One of the things we’ve learned since becoming full-time RV travelers is that every trip has its highs and lows. Sometimes everything falls perfectly into place, and other times…well…not so much.
This adventure through North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains gave us a little of everything—beautiful scenery, wonderful people, stressful mountain roads, and one campground we’d never choose again.
Looking back now, it’s one of those trips that reminds us why we love this lifestyle. Even the difficult days become good stories.
Memorial Day Weekend Lessons
Our adventure actually began before we ever hit the road.
Originally, we planned to stay near Boone, North Carolina, but when we called to make reservations, every campground seemed to be full for Memorial Day weekend. We quickly discovered that the “just wing it” approach we’d heard so many experienced RVers recommend doesn’t always work during holiday weekends.
After calling campground after campground, we finally found an opening at Raccoon Holler Campground.
The campground owner later explained that she often keeps one or two sites available for full-time RVers who unexpectedly find themselves without a place to stay. That small act of kindness turned into one of our favorite camping experiences.
Lesson learned: If you’re traveling during holidays, reserve your campground well in advance whenever possible.
Climbing into the Blue Ridge Mountains
Getting there, however, was another story.
Coming from the flat coastal areas of North Carolina, we hadn’t given enough thought to elevation changes. We simply selected what looked like the quickest route to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
That turned out to be a very steep, winding mountain road with switchbacks and long grades—all while towing our travel trailer.
Needless to say, our nerves were working almost as hard as our truck.
Once we finally reached the Blue Ridge Parkway, though, the stress melted away. The mountain views stretched for miles, and every curve revealed another breathtaking overlook.
Although many overlooks weren’t large enough for us to safely pull off with the trailer attached, we returned later in just the truck so we could enjoy several of them at a more relaxed pace.
A Taste of Mountain History
One of our favorite stops along the Parkway was Jesse Brown’s Cabin, a restored mountain cabin representing life in the early 1800s.
Standing inside the small cabin, it’s hard not to imagine how isolated those early settlers must have felt living deep in the mountains.
These little historical stops are some of our favorite parts of traveling. They remind us that every beautiful landscape has a story behind it.
Simple RV Living
Not every memorable moment involved sightseeing.
One afternoon we washed our camper rugs and spread them across the campground picnic table to dry in the mountain sunshine. They dried incredibly fast, but when we carried them back inside, we suddenly realized something.
The rugs we’d left inside looked filthy by comparison.
Apparently they had been much dirtier than we thought!
It’s funny how little moments like that become part of everyday life on the road. Living in a smaller space means you notice the little improvements immediately.
Why We Loved Raccoon Holler Campground
Sometimes a campground just feels right.
Raccoon Holler quickly became one of our favorite places we’d stayed since beginning our travels.
Some of the things we appreciated included:
- Spacious campsites with plenty of privacy
- Friendly neighbors who loved visiting with General
- Beautiful sunsets from our campsite
- Spotlessly clean bathhouse and laundry facilities
- Easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Quiet wooded setting with walking paths and a peaceful pond
The campground even had a recreation building, playground, camp store, and weekend activities, making it feel welcoming without ever feeling crowded.
It’s one of those places we’d happily return to.
Then Came the Ugly…
Unfortunately, not every campground leaves the same impression.
Our next stop near Boone was Grandfather Campground, and it simply wasn’t a good fit for us.
Everyone has different preferences, so your experience could certainly be different from ours. But for us, several things made the stay disappointing.
The campsites were extremely close together, the campground roads were dirt, sewer hookups were located uncomfortably close to neighboring patios, and we never really felt welcomed by the atmosphere.
The bathhouses and laundry facilities also needed significant attention.
Normally we prefer to focus on the positive, but we also believe campground reviews should be honest. If a place doesn’t work well for us, we think it’s fair to share our experience so fellow travelers can make informed decisions.
Navigation Isn’t Always Right
One surprise during this trip came from our GPS.
As we approached Boone, our navigation system directed us toward a dirt road that clearly wasn’t appropriate for a travel trailer.
After turning around, we ended up on another mountain highway with even steeper grades than before.
By the time we reached our campground, our brakes had certainly gotten a workout.
That experience taught us another valuable lesson.
Never rely solely on GPS when towing an RV.
Whenever possible, check satellite maps, RV-specific routing apps, and elevation profiles before committing to unfamiliar mountain roads.
Looking Back
Even with a few stressful moments, this trip reinforced why we love full-time RV living.
We discovered one of our favorite campgrounds.
We explored one of America’s most scenic drives.
We learned valuable lessons about mountain travel and campground planning.
And yes…we survived a campground we’d never choose again.
That’s really what RV life is all about.
Every destination teaches you something.
Every mile adds another story.
And sometimes the “ugly” parts become just as memorable as the beautiful ones.
We wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Continue the Journey
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