Pipe dream? Trying to think of somewhere new to take our 6 and 8 year old boys (and our lab!) for a week's vacation this summer. We've been to the ADKs in NY and down the east coast to the NC beaches. Thinking Niagra Falls and Four Mile Creek State Park, but not sure what else, besides the falls, there is to do around there.Thought about Asheville NC…dying to see the Biltmore…but what else to do?Maybe Pigeon Forge? Sounds like quite a bit to do, but that may be a very, very long trip?Where else could we go? We have a 38' moho and will want 50 amp electric, but other hook ups don't matter much. We prefer state park-type atmospheres (and prices) though I know that's tough now that our rig is so darn big. Looking forward to any input! :)

Gettysburg. Stay at Gettysburg Farm CG. It's a Thousand Trails CG, but they do allow a certain number of general public campers to come in. Boys 6 and 8 will love the fact they can interact with the animals - biggest hit with my godchildren. Several on-site playgrounds, gameroom, putt-putt, and pool. You are then close to everything about Gettysburg, the Elephant Museum (hold onto the kids there), fantastic mini-golf and ice cream establishment near by, you can go for a float or paddle, and much more...

Off the top Niagara Falls and the Biltmore would be of little (read no) interest for the kids. For that age group you want a pool and amusement park rides.For ideas do a Google search for `_____ tourism' and put the State, city, or area in place of the blank space.Dollywood would be the perfect place for a couple of days.

We appear to be from the same area. I'm sort of in the same boat in looking for something new. Cape Cod area has lots to do. Niagara falls is great as well. We stop and toured NYC on the way. Croton Point Park is a nice state park with access to NYC. MD/VA eastern shore,Kiptopeke state park and First Landing state park in VA beach are both fantastic.James Island County Park,in Charleston,SC is Great. Hilton Head Island/Savannah GA is also another favorite.Raystown Lake in PA is another regular stop.We have also done Cape May and the Jersey shore.Cedar Point Park in Ohio is great if you like roller coasters. Cedar point has a very nice CG at the park.There is also the Shenandoah Valley. Yogi,Sherando lake, KOA are all decent places to name a few. Luray Caverns is just one of many attractions in the Shenandoah area.

Dick_B wrote:Off the top Niagara Falls and the Biltmore would be of little (read no) interest for the kids. For that age group you want a pool and amusement park rides.For ideas do a Google search for `_____ tourism' and put the State, city, or area in place of the blank space.Dollywood would be the perfect place for a couple of days.Biltmore maybe a bit much but Niagara falls is great for kids.

Gettysburg + hershey?DC?Baltimore with the kiddie oriented museums.NYC staying at Liberty? (Granted, not a state park).Williamsburg area.If they like astronomy/are nerdy, there is a great, kid oriented star party at Green Banks telescope in July. Won't be fifty amp though.

8 hrs from MD, fun for kids, 50 amp, prefer state parks?

Skylark
Explorer
Mar 03, 2015
Go see the elk herd in Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

Picture of camp site we had at Anchor Sown RV Resort. Very nice close to Piegon Forge, Sevierville area.
terrytrailertra
Explorer
Mar 03, 2015
We love the smokies. On the Cherokee side, we like Yogi. We have also stayed in Pigeon Forge for a couple of days...but it is busier than we like. We did bite the bullet and dry camp at Elkmont CG on the Gburg side of the park...so glad we did! It was beautiful and comfortable. You can also tube in the river right in the cg. You are in the park which is loaded with stuff to do and very close to the touristy stuff in PF and Gburg. It is sooooo worth the roughing it for a couple of days.

James Island was mentioned, and it is a great park. However, don't know that I would do more than a couple of days in the summer. It is HOT, and there is not a free pool to cool off in. There is a water park, but it costs around $10pp per day which can get pricey added on to camp site fees. There is a free spray and play (glorified sprinklers). The beach is about at 15 minute drive.

I would also vote for Bull Run.
bee_46
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
We have stayed at the Cherokee KOA and found it quite nice. Lots to see in the area. Might want to take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railway or see the play, "Unto These Hills".
Magua
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
You guys are just the bomb! Thank you for the amazing recommendations! I have MUCH to research. We added Maine to the list since we haven't been (except a 30 hour round trip weekend to pick up a 1926 Old Town canoe to restore!). Eastern TN/Western NC still close to the top of the list. There's a nice looking (at least online) KOA in Cherokee NC. I'm now thinking Pigeon Forge might be too commercialized/kitschy/tourist-trappy. Same reason I loathe Ocean City, MD, but love Cape Henlopen State Park (and one night on the small Rehoboth boardwalk for the little guys). Myrtle Beach might be pushing it distance-wise...took us 10 hours a lifetime ago before kids and speeding in a car (so said the officer in Virginia)...with the moho, 2 wild little boys and a wild lab...might take quite a bit longer!

Thanks so much everyone!!! Off to research vacation spots...I mean WORK. Yes, work.

PS. those of you near MD...Tuckahoe State Park is AWESOME, has 30 amp service and quite a few big-rig friendly sites. Just made our 4th of July reservations. Easy drive to St. Mike's for the day.
GraciesDaddy
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Busskipper wrote:

Cherry Creek camp ground off I95 in DC is a great resort CG and the kids will always love the great museums. Used to take my kids all the time and now they love taking there kids every chance they get, hard to imagine one of the best spots in the world is so close.

BOL,

Uhm... Skipper? Do you mean Cherry HILL park? It is SUPER! You can leave the toad behind and take a public bus to the Metro and be in downtown DC in minutes!

Personally, I'm partial to east Tennessee & Nashville, as well as the drive through GSMNP on 421 from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee, NC. Don't worry about the tunnels, they've been retrofitted to accommodate a larger RV. Use your jake brake. Dunno about SPs... I've only stayed at Foothills in PF.
mdcamping
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Though its not a state campground atmosphere or prices how about Cherrystone Family Camping Resort in VA crabbing,Charter Fishing, water park, place is loaded with amenities, your boys will love the place.

Also there's Bull Run Regional Park, VA nice state park with the hookups and space your looking for, water park and about 15 miles to DC metro

Mike
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 01, 2015
I will have to back track as well. If you haven;t been to Myrtle Beach. You have to add that to the mix.
MB is a mecca for camping. Too many great CG's to mention and lots of things to do. You cannot go wrong with MB.
Ringer
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I totally agree with Bucky about MB. We usually go in mid June. Ocean temp is 80-82 degrees. Many CG's right on the beach. You mentioned Pigeon Forge. Anchor Down Resort This place is on my bucket list.
bucky
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2015
I had to read thru the posts again to be sure, but Myrtle Beach has not been mentioned yet. There is more to do and see there than one trip can handle, kid stuff everywhere.
Ringer
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
When our kids were young, one of our trips in the summer would be to the Jersey Shore Ocean View Resort I would consider this a great CG for kids. Hugh swimming lake with a sandy beach and nice pools. We used to go when they had their "Halloween in July" Weekend. What a great time the kids had. Also down the road a few miles are the Cape May County Zoo which is very nice and the Boardwalk at Wildwood. One year we rode the Cape May Ferry over to Lewes, DE and back. We used to go to Cherrystone on the eastern shore of VA a lot also. Not state parks, but the kids where thrilled whenever we went there. Have you ever tried Elkneck State Park here in Cecil County??? Nice FHU loop and very popular. I have never stayed there since it is so close to home but have ridden thru. DE also has some nice state parks.