Favorite Vacation Location east of Mississippi River

[Reader1]

We are planning this year's vacation. We don't have enough time to head west. We wonder what RV.net readers think is their favorite destination east of the Mississippi River where there is plenty of hiking, possibly biking but not necessary if in the mountains, and beauty. We love Acadia, Myrtle Beach, UP of Michigan, Smokeys, but wonder are we missing someplace that we have not thought about? We plan to go after Labor Day.

[garmp]

We like Vogel SP in northern GA. Blairsville, Helen, & Dahlonega offer a lot to do and see. We camp in a Small B so we have no issues with the sites, but some could cause concern for larger rigs. Best to check. But beautiful country just the same.

[Handbasket]

Can't let the NC mountains pass without mentioning the Brevard area. You've got Dupont State Forest with waterfalls, biking, and hiking; Caesar's SP (SC) & Whiteside Mtn, both with phenomenal views & hiking; Sliding Rock, Pink Beds, Cradle of Forestry, and Davidson River CG all on the same 15 mile stretch of road, with the Blue Ridge Parkway at the top; and Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Brevard itself has a 'quaint' downtown shopping area, and a music-oriented college.

Jim, "I drink coffee for _your_ protection!"

[bid_time]

You can never go to the UP or GSMNP too many times but if you already been there and done that try somewhere new. Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio is one of the finest. I would also suggest Ohiopyle in PA. Both offer good hiking and lots and lots to see.

[tragusa3]

I don't have enough experience to say it's "the best", but you can't have this thread without listing Hunting Island, SC. Especially if you can get one of the 8-10 prime sites on the water.

[Veebyes]

Well, that settles it. Get a map & throw a dart at it. Anywhere is good.

[pa_traveler]

Ricketts Glen camp ground , PA. Waterfalls and hiking.

[linnemj]

LindaAnn wrote:
I would just like to suggest an area from Tellico Plains, TN to the North Georgia Mountains. We really enjoyed a trip there.

A good website is www.theblueridgehighlander.com

On 'Tennessee Mountains', go to Monroe County where Tellico Plains is located. In this neat little town (with a wonderful little bakery) you can get on the Cherohala Skyway, a beautiful scenic drive, with stops along the way and walking trails. Toward the end of that drive, you can go to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest...it is dedicated to the author of the poem "Trees". It is an area of the largest stand of hardwood trees east of the Mississippi, and is about a 2 mile hike. I highly recommend--I loved it...so peaceful and beautiful. Be sure to get a map of the trail before you start! They're located at the beginning of the trail.

On that same website, check out 'Georgia Mountains'. There is so much to see and do in this area. White County is home of Helen, GA, a cute little Bavarian town--lots of unique shops and good food. There is a beautiful waterfall--Anna Ruby Falls--a short hike to get there and a small covered bridge nearby. Also in Lumpkin County is a little town Dahlonega, where you can "pan for gold". Lots of history in the area.

There is a Racing Museum in Dawsonville, GA...and not far from there is a Kangaroo Conservation Center. When we were in the area 2 years ago, it was open to the public--not sure of the status now, but you might can get a glimpse of them from the information/souvenir building. It was a sight to see all those kangaroos hopping around!

The KOA we stayed at in Tellico Plains was destroyed last year by a tornado, but I'm sure there are other RV parks.....and there are lots in the Georgia Mountains area.

Indian Boundary campground right off the Cherohala Skyway is a nice place. Electric hookups only but water is available to fill your tank and there is a dump station. Another place we like is the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds located in the north Georgia mountains.

[Halmfamily]

If you are coming through Alabama, Wind Creek SP, Oak Mountain State Park, Nocalula Falls, Lake Coleman in The Talladega National Forest, Cheaha Mountain and the Fort Payne area are some of our favorite spots to camp. Have fun.

[rbtglove]

Some that are not as well known but would suit your needs, - Hocking Hills State Park in mid Ohio, Cumberland Gap Nat Park, Natural Bridge, Falls Creek Falls, Land Between the Lakes and Cumberland Falls St Park in the KY/TN area and Brown County IN also is different. If you go further east there are many more to choose from.

[AlabamaTraveler]

My vote goes to any place in Virginia and West Virginia. These are two of our most beautiful states. Happy camping.........

[tohare]

Cape cod, should be considered. Bike trail, as well as ocean and bay.

[D___M]

You did not specify, but if you can get along with hookups, Watkins Glen State Park in NY has hiking trails along a gorge that has 19 waterfalls and other hiking trails.

[LindaAnn]

I would just like to suggest an area from Tellico Plains, TN to the North Georgia Mountains. We really enjoyed a trip there.

A good website is www.theblueridgehighlander.com

On 'Tennessee Mountains', go to Monroe County where Tellico Plains is located. In this neat little town (with a wonderful little bakery) you can get on the Cherohala Skyway, a beautiful scenic drive, with stops along the way and walking trails. Toward the end of that drive, you can go to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest...it is dedicated to the author of the poem "Trees". It is an area of the largest stand of hardwood trees east of the Mississippi, and is about a 2 mile hike. I highly recommend--I loved it...so peaceful and beautiful. Be sure to get a map of the trail before you start! They're located at the beginning of the trail.

On that same website, check out 'Georgia Mountains'. There is so much to see and do in this area. White County is home of Helen, GA, a cute little Bavarian town--lots of unique shops and good food. There is a beautiful waterfall--Anna Ruby Falls--a short hike to get there and a small covered bridge nearby. Also in Lumpkin County is a little town Dahlonega, where you can "pan for gold". Lots of history in the area.

There is a Racing Museum in Dawsonville, GA...and not far from there is a Kangaroo Conservation Center. When we were in the area 2 years ago, it was open to the public--not sure of the status now, but you might can get a glimpse of them from the information/souvenir building. It was a sight to see all those kangaroos hopping around!

The KOA we stayed at in Tellico Plains was destroyed last year by a tornado, but I'm sure there are other RV parks.....and there are lots in the Georgia Mountains area.

[Tachdriver]

Also look at Virginia Interstate Breaks park, fairly decent hiking plus a water park if you have young ones....