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Old 02-17-2019, 06:10 PM   #1
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Shenandoah Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway VA/TN

I originally posted this on the Flying Cloud Forum. I apologize to the community. Here it is again under a more appropriate forum (I hope) [emoji16]

Hi everyone, We will be participating in the Kentucky Bourbon and Beyond Caravan this September that starts in Bowling Green KY. We will be coming from Upstate New York where we store our 2015FC28RB and 2017 F150.
Question is how many days should we allow to drive Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway? Is 5 days enough time or how long should we schedule?

How busy is this area after Labor Day?

Any recommended parks to stay or avoid?

Thanks
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:31 PM   #2
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After Labor Day, the weekends can be crowded due to leaf lookers....Highland Haven AS park is not far from the parkway. It is near Floyd, Va.
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Old 02-18-2019, 04:48 AM   #3
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Where will you be entering the BRP or Skyline Dr?

We've been to Highland Haven a couple times, it's peaceful and easy to get to. One item of note: almost ran out of gas on the BRP because I missed the exit and then there were no gas stations until Floyd! 26 gallon tank and I put 25.3 gallons in it.
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Old 02-18-2019, 05:30 AM   #4
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We have done the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of times. South to North and North to South. Usually spending three weeks for the entire route. A lot to see and do. If entering from the north around Front Royal The Meadows campground is a great starting place. The lodge there has great local entertainment in the lower lever most nights. Don't forget Stauton Va just a little to the South birthplace of Woodrow Wilson and the Wilson library. Nice main street with a lot of nice cafes. Galax, VA always some type of music going on there. The D-Day Memorial in Bedford Va is very interesting. Of course Boone NC,Mt Airy to visit the Andy Griffith museum and get a haircut at Floyds barber shop, Ashville NC a trip to the Biltmore and the Sierra Nevada brewery. Continuing South to Cherokee Village pretty much a trinket shop town. Then of course you have the drive to Bowling Greene. Lots to see and do, take your time and enjoy.
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Old 02-18-2019, 06:37 AM   #5
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Don’t miss the town of Floyd Va. If you like Bluegrass music, make sure you stop in on Friday night. Several great places to eat and then Country Store for music. In the summer lots of music right on the sidewalks. Also try the Buffalo Montain Brewery. Makes for a great Friday night out!
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Old 02-18-2019, 07:19 AM   #6
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We have done the BPW a number of times over the years. Is 5 days enough time? Yeah if you want to drive right through. I would say 2 weeks if you don't want to off the BPW, and 3 weeks if you do. Remember the speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph, and many times traffic will be even slower than that. Most of the NP campgrounds are older. That means spaces are tight and many un level. Most have no hookups. They are usually at higher elevations, so air conditioning is usually not needed. Big Meadows on Skyline Drive is probably one of the better NP campgrounds. Mount Pisgah on the BPW is one of the older campgrounds. One off the beaten path just outside the Park boundaries is Mile High Campground. They don't call it Mile High for nuthin'. It is a mile high. It is owned by a Cherokee Indian. No hookups and definitely an acquired taste. I recommend 21, 22, 23 as the best view campsites. It's a little tight for a trailer over 25', but those sites should give no trouble.

So, take your time and enjoy the ride and views.
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Old 02-18-2019, 09:55 AM   #7
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No towing

We were unable to travel the Blueridge parkway while towing.
If towing anything, check to see if that has changed since 2016.
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:14 AM   #8
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I do not understand the above post. Why could you not tow on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Have done it several times I do not think there are any restrictions on towing.
The parkway itself is a pleasant drive towing. But do be extremely careful where you choose to get off or to access it from. some of those side roads are pure killers. Do not just blindly follow the GPS for access and getting off.
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:17 AM   #9
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No towing??

Quote:
Originally Posted by shinydimples View Post
We were unable to travel the Blueridge parkway while towing.
If towing anything, check to see if that has changed since 2016.

We did the parkway, right after last Halloween, which is kinda the un-offical close of everything (on the parkway) had to go off for food gas etc, all campgrounds were closed.. the good thing was we were able to stay in scenic view turn-outs with no problems, questions.. each night with three or four other campers.. would like to do it again, during fall, for better color.
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:39 AM   #10
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I live on the BRP milepost 163 Airstreams are welcome have one full hookup for overnight camping, tow my 31 classic with no problems, never been stopped or anything while towing, Labalope
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:44 AM   #11
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Blue Ridge Parkway

Price Lake and Mt Pisgah campgrounds now have showers. Loop D & E at Price Lake is best for campers. A and B are old and best for tents (but have the showers). Most of Mt Pisgah is ok for campers. Two loops have showers.

Stayed at Peaks of Otter in 2017 and was very disappointed in condition of the campground. Sites were pretty old, not well maintained, and even picnic tables needed pressure washing badly.

If you stay at Price Lake, don't miss Blowing Rock. Many great local restaurants, quaint village of about 1200 people. Very busy in July and October.
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Old 02-19-2019, 06:16 AM   #12
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I would echo Jimz regarding the condition of Peaks of Otter. We also visited that campground in October 2017 and left without staying. Sites very small, cramped and not level, mostly set up for tent camping or very small trailers. As it was getting late, we opted to stay at Claytor Lake State Park that night in Dublin, VA, just south of Roanoke on I-81, very nice state CG. While pulling a trailer on the BRP, be careful and don't hurry. The hills can be very steep (both up and down) and tow haul comes in real handy. Also, some of the pull-off overlooks have only a single entrance road going into them and you might find yourself having to turn your trailer around in the parking lot, which can be tricky if there are other cars using it. Most scenic overlooks are easy pull-in and pull outs though.
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Old 02-19-2019, 06:19 AM   #13
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The BRP and Skyline Drive are reasonably easy to tow considering you are traveling along a mountain ridge.

No hookups or showers at most of the BRP campgrounds.

Our favorite campgrounds are Loft Mountain and Lewis Mountain in the SNP. Wonderful sunsets and lots of deer at Loft Mountain. Lewis Mountain was originally a negro campground and AT hikers camp here often. Both have showers but no hookups.
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Old 02-20-2019, 09:48 AM   #14
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We did the drive last year in the spring.


Agree with Peaks of Otter being extremely substandard.


Great campground in VA near Front Royal; Shenandoah River SP


We found that the "Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway" by Victoria Logue was an excellent book outlining all of the many overlooks. One warning, the book is arranged for a North to South trip. If you travel South to North, you need to start at the back of the book, which makes it a bit harder to use.





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Old 02-20-2019, 02:29 PM   #15
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Thank you everyone for the GREAT feedback.
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Old 02-24-2019, 05:56 PM   #16
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Blue Ridge Parkway

I live in Asheville and do craft demonstrations at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just want to say that September is a prime time for travel on the Parkway, coming as it does before the Oct. leaf looker rush, and the weather is at its best. Also, I recommend Sherondo Lake Campground, VA. It’s a Forest Service campground that is near the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beginning of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP. Two loops, one reservable and one not, but all nice.
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Old 02-24-2019, 07:09 PM   #17
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I agree with the recommendation of Sherando Lake Campground. It is our favorite local campground (see photo).

I also recommend Carolina Hemlocks NF CG, close to Mt. Mitchell.

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Old 02-24-2019, 08:04 PM   #18
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Dump stations

Quote:
Originally Posted by TruckerFritz View Post
We did the parkway, right after last Halloween, which is kinda the un-offical close of everything (on the parkway) had to go off for food gas etc, all campgrounds were closed.. the good thing was we were able to stay in scenic view turn-outs with no problems, questions.. each night with three or four other campers.. would like to do it again, during fall, for better color.
When staying at scenic views because CG were closed was there any dump stations along the way? Thank you for sharing
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Old 02-24-2019, 09:32 PM   #19
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There are no dump facilities on the BRP or the Skyline Drive other than at the campgrounds.

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