National Park Trip 2023
Indiana Dunes,
Great Smoky Mountains, &
Gateway Arch National Parks
During this trip P was 9, T was 7, and V was 4 almost 5.
We were so looking forward to this trip. We ended up with July due to two events in June and in August, making impossible for us to do this trip those months. This trip was derailed from the start, but we pushed through and ended up making the most of it. Spoiler alert, it involves our van breaking down several times.
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This trip was exhausting, and we missed a lot of what we had planned. Though there were tears, we managed to have fun, not fight, and ended up having a lot of fun.
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​Trip Dates: July 15 - July 26, 2023
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Total cost of trip: $4,684.52
This includes; gas, lodging (three different campgrounds, and three hotels), groceries, eating out, souvenirs, fees for activities, and van work.
Total cost of trip: $2,554.42*
*If we remove the extra costs of the van, 3 extra nights in the hotel, extra eating out, and an additional charge to change the train tickets.
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Total van miles: 1,131
Total truck miles: 2,142
Total miles: 3,273
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Learn how our trip went:
Itinerary
Day 1 - July 15
7:00 a.m. - Leave house drive to Indiana Dunes National Park
6 hours 45 min (add 1 hours 30 min for stops) = 9 hours 15 minutes
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8:30-8:45 a.m. - Eau Claire, WI - 80 miles (1 hour 25 minutes)
11:00-11:15 a.m. - Love's Travel Stop, W9493 County Road Cs Dekorra, Poynette, WI 53955 - 152 miles (2 hour 17 Minutes)
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Check directions once we enter Illinois to confirm the best route.
Eat Lunch and get gas at an oasis.
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4:00 p.m. - Dunewood Campground, Indiana Dunes National Park
Site 3, Check-In starts at 12:00 p.m.
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Depending on time, check out the beach
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Dinner - Sloppy Joes: Sloppy Joes mix-premade and frozen, hamburger buns, potato chips, aby carrots, coke, milk.
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8:24 p.m. Sunset
Day 2 - July 16
Dunewood Campground, Indiana Dunes National Park
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5:13 a.m. Sunrise
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Breakfast - quick breakfast: yogurt/granola, muffins, coffee, coffee creamer, milk
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9:00-11:00 a.m. Mount Baldy Summit Hike (Ranger-led)
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Lunch - picnic lunch: Crackers, small container of peanut butter, beef jerky, cheese, ice tea, dried fruit
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The Three Dune Challenge in Indiana Dunes State Park
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The Diana of the Dunes Dare at West Beach in Indiana Dunes National Park
Chellberg Farm in Indiana Dunes National Park
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Fill up gas if needed
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Dinner - Tacos: Taco meat (precooked and frozen), tortillas, canned corn, corn chips, refried beans, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, milk, coke
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Pack lunch for the next day: Hummus, club crackers, cucumbers, baby carrots, apples, peanut butter in small container, knife
8:24 p.m. Sunset: Hike Diana of the Dunes if not done yet
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Shower before bed (no showers at next two campsites)
Day 3 - July 17
Drive from Indiana Dunes NP to Smokemont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains NP
9 hours, 30 minutes
5:13 a.m. Sunrise
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Breakfast - quick breakfast: Coffee & creamer, Muffins, Dried Fruit
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9:00 a.m. pack up and leave
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11:00-11:15 a.m. Marathon Gas Station, 2888 IN-25, Lafayette, IN 47905
2 hours - 100 miles
1:30-2:00 p.m. Lunch stop (or one before), Rest Stop and Tourist Info Center, Henryville, IN 47126
2 hours 30 min. - 162 miles
3:00-3:15 p.m. Marathon Gas, 1971 N Broadway, Lexington, KY 40505
1 hour 37 min - 112 miles
5:15-5:30 p.m. Exxon, 144 Main St, Caryville, TN 37714
2 hours 3 minutes - 156 miles
7:45 p.m. Smokemont Campground, Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Site B037, Check-In starts at 1:00 p.m.
2 hour 14 minutes - 99 miles
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Dinner - Fried Rice: Chicken Fried Rice (precooked and frozen)
Day 4 - July 18
Stay at Smokemont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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6:32 a.m. Sunrise
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Breakfast - Eggs or pancakes if we get up early enough: Pancake mix, sausage, onion, bell pepper, tomato, coffee, coffee creamer, milk.
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Pack lunch in backpack (crackers, baby carrots, peanut butter, nuts, pretzels, etc)
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8:30 a.m. Depart for Bryson City, NC
33 minute drive - 24 miles
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9:30 a.m. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Parking Lot is located at: 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
Check in for the train ride and check out museum.
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10:30a.m.-2:30 p.m. Ride the train, 4.5 hours trip
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2:30-4:00 p.m. Bryson City
Follow signs to Deep Creek
Hiking: Around 2 miles of walking will acquaint you with beautiful Deep Creek and three pretty waterfalls. Deep Creek area loop hikes include Juney Whank Falls (0.6 mile), Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles). Longer loop hikes are also possible. Trails to the waterfalls start from the large parking area at the end of Deep Creek Road (across the creek from Deep Creek Campground).
Juney Whank Falls
4:20 p.m. Cherokee Botanical Garden - 20 minute drive
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Oconaluftee Visitor Center - 7 minute drive
Mountain Farm Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Drive back to camp - 6 minute drive
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Dinner - Spaghetti: Spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, canned green beans
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Hike Chasteen Creek Cascade
~2 miles round trip from campground
8:48 p.m. Sunset
Day 5 - July 19
Great Smoky Mountains NP. Pack up to stay at Elkmont - check out is 1:00 p.m.
Drive via Foothills Parkway West - straight through is 3 hours
6:32 a.m. Sunrise
Breakfast - Eggs or Muffins: eggs, veggies that are left, muffins if any are left
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8:00 a.m. Depart camp
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Oconalufee if missed the day before
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9:00-10:00 a.m. Fontana Dam and Visitors Center, Fontana Dam, NC 28733
1 hour drive
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Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center - 15 minute drive
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Lunch: Paninis
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Meigs Falls - 15 minute drive
The pull-off to view Meigs Falls is along Little River Road, 7 miles east of Townsend. The falls is tucked away on the far side of Little River and can be easily missed while driving.
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The Sinks - 2 minute drive
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Elmont Campground
Site N05, Check-In starts at 1:00 p.m.
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Set up camp, Elkmont visitor center, hike
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Dinner - hamburgers: ground beef, hamburger buns, baked beans, potato chips, ketchup, mustard, pickles, mashed potatoes
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8:57 p.m. Sunset
Day 6 - July 20
Stay at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
6:33 a.m. Sunrise
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6:45a.m. Breakfast - on the go: Dried fruit and cereal
7:45 a.m. Depart for Cades Cove Loop (opens at 9:00 a.m.)
1 hour - 26 mile drive from campsite
Abram’s Falls easy 5.5 mile hike - check distance with Ranger
Cades Cove Visitor Center
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Stop on the way out.
Lunch - At Cades Cove Paninis: with Watermelon, potato chips
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Stop at any of these that we didn't stop at the day before: Meigs Falls, The Sinks and Upper Meigs Falls
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Metcalf Bottoms - Hike to Little Greenbier School and Walker Sisters Home ~ 2 miles
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If time allows, head to Clingmans Dome
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Dinner - Chili: Chili (precooked and frozen), cheddar cheese, chips
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8:47 p.m. Sunset
Day 7 - July 21
Stay at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Breakfast - pancakes: pancake mix, sausages, (get blueberries if we want), sausages, syrup, coffee, coffee creamer
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Pack lunch - picnic: Hummus, club crackers, cucumbers, baby carrots, apples, peanut butter in small container, knife
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If we haven’t done so yet, head to Clingmans Dome and that whole road
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Sugarlands Visitor Center - 14 minute drive
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hike to John Ownby Cabin (check distance first)
Hike to Contract falls
Chimney tops - 7 minute drive
3.5 miles round trip
Alum cave - 4 mile drive
2.3 miles one way. Arch Rock is a highlight, and early in the hike.
Clingmans Dome - 24 minute drive
Hike Andrews Bald 1.8 one way - leaves from Clingmans Dome
Head back to camp
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Dinner - Stews and soups: taco soup, Barley Stew (premade and frozen)
Bread (get in Gatlinburg if desired)
8:46 p.m. Sunset
Day 8 - July 22
Stay at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cherokee Orchard Road - one way road - 25 min from camp
Noah "Bud" Ogle Cabin
rainbow falls 2.7 miles
Grotto Falls 3 miles -
After loop time in Gatlinburg
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Gatlinburg
The Village:
The Village is located in downtown Gatlinburg. It is nestled in a little walkway next to the Pancake Pantry and Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen. You can also get to the Village through the back entrance (Primrose Walk) just off Cherokee Orchard Road.
Skybridge: https://www.gatlinburgskylift.com/
Would need to book.
Anakeesta: https://anakeesta.com/hours-location-and-directions/
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Lunch at Gatlinburg, TN or leftovers.
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Drive along 321/73 to Cosby
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Head towards Elkmont
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Laurel Falls Trail Close to campsite
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Dinner - chicken pasta: Pasta sides and chicken
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8:45 p.m. Sunset
Day 9 - July 23
Leave Great Smoky Mountain NP - Drive to St. Louis, MO
Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
2 South 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
8 hours 4 minutes
6:35 a.m. Sunrise
8:30 a.m. Depart Elkmont Campground
11:00-11:15 a.m. Shell, 1099 S Willow Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501
2 hours, 32 min - 139 miles
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Fort Donelson National Battlefield, 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN 37058 (if time allows)
2 hours, 33 minutes - 157 miles
Lunch - picnic: hummus, club crackers, cucumbers, baby carrots, apples, peanut butter in small container, knife
4:15-4:30 p.m. BP, 5020 Hinkleville Rd, Paducah, KY 42001
1 hour 30 minutes - 75 miles
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7:00 p.m. Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
2 hours 30 minutes - 169 miles
Dinner in town
8:19 p.m. Sunset
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Day 10 - July 24
Stay at Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
5:55 a.m. Sunrise
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8:45 a.m. walk to Gateway Arch National Park
9:30 a.m. North Tram Ride
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11:30 a.m. Walk back to the hotel and get the van
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11:45 a.m. Drive to the Zoo
Drive to the Zoo - 12 min - 7.6 miles
St. Louis Zoo
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lunch: At the Zoo
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2:30 p.m. Leave zoo drive to Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (if up for it/kids need a nap)
19 minutes - 8.6 miles
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
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Drive to City Museum (if up for it)
28 min. Drive - 14 miles
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wear pants & socks
Dinner: Sugar Fire
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8:20 p.m. Sunset
Day 11 - July 26
Drive from St. Louis, MO to home
8 hours and 30 minutes - 529 miles
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5:57 a.m. Sunrise
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8:00 a.m. Depart St. Louis, MO
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10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Phillips 66
887 Marion City Rd, Palmyra, MO 63461
2 hours - 127 miles
12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, 110 Parkside Dr, West Branch, IA 52358
Stop if up for it
Lunch and gas in Iowa City - Get off at Highway 1
2 hours - 134 miles
Lunch options: McDonald’s, Arby’s, KFC, Culver’s
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rest Area
Le Roy, MN 55951
2 hours, 36 minutes - 156 miles
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6:00 p.m. Home
2 hours - 117 miles