I am based in Colorado and would like to meet up with some family members who live in Fayetville, NC next summer. I have primarily camped west of CO so everything east would be new for me camping. We would prefer that we meet somewhere in the middle but that might not put us in the best places to visit. I don't mind driving further to meet with them but would like to get some ideas on where to go and stay. I have a new 41' Class A Diesel and will be towing a vehicle. I will also have two young teenagers with me. We plan to have about 2 1/2 - 3 weeks for the entire trip and would probably be mid to late June when we leave. My initial thoughts were smokey mountains but that means more driving for me but I am ok with that. I was also thinking heading up to the Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan areas. I also enjoy the higher end RV parks with trees and greenery. I am open to meeting them in one area and then trying out several other areas with them if they are within the timeframe I have.I am open to all ideas, thank you.David

The middle of the country is really lacking in big parks. The only thing I could come up with are the Buffalo River (Arkansas) and the Ozark River (Missouri) areas. If you like floating down rivers. Other than those the only others are GSMNP and Shenandoah. Looks like the rest are historic sites of one type or the other.There may be some great state parks tho in Arkansas and Missouri you might want to look at their state park sites. Texas certainly has some very good state parks but that's a bit out of the way for both of you.I just spotted this:America's state parks site

I have not been there yet...but what about Branson, MO?

Take a look a the Traverse City area in Michigan. Particularly around the Lake Leelanau area. Some nice RV parks there. Might just be getting warm enough for swimming.

Traverse is a good place to visitand Door County WIs is also good. Smokies are really a great place with plenty to do for the kids. We use Twin Creeks in Gatlinburg nice scenic well run park near everything. All the extras with large sites and even a black bear or two.

Taking the half-way point quite literally, one area I found that would meet that criteria would be the Land Between the Lakes in Western Kentucky/Northwest Tennessee. There are RV parks of every kind. I am familiar with two Resort State Parks with RV campgrounds in Kentucky and also some really nice COE parks with full hookups. There would be lots of lakeside activities in June.If you wanted to drive a bit further than your family in North Carolina, another possibility is Lexington, Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park. No lake there, but the Bluegrass area is the heart of thoroughbred horse country. Lexington is a large and growing city.These are two quite different possibilities, but they are near the half-way point and each offers some good opportunities.

Where to meet family between Colorado and North Carolina?

DeanRIowa
Explorer
Oct 29, 2016
If you are going to meet in middle than another vote for Branson MO, with day trips to Hot Springs, Crystal Bridges, and Eureka Springs.

A bit more of a drive for you, but New Orleans LA jumped out at me. Never been there so I know not of what I speak.

Dean
1stgenfarmboy
Explorer
Oct 28, 2016
If your kids like to do the nature thing, southern ILL ( shawnee national forest ) has some very nice quiet campgrounds and some cool hikes, some forts, conoeing in the swamps, indian stuff, but if they need the Gatlinburg type intertainment then it wouldn't work.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Oct 25, 2016
Another vote for northern Arkansas. Hot Springs, Crystal Bridges, Eureka Springs have been mentioned (coming from CO you'll like the setting of Eureka Springs). There's also Pea Ridge NMP, Blanchard Springs Caverns (one of the most pristine caves around), canoeing on the Buffalo River.

Not a "higher end" RV park, but check out Lake Ouachita SP. FHU and the kids can swim in the lake. There are also cabins there if any of your group doesn't want to camp.
RGar974417
Explorer
Oct 25, 2016
You say you like parks with trees and greenery. On the way home from Yellowstone in May, we stooped at Buck Creek Lake State park in Ohio. Large sites,lots of grass and trees, electric hookups, a large lake with swimming,nice camp store. Our site had a path next to us which led to the lake and we were right across from the bath houses. There was a seperate beach for campers. It's about 10 miles off I-70.You are not far from the Air Force museum in Dayton.
djsamuel
Nomad
Oct 25, 2016
Townsend, TN and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You'll have the much longer drive, but it is a great destination if you like the outdoors and hiking.
Busskipper
Explorer
Oct 25, 2016
rcload9 wrote:
I am based in Colorado and would like to meet up with some family members who live in Fayetville, NC next summer. I have primarily camped west of CO so everything east would be new for me camping. We would prefer that we meet somewhere in the middle but that might not put us in the best places to visit. I don't mind driving further to meet with them but would like to get some ideas on where to go and stay.

I have a new 41' Class A Diesel and will be towing a vehicle. I will also have two young teenagers with me. We plan to have about 2 1/2 - 3 weeks for the entire trip and would probably be mid to late June when we leave. My initial thoughts were smokey mountains but that means more driving for me but I am ok with that. I was also thinking heading up to the Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan areas. I also enjoy the higher end RV parks with trees and greenery. I am open to meeting them in one area and then trying out several other areas with them if they are within the timeframe I have.

I am open to all ideas, thank you.

David

David,

You have the new Coach which more than likely needs to be RUN so if I were you I'd head on out to the Beach in Carolina, then next year they can come to the Mountains to Visit you. With the teenagers, water is always fun - but they also need to have friends and things to do, IMHO nothing beats the water and when you are from the Mountains of Colorado the Ocean is just what you need.

Just so much to do on the east coast and the Blue Ridge and Smokies will be a great drive through.

My son and Family are in Colorado and they manage to come back for a month every year with two weeks at the Beach, and a couple weeks on the Bay - just hard to beat the Water.

We go to the Mountains and say it's just hard to beat those Rocks.

Best of Luck in the decision - if you get closer to a decision get back and we can all help with the particulars of your choice.
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2016
If you like water parks, I would consider the Wisconsin Dells. Definitely great for teens. Mackinac Island in Michigan is also very nice.
Limit4
Explorer
Oct 24, 2016
Hillman Ferry Campground on the north end of land between the lakes.30 miles from Paducah ky.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2016
STBRetired wrote:
Take a look a the Traverse City area in Michigan. Particularly around the Lake Leelanau area. Some nice RV parks there. Might just be getting warm enough for swimming.

Since you're talking of summer I would highly recommend this area. It's absolutely gorgeous. The weather is great!
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2016
X2 for Branson. Lots of stage shows by a good variety of entertainers. Table Rock Lake has nice state campgrounds, but there are many in the area.