Have heard this is a beautiful area to visit. Any suggestions for best roads (coming from Knoxville on I-40 towards Asheville). We would prefer to find a nice campground and then drive the "toad" for sight-seeing trips through mountains etc. Any suggestions for "must sees"? We would be in that area September 23-25. Will probably stop to see the Biltmore in Ashville, then to Highlands & Cashiers.
Can't help you with campgrounds or what to see over that way. I'm saving the close-in stuff fo retirement. Just wanted to pass on one caution... use care coming thru Pigeon River Gorge on I-40. It's the stretch just over the Tenn. line in NC. It's a _lot_ more difficult driving than most interstates. Pay attention and obey the speed limits and you'll have no trouble. It's not particularly steep, just lots of curves and a tunnel, and some rough pavement.
Allow at least a day to tour Biltmore Estate, especially if you SO wants to shop in Biltmore Village (right outside the gate). Yes, parking the rig and using the toad is the best way, with some of the narrow, curvy roads here.
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Highlands and Cashieers are beautiful. We go there often and enjoy every minute. Here are a few tips, some of which are very important:
DO NOT drive 64 from Franklin to Highlands with your RV. It is just too difficult. The cut backs are too severe and you won't be able to stay in your own lane. You would likely cause an accident. It is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever take, but take it in your toad. Enter Highlands from Dillard, GA. This is a great and scenic drive that you can make easily. There is also a very nice motorhome/Resort type park just north of Dillard on the road to HIghlands. It is only about 4 years old and offers great views. If you stay here you are only about 25 minutes from downtown Highlands and maybe another 20 minutes to Cashiers. Highlands has an RV park that is pretty nice, maybe a B- or C+, located about 15 minutes outside of town. Just east of Cashiers about 20 minutes is an Outdoor Resorts that is definately a 10. It is in Lake Toxiway. There are a bunch of campgrounds in this area, all will be very picturesque.
There are more than 30 waterfalls thru out this area. Some can be seen from the roads and others are a short hike thru the woods. All are well marked with pamphlets you can get in almost any store. It goes without saying that at every curve is a postcard type picture. Highlands has some great restaurants, some are even reasonably $$. Enjoy your visit. Regardless of where you stay I am confident that you will enjoy it.
Beech1 is right about the best way from Franklin to Highlands. Just take 441 to the state line (turn left at the gas station) anfd use 108 to Highlands. Be very carefull driving down Main street in Highlands. Those fools never look when they go to back out (take your pick: stoned, drunk, old or stupid). As far as the campground on 108, If you like shadeless parking lots go for it (about time for the cabbage fields to be picked again, wonderful smell). I would recommend Black Rock Mountain State Park http://gastateparks.org/info/blackrock/ high up, cool, beautiful views over the valley.
Please remember, Mountain City and Dillard are speed traps. The speed limit drops way down and they will get you!
For restaurants in Highlands you will need nice clothes (On The Veranda even states in the phone book "No Demin"). The burger joint & the BBQ place are the only places that us "working folks" are welcome at. So if you are put off by folks who earn a living (mostly construction workers) don't eat at those 2 places. The Dillard House is in Dillard GA and it's supposed to be really good. Lines were always too long for us.
BTW, I moved to Franklin in 1965, my parents still live there & my husband works construction) up in Highlands (usually and we basically live in TN & Franklin.
Lorna
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I am now a little concerned about the Gorge. I have driven that several years ago in my sporty little Firebird and thought it was fun....guess being in a motor home is a totally different story. How long is that "bad area" with curves and rough roads?
Will take some extra clothes for the "fancy" restaurants I guess, don't usually do that when we are "camping", but sounds like a good idea. But, we may just decide to eat where the "construction workers" eat....they usually have better food at those places! especially at lunch.
Lorna, we were in Franklin TN this weekend looking at buying a new Honda CRV for this upcoming trip.
I will print this info to save for our trip next month. This forum is so helpful.
I'm heading to Franklin on Wednesday night for a few days. David & kids are heading back (finally) from S GA. Next time I will see them is when we go camping at Tim's Ford Aug 22. This long-distance-living-in-2-places is getting old. If you like Gem shows, Franklin has a couple of good ones. Very good prices on jewelry. The leaflookers is Oct 17-19 http://www.franklin-chamber.com/frmst_calendar.html but hard to get campsite or room in Franklin at that time.
You have to go to the Dillard House to eat if you are in the area.
The campground north of dillard is River Vista:
http://www.rvmountainvillage.com/
Blackrock Mountain State Park is nice as well, but the spaces are tight and the road is really narrow. I will second the caution about taking 64 from Franklin to Highlands. I made the mistake of trying it one time and it was the worst drive I've ever made while towing.
Tallullah Falls is a few miles down the road, and they have a nice museum and the most spectacular veiws in the state. (don't try the new boardwalk steps down to the river unless you are in prime physical condition!)
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Woodall.. the "bad" part of I-40 is officially considered to be from the Tenn. line to the eastern border of Haywood County, which is 23 miles. In reality, it's about 10-12 miles in the middle. You might want to consider letting the SO drive the toad thru... just makes your rig a bit easier to handle.
Everybody driving thru there needs to be aware that it's a special piece of road. It was the most expensive piece of road per lane-mile in the world when it was built in the early '70's. We've lost two highway patrolmen in the past ~year to trucks (both hit when they had motorists pulled over). It's dam' dangerous if you drive with your head up your a**; if you pay attention, obey the speed limit, and don't try to make time, it's safe.
Now, a possible option..the NC portion of I-26 is now open, as of today, to the Tennessee line, joining Tenn's portion, which has been open for years. Take I-81 to I-26. Just watch the "merge" with I-240 in Asheville... Seriously, I haven't driven the new I-26, but it should be a lot easier that I-40 thru the Gorge.
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. Just wanted to pass on one caution... use care coming thru Pigeon River Gorge on I-40. It's the stretch just over the Tenn. line in NC. It's a _lot_ more difficult driving than most interstates. Pay attention and obey the speed limits and you'll have no trouble. It's not particularly steep, just lots of curves and a tunnel, and some rough pavement.
