While I can't offer anything specific, I do think your areas are a better choice than those in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, although in the off season Pigeon Forge used to have some unrealistically low rates. To avoid traffic, stay off the central road that crosses the park and stick to the side roads, which often have little or no traffic. There are a *very* large number of trails accessible from the roads that go around the park and surprisingly few that can be accessed from the central road.
The vast majority of people that visit the park are not going to go more than 12 steps down the trail, usually just to the first sign of a stream and then back to the car, so don't worry about the crowds for the most part unless you want to trek to the top of Clingman's Dome, which is always crowded. It's great fun to see them panting and just about passing out when they break for a smoke, but it's not very good photography (well, maybe a little!).
I strongly suggest getting a copy of “Hiking Trails of the Smokies” from the Great Smoky Mountains Historical Society, who also sell neat little booklets of specific subjects like waterfalls and other subjects of interest that have directions to the best places to find those things.
I'll stop there since you didn't really ask for help on good spots, but I couldn't resist. Hey! I'll help carry your stuff if you take me along!
- Randy
