Camping Suggestions for the Appalachians?

[John Hussey]

Southern Appalachians-GA, NC, TN, VA, Etc...

I have decided to become a snowbird in reverse and head north to escape the hard Florida summer months next year, 2015, in a place closer to home-the Appalachian Mountains. Generally I have wandered much further away but this year I have decided to see what was closer to me in Florida. So, can anyone suggest their favorite places around, in, or on the southern Appalachian Mountains? I have walked along the ridges of those mountains hiking the Appalachian Trail from Amicalola Falls in north Georgia but have never taken my Casita up there and I'm looking forward to the experience next summer. I am in the planning process now and would be most interested to learn from you what your favorite places are. It would most certainly make my stay much easier.

I really enjoy fishing, too, and have just learned that many of the streams there are filled with succulent trout. I'll take my kayak and fishing gear.

I suppose any suggestions for the mountains for places to stay, places to fish, things to see or events to attend this coming summer would be most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[patrick crawford]

I did what you're planning this past summer. I drove from SC via the freeways to port royal and the northern terminus of the skyline drive and began heading south again. The skyline drive connects with the blue ridge parkway to continue south. Using the maps that are available online I picked campgrounds that were usually about 100 miles (or less) apart and spent several days at each. I've traveled this route more than a few times (it's kinda in my backyard) and am yet to find a bad campground. They're all federal facilities and with the geezer card very affordable. The low speed limit, lack of billboards or big trucks and beautiful landscape make for a pleasant trip. I'd suggest making reservations since this area can be crowded during the summer months. Fishing can be problematic since license/permits are required for each state and can be costly for "visitors". Cherokee,NC is near the southern terminus of the parkway and since it's an Indian reservation they'll let you fish in stocked streams for $8/day. This trip is a treat for a flat lander like myself in the summer. It's not often that I wake up in August and feel as if I need a sweater to ward off the light chill.

P@


.

[C&G in FL]

My favorite place to camp in Northern GA is Trackrock, just south of Blairsville. I also like Townsend, TN. Lots of campgrounds and immediately adjacent to the Smoky Mountains. North of Cherokee of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Mile High Campground if you like cool, seclusion, and elk, though I don't know about water sports and fishing. I also like the area around Boone, NC.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[SherryNPaul]

We've camped the Blue Ridge and Skyline, both beautiful. Our favorite campground on the Blue Ridge is Mt. Pisgah. The lodge across the road has a really good restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows and an amazing view. Go for breakfast, as by lunchtime the sun has come around and the view is not as good.
We also like the area around Boone/Banner Elk. Our favorite city is Asheville. Fun, great music, wonderful local food, both in the restaurants and brew pubs, and great cheeses and fresh veggies at the Western North Carolina farmers' market.
Sherry

[Al and Cindy K]

A few of the places we enjoy camping in western NC / VA


GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NP:
Cataloochee; Several sites are streamside, elk easily seen, reservations required, access via ten miles of single lane dirt road but we have no problem getting our 19' Scamp in
Cades Cove; Lots of wildlife including bear/deer/turkey; firefly display, nice loop road for driving, most popular campground in Park
Smokemont; near Cherokee; several good streamside sites in trailer only section

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY:
Mount Pisgah - Many sites with a fair degree of privacy, near lodge/restaurant, be sure to visit the NC Arboretum in Asheville
Linville Falls - Many large sites; easy access to the Falls which is a must see
Julian Price - Nice lake and near Moses Cone home but we've encountered more inconsiderate genset users here than anywhere else we've ever camped (note, I have a genny).

NANTAHALA NF
Tsali - Large lake nearby; lots of mountain bike trails, take Great Smoky Mountain Railroad from Bryson City to Nantahala Outdoor Center, track was used to film the train wreck in the movie The Fugitive
Jackrabbit Mountain - Many sites right on the large lake there
Van Hook Glade - Lots of waterfalls nearby
Cheoah Point - Nearby lake
Horse Cove - Our favorite mountain campground, we like the upper section better than the lower unless the single isolated site right on Santeelah creeks is available. Upper section has several sites that butt up to the brook that runs down to the creek, near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, near FS 81 which is a great USFS road drive, near Cherohala Skyway which we think is even prettier than the Parkway

PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST
Carolina Hemlocks - right on the South Toe river; be sure to visit the Cradle of Forestry

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Loft Mountain - Great views, near a couple of waterfalls, generator free section

[SherryNPaul]

Some great suggestions above. We really enjoyed Cades Cove. Did not have any problems at Julian Price, and enjoyed touring Moses Cone.
In the Shenendoa park, along the Skyline drive, you'll find a wide variety of campgrounds. The restaurant at the Sky Line Inn (something like that for the name) was wonderful. We drove in twice, from two different campgrounds. Inventive menu and chef. Lots of wildlife sightings... one nite, at least a dozen bear, and even more deer, on the way back to camp. Drive even more slowly than posted at dusk.
Sherry

[trumpetguy]

Blackrock Mountain State Park Georgia just north of Clayton. Cool in Summer and a great park for hiking.


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[Raz]

The south is blessed with numerous National Forests. The NFS campgrounds tend to be less crowded than the National Parks and much easier to find a site without reservations. We stayed at Elizabeth Furnace in the George Wshington NF near Front Royal at the northern end of Shenandoah. While sites at Shenandoah are almost impossible to get without a reservation in the summer, the host at Elizabeth Furnace said they never fill.

You can find NFS campgrounds listed by state here.

Campground Directory and National Forest Campgrounds


Enjoy your trip, Raz