Good question. If you read my last blog you realize this years vacation is slightly different than prior years. So how did we end up in Erwin, TN staying at the Nolichucky Gorge river and cabins (http://www.nolichucky.com/)?
Basically we stumbled upon this place by accident. We’ve wanted to visit the Asheville area for awhile and decided this was the perfect time to do so. The only problem is that finding a quality campground on short notice in a popular tourist destination is often times difficult.
This is how we ended up in Erwin, Tennessee. This small little town is a a stones throw away from North Carolina and about 50 miles north of Asheville.
In our limited travels we have noticed that R.V. only campgrounds are slightly different than campgrounds that have camping in tents with activities to do.
As you get off the freeway you must traverse along a very narrow road to get to the campground. I’m not going to lie. We followed the GPS (and there was a sign saying which way to go) and then finally the GPS said we arrived and yet there was nothing indicating there was a campground, so onward we went (basically because we were on a one lane road next to the river and had no other option at this point).
After about another 1/2-3/4 mile we finally made it! Whew! The campground sits next to a white water rafting company (http://www.usaraft.com/) so the area is a little crowded when you pull in.
We arrived on a Tuesday and it was very pleasant. There are about 8-10 spots for your campers or RVs and then a lot of spots for tent camping. Our 5th wheel fit nicely and the spots were all graveled and nice and level. You have your own picnic table on a little raised platform and they provide a fire pit for you! (And evidently I forgot to photograph this 🤷🏼♀️). However the view and river are beautiful.
While we had a lovely few days at the campground (we used the app Alltrails to find some local trails and hiked to several beautiful waterfalls in the area.). Sill Branch Falls and Martin’s Creek Falls. They are easy enough hikes and while we were there they were deserted so it was perfect!
We also took a day trip to the Smoky Mountain National Park, which was about a two hour drive to the entrance, so it is a whole day!
While we had a nice time I will say that the demographic did change towards the weekend. There ended up being a ton of tent campers and day river rafters and loose dogs and people just milling about everywhere. While this didn’t affect us so much—because we had a specified campsite—I could see if you were just there with a tent there would be very little privacy and people all over each other.
We checked out on Sunday morning to head to Fries, VA so stay tuned to see what happens when we arrive!
Camper Crazy Buzz 