I previously posted about taking a trip to Hiawassee, GA. However, I became aware of the severe drought and fire conditions and don’t believe we will be able to go to this area next month. At this time I am looking for another place to venture to for the month of December. We are located in central Florida and would prefer a place within 9 hours travel time. We are looking for cooler or cold weather. I would like a spot with natural things to look at such as waterfalls and hill trails, but also have things to do nearby. It would also be nice for the wife if the location or nearby held some sort of Christmas light event. I have come across Stone Mountain, but not sure if I want to pay the prices and have no interest in Atlanta. I am also open to anything in South Carolina which would also meet the requirements.Looking for:Price less than $40.00 a nightAccess for a 27’ trailer (Pilgrim 237RKS)S, E, W hookups Colder weather with no burn bansArea with natural beauty (waterfalls, hills/mountains,)Near an interesting town or tourist area with enough to keep you busy for four nights.

I would not rule out the GA mountains... before Christmas the rains will have started, even snow. Currently the fires are mostly in NC and the two in GA are 40 miles to the east of Hiawassee and 75 miles to the west.Lake Lanier Islands 50 miles north of Atlanta has one of the best light shows.

There is a good chance of rain and fires going away in the next 2 weeks. In your shoes I would make a plan A for your original destination, and a plan B for another location. Here is some info on the South Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge.SC parks

Pine Mountain area is pretty nice. FDR State Park I've heard is a VERY nice state park. Pine Mountain RV resort is okay as well. If you get a spot in Pine Mountain area, they do have a really nice Christmas light event at Calloway Gardens.Tallulah Gorge area is also very nice. Weather could be iffy up there. I stayed at River Falls at the Gorge in Oct. It was decent but the spots are pretty small, and it was kinda pricy. There are lots of falls you can visit, hiking etc in the area. Not sure about Christmas light events. That is up in the mountains and about 35 miles or so from Hiawassee.If you are from central Florida, I don't think either of these choices are within 9 hours of your location. I just got back from Sarasota Florida (I live in Warner Robins GA), and it's 8 hours from there to home towing. Pine Mountain is about an hour or so from me... SO, MAYBE that's 9 hours. But certainly Hiawassee (and Tallulah Gorge) are not.Mike

Hopefully by December there will be some rain, supposedly there will be a flip in the weather systems that will put us in a wet pattern in the next week or so.Either way, GA and AL are total burn bans, and I'm guessing the Carolinas are also. Until we get some rain. I think by mid December you will be safe to plan a trip, but I'd plan on being flexible if you can We spent last weekend at Vogel SP in N GA, and it was beautiful, the fires were east and west of us, and the wind was out of the north, so we had no smoke.

According to the extended forecasts, there is no significant precip forecast through December for N GA. The Carolinas are also suffering.One option would be closer to Florida but not as warm as FL.Savannah has outstanding Christmas events and you can also enjoy nature if you stay at Skidaway Island State Park which is close to Savannah. They have full hookups as well; it's one of our fave parks. http://www.gastateparks.org/SkidawayIslandSkidaway also has a Luminary Night http://www.gastateparks.org/info/210968?c=13024086Bonus: you have less time driving and more time vacationing.Herself enjoys the romantic ambiance of Christmas in Savannah. :w Here are some Savannah Christmas eventsChristmas on the RiverBoat Parade of LightsCoastal Georgia Botanical Gardens also dress up for the holidays.Dozens of other Christmas activities. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is beautiful at Christmas too.If your emphasis is on colder temps and nature rather than activities, you'll have to travel as far as Chattanooga, TN to get away from smoke and fires.

Suggestions for Georgia trip for December | Good Sam Community

Rangerman40
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
We are doing Skidaway Island SP for Christmas and going to explore Savannah for a few days before heading to Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach Fl for New Years.
Retired_JSO
Explorer
Nov 17, 2016
Ivylog wrote:
I would not rule out the GA mountains... before Christmas the rains will have started, even snow. Currently the fires are mostly in NC and the two in GA are 40 miles to the east of Hiawassee and 75 miles to the west.
Lake Lanier Islands 50 miles north of Atlanta has one of the best light shows.

And the smoke is all the way down to Jacksonville, FL. this week.
Keeth1123
Explorer
Nov 17, 2016
We have decided to go to skidaway park this time. We will save our Hiawassee and Blue Ridge trip for a better date.

Thanks for the replies.
RGar974417
Explorer
Nov 17, 2016
We have stayed at both High Falls State Park and Georgia Veterans State Park. Both are close to I-75. They are nice and both are relatively close to Ft Benning which has a nice infantry museum, Columbus ,Ga with the Confederate naval Museum and Andersonville Civil War Prison.High Falls riverside campground has nice sites with good seperation. Some have back ins, some pull offs and all have water and electric hookups.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Dec 06, 2016
From fire to mud season in less than a week. The fires are out and the rain has begun...6+".
magnusfide
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2016
Keeth1123 wrote:
We have decided to go to skidaway park this time. We will save our Hiawassee and Blue Ridge trip for a better date.

Thanks for the replies.

Have a great time. That's an enjoyable winter trip :c
magnusfide
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2016
Double post

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