Park Information

If you’re camping in an RV, the campground’s Wi-Fi is probably not the only reason Wi-fi can be slow. RVs are made of metal, and metals, like aluminum and steel, are bad for long-range Wi-Fi. Furthermore, the fiberglass, furniture, and kitchen appliances in your RV can also contribute to bad reception. Basically, RVs shield you from the outside elements (which is good, you want to be safe from rain and bears!), but they also shield you from Wi-Fi signals. Remember Internet connectivity is a two-way communication. The park has several powered antennas/repeaters sending out their signal. Your phone or laptop has a tiny one trying to complete that connection.

Streaming video takes up a lot of bandwidth, so if even just one or two other people are trying to stream video using Wi-Fi, they can render it unusable for those around them. We advise against streaming videos for this reason, but some people choose to bypass this advice. That is also why many campgrounds charge for Wi-Fi instead of offering free wi-fi like we do at Big Meadow Family Campground.  HINT – remember we have cable available at each site for your viewing pleasure. 

If the campground is crowded and many people are trying to use the Wi-Fi at once, the service will be slow. There’s nothing you can do to improve this situation, and it’s just the reality of staying in a mountainous area. The technology simply cannot support the number of people trying to use it.  The only other option is to ask your camping neighbor to stop streaming and that will cause problems for you!

Assuming you prefer to stick to using the campground’s Free Wi-Fi, you have a few different options. Try these solutions to your campground internet problems next time you are out and about. They might make a big difference to keep you happy!

The first and easiest thing you can do is to simply stick to the tasks that don’t require a fast connection. Often, our family will download movies/show episodes before a trip to remove the need to stream anything later. Social media and email should work even with a very bad connection, so if you don’t need to attend video meetings, you might be able to get away with a poor connection while you camp.

If you need the internet to be a bit faster, but don’t want to invest in an RV internet setup, consider heading to the campground office while here.  We have hotspots located all around the porch area.  That is why we have so many tables sitting around this location.

Wi-Fi Adaptor

To solve your Wi-Fi problem you can try purchasing a USB Wi-Fi adapter, like the Blue Shadow USB WiFi Adapter on Amazon.com. We like this adapter because it is extremely fast, and it’s strong enough to stream HD video. This adapter also has a rotating antenna to move the antenna and improve signal and performance, which is essential for staying in campgrounds.

Get a Repeater

There is also the option of improving the connection in your camper by putting up a repeater (also known as a ranger or extender).  The repeater works by pulling the Wi-Fi connection into your RV and repeating or amplifying it. Many customers find this makes an enormous difference and makes the campground Wi-Fi much more usable when they have a wi-fi connection on their tablet or computer when sitting outside the coach, and not having it when inside, this is most likely a wifi signal strength problem and can often be fixed with a simple $25-$35 wifi repeater located somewhere inside the coach where it can see out the side windows or the front windshield. Something like https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi…dp/B014YN7LVE/ or https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Intel…dp/B07CRR32TV/ Sure the roof mounted wi-fi extenders will work better, but they also cost a lot more than $35, and much of the time one of these simple extenders will work almost as well. 

Get a Mobile Hotspot

The first thing you’ll needin order to have internet in your RV no matter where you travel is a cellular connection through a hotspot. We recommend using a cell carrier that offers decent coverage all across the country. The most popular options with RVers around this area are Verizon, US Cellular and AT&T.

Cell Phone Carrier

Unfortunately, no carrier has good coverage absolutely everywhere, especially when it comes to mountainous areas. For this reason, if you need to make sure your connection works everywhere you go, we recommend investing in two or three plans with different carriers so you can switch to the connection that works best wherever you happen to be.

Booster

You can also try a cell booster. These boosters work by amplifying existing cell service, making for a faster connection. Obviously, this is helpful when you need a decent connection but can only seem to bring in 1 extra bar of signal with the hotspot.

Starlink

You can also give satellite internet through Starlink a try. Starlink is fast, becoming more portable and will soon be one of the easiest ways to have reliable internet even in the most mountainous locations.

We hope these RV Park Wi-Fi solution examples will help you be able to connect to the internet in your RV no matter where you go. Why not start working on your RV internet setup right away so you can stay connected on your next big RV adventure?

Are you headed to Great Smoky National Park? Straddling the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, you will find yourself surrounded by rolling hills, forests, wildlife, and cultural relics. Here are the top 12 items to pack to bring to the park.

Oh, happy day, fellow nature lovers and adventure-seeking families! Are you ready to immerse yourselves in the relaxing arms of Mother Nature? Whether you’re a first-time camper or an experienced wanderer of the wilderness, you’ll find joy in our delightful camping spots! Call or contact us at 865-448-0625 or bigmeadowcampground.com

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s make sure you’re packing that cheery attitude along with your camping gear. Camping can be the perfect way to strengthen family bonds, learn about the great outdoors, and have a fantastic time away from the buzz of daily life. From the serene Little River views to the sound of rustling leaves, Big Meadows’s camping spots are your ticket to a memorable outdoor escapade with the kiddos!

For RV-owning families, Big Meadow Family Campground is conveniently located near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the action-packed Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas, it’s an ideal basecamp for families looking to combine outdoor fun with a spot of fun-filled accessibility. Each RV site offers full hookups, ensuring you’re comfortable as you soak up the rustic atmosphere. After a night under the stars, you can easily head into town for a leisurely family brunch, or to spend an exciting day at Dollywood etc.

Got questions? Need a checklist to ensure you’ve packed all your camping essentials? Let us help you get ready for the upcoming camping season and provide you with every bit of information you need to make your family camping trip as happy and hassle-free as can be!

• Sturdy Hiking Boots
  A good pair of hiking boots is a must. To make the most out of your trip, pack a pair of supportive, waterproof, and breathable hiking boots. These will allow you to navigate both wet trails beside waterfalls and dry trails up mountainsides with ease and enable you to explore farther than you maybe would have.
  If you’re not going more than a couple of miles down the trail, you can pack light with a hiking shoe that can go from the trail to the restaurant.
• A Rain Jacket
  The lowlands of Great Smoky get an average of 55 inches of rain per year, but that number rises to 85 inches per year at Clingmans Dome. Bring your rain jacket to avoid getting caught in the rain. Temperatures, especially if you are higher up in the park, can drop dramatically when it rains, turning a warm day into one that feels freezing. When it rains and temperatures plummet, you want a jacket that can keep you warm and dry. Be sure to take cover from thunderstorms and lightning.
  Tip: Pick a jacket that claims to be waterproof or watertight, not water-resistant.
• Food
  There are no restaurants in Great Smoky Mountains Park so you’ll need to pack a lunch for a day trip or food for meals while camping. The Cades Cove Campground Store does have a limited variety of groceries. The store also has grab-and-go breakfast items, hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, and soft-serve ice cream. Elkmont Campground Concessions has snack items, ice cream, and beverages. Smokemont Riding Stables has vending machines full of snacks and beverages.
• EpiPen If You Have an Allergy
  In the fall, the park’s yellow jacket wasps are especially aggressive. If you have an allergy to wasps, pack an EpiPen (epinephrine injection) or other medications and have them with you at all times. Park officials urge you to remove your rings immediately if you are stung on your hand.
• Daypack
  Make going for a hike on Clingman’s Dome, Mt. LeConte, or even a simple trail like Laurel Falls much more comfortable with a daypack. Place all your essentials like extra layers, extra snacks, a flashlight, binoculars, a whistle, and a simple first-aid kit in it.
• Water Bottles – hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
  Combat the effects of the park’s summer heat by drinking water. Drinking water ensures you won’t get dehydrated, which can lead to headaches and more serious conditions like heat cramps and heat stroke. Plan to drink .5 -1 liter per hour of hiking.
• Clothing Layers
  In the summer months, expect afternoon temperatures to climb into the 90s before cooling down in the evening in the 60s and 70s. Know that the higher you go, the cooler the temperatures with the 6,593-foot Mount Le Conte rarely getting over 80F during the day.
  Be sure to pack light layers for daytime and others that will keep you warm in the evenings for when the sun sets and cooler air moves in. You will be surprised at how quickly temperatures drop as the sun sets.
• Want to see the Stars?
  You’ll find some dark skies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With a star chart, you’ll be able to identify some of the formations you may never have seen before, especially if you are coming from an urban environment. Or use technology and download the SkyView® Free app for iPhone or Android, which enables you to identify stars and so on by pointing your phone at them. You may be able to see up to 15,000 stars in the park’s sky in comparison to 500 in an urban sky.
• Bug Spray
  Spend more time enjoying the scenery instead of swatting bugs. If you don’t want to use strong chemicals, there are plenty of bug sprays available these days that are derived from natural ingredients and are safer for use by children.
  Tip: If you forgot to spray, check out the campground office.  We can hook you up!
• Sunglasses and Sunscreen
  You only need to get one sunburn at altitude before you realize how strong the sun is, especially since Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s elevations range from 875 to 6,643 feet. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, which is preferable over a baseball cap, to cover your entire face.
  Then, apply sunscreen over all exposed skin, including the back of your neck. Sunglasses will protect your eyes from being burned and polarized lenses will help you see views more clearly. Don’t forget you are a lot closer to the sun than at sea level.
• A Park Map
  Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers a lot of ground. It can take hours to drive from one part of the park to another. It’s good to have a map. You can wait until a park ranger hands you a map at a visitor center, or you can plan and get your maps now. Download a free PDF map.