What NOT to Do When You Go Camping in the Smokies
There’s no better way to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors than to go camping! There are just a few things that you need to know before you go. To help you have the best experience possible, here are 5 things to avoid doing while you’re camping in the Smokies.
1. Don’t Arrive After Dark
Even if you’ve been camping before and think you’re the expert at setting up shop, it’s still not a great idea to arrive at your campsite after dark. It takes time to clear your site and pitch a tent, especially when it’s hard to see what you’re doing. If you find that you can’t avoid a late arrival, just try to shine as much light as you can on your chosen site with headlights, flashlights etc.
2. Don’t Let Your Pets Run Freely
We love our 4 legged campers and we know you do too! Since we are a pet friendly campground, there are usually other animals here as well. So, to keep them safe and as a courtesy to all our guests, we ask that pets are kept on leashes. We are located on the border on the Cherokee National Forest, and there are a variety of native wildlife species that live there. It’s not a good idea to allow your pup to roam off and have a meet and greet with the creatures of the forest!
3. Don’t Leave Your Food Out
The Smokies are home to a variety of wildlife, and when you leave your food unattended, you run the risk of attracting them to your campsite. Human food isn’t meant to be eaten by the animals here and isn’t good for them. Be sure to clean up after each and every meal that you have because the critters here will get into whatever they find and make a big mess! You can avoid this by storing leftovers and future snacks in closed containers in your car.
4. Don’t Wander Off by Yourself
If you haven’t visited our campground before, it’s probably not a good idea to wander off from whoever you’re with. This can result in your family or friends panicking when they can’t find you. If you need some time to yourself, just be sure to let someone know where you’re going and approximately how long you’re planning on being gone.
5. Don’t Forget About the Sunscreen
One of the worst things that can happen while you’re camping in the Smokies is forgetting the sunscreen and ending up with an angry, red sunburn. Whether the sun is shining or it’s completely overcast, it’s always possible to get burned. If you know that you get sunburned easily, it’s a smart idea to invest in a sunscreen with a high SPF and apply it regularly throughout the day.
Now that you know what not to do when you go camping in the Smokies, you can come prepared for a great trip! Be sure to check out all of our campsites to find the perfect one for your visit.
