Anyone know of any cool campgrounds in tennessee? unfortunately we will be in the car since the wife would never ride on the bike for 10 hours (were from northern illinois and she has a bad back and thinks its cold if its below 80 degrees)
anyway im very sociable, rowdy at times, and need to be around people.
the wife is happier sitting in the middle of the woods reading a book all day.
So were looking for a campground that allows us to retreat to the privacy of our campground but is within walking distance of a lively crowd.
somewhere where we can bounce between hiking/wildlife/scenery to partying/music/events at will.
anyone got ideas?

 

This may be just what you are looking for. The area around us is very rich in trails, nature, and even moonshine parties.
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/p...vyCrockettSHP/

 

Townsend Tn, is pretty nice, got camp grounds along a creek to go tubing, less than 30 minutes from Piegon forge tn, Caden Cove is very close. the tail of the dragon is about 40 minutes away, 318 cruves in 11 miles, check it out http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ have fun.

 

It depends on what area of Tennessee you where wanting to go to, and what type of camping you do. I would recommend east Tennessee, (and Smokey Mountain Harley Davidson if you want to rent a bike to enjoy a ride). East tennessee has a good bit of activity as well as cherokee national forest, great smokey mountain national park, the dragon, take a day and head up to tri cities area for a ride on the snake (hwy 421), gatlinburg and pigeon forge are both basically tourist towns with tons of activities.

 

Just across the state line in Stecoah, NC, but I've stayed here a number of times and can't say enough good things about the campground or the management. They even opened the garage early one morning and gave me access to their stick welder for an emergency frame repair. Can't beat that with a stick: http://www.ironhorsenc.com/

 

if its the gattlenburg area there is a camp ground. been a few years and I don't remember the route numbers. rolling rocks I think was the name of it . in the middle of the main strip at the bottom of the hill turn and go out of town its just on the edge of town . it has a creek that goes around 3 sides of it that is clean and cold . the mild current will take you on a good float . you put in on the back of the camp ground and you come out at the front.
we did the float trip on the big pigeon river about 4 times . great time. warning ; this is a show that requires your participation . class 3 &4 white water. not crazy wild but its not 6 flags either.

 

We've been looking at going the last week or so, and have been monitoring weather down around the Tail of the Dragon, shows quite a bit has been coming down, and the next week again. Is this a anomaly for the area, hope to get down soon, love to visit the area.

 

Depends on where you want to go in the state. As others have said, the smokey mountains this time of year is a blast.

If you are nearer middle TN then check out Paris, Kentucky lake, Paris landing, Fort Donelson and lots of other stuff nearby.

 

There are great places all over Tn to go camping but this time of year i would definitely say that East Tn will be the best. From Gatlinburg to the Blue Ridge Parkway on over to the Dragon and thru the Cherohala National Forest.
The weather here has been perfect for riding or cruising in the car with the top down. Temps ranging in the highs around 85F and lows around 62F. Within the next couple weeks it will be changing of the leaves time and those areas will be busy. Lots to see and do such as hiking, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee, you can cruise thru Cades Cove and see all the bears the deer and other wildlife.
We usually stay in Townsend at the KOA campground because Gatlinburg is very very busy around this time and if you dont want to camp there are Hotels/Motels or cabins for rent and no matter which you prefer its a short and very scenic and very pretty drive to and thru all the places mentioned.