Cherokee, NC

On the second part of our trip, we stayed at the KOA in Cherokee, NC. We got one of the deluxe cabins which appeared to be brand spanking new and was a perfect fit for a family with two small kids who like to spend most of their time outside. Our cabin just also happened to be right next to the playground which meant that mom and dad could relax on our front porch and still keep a watchful eye on both kids. Truthfully, you could stay at this particular campground and not even have to leave. Between the pools (indoor and outdoor), jump pad, playground, bike rentals, giant chess board, arcade, and mini golf, there's always something to do. If you do decide to venture off property, there is plenty of other things to do as well.

The visitor center for the National Park is a must see if you want to get out and explore. Make sure and do one of the guided tours so you learn all about the buildings. For kids doing the Jr. Ranger program, the tours count towards earning their badge.

We went into the actual town of Cherokee to grab a quick lunch and some ice cream. These beautifully painted bears are all around the town.

Back at the KOA. So much to do!

Our cozy cabin complete with bathroom, kitchenette, double bed, and a bunk. My only complaint was that there was only one tiny sink that doubled for the bathroom and kitchen. I wasn't a huge fan of brushing my teeth in the same sink that I washed grilling tools in.

There's not a ton of storage but we don't bring a lot with us when we travel so it was a great fit for us.

A couple days into our trip, we headed back into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to check out Mingus Mill. Another must-see if you are visiting the park and the best part is, it's just a couple minutes down the road from the visitor center.

Time to get those Jr. Ranger badges they worked so hard for!

At the end of our stay, we discovered this little hidden gem a very short drive from KOA. The stairs were steep and took a bit of time but what we found at the top was worth every bit of the climb.