western Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds

We have stayed at the KOA in Cherokee. Nice place and pretty close to what you want to see. A lot to do in the whole area. Enjoy Larry

You do know the BRP doesn't go into Tenn?

Unless you enjoy slow riding, the BRP is not the place to ride a motorcycle. Very few places to pass, slow vehicles which you need to wait to pass.

You may be more interested in the Great Smokey Mtn National Park. Something in the Townsend, TN may work well for you. It would put you about an hour away from the Tail of the Dragon and an hour from the southern end of the Parkway up 441, about 30 minutes from Gatlinburg. Then for your wife, lots of small towns between Townsend, Seiverville, and Knoxville.

Now if you really want BRP, try something in the TN/NC area, may want to look at Creekwood Farm. From there you can take Hwy 276 or 215 up to the BRP about an hour away. Your wife can shop in Waynesville, Cherokee, Sylva, or Dillon, Asheville, all within an hour. Gatlinburg is a little over an hour away too. Thinking, this may be a better choice as it provide more shopping and gives several 3/4 day loops.

We like Maggie Valley--have stayed at Stonebridge RV Park several times.

You can get on the BRP a few miles west of town...and Cherokee is nearby.

There are some antique stores in Maggie Valley and in Waynesville, which is about 6 miles east of there.

Also, there's a motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley.

And...if you like waterfalls, there are lots of them in Transylvania County, NC--nice for a day trip.

Near the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is SERANDO LAKE which is an excellent camp ground with hookups... Has access to the Parkway which is somewhat steep and and sharp curves near the Parkway.

Altho the parkway is a NORTH SOUTH route the areas in the NC area around the Cherokee area is sometimes referred to as the western section.

Referring to actual town locations where you want to be would serve you best.

The Parkway itself is just a hugh scenic drive for some 420 miles with camp locations about every 50 miles along the way. None of the camp ground have hookups. All of the places you are wanting to see are off the parkway in the local town such as Cherokee and others. One big downside with the parkway is only a few good locations to get on and off of the parkway. The parkway has numerous access points along the entire 420 mile route and alot of those places getting on and off the parkway may not be camper trailer friendly. There are also only a few restaurants and fuel stations on the parkway. You really need to get a map of the whole parkway to be aware of where these locations are located. The speed limit on the parkway is 45MPH but a lot of places are only 25-30MPHS with lots of curves, some tunnels and viaducts, alot of motorcycle and bicycle traffic. Wildlife especially deer is something to be very aware of especially at the dusk part of the day.

Using the parkway as a base camp for those places you have mentioned is probably not the better idea. In NC the PISGAH and Nantahala National Forest areas with hookups might be better choices for base camp ideas.

You cannot be in hurry along the parkway...

We have tent camped at most camp sites along the Blue ridge Parkway from Virginia to Ashville a couple of times.

just some of my thoughts
Roy Ken

shenandoahvalley wrote:
The BRP and SNP are 465 miles long so not real sure what part you are doing. If its the northern end try Andy Guest Shenandoah River SP near Luray, VA. Right on the Shenandoah river, you can fish, DW can find at least 50 antique shops within a 50 mile radius. Yogi Bear at Natural Bridge is also on the river so you can fish, not so many antique shops in that area. There are also several State Parks further south where you may get in some fishing, like Claytor Lake,and Douthat.

Yeah, there is no West side. It runs more or less, North South, and the right of way is only a few hundred feet wide.
Tell us what town, or section you want to be near. Cherokee, Linville, Boone, Virginia, and we can help more.

As for electricity. None of the NP CGs have it, or sewer hookups. You have get off the BRP for that. However Raccoone Holler, is just along side near Glendale Springs, and Miller Camp as well. Bear Den is near Little Switzerland. They has full hookups.

shenandoahvalley wrote:
The BRP and SNP are 465 miles long so not real sure what part you are doing. If its the northern end try Andy Guest Shenandoah River SP near Luray, VA. Right on the Shenandoah river, you can fish, DW can find at least 50 antique shops within a 50 mile radius. Yogi Bear at Natural Bridge is also on the river so you can fish, not so many antique shops in that area. There are also several State Parks further south where you may get in some fishing, like Claytor Lake,and Douthat.

Yeah, there is no West side. It runs more or less, North South, and the right of way is only a few hundred feet wide.
Tell us what town, or section you want to be near. Cherokee, Linville, Boone, Virginia, and we can help more.

We were thinking around Cherokee area? Right around the North Carolina /TN. border. Base camp on the western side.

The BRP and SNP are 465 miles long so not real sure what part you are doing. If its the northern end try Andy Guest Shenandoah River SP near Luray, VA. Right on the Shenandoah river, you can fish, DW can find at least 50 antique shops within a 50 mile radius. Yogi Bear at Natural Bridge is also on the river so you can fish, not so many antique shops in that area. There are also several State Parks further south where you may get in some fishing, like Claytor Lake,and Douthat.