An RV weekend route from Knoxville to Townsend via Maryville on US-321 avoids the traffic of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The drive to Townsend takes about 45 minutes, the town has full-hookup campgrounds along the Little River, and Cades Cove is less than 20 minutes from most of them. The National Park Service says autumn colour in the lower valleys peaks between mid-October and early November. Park entry is free, but parked vehicles need a tag costing $5 per day or $15 per week on Recreation.gov. RVs over 25 feet and trailers are barred from Rich Mountain and Parson Branch roads, the Metcalf Bottoms bridge and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
