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!!

[Dave_in_TN]

I second cindik regarding defeated creek... beautiful campground and being COE it's affordable.

Also agree that Chattanooga is worth some time. It's a nice compact city that I bet would be ideal for the vespas.

[ken56]

Check out TN state parks website. Reservations are on line only but that does not rule out an impromptu overnight stop as a drive up if sites are available. TN state parks are nice and amenities vary from full hook up to W/E or primitive. Some of my favorites are Tims Ford SP and Cumberland Mountain SP.

There is so much to see its hard to suggest without an idea of what your interests are....other than riding your Vespas. For that though look up Tail of the Dragon, route 129 in TN. Touring the National Park would be nice to do.

Chattanooga is worth a stop, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville areas is worth a stop. Cherokee NC is right over the mountain from G'burg and Asheville NC is a nice day trip from there too with the Biltmore Estate to tour. So much to do, so little time.

[cindik]

Agree with the Cherohala and Indian Boundary. From there you could also check out Tellico and the Bald River Falls area. Another beautiful area is Fall Creek Falls, one of our favorite places to camp. Defeated Creek is another good COE campground in middle TN. Of course, the Smoky Mountains are beautiful too!

[linnemj]

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!

[kerrlakeRoo]

I would think the scooters would be a blast on the Blue Ridge Pkwy as well as Smokey Mountain National park, and Gatlinburg Tn and Asheville NC. As well as some nice state parks in the NC mountains. Campgrounds wise, there are numerous COE parks throughout the region. Select a region, base at a park for 3-5 days or so and then move 100 miles up or down (depending on where you start).
Hundreds of miles of limited access highway with the majority having a 45 mph speed limit with a few areas on 35. Overlooks and picnic areas everywhere.