DHart
Washington State
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Excellent... Thanks for your suggestions... I like the idea of I-40 to Asheville, get camped and do a day drive to the Parkway! I agree that driving the 43' coach pulling the Avalanche will keep me focused on the road and not able to take in much of the views.
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HEMIDAZE
Amelia, OH
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We drove part of it once in a car on the way to somewhere else. All I can remember is a thousand S curves that all looked the same and slow speed limits. Not a good plan if you destination is elsewhere. We got off as soon as we could. The goal is to get to your destination quickly, not be on the way there.
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washley1
Florida
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There is one CG on the Parkway that is big rig friendly. Bears Den, near Spruce Pine, has full hook ups, and is the ONLY private CG on the Blue Ridge. Not a bad spot to stop.
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Likes to tow
Huntington WV
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Since you have a Toad why not pick a nice spot and put down for a few days and drive the Toad onto the parkway for day trips. I would highly recommmend Buck Creek Campground near Marion NC. It has plenty of room for big rigs, very close proximity to the parkway and the best attractions on the whole route. Mt. Mitchell, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain. The Biltmore in Ashville is a must see also, very close to Marion.
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kohldad
Goose Creek, SC
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Joined: 07/20/2004
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And lets not forget about the days where the only thing you can see is the yellow line due to the fog. With only two days, it would be to much to do, especially in a big rig.
Would rather suggest you take two days along the interstate and have some time to sight see. Especially since you are closer to the interstate than the BRP. Plus 441 up to the parkway is a long continuous climb as you are going from about 800' up to 4,500'+ just to get to the BRP.
If I was doing the run, I would take I40 over to I81 and stop at Claytor Lake State Park just after the junction with I77. Convenient to the interstate and they have some very nice sites which will handle your rig without problems. Then make it up to Staunton the next day earlier. From there, you can run up to either the north end in your toad or hit Shenadoah. Both are very scenic in that area.
Or, just make the 325 miles in one day and have the full day to explore the north end of the parkway.
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Retired JSO
Florida
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I have driven it's entire length pulling my 35' fifthwheel. Not too many elevations changes and plenty of pullouts. We started in Cherokee and got off the Sky Line Drive in Front Royal Virginia. We took 4 days to cover the entire distance and took in all the sites and many of the hikes along the way.
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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A good side trip is the D-Day Memorial in Bedford,VA. The little town of Bedford lost 23 guys on the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Well worth seeing. The book, "The Bedford Boys" is about them.
Watch the access roads to the BRP. Many are VERY steep, VERY crooked, and VERY narrow.
It is a spectacular drive. Try to hit Peaks of Otter on Friday and get their seafood buffet at the lodge.
* This post was
edited 05/03/12 05:34am by Doug and Cassi Glass *
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DHart
Washington State
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We elected to stay near the BRP and drive different sections of it in the Avalanche. That worked out really well. No way my wife (as passenger) would have been able to tolerate taking the coach on the BRP.... too tight, too scary for her. And I would not have wanted to have to deal with the stresses of a 44' Class A with truck in tow trying to navigate the parkway. It worked out perfectly for us this way! :-)
Thanks to all for your comments!
* This post was
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edited 05/02/12 06:55pm by DHart *
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quoyfab
Northeast
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dHart, we recently completed a short ride on the BRP that was perfect. This was our 4th attempt, and finally weather was on our side. We stayed at Jellystone in Natural Bridge, and entered the BRP in our truck just a few miles north of Nat Bridge and traveled about 30 miles along the parkway exiting near Buchanan (north of Roanoke) Along that stretch we were at both the lowest and highest point of the parkway within the state of Virginia. The view east from Thunder Ridge was awesome. I have no familiarity with the rest of the parkway, but we were well pleased with that section.
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quoyfab
Northeast
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For the benefit of others that may choose to enter/exit the parkway with their RV. I would NEVER enter/exit the BRP from or to Buchanan. I would however from the tiny town just north of Natural Bridge.
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