Forum Discussion

DKM_Fam's avatar
DKM_Fam
Explorer
Dec 08, 2014

Blue Ridge Parkway question

Hi all,
My family and I are considering escaping for the week Dec 29th and heading from Sunny Florida up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I know most folks come our way for the winter, but being native Floridians, we would like to head a little north to perhaps do a little cold weather camping or have a snow ball fight with the kids. My question is this, we have a 35’ Gorgie Boy Class A. I did a little searching on line and am finding many of the campgrounds along the parkway are closed for the season that time of year. Has anyone driven the parkway this time of year? Are their open campgrounds that we can find to accommodate our rig? Of course if there is bad weather we would follow common sense and stay off the Parkway. Just looking for some reassurance that this trip is doable at the end of December. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Class A
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    As noted by Naturist, your issue may well be having sections of the Parkway closed due to snow. Generally, we don't get a lot of snow in our part of Virginia but if so, it will be at the higher elevations. IMO, the most scenic part of the BRP is in western NC and there are generally RV parks around Asheville and Boone open year round. In Virginia, there are several RV parks near the BRP in the Natural Bridge and Lexington area. Check rvparkreviews.com to get the scoop on those. At the BRP's most southern end near Cherokee, NC, there should be RV parks in Cherokee, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge open year round. Those areas are pretty much tourist traps on steroids but plenty to do near both the BRP and the entrance to the Smoky Mountains.

    Wherever you travel, have fun and travel safely.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Dec 08, 2014
    I'm up closer to the north end of the Parkway, and I can tell you that entire sections of the Parkway close when there's snow on 'em. They do not plow, so if it snows, the gates get slammed shut.

    For what it is worth, I believe the Lynchburg (VA) KOA at 6252 Elon Rd, 800-562-8717 is open all year. It is located 1 mile east of the Parkway on VA 130, and it is NOT "at the bottom of the mountain below the parkway." That stretch of the Parkway IS at the bottom of the hill.

    This is about a half-hour south of Wintergreen Resort, a ski resort also about a mile off the Parkway, but the entrance is at the bottom of the mountain. Wintergreen also makes snow.
  • rvis2005's avatar
    rvis2005
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    THIS was one of the neatest trips we've been on. Drove the Parkway in our 42 Monaco towing our pick up. We have such awesome pictures and great memories. There are various campgrounds along the way that will accommodate. I would call and reserve first. Also, I would plan to get to the campground early as it gets dark very fast.

    Enjoy your trip! Tommy
  • P3TC's avatar
    P3TC
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Snow is not predictable up here then....try to get close to one of the ski resorts...like Beech Mountain near Boone, NC. They make snow all season.
  • More_To_See's avatar
    More_To_See
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Be aware that a "nearby" campground on the map may be down in the valley requiring a long winding descent and then a climb back up the next morning.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 08, 2014
    We have traveled the Parkway and the Skyway during the Winter months. Not knowing your schedule it is hard to pick exact RV parks but if you do a search for RV parks near the communities at the various exits you will find several RV parks that are open during the Winter. rvparkreviews.com is a good place to research.
    I think you will find more RV parks open than closed. A lot has to do with the fact that many RV parks have a large number of "permanent" residents due to the economy.

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