We're thinking of heading here for Thanksgiving (if my camper is back from the factory in time to load it up and make the trip).Has anyone stayed here? Is it as big rig friendly as they claim? Thoughts? Tips?General weather for end of November? I'm expecting nighttime highs in around 25-30 and daytime highs around 55-60.This all started because someone here posted about the Polar Express train ride at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad...

Have not stayed at that particular campground, but did have a good stay with this one & it is large rig accommodating:River ValleyNeat area, Cherokee-Bryson City-Entrance to Smokey Mtns-Nantahala Natl Forest-GatlinburgMarkiemark:C

Markiemark - thanks for the tip. Unfortunately they're closed for the winter season. I actually called them based on the few pictures from their web site.Though, the observation tower at Clingsman Dome looks cool! We'll try to check that out.

Stayed there about 8 years ago. I would stay again. Nice mountain views and clean.

We just left Happy Holiday RV Park in Cherokee and loved it! We got sites 97 and 98 along the creek. 2 class A's one 34' and the other 36'. Plenty of room. Level sites. Simply beautiful! They are putting in new digital cable TV. Not a fancy park but closest to casino. If you want satellite TV, pick a spot in the open (pull thrus). We found their cable to be "ok". Verizon cell and wi-fi worked good. They have limited sites open this winter so I would call for reservations. Warning: do not try to come in via US 19! We took I-26 to I-40W, then exit 27 onto US74 west to exit 74 (US441) toward Cherokee. Then right on BRUS441. First right on US19, about 3 miles on left. check out satellite view on google maps. I would definitely go back to Happy Holidays. You can check the 10 day weather forecast on www.weather.com Enjoy!

Thanks for the notes Lonny & Diane. From looking at their page on Facebook, cable and wifi will be off for the winter. Any chance you took note to what kind of cellular service that you had? I'm supposed to be off that week- but I know how that usually goes. :(Directions-wise, I'm coming from High Point, NC the night before. It looks like my Google directions do have me coming in on US19 for about 19 miles. I'll keep your notes printed out and let my wife know. US19 looks "tricky" through that stretch!

Happy Holiday RV Park in Cherokee, NC - anyone ever stay?

Stclairm
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
Dang it! I didn't click to see that. Guess the selection is quite a few less this time of season.
Markiemark32
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
Stclairm wrote:
Dang it! I didn't click to see that. Guess the selection is quite a few less this time of season.

River Valley's site does not indicate seasonal opening time, I believe original poster had called them.

Markiemark:C
ependydad
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
Markiemark32 wrote:
Stclairm wrote:
Dang it! I didn't click to see that. Guess the selection is quite a few less this time of season.

River Valley's site does not indicate seasonal opening time, I believe original poster had called them.

Markiemark:C

Yup. If you call them, an answering machine comes on and says something to the effect of, "We're closed for the season. We don't answer phone or even check messages, call back on such-and-such date."

Not a whole lot open. It looks like even Happy Holiday RV park has limited services (no bath houses, no cable, no wifi). We'll see if we freeze our teets off!
DannyA
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
You can not tell about the temps, that sounds like normal but it could be very cold, you just never know. I would say come prepared for colder weather.
wbwood
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
Terryallan wrote:
ependydad wrote:
Thanks for the notes Lonny & Diane. From looking at their page on Facebook, cable and wifi will be off for the winter. Any chance you took note to what kind of cellular service that you had? I'm supposed to be off that week- but I know how that usually goes. :(

Directions-wise, I'm coming from High Point, NC the night before. It looks like my Google directions do have me coming in on US19 for about 19 miles. I'll keep your notes printed out and let my wife know. US19 looks "tricky" through that stretch!

As he said. DO NOT go thru Maggie Valley, and across 19 / Soco Road. It Sucos in more ways than one when trying to tow. Has 9 degree grades, and really twisty. Not recommended for towing.

I didn't find it big of an issue when towing the 35' long TT we had. Now my wife sitting in the driver seat will tell you a different story. I love mountain driving no matter what I am in or pulling behind me.
mockybird
Explorer
Nov 13, 2013
I have the same issue WB. Why do wives do this to us ? You will be doing just fine, and then all of a sudden they let out a big gasp. Scares the heck out of you. We prefer most of the time to camp at Pride or others in Maggie Valley and then drive to Cherokee "unattached" instead of doing it the other way.
Stclairm
Explorer
Nov 14, 2013
What mockybird said.
wbwood
Explorer
Nov 14, 2013
The only issue about having the rv on the drive between MV and Cherokee is that you can't stop at that place where the guy sells the boiled peanuts...lol

I think it's worth the drive through with the camper and stay in cherokee over MV. Just my opinion.
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
Nov 15, 2013
I used to live there in the 70's - Man! has it changed! -- We took the kids down and camped nearby in Whittier 2 years ago. The place we went to is closed after Nov 1st, but I remembered they where in the process of building an RV park right on the river close to the exit off of 441. A quick search got me this:

http://tuckaseegeervresort.com/welcome/

And from my time living down there, I would not be too concerned about cold unless you camp way up high. Down in the valleys, it rarely freezes until the worst of winter.
QueenD
Explorer
Nov 19, 2013
We were there for 2 weeks last month. Nice park. Wi- fi was not so great. They were supposed to be upgrading cable but didn't happen while we were there so there were only a few channels. No phone service with AT& T. But the park is clean, friendly service, good fishing, nice laundry room. Only negative is they did not have BZbQ pits and not all sites had concrete pad for tables.