We are working on plans for our summer trip. We will be spending several days in the Gatlinburg, TN area in mid June. After that we'll be making our way toward Cleveland, OH.We will have several days to make that trip. We are looking for recommendations for places to stay along the way. We'd like something like a state or national park, with lots of nature, hiking, great views, etc, not just an RV park. Maybe Skyline Drive or BlueRidge Parkway?We stayed at Kanawha state forest years ago and really enjoyed that, not sure we can fit with the bigger camper now.We will be on a long trip with our younger kids, and staying at RV parks for much of it, but want to really get them some time camping closer to nature some as well.Any input and suggestions are appreciated.

We did Shenandoah NP a few years ago. Got a site along Skyline Dr. Took some nice day hikes, toured Luray Caverns, and rented a canoe at an outfitter and canoed the Shenandoah River.Max

Check out the Grandfather Mountain area next to the BRP. Julian Price State Park is close. Various hiking trails around Grandfather.

Consider Sherando Lake just south of Waynesboro, VA. You will need reservations, however, as it is popular. It is NP, not far from Staunton, home of the American Shakespeare Theater, and worth a wee side trip to take in a play.

Nantahala National Forest is roughly a 1.5 hr drive from Gatlinburg and has a number of recreational activities that may be of interest. One route you could take would be via the Cherohala Skyway which, to us, is more scenic than the BR Parkway. Take a half day (or longer) rafting trip on the Nantahala River (Nantahala Outdoor Center is our outfitter of choice but there are several options). Possibly combine the rafting with a train ride from Bryson City - the route where the train wreck from The Fugitive was filmed. Hike to the Big Trees in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.Several campground options within the NF. Cheoah Point, Tsali, Cable Cove and our favorite Horse Cove. You may be too large for most of the sites at Horse Cove but it might be worth the ride over without the camper to see if the area has any interest for you. FS81 is a Forest Service road just off the eastern end of the Skyway that is gravel but easily navigable by a passenger car which we enjoy driving.Have fun and post back with your experiences and recommendations.Al & Cindy

huachuca wrote:Nantahala National Forest is roughly a 1.5 hr drive from Gatlinburg and has a number of recreational activities that may be of interest. One route you could take would be via the Cherohala Skyway which, to us, is more scenic than the BR Parkway. Take a half day (or longer) rafting trip on the Nantahala River (Nantahala Outdoor Center is our outfitter of choice but there are several options). Possibly combine the rafting with a train ride from Bryson City - the route where the train wreck from The Fugitive was filmed. Hike to the Big Trees in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.Several campground options within the NF. Cheoah Point, Tsali, Cable Cove and our favorite Horse Cove. You may be too large for most of the sites at Horse Cove but it might be worth the ride over without the camper to see if the area has any interest for you. FS81 is a Forest Service road just off the eastern end of the Skyway that is gravel but easily navigable by a passenger car which we enjoy driving.Have fun and post back with your experiences and recommendations.Al & CindyDouble ditto. Santeetlah, Fontana and Cheoah lakes with those majestic mountains are great. There's a great Elec/Water HU campground for RVs at Fontana Village which is in the same area. Right near the dam and the fishing's great. On the lake and beautifully natural. After you're done camping there you can take US129 (Tail of the Dragon); or Cherohala Skyway; or US441 to Gatlinburg.Fontana Village Campground

Camping in or Near Blue Ridge Mountains | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

schrecker96
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
Bear Den is a nice campground. Very family friendly and definitely IN the mountains. We have enjoyed our stays there. There are promo codes on there website for discounts for booking online, or there used to be. Have hiking trails, pond for fishing and playing and a really nice playground.

Has the wilderness feel with some kid friendly activities!
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2013
I guess you are aware that none of the parks along the Blue Ridge Parkway have hookups. You will find centrally located bath house with water available. Usually a park store close by and have a wayside restaurant on the park way close by. Gas stations along the parkway is very limited. One has to be very careful where you exit the parkway as some of those roads are steep and lots of sharp curves. Plenty of spots just off the Blue Ridge like Sherando that do have hookups however if you need them...

Roy Ken
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
VE3ESN wrote:
Did you consider Stone Mountain SP near Roaring Gap, NC? We were there recently and it's a fabulous place that's not too far from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Shhhhhh! I got in trouble with my wife with talking so fondly of our favorite place. lol The last ouple of times I tried to get in on the weekend, it was booked. lol

But since YOU were the one that brought it up....it is a fabulous place. Lots of hiking, climbing, trout fishing, wildlife and more. The sites are large and open. Plenty of room. The pads are paved with a large crush and run type pad were the picnic table and fire ring are. Water and Electric hookups. Price with their reservation fee is $25/night. The BRP edges the top of the property, but you have to drive around maybe 5-10 miles to get to the entrance.

If you click on the link in my signature, you will find an article in there about this great place.
GoneCamping
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
agree,Sherando is very nice.Not too far off Blue Ridge Parkway is Goose Point on Phillpot Lake.Both have electric hookups.Both have swimming beaches.Both are Forest Service Campgrounds.

Two of the best campgrounds on the Virginia side with easy access to the BRP. However, one correction to the quoted post, Goose Point Park is NOT a USFS Campground, it is an Army-COE campground...
VE3ESN
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
Did you consider Stone Mountain SP near Roaring Gap, NC? We were there recently and it's a fabulous place that's not too far from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The_LeRoys
Explorer
Jun 06, 2013
We're finding that many of these places are booked up. We have narrowed our search down to something a bit north of Ashville along the parkway.

Has anyone stayed at The Bear Den Campground?
Bear Den Campground?
rjf7g
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
naturist wrote:
Consider Sherando Lake just south of Waynesboro, VA. You will need reservations, however, as it is popular. It is NP, not far from Staunton, home of the American Shakespeare Theater, and worth a wee side trip to take in a play.

I concur on Sherando Lake - I grew up tent camping there and still visit there when I can.
sushidog
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
Then there's always the milehigh campground in Cherokee, NC right on the Blueridge Pkwy. Nice and cool with beautiful mountain top views.

http://www.campmilehigh.com/Milehigh.com/Index.html

Chip
RGar974417
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
I agree,Sherando is very nice.Not too far off Blue Ridge Parkway is Goose Point on Phillpot Lake.Both have electric hookups.Both have swimming beaches.Both are Forest Service Campgrounds.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2013
huachuca wrote:
Nantahala National Forest is roughly a 1.5 hr drive from Gatlinburg and has a number of recreational activities that may be of interest. One route you could take would be via the Cherohala Skyway which, to us, is more scenic than the BR Parkway. Take a half day (or longer) rafting trip on the Nantahala River (Nantahala Outdoor Center is our outfitter of choice but there are several options). Possibly combine the rafting with a train ride from Bryson City - the route where the train wreck from The Fugitive was filmed. Hike to the Big Trees in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Several campground options within the NF. Cheoah Point, Tsali, Cable Cove and our favorite Horse Cove. You may be too large for most of the sites at Horse Cove but it might be worth the ride over without the camper to see if the area has any interest for you. FS81 is a Forest Service road just off the eastern end of the Skyway that is gravel but easily navigable by a passenger car which we enjoy driving.

Have fun and post back with your experiences and recommendations.

Al & Cindy

Double ditto. Santeetlah, Fontana and Cheoah lakes with those majestic mountains are great. There's a great Elec/Water HU campground for RVs at Fontana Village which is in the same area. Right near the dam and the fishing's great. On the lake and beautifully natural. After you're done camping there you can take US129 (Tail of the Dragon); or Cherohala Skyway; or US441 to Gatlinburg.

Fontana Village Campground