Western North Carolina - Suggestions?
My wife & I are planning our second trip with our 30 year old/new to us truck camper and are looking at the Western North Carolina area. We're heading down from Massachusetts and plan to hit Shenandoa...
Forum Discussion
You'll have to go a little further east to get good NC barbecue:) B's in Greenville or, for ribs, The Cue Pit in Princeville. They serve funny looking purple slaw in Lexington.
Many of the Federal campgrounds and exhibits in western NC may be closed in April, be sure to check their status on www.recreation.gov Great suggestions so far by other posters. I'll throw out a few that haven't been mentioned.
Big Meadows and Lewis Mountain will probably be the only two campgrounds open in April in Shenandoah NP. We've stayed at both and would do so again.
If you're an Andy Griffith fan, Pilot Mountain SP in NC is near Mount Airy (think Mayberry) and has a nice campground.
In the Asheville area, our favorite campground is Cataloochee. Its small but some sites are streamside and you're almost guaranteed to see Elk and other wildlife. Reservations required.
Also near Asheville is the NC Arboretum. A great way to spend a day and an awesome bonsai exhibit. $12 parking but admission is free http://www.ncarboretum.org/plan-a-visit-or-event/hours-directions/
The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah NF is an interesting stop and opens in mid April http://www.cradleofforestry.com/site/contact-us/hours-location/
As mentioned, Smokemont is near Cherokee and a good base for visiting that area. Section "F" if open is our preference.
Horse Cove in Nantahala NF is our favorite NC mountain campground. The lower section is open year round; the upper opens on 4/15. Its near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, The Cherohala Skyway (prettier drive than the BR Parkway) Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (take the train from Bryson City to Nantahala Outdoor Center; scenes from the train wreck in The Fugitive were filmed here) and other items of interest.
Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
Many of the Federal campgrounds and exhibits in western NC may be closed in April, be sure to check their status on www.recreation.gov Great suggestions so far by other posters. I'll throw out a few that haven't been mentioned.
Big Meadows and Lewis Mountain will probably be the only two campgrounds open in April in Shenandoah NP. We've stayed at both and would do so again.
If you're an Andy Griffith fan, Pilot Mountain SP in NC is near Mount Airy (think Mayberry) and has a nice campground.
In the Asheville area, our favorite campground is Cataloochee. Its small but some sites are streamside and you're almost guaranteed to see Elk and other wildlife. Reservations required.
Also near Asheville is the NC Arboretum. A great way to spend a day and an awesome bonsai exhibit. $12 parking but admission is free http://www.ncarboretum.org/plan-a-visit-or-event/hours-directions/
The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah NF is an interesting stop and opens in mid April http://www.cradleofforestry.com/site/contact-us/hours-location/
As mentioned, Smokemont is near Cherokee and a good base for visiting that area. Section "F" if open is our preference.
Horse Cove in Nantahala NF is our favorite NC mountain campground. The lower section is open year round; the upper opens on 4/15. Its near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, The Cherohala Skyway (prettier drive than the BR Parkway) Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (take the train from Bryson City to Nantahala Outdoor Center; scenes from the train wreck in The Fugitive were filmed here) and other items of interest.
Hope you enjoy your visit with us.
