Skyline Dr and Blue Ridge Parkway in VA

[Campincarters]

Hello I posted in the Class C forum but I thought here too. Was wondering about the tunnel (Mary's Tunnel) on Skyline Dr just south of Thorntons Gap on Skyline for height. They say 12'8" and my C is 11'8". Has anyone driven it. Also are the hills or grades difficult for the RV's. May only drive parts of it. Thanks for advice.
Happy Travels

[bukhrn]

rjf7g wrote:
I live at the foot of Afton Mt where the BRP and Skyline Drive meet - I grew up tent camping at Sherando and LOVE it! There is a private campground about 5-10 miles east of the juncture on US 250 - http://www.mistymountaincampresort.com// where I do all of my shakedowns. It has full hookups and lots of activities.

When you get to this junction, don't forget to stop & get a bag or 2 of Kettle Korn, it has become one of our mandatory stops when in the area, but beware, for some unknown reason, the stuff never seems to last very long, no matter how many bags we buy. :B

[rjf7g]

I live at the foot of Afton Mt where the BRP and Skyline Drive meet - I grew up tent camping at Sherando and LOVE it! There is a private campground about 5-10 miles east of the juncture on US 250 - http://www.mistymountaincampresort.com// where I do all of my shakedowns. It has full hookups and lots of activities.

[BillMFl]

Loft Mountain can be very popular on week ends and holidays. We have been there when it filled up. When we used to tent camp we drove the full length from Cherokee to I66 on our way to/from Maine. Camped in most of the campgrounds at least once and many times at some like Crabtree Meadows and Linville Falls. Like already mentioned, no hook ups. Cold water at spigot and sinks. No showers.

[bukhrn]

Campincarters wrote:
We were thinking of going in August.

Great time to be up on the mountains, as August is our Hottest month & the mountains are usually 10 degrees cooler and less humidity, if we camp in August it'll be in the mountains.
Roy's suggestion of Sherando Lake, off of BRP is a good one as it's one of the few along, (not on) the parkway with electric, which we found handy for sleeping one weekend a few years back when it got to the upper 90's, however that was July.
If you do decide on Sherando, make reservations now, as it's extremely popular & while 2 of the loops have electric, only one, (Meadow loop) takes reservations.

[Campincarters]

We were thinking of going in August.

[bukhrn]

I hope you're not coming immediately, as Mary's Rock tunnel is closed for maintenance until May 18th, as per the Parks web site http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

[RoyB]

It is highest in the middle of the tunnel. Speed limit is slow so don't worry about hogging the road from on coming traffic. Tunnel is short...

Hope your height included the roof mounted air conditioner...

We always like to stay at LOFT mtn just be aware there are NO HOOKUPS at the mtn camp sites. Only REST ROOMs and water available to tote back to your camp site.

There is CAMP STORE and hot shower and fire wood at LOFT MTN... Also a WAY STATION on the Skyline drive at this location with Gas Station.

Another great place to stay at the I64 crossing of Skyline Drive/BlueRidge Parkway is SHERANDO LAKE which has hookups and is just off the BLUERIDGE Parway. We really like this place as well...

It would be best to go to SHERANDO from I64 EXIT 96 I think it is verses coming straight off the BLUE RIDGE Parkway (CHeck your maps). The road coming off the Blue Ridge parkway at the top is very WINDING, NARROW, and STEEP just as you get to the Parkway.

Roy Ken

[Campincarters]

I figured that but was not sure how wide the road was to do that in that area.

[agesilaus]

On the tunnels you need to drive down the center of the road where the tunnels are the highest.