Looking for recomendations...

[BigDaddyRog]

Hey yous guys!!! I'm gonna take the DW&DDs camping this spring but refuse to go near Disney when schools not in session. I'm needing some recommendations for a great natural, wildernessy, foresty kinda camp ground/state park, whatever.....you know, something where we will feel like were kinda roughing it, but ain't quite using leaves to wipe...secluded, with a river, stream or lake a must(gotta go fishing), waterfalls a big plus. Southeast part of the country(MS, AL, FL, maybe GA, maybe TN). Right now were thinking tents, but might flirt with the idea of renting a TT, although I have NO CLUE on how to back one up. I know you guys have a finger on the camping scene(among otherrrr.....never mind, shes watching, always watching )Whaddyagot?

 

[stacktester]

In Florida they have brochures at the state parks showing each campground. I'm sure LA does as well. I've got both FL and GA one's.

There's a lot of my own state I've yet to see yet (mainly because of this FW place) and I'd bet you'll find a great place in LA. They don't call it Sportsman's Paradise for nothing. I know some people (no names mentioned please) get jealous over us locals going to the fort so much, but there's some really cool places near some of you guys I'd love to see. That's another reason we're cutting out some of the FW trips. DD and I are going to TN for spring break to ride our 4 wheelers at Royal Blue ATV. It's a 130,000 acre 500 miles of trails atv park. Used to be coal mines. I decided to rent a cabin because of the gas prices. I can save 3-4 tanks of fuel by not taking our camper. By the time you subtract the campsite rental from your cabin and the amount of fuel saved by pulling the 4 wheelers up on a trailer it's a no brainer.

 

[tungpo1]

I never been but I heard peace river is really nice.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

This one is in Arkansas, but one of the best I've ever stayed at. There are no RV hook-ups, so tents are the way to go. Very outdoorsy, but you never feel trapped in BFE (no leaves required). Beautiful place. Maybe I'll email photos.

It has been about 4 years since, I've been there. Hopefully it hasn't changed much.

http://www.snyderweb.com/yanasochee/index.html

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Forgive my excitement~this is the first time I've been able to post pics! Thanks, Rog!

By the way, this is Yanasochee. The photos do not do this place justice!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I'm sure LA does as well..... you'll find a great place in LA. They don't call it Sportsman's Paradise for nothing.

Yes indeed, we have some GORGEOUS state parks here...Ive been to almost all of them....all of the ones that have cabins to rent, which is 90% of them, been to several more than once...Im needin new frontiers to explore!! We go camping 3-4 weekends a year...with my job, I have to get away from people as often as possible or I'll go as nuts as I seem on these boards!! I prefer my insanity remain as tongue-in-cheek humor versus some twisted reality

This one is in Arkansas, but one of the best I've ever stayed at. There are no RV hook-ups, so tents are the way to go. Very outdoorsy, but you never feel trapped in BFE (no leaves required).

That IS breathtaking...thats what Im looking for, places JUST like that. Wow...you have such a cute family!!! Tell your hubby he's in my prayers...I know the wonderfull hell he lives in!!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

That IS breathtaking...thats what Im looking for, places JUST like that. Wow...you have such a cute family!!! Tell your hubby he's in my prayers...I know the wonderfull hell he lives in!!

Thank you

Yours is cute, too!

We try to go easy on Daddy; we're just not always successful

 

[PolynesianPixie]

DD6 just looked at the 1st pic and said, "My hair is on fire!"

It really wasn't~just an orange hair tie and perfect flame placement!

 

[clkelley]

Checkout www.alapark.com for info on our state parks.

Most of them have great bath houses. Lake Guntersville has wonderful water access for fishing off the docks.

Right there in Mississippi, there is Lake Bistineau State Park where a group of teardroppers recently had a great weekend there and from the pictures it looks like it has everything you asked for.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Checkout www.alapark.com for info on our state parks.

Most of them have great bath houses. Lake Guntersville has wonderful water access for fishing off the docks.

Right there in Mississippi, there is Lake Bistineau State Park where a group of teardroppers recently had a great weekend there and from the pictures it looks like it has everything you asked for.

We spent Thanksgiving 2006 at Lake Bistineau, thats actually a LA state park...unless theirs another on in MS....it is beautiful...the lake looks swamp like with all the cypress trees growing out of it, tons of peat moss hanging from them.....our cabin had to be 100 years old (it was actually called their lodge.. our whole extended family stayed in it) I gotta say...it was a little spooky!!! We had a great time. (I'll post some photos if I have any that are worth posting)Im definately gonna check out the alapark.com.
keep the ideas coming ya'll....im getting tons of great info

 

[momoffive]

Can't remember the name of the park but Gatlinburg TN is beautiful.. Tons of hiking and waterfalls and activities or seclusion. Tourist area but a getaway too. We're planning a trip next year sometime.
momoffive

 

[clkelley]

We spent Thanksgiving 2006 at Lake Bistineau, thats actually a LA state park...unless theirs another on in MS....it is beautiful...the lake looks swamp like with all the cypress trees growing out of it, tons of peat moss hanging from them.....our cabin had to be 100 years old (it was actually called their lodge.. our whole extended family stayed in it) I gotta say...it was a little spooky!!! We had a great time. (I'll post some photos if I have any that are worth posting)Im definately gonna check out the alapark.com.
keep the ideas coming ya'll....im getting toms of great info

You're right Bistineau is in LA.

 

[des1954]

This is in North Georgia - Blairsville, to be exact. There are a TON of hiking trails within easy drive & lots of them have waterfalls. This area is the southern most point of the Appalachian Trail & on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a beautiful drive any time of the year.

Check it out...

http://www.trackrock.com/


They have accomodations for all types of camping equipment & activities for kids and adults.

Debbie

PS..... hope to run in to you sometime next week!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Can't remember the name of the park but Gatlinburg TN is beautiful.. Tons of hiking and waterfalls and activities or seclusion. Tourist area but a getaway too. We're planning a trip next year sometime.
momoffive

Is that Pidgeon Forge?

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Nooo...I think Pidgeon Forge is Nashville, nevermind....I'll have to look up Gatlinburg, thanks. CLKELLY....that Desotto park in Bama looks awesome!!!

 

[tungpo1]

Love Tennesee we try to make the smokies, pigeon forge/gatlinburg every couple of years!!!

Cant forget Dollywood!!!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

This is in North Georgia - Blairsville, to be exact. There are a TON of hiking trails within easy drive & lots of them have waterfalls. This area is the southern most point of the Appalachian Trail & on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a beautiful drive any time of the year.

Check it out...

http://www.trackrock.com/


They have accomodations for all types of camping equipment & activities for kids and adults.

Debbie

PS..... hope to run in to you sometime next week!!!

Wow...the pics with the snow are sweeeet...I've only been in snow 3 times in my life. Girl...you wont be able to avoid me next week....I'll be looping by Sunday night, if we get there before the bike barn closes...which I hope,because Im paying for the cart from Sunday on...we should arrive by 4pm if everything goes smooth. Kind of a madhouse around here right now trying to get everything together..but I still find DIS time...as my wife glares at me from the kitchen!!! I wouldnt know what to do without that broad(yes, she's looking over my shoulder as I typed that!!!)
Ive heard about a FL state Park or Nat'l Park where their's like a manatee highway that flows through it....anyone know what Im talking about?

 

[des1954]

Ive heard about a FL state Park or Nat'l Park where their's like a manatee highway that flows through it....anyone know what Im talking about?

Actually, there are quite a few parks where you can spot manatees. Ft. Desoto (where Rhonda stayed last week) is one. It's in St. Pete. There's also Homassassa Springs, Weeki Wachee, and a crappy park but a neat location is Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral. At Jetty Park you can watch all the cruise ships (including Disney Cruise Line) disembark & return, there is a beautiful fishing pier, and often times - we've watched the dolphins "body surfing" in the waves. If you time it right, you can easily view a shuttle launch from this campground.

I suggest you purchase a Woodall's Camping Guide. It lists and rates all campgrounds in the US & Canada. You can get one from Camping World's website.

Don't forget..... I'll be looking for you! Here's a picture of our GEM Car:

Debbie

 

[tungpo1]

Sweet cart!!!!! very nice

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Actually, there are quite a few parks where you can spot manatees. Ft. Desoto (where Rhonda stayed last week) is one. It's in St. Pete. There's also Homassassa Springs, Weeki Wachee, and a crappy park but a neat location is Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral. At Jetty Park you can watch all the cruise ships (including Disney Cruise Line) disembark & return, there is a beautiful fishing pier, and often times - we've watched the dolphins "body surfing" in the waves. If you time it right, you can easily view a shuttle launch from this campground.

I suggest you purchase a Woodall's Camping Guide. It lists and rates all campgrounds in the US & Canada. You can get one from Camping World's website.

Don't forget..... I'll be looking for you! Here's a picture of our GEM Car:

Debbie

What a cute little space buggy!!!! Woodalls sends me snail mail all the time...ya'd think theyd save money by NOT sending me dozens of brochures about how good their guide is, and just send me the guide!!!
I think we may do a FL park this year, definately gonna do Desotto in Bama, Might have do the one in FL too.Hmmm....As I think about it, Ive been to alotta parks for a guy with no camper, or even a real tent.....I'd so love to talk my DOL(Darling Old Lady) into letting me get a camper of some kind....but with gas right now...its not even worth my argueing...she wins every time with that stupid "logic"...I hate that stuff!!! Before ya know it, she'll be thinking, and getting ideas....(Gaston was so insightful in his modern way of thinking).