Starting in NC with TT -- Where should I go?

[dcoutts]

The original plan was to fly into the Pacific NW, rent an RV, and spend 2-3 weeks exploring Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc.

Timing and budgets look like they may trump our grand plan 😞 . The new plan is to borrow the in-laws big SUV, rent a TT, and head out from here (Raleigh, NC) for 2-3 weeks.

We're going in June or July. What are some of the best places I should/can see given the heat and my starting point? I'll definitely hit Great Smoky National Park but I'm not sure where else to go.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[ken56]

Asheville area has the Biltmore house. Quite the place to see. North out of Asheville take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Boone NC. Nice town, home to Appalachian State University, or go south on the parkway towards Great Smoky Mtn. Natl. Park. The NPS campgrounds fill up so availability may be an issue getting in and they do not have water/electric/sewer. Lots of other full service CG's in the area though. There is tons of things to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. From GSMNP go to Chattanooga. Wonderful Aquarium along with other attractions.

[NCWriter]

On the way to or from Raleigh and the mountains, there's some interesting stuff we've enjoyed.

NC's Yadkin Valley has some high quality wineries, most with tastings and special events. A good place to stay is Winston-Salem's Tanglewood Park but ask for a level site. While there, you can visit historic Old Salem. RayLen vineyard is near there. Also in the valley are Raffaldini, Shelton, Childress (owned by NASCAR'S Richard Childress) and dozens of others.

Charlotte has the Carolinas Aviation Museum with the Miracle on the Hudson airplane and exhibits inside it's massive hanger, very interesting.

[Ivylog]

There's more to pulling a TT than just hooking up to it. Does the SUV have a brake controller? Will the trailer rental have a weight distributing hitch for it and help set it up properly?
I would stay in the mountains where it will be cooler.

[gcloss]

Markiemark32 wrote:
Start Raleigh, NC.

Pisgah National Forest ~ Davidson river Campground
Davidson River
Asheville, NC also right there

Great Smoky Mts Natl Park [COLOR=]~ lots of options, search forum

Chattahoochee National Forest

Chattanooga – is a cool city, with a great mix of outdoorsy activities

Somewhere near Nashville (wife always wanted to see Nashville so we'll probably spend a day or 2 nearby)

Shawnee National Forest
Daniel Boone National Forest

Big South Fork
Big South Fork

Cherokee National Forest

Then Back Home

Several of your stops, could take 3-6 days, with all the activities available, may want to pick three good ones, and not hop around too much, may not feel as relaxing/vacation vs. packing up & traveling alot..........:S


Markiemark:C

Watch out for Nashville the second and third week in June when CMA Fest takes place. They estimate nearly 50,000 people in Nashville during the day and 80,000 going to LP Field at night. I'll be one of them.

[Markiemark32]

Start Raleigh, NC.

Pisgah National Forest ~ Davidson river Campground
Davidson River
Asheville, NC also right there

Great Smoky Mts Natl Park [COLOR=]~ lots of options, search forum

Chattahoochee National Forest

Chattanooga – is a cool city, with a great mix of outdoorsy activities

Somewhere near Nashville (wife always wanted to see Nashville so we'll probably spend a day or 2 nearby)

Shawnee National Forest
Daniel Boone National Forest

Big South Fork
Big South Fork

Cherokee National Forest

Then Back Home

Several of your stops, could take 3-6 days, with all the activities available, may want to pick three good ones, and not hop around too much, may not feel as relaxing/vacation vs. packing up & traveling alot..........:S


Markiemark:C

[dcoutts]

We're looking for more mountains and forests. We already spend a lot of time at the beach each Summer. I'd like to avoid anything to do with DC. My son plays travel Hockey and we're up there 4-5 times a year.

Just looking at google maps and focusing on National Forests and Parks, what do you think about these stops? I'll probably drop a couple so we can spend more time in each place.

Start Raleigh, NC.
Pisgah National Forest
Great Smoky Mts Natl Park
Chattahoochee National Forest
Somewhere near Nashville (wife always wanted to see Nashville so we'll probably spend a day or 2 nearby)
Shawnee National Forest
Daniel Boone National Forest
Cherokee National Forest
then back home

[dahkota]

From Great Smoky Mountains National Park head north to Shenandoah National Park (and there are caves such as Luray if you like them). From there, head north to PA to visit Gettysburg and the other battlefields. Go Southeast from there to visit DC. Go south again to visit Williamsburg. Maybe hit Virginia Beach. Then go home.

Or, after Shenandoah, go into West Virginia. Visit Harper's Ferry. Maybe stop in Canaan Valley. Then head to Lexington in Kentucky, then off to Mammoth Caves.

It really depends on what you like.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Add Bryson City to the Cherokee area. The NC side is mostly RV parks compared to the TN side. Trout fishing is an option. White water rafting and tubing near Bryson City. Lookout Mountain (TN/GA) is in the general vicinity as well. Opposite approach is go to the Outer Banks but I haven't camped there so don't remember what the campground situation is.

[Markiemark32]

Asheville on your way to the great Smokey Mtns.

Brevard, NC -Pisgah Natl Forest - Dupount Forest (Lots of waterfalls)

Smokey Mtns -

• Cherokee, NC ~Bryson City ~ NOC
• Mile High Campground
• Gatlinburg
• Cades Cove
• Pigeon Forge
• Elkmount or Smokemount(Smokey Mtn Campgrounds)
  

or head to the beach area

Outer Banks, NC

Wilmington


Markiemark:C