Townsend, TN and Great Smoky Mountain National Park

October 6, 7 and 8th we spent in Townsend, TN at the Mountaineer RV Park.  It was super close to the entrance to the park but was one of those "how many RVs can we fit on an acre parks".  The sites were super close together but we weren't there too much.

Park Entrance in Townsend, TN (the quiet side of SMNP)

When they first closed the parks, we both assumed they would be open in a couple of days and not really affect our stay.  Wrong!!  We had reservations to stay two nights in Cade's Cove but it was not to be.  On the plus side, you were allowed to walk in the park and we took full advantage each day we were there.   One day we hiked down the middle of the road for 4 miles and then off on a really neat trail for about a mile.  (total trip 10 miles).  Later we were told to "stick to the road" because if something happened they didn't have the personnel to help us on the trails.

I really wanted to camp in Cades Cove but
it wasn't meant to be!

We also drove around town and walked across the "swinging bridge".  Talking to several of the locals, the shutdown was really hurting their business.  October and the fall foliage are usually a busy time but not while we were there.

Pedestrian Swining Bridge

Walking down the middle of the road in SMNP

Smokey Mountain NP was on my short list of parks to apply for a seasonal job next summer.  After talking to the rangers and some people at the Visitor Center, it doesn't seem very likely.  Most of the employees are local people and they don't provide any kind of housing/RV spaces for employees.

Beautiful park!!!

Loved this trail - we hiked for about a mile 

The trail

No cars

Me!!