Dave Deming’s Driving Tips to Sevierville 2018 Grand National Rally

DO NOT come in from Cherokee, NC with a trailer in tow. This route goes through the Smoky

Mountain National Park (steep grades, winding roads, narrow and no shoulder).

The best route to the Rally is I-40. Take exit 407 TN66 South. It will be 3 lanes each way. I prefer the middle lane. The median disappears when you get close to Sevierville. Stay straight thru traffic signal 15.9. At signal 15.6 go straight and merge with US 441 in the intersection. Continue straight thru Sevierville. The lanes narrow and signs for TN 66 get scarce. After you are forced to turn right at signal 15.0, move to the left lane. After passing thru traffic signal 14.5, watch for the River Plantation Sign on the left. Then use the short-left turn lane at the top of the hill and turn left into the River Plantation Campground.

If you are entering TN by traveling west on I-40 from (NC). Take exit 432A to US 411 south (which runs with US 70 for a short distance). Then US 411 south separates by turning left. This will shorten the trip into Sevierville by using a twisty, no shoulder, two- lane road. When you get to Sevierville turn left onto Parkway/ US 441 at traffic signal # 15.8. Move to the left lane when road widens. After traffic signal # 14.5, watch for the small River Plantation Sign on the left. Use the short-left turn lane at the top of the hill turning left into River Plantation Campground.  This is listed as a truck route. I drove it with my Peterbilt and Carri-Lite. The first 15 miles of the total 20 miles are very twisty and hilly with narrow lanes, low hanging untrimmed trees and no shoulder at all. Bush beans semi’s use this route so expect to meet some. I travel a lot of secondary roads during our travels and this can be done . . . but I do not recommend it    This will also take longer as your speed is slow for the first 15 miles.

This campground has a VERY strict policy of 7 MPH vehicle speed within the campground and all the campground employees are watching for speeding in the campground. Please obey their speed rule. 

Several GPS’s will tell you that you have to pass the campground then turn around and come north and then turn right into the campground. These are not correct. Instead, note that there is a short-left turn lane (room for two RV’s) for River Plantation Campground.

Mark Engwall’s Grand National Driving Tips

Great construction news to report in and around Sevierville, Tn.  All the construction during the 2014 GN have been completed.  From I-40 exit 407, Hwy 66 south bound is now three lanes all the way to River Plantation.  One word of caution if you’re exiting I-40 from the east at exit 407.  This entire interchange has been completely redone and is somewhat confusing. 

Here is a back way into River Plantation from I-40 west or east bound that is less congested.  Hwy 411 going south now has a new 3 mile stretch of four lane highway.  The 4 lane ends 1.5 miles before the Bush Bean factory.  You’ll have a little curvy stuff just before and after the bean factory.  Then it becomes a real good two lane where you can go 55.  On this stretch of Hwy 411 besides Bush Bean is the Forbidden Caverns.  Both are great places to visit during your time at the Grand National. 

Directions for back way:

I-40, take exit 432A (to Sevierville) to Hwy 411 South.

After exiting I-40, you will be on 25w for a short distance, then turn left onto Hwy 411 South.

(Once you go from 2 lanes to 4 lanes, when safe, move to the left lane, your turn is coming up).

Follow Hwy 411 South to Veterans Blvd (light #17.1) and turn left (Veterans Blvd is the back way to Dollywood) (You’ll be on Hwy 411 for about 20 (+/-) miles)

Follow Veterans Blvd (4 Lane) to Collier Dr and turn right.

Follow Collier Dr to Hwy 441 and turn right (At this intersection is the local Wal-Mart)

Follow Hwy 441 for about ½ to ¾ of a mile, River Plantation will be on your right.

If you would rather not take the back way, take I-40 to exit 407 and follow Hwy 66 south bound to River Plantation.

Places to visit along Hwy 66 would be Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Buds Guns, Direct Tools, and Lodge Cast Iron Outlet plus other shopping in and around this complex.