Dry Camping Blue Ridge Parkway in Oct

[vtchris]

I am in a 21' MH and don't need hookups. Will I be OK going down the BRP third week in Oct without reservations? I HATE making them and rarely do. I want to stay in the National Park or Forest sites. Also, is the view worth the narrow twisty roads?

[Matt_Colie]

djgwilly wrote:
We would like to travel the brp the first of Dec with a 28 foot mh heading south. Anyone know what conditions are at that time.

I would be very cautious about traveling the BRP that time of year. What that really means is watch the weather and be ready to bail....
We did our first run of the BRP in the spring (April) and it was still winter at the higher elevations (4~6Kft). It is not a road to be on when things get slippery. Being from Vermont, I am sure you know about slippery roads, but this is not in river valleys. Pick a bad memory of a little number road like 12 or 14 and now put it up at 4000 ft.

You can do this, but as said, be ready to hold for weather or bail off to lower and better roads. If you do make it, it will be a treasured memory.

Matt - a refugee from the megopolis of the east coast.

[RGar974417]

If you go during the week,it won't be a problem.

[huachuca]

There are lots of USFS camping spots open for year round dry camping not too far off the Parkway. Horse Cove in Nantahala NF is one we like and its only a few miles from the Cherohala Skyway (better views than BRP on my opinion). If its full, lots of sites along nearby FS81 (dirt road but you shouldn't have a problem unless it gets really wet). More sites on the west end of the Skyway in the Bald River Falls area of Cherokee NF. Check in Pisgah NF as well.

[Hondavalk]

http://brpatravelplanner.nomadmobileguides.com/m/website/categories/category29.html

[vtchris]

I read on their website that campgrounds close the end of October, that's federal ones.

[djgwilly]

We would like to travel the brp the first of Dec with a 28 foot mh heading south. Anyone know what conditions are at that time.

[vtchris]

Wow, thanks. Good information.

[Yeti_plus]

We were on the BRP and Skyline Drive from Oct 2 to Oct 6. We drove north on the BRP from Asheville, NC to the northern terminus and didn't have reservations. Lots of room in the parks we stayed at. Could have spent another 2 or 3 days, but had commitments at home.
Leaves were changing making overlooks even more stunning.

[Mike_Taverniti]

Otter Creek is beautiful .

[KD4UPL]

I would take a look at the online registration site and see how many spots are left. That should give you an idea even if you don't actually reserve one. I suspect it will be tough that time of year; it's prime fall leaf season.