Nashville and Tennessee help for newbie

[ckndave]

Hi all, we are not newbies to RVing but, since my hubs retired in December, we are exploring new places instead of going to the same places over and over...right? So we are going to be in Nashville for a week for a convention, then plan to explore Tennessee for 10-12 days.

We have a 26 foot RV and have two Vespas that we explore on. We are looking not only for campground input (we prefer state parks, national parks...NOT RV parks although we will be in one for Nashville) but would like SITE recommendations as we are pre-planners and are going to reserve when we can.

We love to ride our Vespas, they are 300 cc and highway worthy.

For those who know, tell us where to go, where to stay, what to reserve! Thanks!!

[RGar974417]

Cedars of Lebanon State Park is east of Nashville and has a campground. Lot's of places to ride in the park.Also Land Between the Lakes has a number of great state parks, National forest or COE campgrounds along the lake. Plenty of places to ride. We prefer Canal Campground.Some sites on the water where you can barge traffic and other water craft.

[1stgenfarmboy]

I have been camping and riding motorcycles in east TN and NC for 30 yrs, even though I live 7 hours away, " that tells you how good the riding is, done the entire BRP 4 times on 2 wheels and 2 in cars 1 in truck camper, there has already been alot of places mentioned I would have said, if you can see the Smokies or the Appalachains the riding is good.

I am headed to Tellico Plains in 2 weeks for 3 more days of riding.


IMO the southern part of the BRP is the best on 2 wheels, from Ashville south to Cherokee and from Ashville north to Alta pass Orchard.


PS for no reason skip riding up to Mount Mitchell, the smell of the Balsam trees is what I feel like the gateway to Heaven is like.

[GoinThisAway]

Two other nice natural areas with campgrounds in TN are Land Between the Lakes and Big South Fork National Recreation Area.

[agb2529]

Another vote for Seven Points, beautiful CG with roomy wooded sites on a big reservoir. Normal route into Nashville would use the interstate but if you wanted something more scenic with less traffic to take the scooters there are plenty of reasonably direct back roads.

[VE3ESN]

I've been planning a trip to Nashville and think that SEVEN POINTS CAMPGROUND (Corp of Engineers) looks to be the best public park that's relatively close to the major sites in Nashville.

[wowens79]

I'll 3rd Fall Creek Falls State Park in East TN. Really most of East TN, West NC is great. It will be much greener than you are used to, and more humid. Lots of great creeks and waterfalls to see.

[ckndave]

We were going to stay in an RV park in Nashville on the same reservoir but cancelled and got a site at Seven Points 🙂 more our speed. Thanks for the recommendation. I am so excited to scoot around TN and NC!!!!

LowRyter wrote:

linnemj wrote:
Check out Indian Boundary National Forest Campgrounds outside Tellico Plains, TN. It is located on the Cherahola Skyway, a beautiful high elevation road that crosses from TN to NC. Another is Davidson River NF Campground in Brevard, NC. Lots of great scooting in that area. My all time favorite in the Blue Ridge Parkway which is pure bliss on 2 wheels.

COE campgrounds are our favorite. Seven Points COE campgrounds located E of Nashville is a good example. Check it out while you are in town!

and ride the Tail of the Dragon!

:E

[LowRyter]

linnemj wrote:
Check out Indian Boundary National Forest Campgrounds outside Tellico Plains, TN. It is located on the Cherahola Skyway, a beautiful high elevation road that crosses from TN to NC. Another is Davidson River NF Campground in Brevard, NC. Lots of great scooting in that area. My all time favorite in the Blue Ridge Parkway which is pure bliss on 2 wheels.

COE campgrounds are our favorite. Seven Points COE campgrounds located E of Nashville is a good example. Check it out while you are in town!

and ride the Tail of the Dragon!

:E

[TxTwoSome]

About 30 miles west of Clarksville Tennessee is a COE park called Bumpus Mills.

Reserve spot 21 0r 27 you will love it a small campground with about 20 spots.

Check it out I do not think you will be sorry you did.

On the map it is just a little north of Dover Tennessee.

[LindaD]

When in Tennessee we visited Graceland, The Grand Ole Opry, took a trip to the Biltmore Estate in NC among other destinations. Would suggest if you do go to Graceland there is a campground right across the street and you can walk there, no need for more than a day there though IMO.

[bakerkids]

If you're interested in a different camping experience, check out Edgar Evins State Park, about 40 miles east of Nashville. You camp on elevated wood decks that make you feel as if you're camping in a treehouse. The decks hold everything from a tent to a Class A.

[LibertyMan]

I second Fall Creek Falls State Park. Another one I really like is Roan Mountain State Park as well.

[TenOC]

1. Fall Creek Falls State Park

2. Any of the Corp of Engineering campsite on the COE lakes

[Luv_Campin]

In downtown Nashville, lower Broadway is a lot of fun if you’re into country music and the bar scene. Lots of bachelorette parties down there every day it seems like. Lots of things to do as far as bus tours, carriage rides, and pedal taverns. Also downtown there’s the country music Hall of Fame, and the Frist Museum for the Visual Arts. Outside of Nashville a little ways, there’s the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson.

For Nashville campgrounds, there are several in the Opryland area that are all pretty nice.

In East Tennessee when we go to the Smokys, we tend to avoid the touristy places like Pigeon Forge, but may go into Gatlinburg and do a little sightseeing one day. We stay in the Smoky Mountains in the Elkmont campground. Another good one it’s the Cades Cove campground not far from Townsend Tennessee. Townsend is the quiet side of the Smokies. Just depends on what you’re into. The campgrounds in the Smokies of course don’t have hook ups so you have to be prepared. There are also lots of
campgrounds in pigeon Forge that do have hook ups. Townsend also has commercial campgrounds with hook ups.