspiring sight as the bear moved effortlessly through the branches almost like an acrobat. We watched in silent amazement as it climbed from limb to limb.

Before long, a crowd began to gather, with people edging closer and closer to the tree. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to get so close to a wild bear. Soon, a park volunteer arrived and moved the crowd back, urging everyone to keep a safer distance. We decided it was time to move on.

By the time we made it all the way around the loop, the light was beginning to fade. The fading daylight, coupled with the canopy of trees, cast a soft twilight glow over the campground, making for a serene and almost mystical end to the day.

Bidding farewell to Cades Cove, we carefully towed our precious travel trailer over mountains, around tight hairpin turns, and through tunnels, making our way across Newfoundland Gap to another favorite spot in the Smoky Mountains—Deep Creek, near Bryson City, North Carolina. This area also holds special memories for us, as we used to camp here with our kids, spending hours tubing down the creek. This time, we stayed at Big Bear RV Park, a small, family-run campground just outside the park boundary. With full hookups, it was the perfect place to recharge after four days off the grid.

We have friends in the Bryson City area—Danny, Dee, Gary, and Gail—who spend their summers in the Smoky Mountains before heading back to Florida for the winter. Danny and Gary are old work buddies from my years at the fire department, and now we’re all part of a camping group of retired firefighters who camp together in Florida during the winter months. We made plans to meet up with them during our stay in the area.

That next morning, Danny, Dee, and Gail met us at our campsite. Gary wasn’t with them since he was out of town for a few days attending a Jeep event in Pigeon Forge, so it was just the five of us. We decided to spend the day hiking at Deep Creek, a popular spot for waterfalls and tubing. Our first hike took us up to Juney Whank Falls, a trail that quickly reminded us we aren’t as young as we used to be. The steep uphill climb was breathtaking—literally, but the sight of the falls made it worthwhile.

Afterward, we opted for a more leisurely hike to Tom Branch Falls. The trail was much gentler, and once we arrived, we found a few benches where we could sit and enjoy the view. The falls were beautiful, with water cascading down the rocks. We watched as tubers floated by in the creek below, the peaceful sound of the water creating a relaxing atmosphere.

It was a busy Saturday at Deep Creek, but we were lucky enough to snag a picnic table in the day-use area. We unpacked our spread and enjoyed a wonderful picnic together. The day was perfect for catching up with old friends, sharing stories, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

After lunch, Grammi, Gail, and Danny decided they wanted to try tubing down the creek. I considered joining them but, after seeing how low the water level was and watching several tubers getting stuck on the rocks, I decided against it. To me, the constant hassle of pushing off rocks takes all the fun out of it. So, while the three of them disappeared down the creek, Dee and I headed back to the campground and found a shady spot by the water to relax and wait for them to finish their adventure.

It took over two hours before we finally saw them coming around the bend, bouncing off the rocks as they floated down. Poor Danny looked absolutely worn out! The constant effort of pushing off the rocks had clearly taken its toll on him, and when he finally climbed out of the water, he could barely stand. Despite the challenges, though, they all said they had a blast. 

The next day, Grammi expressed a desire to explore the shops in Bryson City. There wasn’t anything specific she was hunting for—perhaps just curious to see what had changed since our last visit. More likely, she just wanted to get away from the campground for a few hours.

That evening, Gary and Gail stopped by our campsite. Gary had just returned from the Jeep Invasion in Pigeon Forge and missed our picnic and tubing outing. But with it being their anniversary, he must have felt it was time to head home! We enjoyed the evening air, chatting and reminiscing while making plans for the next day on their boat at Fontana Lake.

Grammi and I took a step back while Gary and Gail expertly launched their boat. We had been forewarned that the two of them had a tried-and-true routine for getting the boat on the water so we made sure not to get in the way. It was a fabulous day on Fontana Lake. We packed a delightful lunch and drifted along, surrounded by stunning mountain views. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal while floating on the water in such a picturesque setting. The girls took the plunge, jumping into the lake for a swim. It was a perfect day filled with good friends and beautiful scenery.

After a long, enjoyable day on the water, we returned the boat to Gary and Gail’s cabin and headed out for dinner. The conversation flowed, filled with laughter and stories as an older gentleman with a guitar serenaded us throughout the meal. As we wrapped up our evening together, we exchanged heartfelt goodbyes, knowing we’d reunite in November for our next group camping trip. 

As we headed away from the mountains, we reflect on our recent adventures feeling immense gratitude for the memories created. We succeeded in finding cooler weather, but more than that, we can’t help but feel grateful for the memories we’ve made. From biking the trails around Rend Lake to splurging on a fancy resort in Pigeon Forge, from tubing down Deep Creek to reconnecting with old friends. And, to top it off, we finally biked the Cades Cove Loop Road, crossing that from our bucket list. This has truly been a time to remember.

Until next time, happy days and safe travels.