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WhereStream · 01-06-2018, 01:05 PM

Planning a trip from North Florida to Tennessee (western part of the state, but we may have time to explore elsewhere in the state, too).

Looking for nice campgrounds and interesting things to do along the way. Route is flexible ... not yet locked anything down.

Any recommendations?

pmclemore · 01-06-2018, 01:23 PM

I have family in Scottsboro (north AL) and we stay at Goosepond Colony Campground while visiting. They always save sites next to the lake (Guntersville) for transients - which is opposite from what other campgrounds do. There is also a golf course. Another interesting thing in Scottsboro is Unclaimed Baggage.

Pat

Protagonist · 01-06-2018, 01:58 PM

North Alabama, try Monte Sano State Park, just east of Huntsville.

Jarrod White · 01-06-2018, 02:10 PM

Also look at Cloudland Canyon in west Georgia just south of Chattanooga and Desoto near Fort Payne, Alabama.

Protagonist · 01-07-2018, 03:30 AM

Also Desoto State Park in the very northeast corner of Alabama, just on the other side of the Alabama/Georgia border from Cloudland Canyon.

fireball · 01-07-2018, 09:22 AM

Big South Fork, Fall Creek Falls, Rock Island, and Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee.

JLAbne · 01-07-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhereStream

Planning a trip from North Florida to Tennessee (western part of the state, but we may have time to explore elsewhere in the state, too).

Looking for nice campgrounds and interesting things to do along the way. Route is flexible ... not yet locked anything down.

Any recommendations?

I have stayed at Cullman Campground, Cullman, AL, about 1 1/2 miles west of I-65 and 1/2 mile south of SR 157, many times. A quiet site, very friendly owners, full hookups and low rates.
My favorite route out of FL to western TN is via US 19 to Albany, GA, then NW to Columbus and Birmingham, AL. Four-lane all the way and very little truck traffic.
Jack

Dalwyn · 01-07-2018, 09:35 AM

This is more center of the state - Wind Creek State Park is an excellent campground. We stayed there on two different occasions both times on the water different sites and both were very quiet.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

I have family in Scottsboro (north AL) and we stay at Goosepond Colony Campground while visiting. They always save sites next to the lake (Guntersville) for transients - which is opposite from what other campgrounds do. There is also a golf course. Another interesting thing in Scottsboro is Unclaimed Baggage.

Pat

Thanks for the Goosepond Colony recommendation. I will check it out.

What might "Unclaimed Baggage" be? Hey, could be a good name for a band.

mojoe7009 · 01-07-2018, 09:57 AM

If you can get to Nashville we highly recommend Safe Harbor RV Resort. Right on the lake and beautiful. Of course, lots to do in Nashville.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

North Alabama, try Monte Sano State Park, just east of Huntsville.

I will give the state park a look. I've never heard of it, so thanks for the tip.

I've driven I-59, not in the Huntsville neighborhood but up in that area, and parts of it had some nice scenery.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrod White

Also look at Cloudland Canyon in west Georgia just south of Chattanooga and Desoto near Fort Payne, Alabama.

We camped at Cloudland Canyon about 10 years ago. Stayed in a cabin, actually. My wife didn't care for ... found it gloomy, but the park was socked in with heavy overcast and some fog the whole stay ... being from Florida, we grow grumpy if we don't see some sunshine after a day or two.

What did you like about Cloudland?

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Also Desoto State Park in the very northeast corner of Alabama, just on the other side of the Alabama/Georgia border from Cloudland Canyon.

OK, on my list ... thanks. I've been near there but only in Georgia.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireball

Big South Fork, Fall Creek Falls, Rock Island, and Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee.

Wow, Rock Island State Park ... looks kinda gorgeous. I'll see if I can work that into our route up to the Volunteer State or the way back.

Are the Tennessee state parks in good shape? I saw one review that indicated they were not being maintained well.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalwyn

This is more center of the state - Wind Creek State Park is an excellent campground. We stayed there on two different occasions both times on the water different sites and both were very quiet.

Wind Creek State Park is in a good location for us. Our route might go right by it. Thanks for the tip.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLAbne

I have stayed at Cullman Campground, Cullman, AL, about 1 1/2 miles west of I-65 and 1/2 mile south of SR 157, many times. A quiet site, very friendly owners, full hookups and low rates.
My favorite route out of FL to western TN is via US 19 to Albany, GA, then NW to Columbus and Birmingham, AL. Four-lane all the way and very little truck traffic.
Jack

Chances are good we will end up on I-65 at some point. I'll keep the Cullman Campground in mind. Thanks.

WhereStream · 01-07-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojoe7009

If you can get to Nashville we highly recommend Safe Harbor RV Resort. Right on the lake and beautiful. Of course, lots to do in Nashville.

Right now, Nashville is not part of this trip, but ... still early in laying out our travel.

Rzrbrn · 01-07-2018, 10:39 AM

I live in Lebanon, TN, just east of Nashville. TN State Parks are well maintained. Corp of Engineer Parks (COE) are also well maintained. It can be a challenge to find a level campsite in some of the Parks however.

Reel Foot State Park, Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area, Pickwick Landing State Park, David Crockett State Park are all exceptional.

Depends on the time of year as to the availability of camp sites. However, even during the summer, if you go into a park on a Monday or Tuesday, you will usually find a site through Thursday night, due to reservations being held for Friday through Saturday and Sunday nights.

I use the Allstays app to find places to stay.

We do have limited Federal and State Forests where you can boondock.

losfeliz · 01-07-2018, 11:36 AM

Joe Wheeler state park is very nice and on the river. Also, McFarland Park in Florence AL has the most beautiful sunrise and sunsets on the water. We stay at both every year.

wareaglewalt · 01-07-2018, 12:01 PM

There is an RV park next to the Space and Rocket Center. It's a little high in price and the sites are close together. We really like Ditto Landing. Right on the Tennessee River and also connects to the bike Greenway that goes several miles into South Huntsville.