Sharing a July 4th Campground experience...

For the last 2 years, we have had fun camping July 4th. I wanted to share it with you in case someone else might be interested.

Normally, we stay out of Pigeon Forge when camping. When in the area, we normally stay at Jellystone or at the KOA (was Little River Village) in Townsend. However, we have celebrated July 4th the last two years while staying at the KOA in Pigeon Forge. The reason for staying there is it's location. All of the 4th of July activities are held right next door to the campground at Patriot Park. You don't have to worry about parking and traffic. They have lots of free activities for the kids such as big inflatable slides. There are food vendors. There is musical entertainment and then you watch the fireworks from the park as well.

Now, it is LOUD there on the 4th. The bands begin warming up around 10am or so. And, it is loud. That could be a downside for some. We actually like it. And, it depends on where in the campground you are staying. And, you take a gamble on what bands will actually be there. So, you may decide to cancel once the list of entertainment is released. The entertainment stops for the night just prior to the fireworks. So, you don't have to deal with loud music at bedtime.

Last years lineup was mainly country with the last band being the Classic Rock All Stars which was comprised of musicians from hit bands of the 60's and 70's. The year before, it was definitely aimed more towards the younger crowd. I, however, really enjoyed the previous year over last years.

We booked for next year while there this last 4th of July. It is an event that we look forward to. For our family, it works. We love being able to just walk over to the festivities. We have had sites the last 2 years where we could sit at our site and see the stage. The campground does book up for this quickly...

What's the nightly camping fee?

The rates vary by type of site. However, this campground is not as cheap as some of the others. I went to the KOA site and plugged in an arrival of July 2nd and leaving July 5th. For a site without sewer it looks like $47.00 per night. We always get a deluxe pull thru site (We splurge for this trip) and it is $82.00/night I think. Wow, thats more than we paid in Myrtle or even at Fort Wilderness at Disney. We don't normally pay that much for a site. We just splurge for this trip because it is fun for us.

happycamper wrote:The rates vary by type of site. However, this campground is not as cheap as some of the others. I went to the KOA site and plugged in an arrival of July 2nd and leaving July 5th. For a site without sewer it looks like $47.00 per night. We always get a deluxe pull thru site (We splurge for this trip) and it is $82.00/night I think. Wow, thats more than we paid in Myrtle or even at Fort Wilderness at Disney. We don't normally pay that much for a site. We just splurge for this trip because it is fun for us.

My experience with KOA pricing is that they tend to be more expensive because of all the "Free" stuff they offer. Still, $45 a night is only about $10 to $15 more than I pay at state parks and such, and for such a location at such an event, that sounds pretty reasonable. With a PUP, I really don't know what I'd do with Sewage if I had it. I just need Water and 30 AMP and pull through is of no benefit to my little rig. If I don't get it in place backing with the truck, I'll just hand push it over a little (or with a little help form a friend if it's gravel). I'm betting my kids would love it. But, my bride doesn't/won't/ camp, and the kids won't want to do a holiday event without her.

I would like being that close to the action.. and not having to get in the car and drive. But I will be working on the 4th Of July weekend.. so no camping for me!

Richard, your kids are so blessed to be experiencing all of this. They probably have more fun with the pup than they would in a class A Motorhome. Miss Danger sounds like an adventure they will remember the rest of their lives...

We get the deluxe pullthru because it is really nice. The year before last we camped with a couple other families and we had room to put up our screen room and have everyone over to eat. Also, we could sit and see all of the action.

We will be there on the 2nd and are leaving the 5th. We will probably camp somewhere close to there either before or after the 5th. Maybe start out at Jellystone or Elkmont then head to the KOA.

Yeah Chuck, thats the good part. We get there and park and can enjoy everything without ever leaving the campground.

Gregg, I hope you are thinking about doing the KOA this next 4th. We missed you guys last year!

I showed my wife my "but my wife doesn't/won't camp post. I'm hoping she'll warm up to the idea, but I doubt it.

Richard wrote:I showed my wife my "but my wife doesn't/won't camp post. I'm hoping she'll warm up to the idea, but I doubt it.

And I thought you were in sales?

Coolbreeze1

In sales, like in the old Kenny Rogers song, "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em."

Richard wrote:In sales, like in the old Kenny Rogers song, "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em."

Yes, but maybe you folded to soon

Coolbreeze1

When I'm playing with my stakes, I get to decide when to fold.

Richard wrote:When I'm playing with my stakes, I get to decide when to fold.

OK

Coolbreeze1

Hey, they have cabins there : ) And hotels close by.

Maybe one day she will warm up to the idea of giving camping a try.

happycamper wrote:Hey, they have cabins there : ) And hotels close by.

Maybe one day she will warm up to the idea of giving camping a try.

Yeah, right, and I'm going to learn to love looking, just looking mind you, at antiques for hours and hours. Neither is going to happen. My hobby is camping, hers is antiques. With my office being in the house, we are toghether plenty, I assure you.

Richard wrote:

happycamper wrote:Hey, they have cabins there : ) And hotels close by.

Maybe one day she will warm up to the idea of giving camping a try.

Yeah, right, and I'm going to learn to love looking, just looking mind you, at antiques for hours and hours. Neither is going to happen. My hobby is camping, hers is antiques. With my office being in the house, we are toghether plenty, I assure you.

She'll warm up to camping when Richard buys that shiny class A

Coolbreeze1

coolbreeze1 wrote:

Richard wrote:

happycamper wrote:Hey, they have cabins there : ) And hotels close by.

Maybe one day she will warm up to the idea of giving camping a try.

Yeah, right, and I'm going to learn to love looking, just looking mind you, at antiques for hours and hours. Neither is going to happen. My hobby is camping, hers is antiques. With my office being in the house, we are toghether plenty, I assure you.

She'll warm up to camping when Richard buys that shiny class A

Coolbreeze1

That's another thing that's just not going to happen.

Richard wrote:

coolbreeze1 wrote:

Richard wrote:

happycamper wrote:Hey, they have cabins there : ) And hotels close by.

Maybe one day she will warm up to the idea of giving camping a try.

Yeah, right, and I'm going to learn to love looking, just looking mind you, at antiques for hours and hours. Neither is going to happen. My hobby is camping, hers is antiques. With my office being in the house, we are toghether plenty, I assure you.

She'll warm up to camping when Richard buys that shiny class A

Coolbreeze1

That's another thing that's just not going to happen.

I have learned to never say never. It has away of coming back to bite you

Coolbreeze1

Happycamper, this sounds like a great place to go for the 4th. But getting out and about on such a busy holiday would be worth the while..I believe our kids wood even like the thought of this on the 4th.

We did stop in the KOA and checked it out one time last this past year. Really nice

It is alot of fun. As of now, the only sites taken are the deluxe pull thru sites. However, they will begin to book up fairly soon.

Getting to the campground is a breeze as well. We experienced no traffic going to the campground or when leaving. However, we take I-81 south to I-40 East towards Asheville. I am not sure what exit we get off at. But, it goes past the Bush Bean plant. I believe the road is 411. But I dont know the exit. I imagine CoolBreeze does? We take that road and make our way to the KOA without ever hitting any traffic.

I found one picture on my webshots of the site we had the first year and have reserved for next year. I just asked Craig why our TT looks so unlevel.



We really enjoy it. Let me know if you decide to reserve. I am hoping Gregg will decide to join us this year. He did the year before last. The more the merrier.



here is the picture from 7/2008.


http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2228025700089547720tiTyZr

It is exit 432A.

Coolbreeze1

coolbreeze1 wrote:It is exit 432A.

Coolbreeze1

Thanks!

Had to look it up on yahoo maps, if not I would have said, take the first exit on 40 after you cross the river.

Coolbreeze1