Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

Blue Ridge Parkway
By BeckyCortino - Flickr

One of America's favorite road trips and one of the most visited destinations in the National Park system, The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful 469 mile journey through outstanding scenery, natural environments and and fun recreational activities. 

The 469 mile Journey

There's plenty of places to camp along the way so get an RV and set out on an unforgttable journey through the best of Virginia and North Carolina.  The Road doesn't have many main roads off it, so an RV is the perfect way to be prepared for anything.  Stock up the food, and prepare for a journey through untouched wilderness.

Get off Highway 64 or US 250E and venture down "Blue Ridge Parkway".  There is so much beauty to be explored along the journey that to name a few highlights is hard.  However, the following should entice you in.

The Humpback Rocks
By amaz0n23 - Flickr

The Humpback Rocks, 5.8 miles in (northern end) are a scenic wonder and historic richland.  Enjoy one of many hiking trails, Picnic in nature and explore the historic farm buildings.  You could camp at the nearby Sherando Lake (off the Parkway)  or keep venturing on.  A reminder that there is plenty of RV parks along the route.

After 86 miles embrace the stunning views of the Peaks of Otter and the surrounding Jefferson National Forest.  Take a hike, go for a fish or camp under the stars at the foot of Sharp Top mountain.  

Mabry Mill
By Jason Barnette Photography -Flickr

At Mile 169, stop in at the Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill.  Enjoy a short trail around the mill and be sure to visit the Gritsmill, Sawmill and Blacksmith shop as well as taking mny pictures of the beautiful structures.  If you're there on a Sunday, stick around for the musicians and dancers that gather in the afternoon.

Partake in some bird watching at Cumberland Knob at mile 217 and keep an eye open for deer, racoons, foxes and bobcats as well as beautiful flowers at mile 240 in Doughton Park.

Moses H. Cone Park
By David Fre - Flickr

Gear up for another delicious picnic at Moses H. Cone Park at mile 294.  This family farm and memorial park invcludes a family cemetry, carriage and apple barn and for those interested in transportation- an extensive system of carriage trails.  There's also guided walks and an evening campfire. 

The Linn Cove Viaduct at mile 304 will astound as will the Craggy Gardens at mile 364.  The high summit elevations are home to a spectacular floral display of violets, blackberry, rhododendron, May-Apple and more.

The Folk Art Center at mile 382 shows travelers the best in traditional and modern arts and craft of the Appalachians.  Peruse over the book store and observe the craft demonstrations.

Waterrock Knob Sunsert
By Julie Findley jfindley8889 - Flickr

Enjoy more bird and wildlife watching at Mount Pisgah, mile 408.   The journey maybe nearing an end but one of the best places to view sunsets and sunrises is still before you.  Waterrock Knob at mile 451 is at almost a 6000 feet elevation and the perfect place to view the suns rise and descent across the rugged mountains.  Enjoy a hike to the summit and enjoy views of the summit and valleys.

The road comes to an end shortly.  Hopefully you've made the most of the hikes, visitors centres and magnificent vistas. 

Take advantage of this beautiful journey and take an RV to explore.  Find a special on one at RV Rental Sale Finder choose your pick up location and you're away.

Enjoy!!

Hunger Games Filming Locations Tour

If North Carolina didn't seem like the ideal place for a Motorhome roadtrip before, how about now? The movie that has taken the world by a storm has turned North Carolina into a tourist and Hunger Games fans destination.  The whole film was shot at various locations across the state. 

If you or your kids are totally in love with the Hunger Games, this is a perfect opportunity to go on a family vacation in a motorhome.  If you're a bit older than a kid and think RV's are for oldies, think again... they're not.  RV's are the perfect way to explore and adventure around these film locations. 

Begin the journey to the games in Charlotte.  Pretend you're Effie leaving the grandeur of urban life in the capitol behind.  In your RV head northwest to Henry River Mill Village, Hildebran.  The mill burnt down many years but left in it's place the perfect setting for district 12 -home of Katniss, Peeta and Gale.  Take a look at the Mellark bakery building, and the shanty that housed Katniss, Prim and their mother.  Get on the road again as the property is private ( although under negotiations to let people through).

• Stay in Hickory , (2miles from Henry River Mile Village) at Indian Springs Campground

Thestars bar - Lexington Avenue Brewery
By stevekc - Flickr

Live for a little bit like one of the epic's stars.  Asheville, 110 km away was the town that made the stars feel at home while enjoying lunch at Lexington Avenue Brewery or the Laughing Seed Café, two of the places the actors loved.

Craggy Pinnacle Trail
By Ken Lund - Wikimedia

You can spend the next day or two being a little adventurous and stepping in the tributes footsteps. The Craggy Pinnacle Hike, is home to the North Fork Reservoir where the Cornucopia scenes were filmed.  That area is off limits but can be glimpsed from the Craggy Pinnacle Trail.   Next Hike, The Lower Douglas Falls Hike. In and around this area was where the filmmakers shot pregames shots of Katniss and Gale.  Take the Navitat Canopy adventure and feel like Rue racing around in the treetops.

If If you feel ill equipped to fight in the Hunger Games, learn some survival skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, approximately an hour from Asheville.

• You could stay in Asheville Bear creek RV Park, Rutledge Lake RV Park or many others in the area.

DuPont State Forest
By ms

Head on south to DuPont State Recreational Forest.  This is a nature lovers paradise and possible the tribute lovers paradise... The park is full of Waterfalls, dramatic scenery, lakes and see if you can spot Katniss' pond and the place where Peeta camouflages himself. 

So many quaint and pretty towns grace the surrounding area so be sure to pull over the RV and stop for a coffee or local shop somewhere.  Brevard and  Hendersonville are great examples of towns with historic charm, quaint downtowns, excellent restaurants and cultural and recreational activities. 

80 miles from Brevard is a town called Shelby that inspired Suzanne Collins' "hob".   The Hob and Reaping scenes were filmed in private Warehouses but anyone walking along LaFayette street will be able to direct you to the locations.   Buy some "hob" type treats along LaFayette or have a bite to eat in the casts' favourites; Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille or NiFen Wine and Tapas.  

Return to the Capitol (Charlotte) at your own pace and check out the North Davidson Street neighbourhood. The arty district was popular with the stars. 

Find an RV Park for the night and pamper yourself to be presentable for the capitol the following day.  Capitol filming locations included the Knight Theater and Charlotte Convention center. 

• Perhaps stay at Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA 

If you visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame it'll get you as close as you could be to seats similar to the Hovercrafts that dropped Katniss into The Games. 

Before leaving the Capitol and heading back to your district, test your survival skills and at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, get a glimpse of YOUR capabilities.  

What an experience! Hopefully you've felt like you've been a part of the Hunger Games epic.  Get an RV from RV Rental Sale Finder and you'll definitely end up with a great special!  

Asheville Film Locations

Henry River Mill ( District 12)

Big Bend National Park

By Corey Leopold - Flickr

There are so many treasured little roadtrips across the United States that need to be traveled.  This summer it may be hot there, but the Big Bend Natonal Park is a memorable drive through dramatic desert country with soaring mountains and massive canyons.  Create for yourself a long roadtrip for an RV but make sure to include this section.   RV's are perfect for roadtrips as you have the freedom to stop and start wherever you want, and make yourself a cup of coffee next to a beautiful scenic stop. 

218 miles long, this Marathon to Marfa diversion route takes you through the Big Bend National Park.  Marathon is an arty town and traveling in from there you'll drive 40 miles of flat scrubland.

By carolynpepper - Flickr

 Big Bend National Park will greet you with the Chisos Mountains. Drive through spectacular desert scenery,  ride through the rio Grande  and take a wander along a Chihuahuan Desert nature trail.

By mrwsierra - Flickr

Make a detour on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive  to Santa Elena Canyon.  Experience the majestic canyon close up by following the walking trail along the canyon.   If you get a 4WD RV you'll be able to drice further into the scenic route.

After retracing the detour you'll come across the old mining towns of Terlingua and Study Butte.  Here you can partake in the tours offered on the Rio Grande River. Leisurely floats or more serious canoe and camp adventures.

From these mining towns head down the road to the Terlingua Ghost Town.  This scattered and collapsing building graveyard provides plenty an opportunity for a good picture and youcan meet the artist community and interesting people.  Enjoy a meal in the famous Starlight Theatre pub followed by the local's tradition of watching the sunset from the porch. 

The drive from Terlingua to Presidio, in the next leg of the journey, follows the Texas River and is said to be one of Texas' most scenic routes.  Enjoy the beauty of the Big Bend Park scenery.

Look out for the abandoned "western" film set after the town of Lajitas for some good photography.

Fort Leaton Historic Site
By jhorneman - flickr

The Fort Leaton State Historic Site is one of the largest abode structures in Texas.  The building was reconstructed after it was abandoned, and now provide excellent tourist interpretive panels to describe life there in the 19th century.

After a bit more driving you'll reach Marfa, a lovely town with excellent arts and fine dining.

Stay in the park in your RV and enjoy the scenery for longer and at different lights.

Here are some RV Parks in the Big Bend National Park :

• Chisos Basin Campground
• Cottonwood Campground
• Rio Grande Village Campground

Get an RV from RV Rental Sale Finder and take this mini road trip in a beautifully scenic part of Texas.  

The wonder of Yosemite National Park!

Yosemite Valley
By Johan. V. - Flickr

 Yosemite's beauty can not be explained, nor shown justly in pictures. Yosemite must be experienced.  The natural beauty of the national park will astound and amaze any visitor to this Californian utopia.  The park is over 760 acres reaching across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain.  It is abounding in luscious greenery, spectacular granite cliff faces, gushing waterfalls, pristine streams and massive sequoia groves. The wilderness supports a diverse range of animal and plant life that millions of years ago was covered in ice.  The slopes of the park were formed by huge glaciers forming in the upper reaches of the alpine meadows. The down slope movement sculpted a U-shaped valley that is the breathtaking park so many love to visit now. 

Yosemite Falls
By Koshyk - Fickr

Yosemite Valley is open year round but much of the rest of the park is only open between mid to late spring and late autumn. Over 800 miles of hiking trails are available to the keen adventurer.  From easy strolls to grueling hikes the trails are an aesthetic dream. 

Spend some time in the National park with an RV.  Several campsites (which quickly fill up) are located in the park and the perfect haven to rest after a day of hiking or laying in the valley with a picnic. You can camp in the park without making a reservation, but be prepared to find the camps full. The following are where you can do so:

• Bridalveil Creek
• Tamarack Flat
• White Wolf
• Yosemite Creek
• Porcupine Flat
• Tuolumne Meadows

Find out about making a Reservation here. There are also RV parks out of the valley which are still awesome for camping in.  Find yourself an RV at RV Rental Sale Finder. 

Plan your trip to the breathtaking Yosemite Valley in an RV.  Pick up an RV from many locations around the area and drive in  for a few nights stay.