2014 Kick-Off Camp-Out April 25-27, 2014

Its so far.. About 2 and a half hours for me. Im going up there later in the year.. Not sure I wanna make the trip twice. We'll see. I may sit out the spring trip if Panther Creek doesn't work out.

Not to be unsympathetic, Chuck, but we always travel AT LEAST 2 1/2 hours to the VC camping trips. (I know, we are in Virginia and all that) Panther Creek has been the closest and it was right at 2 1/2 hours.

Come on, 2 1/2 hrs is not that bad, especially if you leave mid-afternoon on Thursday and then head back on Sunday about noon. And just think.....you will have plenty of company for the entire weekend! We can even send the kids all over to your place....or keep them away, whichever you would prefer.

Anyway, give it some more thought. It's a great place to visit and there will be several things to do.

On the last weekend of each month, they keep the chairlift open until 10 pm on Saturday night and have music, usually bluegrass, down at the tunnel opening from 7 pm - 10 pm. They have little lanterns that hang on the chairlifts and it is really cool. I am not sure if they start in April, but I am pretty sure they did last year. I will check with them.

Not saying it isn't a nice place.. Or that the event shouldn't be there.. But I have never been one who likes pulling the camper very far.

I understand the 2 and half hour drive also. I was just suggesting another plan and if anyone has something else in mind, please suggest too. We do need a plan B.

Chuck I'm planning on bringing Tebow with was on the first trip, it can be anywhere for us.

We have another month or so on Panther Creek, right?

Donna how early would we need to reserve at Natural Tunnel for Lover's Leap?

Dar, I think we can wait until a couple weeks out, but that is just a guess. Usually at that time of the year, people wait until the last minute to get a reservation because of weather. We have another month or so to wait.

merrykalia wrote:Dar, I think we can wait until a couple weeks out, but that is just a guess. Usually at that time of the year, people wait until the last minute to get a reservation because of weather.  We have another month or so to wait.

I'm with you Donna, we'll just wait it out until the date gets closer. Camping is worth waiting for  

Well I'm new here so this is just a suggestion:

http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/david-crockett

Tell us how you like David Crockett? Is it nice? Have any pictures?

OOPS not David Crockett but Davy Crockett   

http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/davy-crockett-birthplace

We have not stayed there but drove through last summer. Sites were pretty good sized with some on the river and some with full hook-ups. Check out the link above for the brochure. It was also a pretty easy pull from I-81.

I noticed that the brochure said no reservations but that appears to be wrong.

Here is a link for reservations:
https://tnstateparks.itinio.com/davy-crockett-birthplace

The site says that they are doing renovations but expect to be completed by end of April and some sites may be completed earlier.

As I said in the beginning it was just a suggestion   

According to their site, they too are closed until May for renovations. Back to Natural Tunnel or anybody else have suggestions?

I have been to Davy Crockett State Park and it is nice. I was up there in April of last year and took several pictures. I will look them up but may not help if they are working on the park. The drive was good and didn't take very long even though I did not know where I was going, so I have to say it was a nice drive, I just happen to find the park at the time looking for my Uncle.

We will make a decision about Panther Creek around March 1st. If it isn't going to be available.. Then I will consider other options. Continue to make suggestions.. We could go back to the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area... Or Smoky Bear. I prefer a state park... But those are possibilities.

I am really pulling for Panther Creek. My gf has to work 3rd shift and this park is very close to her work. I will try to go back and check on the progress of the work there.

Tim.. I think we all want Panther Creek to work out... If you go up that way.. Check in at the office and see what they have to say. Tell them you are with our group. They might have it listed in my name.. But they were supposed to make a note of the dates and hold some sites.

I do hope the park will be ready. There are several under construction.

I have a big back yard, but it is not level and there are no hookups. Still, the 4200 sq ft bath house is really nice.

Well Panther Creek is out for the kick off camp out.. They called me today and said the entire CG will be closed till sometime in May. Sooooo I guess we need to make new plans.

Well that stinks about panther creek but on another note this good weather hear lately has given me the bug......bad so we need to figure out what to do lol

Well, you know that I am all for Natural Tunnel and that would be my first choice.

If there are some of you that don't want to come that far, how about Warrior's Path?

Tim had talked about wanting to go to Bear Cove Village, right next to Dollywood. I have called them and had to leave a message. They should call me back tomorrow and I will see what kind of rate we can get. Their regular rates are $50/night, which I think is kinda steep.

I will post as soon as they call me tomorrow.

Those are my suggestions. Anybody else?

merrykalia wrote:Well, you know that I am all for Natural Tunnel and that would be my first choice.

If there are some of you that don't want to come that far, how about Warrior's Path?

Tim had talked about wanting to go to Bear Cove Village, right next to Dollywood.  I have called them and had to leave a message.  They should call me back tomorrow and I will see what kind of rate we can get.  Their regular rates are $50/night, which I think is kinda steep.  

I will post as soon as they call me tomorrow.

Those are my suggestions.  Anybody else?

Me and Rita camped there once. I was a nice park with 2 swimming pools. It is close to everything in Pigeon Forge.

I was looking forward to Panther Creek. Bear Cove Village rates at $50 night is steep. Warrior's Path is nice and so is Natural Tunnel. Any others?

Wife and I would vote for Warrior's Path as it is a little bit closer but either place (Natural Tunnel) would be fine. I have planned on going to Defeated Creek (over toward Nashville) middle of March but I have a lot of work to do on both TV and TT before I'm ready to travel and with a bum knee it will be slow going   .

I talked to the people at Bear Cove in Pigeon Forge. I asked about the costs and if we could have some type of discount if we had 8 -10 camping units. They currently have a special that if you book 2 days, you get the 3rd one free. So, if you go Thur thru Sunday, it will cost you $100, plus taxes. If you go Friday and Saturday night, it till cost you $100, plus taxes.

I think that is still just a bit much, but I will go along with the crowd.

How does everyone feel about this?

I would like to narrow this down a little... And say we try to stick with state parks, etc. Keeping the nightly rate lower.