river in the smoky mountains

6 Steps for Planning a Cherokee National Forest Camping Trip

Whether you’re a camping enthusiast looking for a new adventure or you’re ready to take your family camping for the very first time, you couldn’t pick a better spot than Pigeon River Campground. We are perfectly situated right on the border of Cherokee National Forest, so you can expect to enjoy the perfect camping experience. To help you get started, we have put together 6 steps for planning an unforgettable Cherokee National Forest camping trip:

1. Choose How You Want to Camp

Everybody has their own ideas about what camping should offer, and we have several options available. Those who want to enjoy a traditional camping experience can bring their own tent to pitch on one of our tent pads. Group pads are also available for those who want to pitch larger tents or put multiple tents together. If you don’t want to rough it, then you can choose to stay in one of our lovely riverside cabins, or you can drive your own RV into one of our pull-in sites that offer hook-ups for electric, water, and sewer. Our campground near the Cherokee National Forest provides you with a variety of options!

2. Lock in Your ReservationsA row of beautiful cabins at Pigeon River Campground.

Once you’ve decided when and how you want to camp, you’ll want to lock in your camping reservations as soon as possible to ensure that space is still available for your desired dates. You can easily make your reservations online — we have tent sites, RV sites, and camping cabins for you to choose from!

3. Pack Accordingly

Your bedding will be taken care of if you choose a cabin or bring your own RV for your Cherokee National Forest camping trip, but it’s important that you remember to pack sleeping bags if you plan to enjoy tent camping. All of our guests enjoy access to picnic tables, charcoal grills, and fire pits, but you’ll need to bring your cooking supplies along with you. It’s best to pack separate totes devoted to kitchen needs, bathroom needs, and bedtime needs so you won’t forget anything important, and you should let each child pack a backpack with things they must have.

4. Make a Meal Plan

Homemade S'moresYou can avoid bringing too little or too much food along by making meal plans for each day of your stay. Make a comprehensive list of everything that you’ll need for each meal before you head to the grocery store. Don’t forget special items like marshmallows to enjoy around the campfire and other fun treats for your little ones. You’ll find a general store at the campground for supplies that you didn’t remember to bring.

5. Come Ready to Fish

If you’re an avid angler, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to fish for some incredible trout in the Pigeon River. Be sure to bring your favorite fishing pole with all of your must-have accessories. Don’t forget to bring your fish-cleaning equipment and a frying pan too, because you’re going to want to fry up your fresh catch!

6. Plan Your Activities

kids on jumping pillow at Pigeon River CampgroundIf you like to be organized, then you’ll take the time to sit down with your group and decide what activities you want to enjoy during your camping trip. We have plenty of activities at our campground, like our swimming pool, our jumping pillow, and our volleyball court! Hikers and nature lovers will also find an abundance of gorgeous trails all around the campground in both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. Other popular activities include ziplining and whitewater rafting.

Here at Pigeon River Campground, we look forward to helping you enjoy your Cherokee National Forest camping trip to its fullest. Make your plans today, and you can soon be enjoying a wonderful camping adventure in the great outdoors!