Best Tent Camping: Southern Appalachian and Smoky Mountains. Johnny Molloy

size allows campers to set up near or away from others to achieve their perfect degree of solitude. If you are in the mood for company, however, the tourist mecca of Gatlinburg is nearby. There, you can visit an Elvis museum, see a musical revue, stock up on souvenirs, and stuff yourself with taffy—and even get some locally made legal moonshine.

      GETTING THERE

      From Gatlinburg, take US 321 North for 18.1 miles, until it comes to a T-intersection with TN 32. Turn right onto TN 32 South, and drive 1.2 miles; then turn right into the signed Cosby section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drive 2.1 miles to the campground registration hut.

      From I-40, take Exit 447 (Hartford Road). From westbound I-40, turn left onto Big Creek Road and then immediately right onto Hartford Road, or, from eastbound I-40, turn right onto Hartford Road. Drive about 2.1 miles; then turn left onto Lindsey Gap Road, and drive 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Ground Hog Road, and drive 1.2 miles; then turn right onto TN 32 North, and drive 1.6 miles. Turn left into the signed Cosby section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and drive 2.1 miles to the campground registration hut.

      GPS COORDINATES N35° 45.300' W83° 12.474'

      4

      Dennis Cove Campground

      Beauty: Privacy: Spaciousness: Quiet: Security: Cleanliness:

      KEY INFORMATION

      CONTACT: 423-735-1500, www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee; reservations: 877-444-6777, recreation.gov

      OPEN: Late-April–mid-October

      SITES: 15

      EACH SITE HAS: Tent pad, fire ring, lantern post, picnic table

      ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-served and by reservation

      WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes, 2 campsites

      REGISTRATION: Self-register on-site

      AMENITIES: Water spigot, flush toilets

      PARKING: At campsites only

      FEE: $10/night

      ELEVATION: 2,650'

      RESTRICTIONS:

      PETS: On leash 6' or shorter

      QUIET HOURS: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.

      FIRES: In fire rings only

      ALCOHOL: Prohibited

      VEHICLES: None

      OTHER: 14-day stay limit

      Recreational opportunities abound at every turn.

      Dennis Cove Falls lies a short distance from the campground.

      Camp here to enjoy the delightful national forest that surrounds this fine campground. It can be busy on weekends, but no busier than other national forest campgrounds. Fishing and hiking opportunities at Dennis Cove will help you recoup some of the investment you’ve made in these public lands. They are, after all, yours to enjoy. The intimate campground is set in a small flat alongside Laurel Fork. A steep, sloped ridge and thickly wooded creek hem in the campground. There is no mistake, you are deep in the bosom of the Southern Appalachians. The Appalachian Trail, with its unparalleled views of Eastern mountain beauty, runs near here and is easily accessed from the campground.

      As you pull into the campground, a small grassy glade is bathed in sunlight in this deeply forested cove. This area was timbered in the 1920s but has recovered nicely. A teardrop-shaped loop contains 12 of the 15 campsites. The first two sites abut the glade. Two other sites lie inside the loop, which has a grassy area of its own. The next three sites on the outside of the loop are heavily shaded by hemlock trees. Then the loop swings around to the four most popular sites, situated alongside gurgling Laurel Fork. The understory is denser here, owing to the abundance of rhododendron, which thrives in the cool, moist environs of Appalachian streams. Two more sites are widely spaced on the outside of the gravel road as it completes the loop. Hardwoods mix with a few white pines in these flat sites.

      There are three other sites on the other side of the gravel road leading to the loop. These sites, large by any campground’s standard, are carved out of the steep hill bordering Dennis Cove. Each site is separated by woodland from the others. If it has rained lately, as it often does here, these spots are your best bet for a dry campsite.

      Three water spigots are evenly dispersed about the loop. Just turn the handle and the water is yours. A small comfort station, with one flush toilet for each sex, is 100 feet off the loop away from the campground entrance. Moss growing on the stones in this area is evidence that the campground has been around a long time; however, it is revamped periodically. A campground host keeps things safe and clean during the warm season.

      Explore your surroundings after you’ve set up camp. The waterfall enthusiast has three destinations within walking distance. Walk the half mile back toward Hampton and you’ll soon see a creek on the left. Follow the old 0.8-mile trail, often trod by Dennis Cove campers, up to Coon Den Falls. If you continue beyond the falls, you can access the Appalachian Trail (AT). Turn left and climb along White Rocks Mountain to Moreland Gap trail shelter. A little farther back down Forest Service Road 50 toward Hampton you’ll find more of the AT. Leave directly from Forest Service Road 50 and follow the old railroad grade into the Laurel Fork Gorge and the Pond Mountain Wilderness. Rock outcrops and a riverine environment characterize the path to Laurel Falls. If you keep going, you’ll end up in Maine.

      Forest Trail 39 leaves from the campground and follows Laurel Fork into the high country. This trail crosses Laurel Fork several times as it leads upstream to Upper Laurel Falls. The trail is popular with anglers, who match wits with the secretive brown trout that inhabit Laurel Fork. The Lacy Trap Trail, which leaves Laurel Fork in a field, leads to the AT and offers a great loop hike that I have enjoyed. The recreational opportunities available near Dennis Cove are limited only by your desire. The 6,000-acre Pond Mountain Wilderness is close by, as is mountain-rimmed Watauga Lake. So find some time and head on over.

      GETTING THERE

      From I-26 near Johnson City, take Exit 24 (TN 67/US 321/Elizabethton), and merge onto TN 67 East/US 321 North. Drive 5 miles; then turn right onto TN 362 North, and drive 5.7 miles. Continue straight onto TN 361 East, and drive 2.4 miles. Turn left onto US 19E North, and drive 2.0 miles into Hampton. Turn right onto US 321 South, and drive 0.8 mile. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road, and drive 4.9 twisting, turning miles. Dennis Cove Campground will be on your right.

      GPS COORDINATES N36° 15.432' W82° 06.612'

      5

      Foster Falls Campground

      Beauty: Privacy: Spaciousness: Quiet: