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RE: Things to do - Gatlinburg/Smokies
Another vote for rafting. Lots of outfitters to choose from but we've always had great experiences with Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). They have several options including the Chatuga (Deliverance), the Ocoee (Kayaking venue for Atlanta Olympics) and the Nantahala itself (train wreck scene in The Fugitive). Great Smokey Mountain Railway out of Bryson City offers scenic train ride and rafting combo packages.
If you have Sr Parks Pass, The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah NF is free and a good way to spend a half day.
The Cherohala Skyway between Robbinsville, NC and TN is a better scenic drive than the Parkway. It also starts by Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest which has some of the largest trees left in the southeast and some nice day hikes.
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huachuca
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05/21/12 04:54am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Tent Camping state parks FL,GA,SC,NC,TN,VA
I'm afraid most of NC's State Parks won't measure up to what you may have become accustomed to in FL. I'd also rate those in SC, GA and TN as better. The best thing we have going is free admission and relatively cheap camping which may explain why the funds aren't there for improvements.
We do have some great opportunities in the Federal system though. The Cape Hatteras NS campground at Frisco is a jewel. Want to camp just above the high tide line and watch the sun rise from your sleeping bag with no neighbors in sight? Portsmouth Island on Cape Lookout NS offers that. Tent beside a mountain stream at Horse Cove in Nantahala NF or watch elk feeding in mountain meadows at Cataloochee in Great Smokey Mtn NP.
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huachuca
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05/17/12 05:11am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Let's See your Small trailers!
Our Scamp 19' - The Basin Campground in Big Bend National Park
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63577%3Enu%3D4973%3E4%3B7%3E255%3EWSNRCG%3D34428%3B%3B937346nu0mrj
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huachuca
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05/16/12 05:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: North Carolina July vacation
Horse Cove campground in Nantahala NF near Robbinsville - 20 site campground with many sites located along running water, no showers, flush johns, large sites, most with fair degree of privacy, hiking in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Rafting on the Nantahala River, Great Smokey Mountain Railroad through Nantahala Gorge (where the train wreck in The Fugitive was filmed), Unto These Hills Ourdoor Drama about the Cherokee, driving on the Cherohala Skyway and Tail of The Dragon.
Cataloochee NP campground off I-40 west of Asheville. Reservations required, very remote, some sites along creek, almost 100% chance of seeing elk & turkey, maybe black bear.
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huachuca
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05/16/12 05:25am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Waterfront (Lake) Camping
Jack Rabbit Mountain - Nantahala NF - Hayesville NC
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/map_of_Jackrabbit_Mountain/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&search=site&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75019&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
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huachuca
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05/04/12 06:15am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Big Bend National Park
One of my favorite places to begin the day.
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63569%3Enu%3D4973%3E4%3B7%3E255%3EWSNRCG%3D3442875282346nu0mrj
This guy (or a close cousin) roosted each night not too far from our campsite. Around ten each morning, he'd spread his wings, give a little hop and let the thermals take him up to find breakfast.
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp6357%3B%3Enu%3D4973%3E4%3B7%3E255%3EWSNRCG%3D34428963%3C%3A346nu0mrj
Found these javelina in a wash while hiking to Mule Ears Spring
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63585%3Enu%3D4973%3E4%3B7%3E255%3EWSNRCG%3D3442899692346nu0mrj
Sunsets can be pretty special too
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63595%3Enu%3D4973%3E4%3B7%3E255%3EWSNRCG%3D34428%3B%3B956346nu0mrj
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huachuca
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04/22/12 08:53am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Smokies in early May.. a good time ??
Cataloochee NP campground (Asheville area) has a creek, history and you're almost guaranteed to see elk. Reservations are now required.
Don't rule out the National Forest (Nantahala, Pisgah & Cherokee) campgrounds in that area. Horse Cove, near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, is one of our favorites and has several sites along running water. The Cradle of Forestry does a great job or presenting the history of forest management in the US and has live exhibits of settlement life.
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huachuca
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04/01/12 08:58am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: I have a tent, but no instructions.
What type of camping will they be doing - backpacking or camping with a group in established campgrounds? Are they just getting in to camping or do they have some experience and have decided its something they'd really enjoy?
What other equipment do you have now? No point in spending big bucks for a quality tent without good bags and pads.
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huachuca
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03/30/12 06:13am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Carlsbad Caverns - Have you been there?
We've been multiple times - one of my wife and daughter's favorite places. While the walkways have some ups and downs, other than the natural entrance, nothing is really steep and its all paved. Also, there are benches scattered throughout. Take your time and rest when you feel like it, we ususally manage to spend the better part of a day there. Take the elevator up and down if you'd like. No reservations necessary unless you want to take one of the extra cost guided tours. Lower Caverns is really nice but a bit strenuous.
Brantley Lake State Park is a fortyfive minute drive from the Caverns - nice sites with power and water, clean johns and showers and reasonable price.
If you want to rough it a bit (No hookups but beautiful scenery & less than $10/night), the Dog Canyon campground in Guadalupe Mountain NP is also fortyfive minuts from the Caverns and on the opposite side of town from the State Park. GUMO also has the Pine Spring campground which is more popular but too crowded for us.
Sitting Bull Falls in Lincolon NF is a neat place between Dog Canyon and Carlsbad.
Have fun - Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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03/29/12 06:51pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Tent Camping in West Texas
Another vote for Big Bend NP and I'll add nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park. Both offer awesome dispersed roadside tent camping opportunities.
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huachuca
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03/28/12 05:29am |
Tent Camping
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RE: Big Bend National Park - Boondock At Pine Canyon Backcountry
Awesome pictures!! - Thanks for posting. BB is our favorite NP and great spot for 'eggs'. We'll be there in our Scamp for a week over Easter.
Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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03/23/12 10:38am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Off The Beaten Path
That looks like my kind of place - thanks for posting.
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huachuca
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03/18/12 09:56am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Big Bend or Palo Duro?
Big Bend
Light hiking - The Window, Lost Mine, Ernst Tinaja, Hot Springs, Balancing Rock, The Chimneys, Lower Burro Mesa, Upper Burro Mesa Pouroff,Santa Elena Canyon, Boquillas Canyon,Pine Canyon, Emory Peak, Cattail Canyon (not on map; ask ranger or campground host for directions). Then there is the South Rim; long (14 mi) but doable dayhike and the most awesome views in the southwest.
Photography - I'm awful with a camera but Big Bend somehow makes my poor attempts look pretty good. Cacti should be blooming at this time.
Peace and quiet - 800,000+ acres and one of the least visited NPs. Cottonwod campground on the west side is the most remote. You might also consider one of the roadside dispersed sites if you really want to be alone. There is minimal light pollution and the night sky is incredible.
I think Spring Break is next week (the busiet time in the Park) but check www.recreation.gov to make sure sites are available for your visit.
We usually spend a couple of days in Palo Duro when visiting Texas. Its a great Park but it ain't Big Bend. The Lighthouse is a good day hike. The campground at the far end, Mesquite I think, is the most remote.
We're from NC and its nearly 2K miles each way but still well worth the trip and we'll be in BB for a week over Easter - Can't wait.
Al & Cindy
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huachuca
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03/09/12 06:37am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: How long is too long?
Our 19' Scamp fiver (actually a gooseneck) and 4WD double cab Tacoma setup is about as large as we can go and still get to our favorite USFS sites here in the southeast. Height is a tad over 9' and weight around 3,250.
We had a 16' Scamp for several years and this has proven to be a great upgrade.
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huachuca
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02/13/12 05:06am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Hatteras KOA or Camp Hatteras?
f you don't mind travelling another forty miles south on 12, Frisco Woods in Buxton is an option http://www.thefriscowoodscampground.com/home
We prefer the NPS campground just down the road but have stayed here in the offseason. Some sites have shade and most offer more privacy than you'll find in Rodanthe. I think the price may be more reasonable.
There's a cart track and miniature golf within two miles, the Hatteras Lighthouse is five miles north, the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry landing five miles south. If you have 4WD, ramp 49 is at the entrance to the NPS campground there. The Park Service also offers a lot of free or cheap classes, demo's,talks etc.
Diamond Shoals and Captains Table are two good restaurants in Buxton.
Enjoy your visit where ever you end up.
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huachuca
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02/11/12 04:05pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Cape Hatteras NS - Permits now required for beach driving
AZTundra, sent ya a PM.
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huachuca
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01/30/12 11:38am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Cape Hatteras NS - Permits now required for beach driving
Jim, I've been following this in detail and am confident there will be no daily permit option. We camp at the Frisco NPS campground a dozen or more times each year - sometimes with the jeep and a tent, others with the Tacoma and our Scamp. I'm not too happy with a permit of any type but having to buy TWO to cover both vehicles is ridiculous.
Have you spent any time on Portsmouth Island or South Core Banks (Cape Lookout NS)? This silliness has not YET permeated there and you've got just the rig for enjoying those beaches. The cost of a CAHA permit will pay Kari for one and maybe even two of her ferry trips out of Morris Marina.
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huachuca
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01/28/12 09:24pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Cape Hatteras NS - Permits now required for beach driving
For those planning to visit the NC Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year and drive on the beach, the cost just went up and access will be limited to a yet to be established carrying capacity.
Effective February 15, 2012, a permit will be required for vehicle access to the beaches. Participation in a class (5-10 minute video) and $50 (estimated) will get you a permit for a week. Annual permit cost is proposed at somwhere between $90 and 150. Those with multiple vehicles must buy a permit for each one. As best I can tell from the proposal, there is no guarantee the revenue will be used to maintain/upgrade CAHA facilities.
http://blog.hatterasrealty.com/2012/01/beach-driving-permits-required-on-cape.html
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huachuca
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01/28/12 07:42am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Raleigh, NC
Another vote for the Fairgrounds. The NCSU football stadium, Carter-Finley, and the basketball arena, RBC Center, are near there with the campus being a few miles away. Hope your son enjoys his visit and becomes a Wolfpacker!
Al (74 grad)
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huachuca
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01/14/12 05:28pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: NC/SC mountains campground suggestions
Some if the smaller USFS campgrounds may fit your requirements. Horse Cove, located outside Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest near Robbinsville, NC, has twenty or so sites with about half along running water. Flush johns but no shower. Nantahala Outdoor Center is close by. Cherohala Skyway is, in our opinion, a better drive than the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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huachuca
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01/08/12 08:06am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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