We are planning our first big trip in our Bighorn for this June. We live near the Cincinnati area and will start there. We have had small couple day practice trips but nothing 2 weeks or longer. We thought we would work our way up to the longer trips. I hope that is a good way to do things. We are thinking of camping on some of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are thinking of starting in Gatlinburg and work from there.Any thoughts on different trips or where we should stay or see along the Parkway? Thanks in advance.

Wow! You could spend an entire summer just in the Gatlinburg area alone! After you've seen Gatlinburg, then get off the beaten path and see how the real world lives. Find the little mom-and-pop restaurants along a back road in the middle of now where, or a shop that sells artifacts from the local artisans, or hike the trails, mountains, swimming, horses, you name it! Google search "Attraction", just in the Gatlinburg area, and you'll have enough hits to keep you occupied for years!Head on to the Blue Ridge, a new Google Search, and you'll find everything imaginable. Lots of history in that area, pioneers, American Indian heritage, Civil War, you name it! Campgrounds? You probable will not find a bad one anywhere. That part of the country is just jam packed full of stuff, from amusement parks to historical cemeteries. How about haunted houses, haunted places, haunted tours, oh my. Its all a matter of what you're interested in! The sky is the limit!Some things to Google Search on are:Weird TennesseeWeird VirginiaRoad side attractions (name your state)Road side oddities(name your city or county or state) and "attractions""What to do in ...."And you'll be blown away. Limit your search to your interests and this will drive you. One year, we did a search for Rail Road museums in Indiana. Found out in Indiana there were 7. That 2 week summer vacation, we hit all 7 museums. Traveled from middle Indiana, to the Southern part, back to the top North, west, near Richmond Indiana (Ohio line) and finally back home. It was one awesome trip!Internet search is your friend!

About the only difference in longer trips vs shorter trips is the amount of food and clothing you need.Most likely, you won't take two weeks of fresh food with you. Take what you normally do and plan on going to a local grocery store once or twice on the trip. If you don't have two weeks worth of clothing, take along a small supply of your own laundry soap & dryer sheets and plan on going to a Laundromat in mid-trip. We always have a roll of quarters handy for newspapers, showers & laundry.

Not a bad idea, regardless of where you travel, but good intelligence about low clearance bridges and especially on the Blue Ride Parkway, tunnel heights. Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnel Clearances

Just going by your screen name you might like to take in a few bluegrass festivals. Many are hosted by CGs. Others may require dry camping. Always great fun.

Planning our first trip and looking for suggestions.

Itching2go
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2016
As a follow-up, I realize that my question might be better served by putting this in a new thread. Don't mean to hijack this one. Apologies if I did...
Itching2go
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2016
linnemj wrote:
I absolutely love the Blue Ridge Parkway on a MOTORCYCLE. I don't think I would be happy towing our 30' toy hauler trailer on it for any distance.

I've heard a fair amount of conflicting information and suggestions on this. Here's our situation... We will be in the Nashville area for a rally in mid July, and are considering following this up with a 2 or three week jaunt up the Blue Ridge Parkway from south to north. We're set up with a 38 foot fiver, 13' 6" tall, towed by a one-ton diesel. Retired, so absolutely no hurry. Our thinking is that we'd spend our days driving short sections of the parkway, dropping off to campgrounds off of the parkway. I have experience in mountain driving and know the capabilities of the truck well, so grades don't bother me too much.

So, is the plan and approach doable? Are there any gotcha's that I need to be thinking about? I'd be particularly interested in thoughts from folks that have 'been there and done that' in a setup similar to ours.

Thanks in advance...
bluegrass_smoke
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
We live about 10 minutes from Camp Gulf. That place stays busy. We are doing some of our practice trips to Topsail and Grayton Beach State Parks this winter. Are you doing any contests down here?
emtp82
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
bluegrass smokers wrote:
Bluegrass Smokers is the name of my competition BBQ team. We are from Kentucky hence the name. I wouldn't call myself a bluegrass fan but I love all types of music.

Too cool, we're a BBQ team also '82's BBQ Crew'. We just upgraded from a class c to a new 5th wheel and Pigeon Forge is on our list for our first vacation. Then planning on going back to Camp Gulf in Destin FL. That place is awesome.
RGar974417
Explorer
Feb 02, 2016
I have pulled our 27Ft TT on both Shenandoah Drive and parts of the Blue Ridge Highway. The Blue Ridge is much better.Not as curvy and speed limit of 45mph. There are some very good campgrounds not far off the Blue Ridge. We like Sherando Lake and Goose Point. Both have electric hookups.And while the campgrounds right in the Blue Ridge were built long ago,you should still be able to find a site if you stop early.
CWDoc115
Explorer
Feb 02, 2016
Since you are going to be near it, google Cass Scenic Railroad. Be sure to grab some tickets to the "Fiddles & Vittles" train. That was some of the best barbeque I've ever had! :B
linnemj
Explorer
Feb 01, 2016
I absolutely love the Blue Ridge Parkway on a MOTORCYCLE. I don't think I would be happy towing our 30' toy hauler trailer on it for any distance. You have the right area for a nice 2 week camping trip heading south into TN, NC, and VA. You have 3 choices for camping near the Smokies - Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, Townsend TN, or Cherokee, NC. If you can do without hookups for your stay, camp in one of the National Park campgrounds. If you want extreme touristy area, head to Gatlinburg, otherwise Townsend. There are numerous parks we love in the area. Indian Boundary NF campground near Tellico Plains, TN, Roan Mountain SP in TN, Bandy Creek NF near Oneida, TN, My suggestion is to stay 3 or more nights wherever you choose so you can enjoy the area. Enjoy!
ken56
Explorer
Feb 01, 2016
If you have never pulled your trailer on mountain grades do some learnin on how to. I see many people with trailers who burn their brakes up in these hills. Gear down for the down hill roll and don't ride your brakes. Gatlinburg is quite crowded and tight so I don't recommend pulling your rig into town. It can be done, yes, tour busses do it all the time so just be aware. Lots of good parks in the area that can accommodate a larger rig so that won't be a problem for you. Reservations may be in order depending on time of your visit. Pigeon Forge is pretty much wide open and lots of CG options there too. Be prepared for heavy traffic. I have seen it backed up from I-40 all the way down to Pigeon Forge and can take 2 hrs. to go 15 miles. Depending. Any questions on the area feel free to ask. I live 20 miles outside of the craziness.
lgarcia
Explorer
Feb 01, 2016
You could do the Country Music Highway in Eastern Kentucky on US Route 23 http://countrymusichighway.com/countrymusichighway/highway-history/

We like to stay at Falls Campground in Fallsburg which is about 6 miles off 23 http://fallscampground.com/

but there is also camping at Yatesville Lake http://kentuckystateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yatesville-lake-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=KY&parkId=91831
Merrykalia
Explorer
Feb 01, 2016
The Crooked Road?

Start out at Break Interstate Park
, the Grand Canyon of the East. About 3 hrs from Lexington.

This is not too far from home and lots of things to do/experience along the way.

Natural Tunnel SP is a wonderful small state park with lots to do, lots to see in the immediate area.

That is about 2 1/2 hrs from Gatlinburg and you will be in the mountains here, too.