Western North Carolina - Suggestions?

[BMW442]

My wife & I are planning our second trip with our 30 year old/new to us truck camper and are looking at the Western North Carolina area. We're heading down from Massachusetts and plan to hit Shenandoah VA first, then Lexington NC (to check out the BBQ scene) and then go west from there.

Planning to do smaller roads/smaller towns most of the way. I've heard good things about places like Brevard, Hot Springs, Boone, Cherokee, Waynesboro, and Asheville. We are going in April so hopefully the weather will be warmer but the crowds will still be somewhat thin.

Going on a small budget and planning to camp most of the time -- Pisgah NF, Smoky Mountains NF, maybe Nantahala NF -- we don't really need full-hookups with cable & all that, though we'll usually try to find a cool hotel/motel for 1 or 2 nights in a week.

We've been to the Outer Banks once but other than that have no experience with the rest of the state. Any recommendations or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[NC_Roamer]

Be aware that the Blue Ridge Parkway has a good number of tunnels, some with rather low clearances.

[magnusfide]

Western NC and the Great Smoky Mountains is one of our favorite trips. It has natural, cultural, and historic points of interest. We really enjoyed John C Campbell Folk School. Even if you don't take one of their classes, they have a beautiful campus in Brasstown with shop and displays. You can even learn mountain dancing on Friday nights.
https://www.folkschool.org/

Smokemont Campground has no hookups but is a nice spot with full baths. Your TC will have no problem with access. We've enjoyed camping next to Fontana Dam as well http://www.fontanavillage.com/accommodations/campground.html

[wbwood]

Julian Price Park on the BRP near Blowing Rock/Boone is a great little park. No hookups, but we like it...then on down to Linville Falls, that park is even nicer.

[Terryallan]

The NC "High Country" meaning the area around Boone Blowing Rock, Glendale Springs, and Linville, is our favorite. And yes most of the CGs there open last of March, and first of April. However, it can still be really cold up there in April. Should be warmer over toward Cherokee. But I got to tell ya. For the mountains The High Country is IMOP better. For Tourist Cherokee is prolly better for a day any way.

Lots to see in the area. Linville Falls, which has a primitive CG on the acess road to the falls, Grand Father mountain, with the mile high swinging bridge. Cone Mansion, and Little Switzerland, and MT Mitchell.

Campgrounds in the area include Raccoone Holler a full hookup private CG on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Glendale Springs, Julian Price Park South of Boone, on the BRP, and of course Linville Falls on the BRP. Both of those are National Parks, and primitive. No showers, just flush tolite restrooms. . Very nice quiet CGs. Close to Little Switzerland is Bear Den CG, on the BRP. Another full hookup CG

You CAN ride the BRP from there to Ashville, but it is a good LONG ride. Best to get off and hit 40 to get to Ashville. On the way over you can go see Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure. Several CGs in that area. Hickory Nut Falls being one, and Orchard Lake near Saluda another.

Just so you will know. Boone is not close to Ashville, and in truth Ashville is not all that close to Cherokee. There are literally hours of driving between them. On the BRP, many hours. Also be carefull which road you chose to get off the BRP , to come down the mountain. Some of them are really twisty and steep. Like Highway 80. Not recommended for towing.

Come on down, and have a ball

[cal3san]

Two of my favorite Western NC campgrounds, other than for motorcycles, are Stone Mountain State Park which is just over the NC/VA border. Very nice, very scenic, very quiet, very reasonable. And the other is Lake Powhattan in Asheville, which is run by the Cradle of the Forestry. Again -- nice, scenic, quiet, reasonable. Each has easy access to and from major roadways and gives seniors a discount. (Need Golden Age Pass for Asheville since it is a federal campground.)

[Veebyes]

Smokemont CG west of Cherokee & Davidson CG up the valley not far from Brevard. Both very pretty CGs next to a river.

[pledbetter]

Around Chimney Rock is beautiful but not sure about camp grounds there.

[wcbass]

You'll want to check out the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Lots of great campgrounds in GSMNP and the surrounding national forests, especially with a truck camper.

[Hondavalk]

http://www.biltmore.com/visit/biltmore-house-gardens

Truly a must see outside of Asheville.