Phoenix to Franklin, NC

[bigg-limo]

The DW and I have been pondering a trip from Phoenix to Franklin, NC sometime this summer. We have been talking about going to Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mines this summer. Our planned route is to take I-17 to Flagstaff, then I-40 to Nashville, I-24 to Chattanooga, and so on. Franklin is about 3 hrs east of Chattanooga. I would like some advice, or suggestions for points of interest along the way, because we absolutely don't mind sightseeing along the way. It will be the two of us, our 11 & 9 year old daughters, and the father and mother in-law who will be following along with us. Also, I'd like some suggestions on campgrounds along the way that are Big Rig Friendly, because we have an HDT with a 41' toyhauler. Thanks in advance,...look forward to hearing from you all.

[BillMFl]

As mentioned before, there is lots to see near Grants, NM. Blue Water State Park has a nice campground on a bluff above the lake. If you have never been to Santa Fe its a quick jog north of Albuquerque and one of my favorites. That stretch from central NM thu Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas is long haul and I'm guilty of just pounding down the road to get thru it as fast as I can. Hope others have some good ideas for you. Chattanooga has lots of interesting stuff to do and see. Just google the city and you will see a big list of historical and civil war stuff. From Franklin I would highly recommend the Great Smokies and a drive on the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

[OH48Lt]

If you find yourself in eastern Oklahoma and need a decent place to stay, try Lake Eufaula State Park campground. Exit 259 on I-40, south 2-3 miles, CG on the right. Very big rig friendly, the pull-throughs I saw were huge. 1/2 price if 60 or older. We stayed there one night, was tempted to stay 1-2 more, but we had to make some miles the next day. Clean too.

[NMDriver]

If you are around Albuquerque and looking for a campground, go south on I-25 to exit 215 and go south on Broadway to the first light and take a right at the gas stations to Isleta Lakes RV park Isleta Pueblo link

They have fishing in the stocked lakes, a casino, and golf course and the food is considered pretty good at the casino if you want a place to eat out.

[jaycocamprs]

kohldad wrote:
Unless there is something in Chattanooga you want to see, I would suggest staying on I-40 to NC and take Hwy 23 (Exit 27) which will be nice dual lane road to Franklin. Hwy 64 from Chattanooga is a lot of single lane curvy road to just outside of Franklin. Doable, but not enjoyable with your rig. Adds 50 miles to the trip but think it's worth it. This is based on local knowledge from having land near Sylva, NC and wheeling for years in Tellico Plains.

US-64 is very doable, many 18 wheelers travel it every day. There is a 10-mile stretch through the Ocoee gorge that is 2-lane, very curvy, and has no shoulder. But it is not as bad as it was before the 2009 rockslide.
If you don't want to do US-64, you can go 20 mile south down I-75 to Dalton GA and run US-76 to Clayton GA and north up US-23 to Franklin NC

[trailertraveler]

You don't say where you have already been so I'll start East of Flagstaff.

Along I-40 going East you can stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona and visit Homolovi Ruins State Park. Then there are Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest National Park, Just South of I-40 going toward Grants are El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. In Grants, there is the Mining Museum. Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino. In Albuquerque, the Pueblo Cultural Center and Petroglyph National Monument are worth visiting in my opinion. Santa Rosa is an old Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole, and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground. Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66, numerous murals painted on buildings, a dinosaur foundry at the community college and other attractions.

In Amarillo, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66.

Hope you have a Great Trip!!!

[kohldad]

Unless there is something in Chattanooga you want to see, I would suggest staying on I-40 to NC and take Hwy 23 (Exit 27) which will be nice dual lane road to Franklin. Hwy 64 from Chattanooga is a lot of single lane curvy road to just outside of Franklin. Doable, but not enjoyable with your rig. Adds 50 miles to the trip but think it's worth it. This is based on local knowledge from having land near Sylva, NC and wheeling for years in Tellico Plains.

If you want to stop for a night before you get off the interstate, there is a nice campground a couple miles before you exit the interstate at Hwy 276 called Creekwood Farm.

[riven1950]

We stayed at this CG in 2013. http://rosecreekcamp.com/ There is a small mine that you can walk to, not sure if they own it or a neighbor.

We went to a larger mine too, I think it was Mason's, and it was just down the road. Not really into looking for gems but we bought some dirt and had a good time. Had fun and found a few gems.

We had a small TT, so no access problem. You may want to ask them about access. Seems like the turn into the CG was a tight one, dirt road in CG, and a bit of a grade ( heck you are in the hills ). Could be an issue if raining. We had no problem. Sites themselves would be large enough I think. It was about empty when we were there. They have good rates and take PA under certain conditions.

Maybe a local will chime in with advice.

[Markiemark32]

Not necessarily stops on the way, but once your out this way, lots of cool stuff to checkout & camping areas!

Franklin, NC, not far from Cherokee, NC –lots of campgrounds & activities, gateway into the Smokey Mountains natl park!

Cherokee & Smokey Mtn action

Also, close to Franklin is NOC – Nantahala Outdoor Center, cool area with hiking, rafting, outdoor center with activities & descent little restaurant on the river, Nantahala Gorge,
TSALI –cool Mtn Bike park.

Bryson City - Smokey Mtn Train Ride -waterfalls in area, for hikes.

NOC

Chattanooga is a great town to visit, nice restaurants, aquarium, and other activites.

Racoon Mtn, great place over-looking the city, with trails, Mtn Biking, hiking

Chatt Downtown

We have stayed at this campground, and is good setup, with options for bigger rigs.

Raccoon Mtn Campground


We always just travel through Franklin, have not search for camping options, there...

MArkiemark:C