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Kampgrounds of America is pleased to welcome John Cascarano, new owner of the Newport/I-40/Smoky Mountains KOA Journey, to the KOA family of campgrounds. Cascarano owns another campground nearby.

“I got into this industry about a year ago. I grew up working my grandmother’s bed n’ breakfast in the North Georgia Mountains so I am familiar with hospitality,” says Cascarano. “I believe that campgrounds are unique in that you can run a business that happens to own beautiful land while giving people a memorable experience.”

KOA Journey campgrounds are conveniently located near the highways and byways of North America and are waiting for campers after a long day on the road. KOA Journeys offer long Pull-thru RV Sites that help make setup fast and easy, have well-lit after-hours check-in service, and offer a robust line of RV supplies.

The Newport/I-40/Smoky Mountains KOA Journey is located at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and a short drive from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee, N.C. Spend a day, a week, or even a month in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, home of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the crown jewel of the eastern U.S. park system.

Swim in the sparkling pool or shoot some hoops. If you would rather, grab some friends and pitch horseshoes or play a few rounds of cornhole. Feel free to grab an activity calendar and join in some fun. There are many options to choose from.

Laze around in the heated and air-conditioned one or two-room Cabins, or park your RV on one of the large, shady RV Sites. Tent Sites can be found sprinkled around the grounds to accommodate all visitors.

Hike in the Cherokee National Forest, or go boating, fishing and rafting on the Tennessee Valley Authority lakes. Bring your boats and jet skis. There is a boat launch less than 10 minutes away and this family-friendly KOA has secure additional parking. The Pigeon, French Broad, and Nolichucky Rivers reflect the beautiful mountain scenery and offer optimal freshwater fishing.

Cascarano says he has plans for the park, starting with improving all existing features, from the pool to the electrical to the store.

“Once we complete those renovations we will explore cosmetic features and also potentially bringing in more rustic cabins, which feel right in the Smokies,” he says. “It’s been a lot of work but we’re starting to see the payoff! I want to thank our whole team. This is not a one-person job at all.”

The Newport/I-40/Smoky Mountains KOA Journey is one of more than 500 open-to-the-public KOA campgrounds in the Kampgrounds of America system in the U.S. and Canada. Other brands in the KOA Family of Campgrounds include KOA Holidays, which serve as great base camps with lots of activities; and KOA Resorts, which include an abundance of activities led by dedicated recreation staff, on-site food service, group meeting space and more.

Located at 240 KOA Lane in Newport, the Newport/I-40/Smoky Mountains KOA Journey is open all year.