Blue Ridge Parkway late April--good camping spots needed
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 5
Blue Ridge Parkway late April--good camping spots needed
First long trip on the new 2011 RK (just got the JackPots put on and new 12.5 apes too baby!!). Experienced camper and will have my tent and bag, etc. Can folks recomend private or public campgrounds along the way. Don't mind seclusion and don't mind hanging out with fellow bikers. Much appreciated!
PS--I know to be ready for anything in the mountains, but how much rain to expect in late April/early May?
PS--I know to be ready for anything in the mountains, but how much rain to expect in late April/early May?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: WNC
There are two National Park campgrounds near Grandfather Mountain, Moses Cone/Julian Price is closer to Blowing Rock at MP 294, Linville Falls is closer to Grandfather at MP 316.5. You can fish for trout at either one, and both have bathrooms, water, etc., really reasonable rates. Check this out for all of them:
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=19
Rain? It rains most of the time it seems like, but the long term forecast is calling for less rain this year.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=19
Rain? It rains most of the time it seems like, but the long term forecast is calling for less rain this year.
Last edited by madmax54; Mar 25, 2011 at 08:19 AM. Reason: Add weather
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 2
From: Weston, Florida
Kickstand Lodge, Iron Horse, Blueridge Mountain Motorcycle campground....to name a few.
Late April is a good time to go. Not too many Tourists in cars clogging the roads. The Dragon is fairly empty except on the weekends. Cold in the mornings, expect 30F and less. Try and leave the higher elevations to the afternoon, gives fog time to burn off. Couple of years ago we made the mistake of going high early morning. Hit sleet, bit of snow, thick fog, and rain in the same morning. That was April 18 through 27.
Late April is a good time to go. Not too many Tourists in cars clogging the roads. The Dragon is fairly empty except on the weekends. Cold in the mornings, expect 30F and less. Try and leave the higher elevations to the afternoon, gives fog time to burn off. Couple of years ago we made the mistake of going high early morning. Hit sleet, bit of snow, thick fog, and rain in the same morning. That was April 18 through 27.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
For 40 bucks a night you can have a chair to sit in, TV to watch, sleep in a bed, a towel to wipe yer bike down in the morning, have a hot shower, and have high speed internet and maybe breakfast the next morning....This is in Maggie Valley at a holiday hotel.
VS.
Sit in the dark with a small fire to try to stay warm, after you searched for half an hour for some twigs in the woods...sitting on a hard stump...sleeping in a bag on the hard ground, hoping that storm passes by quick...and the sun rises soon...hoping yer bike will dry off soon so you can ride.... Wondering where the closest place to grab a coffee and a bite to eat is...DUDE, It's so cold I can see my breath!!! My back hurts, my legs ache...where is some wood I can burn to warm up????
BTDTGTTshirt....
VS.
Sit in the dark with a small fire to try to stay warm, after you searched for half an hour for some twigs in the woods...sitting on a hard stump...sleeping in a bag on the hard ground, hoping that storm passes by quick...and the sun rises soon...hoping yer bike will dry off soon so you can ride.... Wondering where the closest place to grab a coffee and a bite to eat is...DUDE, It's so cold I can see my breath!!! My back hurts, my legs ache...where is some wood I can burn to warm up????
BTDTGTTshirt....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Will you be riding the entire Parkway? If not, what part of the Parkway will you be on? Starting/ending points would be useful.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
For the OP, it looks like only Linville Falls and Otter Creek will be open in April.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 5
Thundermug--lol! I've done both and loved both of those scenarios. The key is to do the camping first and then jump to the toasty bed, etc. other way around sucks.
PPBART, Yes, I'll be doing the whole thing starting in Front Royal, SLD south to end of BRP (dragon tail) and then back.
PPBART, Yes, I'll be doing the whole thing starting in Front Royal, SLD south to end of BRP (dragon tail) and then back.
Last edited by Ben E; Mar 27, 2011 at 09:24 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
