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Blue Ridge Parkway

Yahoo Message Number: 68801
During a trip in May, we plan to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in its entirety. Any comments on road conditions or restrictions? Any suggestions for overnighting?

Thanks for any input you can give us!

Darlene & Gordon James
'99 Intrigue #10883

Re: Blue Ridge Parkway

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68804
Be careful on the Parkway, there are several tunnels with minimum heights down to 10 and 11 feet, so you have to be sure to go through those toward the center. I have done the Parkway twice on a motorcycle and never in a Motorhome.
Here's a link to the tunnel heights: http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/tunnels.asp
Tom

Trans-Specialists/Lifeline Batteries
01 Magna 5999

www.trans-specialists.net

Re: Blue Ridge Parkway

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68805
"fresnojames1999" wrote:

Quote
>

During a trip in May, we plan to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in its entirety. Any comments on road conditions or restrictions? Any suggestions for overnighting? >

Thanks for any input you can give us! >

Darlene & Gordon James
'99 Intrigue #10883
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful drive. Don't deterred by those that may say it is too twisty and steep for a motor home. I drive the BRP all the time and have no problem. You will be fine if you take it easy. My only concerns are:

1. Some of the pull-offs are rather tight, and some may not be able accommodate a big rig. Most are posted as such, but look ahead.

2. Most of the tunnels are more than adequate, but there are some really low tunnels in the last ~10 miles of the Parkway's southern terminus approaching Cherokee. Most can be safely navigated if you are willing to drive down the center of the road for the 400'-500' or so that it takes to get through the tunnel, but that can be a little hairy. Otherwise all these low tunnels can be bypassed by getting off on US 19 near Soco Gap and taking that road into Cherokee.

BRP tunnel data
I prefer staying at the Federal campgrounds along the BRP as opposed to the private ones off the parkway. I am familiar with all the parkway CGs on the NC end of the BRP, and they are all nice. Julian Price has the lake and is close to great hiking trials, Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock. Mt. Pisgah is the highest, at over EL 5000', so it is very pleasant at the peak of the summer. My personal favorite is Linville Falls, but I'm a little biased. My great, great, great, great grandfather used to own the land where the the campground is now located, as well as the Falls itself. I have heard from a reliable source, but have not been able to confirm with Parkway officials, that Doughton Park will be closed this summer. Note that none of the Parkway CGs offer any hookups, and that large sites are the minority. A few CG's take reservations, but most are first come. They often fill on weekends.
BRP campgrounds
Enjoy the drive!

Myron

2004 Allure 33' 31040

Re: Blue Ridge Parkway

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68811
I found the parkway to be "challenging" for a large coach.
(it is not the Natchez Trace....) take a look at http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/tunnel-heights.htm
We really enjoyed Ma Gerties, outside Asheville, but if you only want an overnight, Miles Motors would be fine. See http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/North_Carolina/Swannanoa.html
Enjoy

Denis & Donna Vogel
'06 Allure #31409
 

Re: Blue Ridge Parkway

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68817
I have driven the BRP from end to end in every coach I have owned. The tunnels will scare the heck out of you but I have fit through all of them. The campgrounds are all delightful but have limited sites for large coaches. I will no longer drive the BRP because of trees that overhang the roadway. The trees will slap the heck out of the front top of your coach and may break vent covers and A/C covers.

Good luck.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298