R-pod Owners Forum : Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : General non-pod discussion : Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:06:29 +0000 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:48:33 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=10268 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Flush toilets, hot showers, water... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95952#95952 Author: furpod
Subject: 10268
Posted: 05 Jul 2017 at 7:48am

Flush toilets, hot showers, water points. That's it.. But it's high enough you wouldn't need a/c, and near as we could tell, nearly every site is secluded and has views over the tops of the Smokies.. Hosts seemed very nice when we stopped and talked to them a last year.
]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:48:33 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95952#95952 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Originally posted by furpodTars,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95950#95950 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10268
Posted: 05 Jul 2017 at 7:36am

Originally posted by furpod

Tars, have you ever stayed at the Indian CG just before Balsam Mountain?

No, but there is a back road that ends on the inside of that CG that I take pretty often with my FJ Cruiser, so I drive through it from time to time.  There are some beautiful sites in there and I've never seen it particularly crowded.  It seems somewhat dispersed anyway.  I have no idea how well it's run or what amenities they may have.

TT
]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:36:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95950#95950 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : On the TN side we are about... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95934#95934 Author: furpod
Subject: 10268
Posted: 04 Jul 2017 at 7:42pm

On the TN side we are about 90% all time stays at Cades Cove, or there in Townsend. We have stayed in PF one time.

And I agree, I would never drop into Cataloochee without reservations..

Tars, have you ever stayed at the Indian CG just before Balsam Mountain?
]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 19:42:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95934#95934 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : I actually like both roads to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95932#95932 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10268
Posted: 04 Jul 2017 at 7:01pm

I actually like both roads to Cataloochee, but I don't take the one to or from Cosby too often.  The road in from the east is a great ride too, but not one I'd be delighted to tow the rpod on.  Especially if I thought I was going to camp at Cataloochee and found out I couldn't.

Surely they'd let you in if the campground was open and not full, but I don't know.  If I knew there were no knuckleheads coming the other way it would be tolerable, but still not delightful. 

It's a long way back out if you get there and you can't stay too.

For a fairly isolated campground I much prefer Balsam Mountain anyway, but we almost always go to Cataloochee every time we're in the Smokies, several times a year.

We've never stayed a Big Creek.  We've been up there and it's on my list to explore more someday.  If you like that side of the Park and some fairly serious isolation, I think it would be a good one.  We tend to prefer places like Smokemont where it's relatively centrally located with access to restaurants etc.

As long as I'm rambling, we very much prefer the NC side of the Park.  G'burg and Pigeon Forge are not our kind of destinations.  I have a long history with Elkmont and a special love for it, but Cherokee, Sylva, Bryson City, the BRP, Fontana Lake, the Nantahala, Heintooga Rd, and the stark differences between Cataloochee and Cades Cove versus amusement parks and pancake restaurants on the TN side make it an easy choice for us.

TT
]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 19:01:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95932#95932 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Originally posted by Sandy... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95907#95907 Author: furpod
Subject: 10268
Posted: 04 Jul 2017 at 8:16am

Originally posted by Sandy Musher

Tars Tarkas - Thanks for the FYI.  Being that we live pretty close to Cataloochee we go to check out the elk every know and then.  I end up biting my nails every time we drive there Star and would never attempt to pull our trailer on those "roads".


Probably because I grew up where roads like that are pretty common, the High Sierras were 30 minutes from home, and we were there all the time..

The road in to Cataloochee is no big deal to me.. Wink

I think it's been reservation only for a while. They have a sign, just before you "drop in" to the park that tells you, and gives instructions. The few times we have been there, no more then 10-15% of the sites were taken.
]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 08:16:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95907#95907 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Tars Tarkas - Thanks for the FYI.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95903#95903 Author: Sandy Musher
Subject: 10268
Posted: 04 Jul 2017 at 6:16am

Tars Tarkas - Thanks for the FYI.  Being that we live pretty close to Cataloochee we go to check out the elk every know and then.  I end up biting my nails every time we drive there Star and would never attempt to pull our trailer on those "roads".]]> Tue, 04 Jul 2017 06:16:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95903#95903 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : FYI, in case you don't know,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95897#95897 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 8:35pm

FYI, in case you don't know, Cataloochee is strictly reservation only now. It's probably the hardest campground to get to with a camper in the GSMNP so you don't want to get there and find you can't stay.

TT]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:35:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95897#95897 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Considering your location, I suggest,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95886#95886 Author: furpod
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 1:46pm

Considering your location, I suggest, as soon as you get it sorted out, for the real off grid experience, and great camping, Cataloochee and Balsam Mountain. Quiet, small, no hookups, low camper count.
]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 13:46:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95886#95886 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Over the years, we've only... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95881#95881 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 11:20am

Over the years, we've only stayed in a handful of KOA campgrounds. They are a known quantity. Generally clean, with rules. Not generally dispersed very much (meaning tighter spacing). IOW, you can almost always count on them to be consistent.

If you are looking for more of an outdoors experience, other places will be what you're looking for; be it public, private, or boondocking.
]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:20:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95881#95881 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : I will add a plus one for the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95878#95878 Author: JGnTX
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 10:47am

I will add a plus one for the KOA campgrounds. We have never used them before, most of our camping had been state park trips but on our first run with the r-pod we were traveling from Texas to the Grand Canyon so we needed some stops along the way. Our first layover was a KOA our second layover was an independent campground, both were nice and had their own personalities. We ended up staying at several more KOAs on the journey and found all of them good places to be. KOA does have a discount card program, it costs $30 but saves you 10% on the nightly rate. It paid for itself on our first trip.

As for what type of site, we tried to make sure that every other stop had full hook ups, that gave us the option to be able to dump if we needed to. Bottom line, anywhere in the Pod is a good place to be. ]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 10:47:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95878#95878 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Tars Tarkas - Our goal is to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95877#95877 Author: Sandy Musher
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 10:43am

Tars Tarkas - Our goal is to also use National Park campgrounds but want to start with using some of the hook ups and get used to camping before going off grid (so my husband and I don't strangle each other on our 1st try LOL). We like the quiet too and love hiking and kayaking.  ]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 10:43:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95877#95877 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Thanks Leo B. We are so new to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95875#95875 Author: Sandy Musher
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 10:36am

Thanks Leo B.  We are so new to this that I never even heard of a KOA campground!  That is why I'm glad I found this forum.  They sound like great places to stop on your way to a destination.  Is that what you use them for?]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 10:36:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95875#95875 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : I completely agree with Furpod.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95874#95874 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 9:48am

I completely agree with Furpod. My likes may not be your likes. We tend to prefer National Park campgrounds. No hookups generally, but they are usually a little less cramped and quieter. Two of our faves are Smokemont in the Smokies and Frisco on the Outer Banks. If I was going to be in one place for a month though, full hookups would be very nice.

TT

]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:48:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95874#95874 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : Everyone has different needs and... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95868#95868 Author: furpod
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 7:58am

Everyone has different needs and expectations. You will just need to try a few and see what you like.]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:58:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95868#95868 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : We usually hit KOA's camping,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95867#95867 Author: Leo B
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 7:55am

We usually hit KOA's camping, we really like the standards they keep and the locations and staff. Our favorite is the KOA on Cape Hatteras where we spend our Octobers.
We will stay at Flying J truck stops and Pilots, on the way to our destinations. Seems to work well so far.
]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:55:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95867#95867 Public Vs. Private Owner Campgrounds? : We will be picking up our 2016... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95866#95866 Author: Sandy Musher
Subject: 10268
Posted: 03 Jul 2017 at 7:17am

We will be picking up our 2016 R-Pod 180 next week and can't wait to go camping! It is a little overwhelming trying to navigate through all the websites and deciding where to go, what spot to pick, do we want water/electric/septic etc. but also if we should stay in a private or public campground.  Just wondering but R-Poders prefer and why?]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:17:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10268&PID=95866#95866