Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive Trip

[Not fishing]

Hi Everybody!
My DW and I are planning a two week trip to Asheville, NC and Dollywood in June '13. I was thinking of traveling south from PA on the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline drive to get to Asheville. Has anyone taken this route and what is your opinion of the trip. We would have a (newer, better) PU and our 27' travel trailer. I welcome all comments including what to visit, campground recommendations, good food places and anything else. I know she wants to visit the Biltmore Estate so that's a given but I don't know much else about the area.
Thanks!
Happy Camping
Mike

 

[pojoGTH5]

Check your total length. You may be too long! Made to trip last summer on the MC. Beautiful!!!!! 

 

[Jerrygroah]

There are some restrictions on height also. There are some tunnels that will not clear some RV's. You may want to check this also.
Jerry

 

[Seajay1]

Having lived in NC most of my life, I have traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway from end to end more times than I can remember.  If my memory serves there are 22 tunnels on the parkway with 21 of them in NC. (I will stand corrected on this if necessary)  To my knowledge my 33 foot Pace Arrow made it thru all tunnels without a problem.  Some of the tunnels are marked 12 or 12/6 over near the shoulder of the road but it is simple enough to crowd the center line if necessary and do not go thru if you are meeting another motor home.. 
As to the RV camping on the parkway, the max length of your coach is 28 to 30 feet long and most are ''rough camping'' however there are tons of commercial campgrounds beside the park way.  Gas and diesel is the same way.  There are ''stations'' on the parkway but expect to pay extra for your fuel.  There are good resterents along the parkway though they are usually far apart.
I have traveled from Alaska to NC and seen many mountain roads.  Scenic and beautiful roads but nothing comes even close to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway is the most visited national park in the USA.....  Yep,  more than Yellowstone and Grand Canyon,  The parkway is highly traveled but you seldom see traffic jams or crowded conditions.  The exception is during Leaf Season when the leaves are in ''full color'' you can expect some bumper to bumper traffic on the week ends.
As I recall the Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long with lots of overlooks and some of the most beautiful country God ever made.  It is primarly a NON COMMERCIAL ROAD thru the Blueridge Mountains so you will not see a ''semi'' or a ''cement mixer truck'' or any ''commercial'' vehicle (except a tour bus) anywhere on the road.  the max speed limit on the parkway is 45 so if you are in a big hurry.... DONT GET ON THE PARKWAY.   
You will see lots of wildlife on the parkway also .....Deer, Badgers, Foxes and the occasional Black bear and all kinds of ''small critters'' along the edge of the road.  Remember,  YOU ARE A GUEST IN THEIR HOUSE so respect them....... It is their home and you are a guest...
I could fill this page talking about the Parkway but my best advise to you is GO SEE, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH AND LOOK AT MY PARKWAY. Take your time and stop often along the way..............cj

Mind you this is just my opinion and I am sometimes wrong.................

 

[tc tom1]

My wife and I have camped all along the Park Way. Our favorite camp is Mt. Pisgah State Park. There is also a great restaurant there called the Pisgah Inn. Great food and reasonable, and we are picky.

Have fun and enjoy, Tom

 

[Not fishing]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Many years ago I did the parkway on a motorcycle and I remember the vistas and needing to pay attention to the road sometimes and not the scenery all the time! I had forgotten about the tunnels. I'll have to take a measurement of the TT and get a true height measurement (including the AC, vents etc.) Looking forward to it!
Much Appreciation,
Mike

 

[Seajay1]

OOOOPS    MY BAD..  I just remembered two campgrounds right on the parkway.  One is at Linvell Falls and there is another one going toward Boone Nc but I cant remember the name of it.  Both campgrounds can take loooooooooong riggs without a problem but both are dry campping.
goodness, this proves I am human.....cj

 

[Not fishing]

Thanks Seajay,
I'll have to check out the vast amount of info I found on the internet about the campgrounds and the other attributes of the parkway. We're looking forward to this trip and I know with careful planning and a bit of adventurous spirit we will have a great trip.
Thanks all,
Mike
p.s. Seajay, I'll give you your dime for all the info next time I see ya!

 

[rjf7g]

I live at the foot of Afton Mountain where the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway meet.  I have driven the Drive from end to end several times (it is "short" compared to the Parkway) and have dreamt of driving the entire Parkway since I was a kid.  I look forward to reading your stories.