Forum Discussion

chompchomp's avatar
chompchomp
Explorer
May 26, 2013

North Carolina west from Charlotte

We're headed up to Charlotte for my nephew's graduation and would like to turn it into a week or two vacation in the motor home in the mountains west of Charlotte. I haven't been up there for years, and I didn't have an RV back then.

We have our inflatable duckie kayaks, and we'd love to put them on rivers with Class I-II rapids. Ideally we'd love to park the MH riverfront. Anyone familiar with campgrounds that offer this? maybe on the Green or lower Nantahala? We also have our Jeep and our mountain bikes. Any suggestions are much appreciated!
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    There is a KOA in Marble, NC near Murphy. On a small river and near hiking, biking and near rafting. Another option is Franklin RV Park & Campground in Franklin NC.
    If you don't need hookups, Standing Indian Campground National Forest Campground near Franklin. You can check it out on www.recreation.gov
    check all out on www.rvparkreviews.com
  • amxpress's avatar
    amxpress
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    Here's a place I highly recommend.(but don't tell anyone)
    You're right on the creek; there's rapids and bike paths,great trout fishing. It's isolated, quiet, beautiful area, and the owners are awesome. It's about 70 miles North-North West of Charlotte.
    http://www.brownmountainbeach.com/
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2013
    If you stay around Hendersonville you have Interstate access to the galleries and restaurants of Asheville plus being able to put in on the Green River (near Saluda) the French Broad (near Flat Rock) or the English Broad (below Rutherfordton). We stay on our own property near Lake Lure, so I can't give you the names of specific RV parks/CGs but I know there are a number of them.
  • mikestock's avatar
    mikestock
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    You may want to look at the Hiwassee near Reliance, TN. It is a wide, fun little I-II river. Not too far from the Nantahala. Little easier too. Just depends on your skill level. Last rapid on the Nanny is considered a III by most. There is a campground with limited hookups in Reliance, at Hiwassee Outfitters. There are lots of great rivers in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.

    If you're pretty good you can try your luck on the Ocoee.
  • chompchomp's avatar
    chompchomp
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    amxpress, that's a beautiful suggestion but it's a bit pricey for our intentions. sdianel: great advice as well. Over the past four summers we've kayaked Utah (Virgin River at Zion, Colorado at Moab), Colorado (Animas River) and Glacier's limited runs.

    Allworth and Mikestock, your advice is dead-on. Thanks!
  • mikestock's avatar
    mikestock
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    Animus looks tough in places. The next day after our trip from Silverton to Durango they had to stop the train to pick up two bodies of boaters who drowned in the rapids.
    Only chance I had to see the Colorado at Moab the river was flooded and there were no rapids.
  • chompchomp's avatar
    chompchomp
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    Mike,

    They probably lost their lives in the Upper Animas. I've seen those rapids from a ledge the train follows. Not many people run that gorge, and I value tomorrow too much to even think on it. We put in above the city of Durango and take out at the visitors center where there is one class III if the water's up. It's a cool technical run for teaching the kids the basics on a I-II Stretch.

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