OH where to?

[garmp]

We plan to pick up our new RV April 1 or slightly there after from Elkhart, IN and want to take 2 to 3 weeks to drive back home to St. Louis, MO. Know it's gonna be cold at nights. So we're looking for interesting places to see and stay with warmer temps. Only like to drive 2,3-4 hours per day, and then stay a couple of days or so before moving on. I know the Gulf Coast is warm(er), but too far away. We are out to enjoy ourselves and see new things, not set a travel record.
Only need 30 amp electric and an occasional dump station and fresh water refill. Prefer state & COE parks (FamCamps are also nice). Not really fond of private parks and their used car lot "camping/parking" arrangement. But some can be nice.
Maybe, just maybe a distillery trail tour in either TN or KY would be in order?
Any thoughts?

[jaycocamprs]

If your going that far south consider Whitten Park near Fulton Mississippi.

[garmp]

Really thinking about taking in the Jack Daniels Distillery tour with a couple of nights at Fairview Devil Step Campground, part of Tim's Ford SP, so I'm let to believe. Then want to take inThe rattlesnake Saloon in Alabama. And from there is yet to be determined. Hardest part is finding parks open that time of year, that are worth staying and touring the area.

[welove2drive]

If you like to take walks in the woods or hike check out Turkey Run SP in Indiana. There are several trails and they are all rated on their website.

Carlyle Lake (IL)is nice, the State Park is open all year.Some COE will be open.

Garden of the Gods (IL), Pharaoh campground, dry camping in the tall pines. There are other nice state parks in So. IL. There is a wine trail in southern IL.

Maybe head over to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, Smoky Mountains for spring flowers. If you like to ride bikes check out the Virginia Creeper Trail near Damascus, VA it is slight down hill grade. The bike shop hauls you to the top or 1/2 way. Beautiful easy ride down through woods, bridges, streams. There is a small RV park in town, Laurel Creek RV Park about 12 FHU sites. Roan Mountain SP in TN is a very nice park but not really near anything.

We visited the Jack Daniels Distillery tour (TN) in the past. Nice tour. Campground nearby.

Enjoy your trip and new rig!
Marcia

[Veebyes]

Assuming that everything is going to work & you will understand it when you pick it up is a huge assumption. For the first few days stay close to the dealer & also be very close to a Walmart & Lowes or Home Depot. First thing to buy is a note pad to write down all the stuff that will be needed. 10 years from now you will still be buying stuff.

[jaycocamprs]

garmp wrote:
Really trying to find COE parks, but most in our area of interest don't open until later April or even May.
Guess a lot more research in is order. Unfortunately our departure date is set by the factory completion date.
Guess we'll just have to find more distilleries and sit it out.

Seven Points Campground on J Percy Priest Lake, just east of Nashville opens April 1st.

[bid_time]

It's a bit out of your way but if I was that close I wouldn't miss the opportunity to stay at Old Mans Cave SP south of Columbus OH.

[TxGearhead]

I bought a book "Camping in COE Parks" or something similar. From Amazon. Covers every COE park in U.S. Good book.

[garmp]

Really trying to find COE parks, but most in our area of interest don't open until later April or even May.
Guess a lot more research in is order. Unfortunately our departure date is set by the factory completion date.
Guess we'll just have to find more distilleries and sit it out.

[TxGearhead]

We stayed in Whites Acres, in Bardstown. Very basic but well kept. Somehow missed Heaven Hill, probably just putting it off and ran out of time.

[kshayer]

We spent some time in Kentucky in September and really enjoyed Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown. It is right at the city limits, which was good for us because we don't tow a car. We made an attempt to get to Maker's Mark, but the county roads in Kentucky are very narrow and no shoulder, so we ended up turning around rather than do the white-knuckle drive in the RV. Heaven Hill was very interesting and we loved Bardstown. Be sure to eat at Mamie's Kitchen if you are ever in the neighborhood!

[TxGearhead]

Would recommend these distilleries:
Makers Mark, Jim Beam, and Woodford Reserve.
Woodford and Makers Mark have awesome grounds. Beam had a BBQ stand when we visited.

[garmp]

Guess I should have mentioned that we are trading our 22' Motorhome for a 26' one.
We will spend a night or two at the Elhart Campground to make sure all bugs are worked out. We will bring our equipment, etc and transfer. Both new & old coaches have a generator and all the pleasantries. Will more than likely drive through KY, as all their state parks we have been to seem to have a power pole issue, that they are serving multiple sites and as so far away. Will have to get another power cord extension to use them.
Maybe on to TN.

[jseyfert3]

Lwiddis wrote:
“Know it's gonna be cold at nights.”

Bring extra blankets and sufficient batteries to run your RV heater. And a way to recharge the batteries. I guess a generator 😞 but hopefully a solar system.

Or the 30 amp electric service they listed as a requirement for the campground. 😉

[JJnLilly]

You mentioned a "Famcamp" so if you are eligible to stay on a military base check out Wright Patterson at Dayton, OH. You can spend a day or two at the Air Force Museum there.