Campground Spotlight
The Great Outdoors RV Resort, Franklin, North Carolina
Mike and Polly Gamblin, owners of The Great Outdoors RV Resort, say guests often cite three qualities that make the campground stand out: its cleanliness, the friendly staff, and the mountain setting.
“We are in the Smoky Mountains and ideally located to enjoy all the mountains have to offer,” the Gamblins said.
The Smoky Mountains form a picturesque backdrop for The Great Outdoors RV Resort, located in western North Carolina. Guests can spend time at the 63-site facility, which is open year-round, and also venture out to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There’s no question about the mountains’ appeal. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which covers more than half a million acres along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the most visited U.S. national park. Last year the park set an attendance record, with more than 12.5 million visits.
From its location in western North Carolina, The Great Outdoors RV Resort offers panoramic views of the mountains, whether a guest is floating in the resort swimming pool or relaxing in a rocking chair on the banquet hall porch.
Guests don’t have to venture far from the park to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, white-water rafting, zip lines, gem mining, and trails for off-road vehicles.
RV clubs can reserve the resort’s banquet hall for rallies. It can accommodate approximately 120 people and has two fully equipped kitchens, a 55-inch flat-screen TV, and two rest rooms.
Fido won’t feel left out thanks to the resort’s Bark Park, an enclosed off-leash area. A Doggy Wash Station also is available. Motorcyclists have their own washing station as well.
Typically, the resort’s calendar is sprinkled with activities and special events that feature entertainment, starting with Memorial Day. Events include a Texas weenie roast, a Halloween party with a jazz band, Ladies’ Week, a Thanksgiving feast, and more. “This year we have been very limited due to COVID-19 restrictions,” the Gamblins said.
For those who want to sample what nearby cities have to offer, Atlanta, Georgia, is two hours to the south, and Asheville, North Carolina, is an hour to the northeast. Also within an hour-and-a-half drive are the Tennessee towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, known for amusement/theme parks, shopping, dinner theaters, and music revues.
The resort, which is open year-round, has 63 RV sites, 18 of which are designated as premium sites, with decks or enlarged crushed-stone patios, and three cabins. All sites have full hookups, as well as cable TV and Wi-Fi. The resort has a laundry room and an exercise room.
According to the Gamblins, many RVers are pleasantly surprised to be escorted to their site and to receive verbal assistance with backing in, if needed. “Folks love how they are treated here,” the owners said.
Details
The Great Outdoors RV Resort, C10627
321 Thumpers Trail
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-0412
App File
Travel Planning
When you need information that goes beyond how to get from point A to point B.
Roadtrippers: A must-have for RVers. Enter your starting point and end destination, and the app not only provides turn-by-turn navigation but also helps you find the best stops along the way. The app’s database contains millions of interesting and off-the-beaten-path places to visit, from quirky roadside attractions to scenic points and local diners. You can plot a route with up to seven waypoints; for more waypoints and additional features, upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus ($29.99 a year). www.roadtrippers.com. Free for iOS and Android.
Tripadvisor: Millions of travel-related reviews are available. While on a trip, you can view a map of local restaurants, tours, attractions, and things to do that are recommended by other travelers. You also can post your own reviews. Users can book tours and attractions and reserve tables at restaurants. www.tripadvisor.com. Free for iOS and Android.
TripIt: It’s useful for people whose travel plans may include airline, hotel, rental car, and other reserva-tions, and who wish to create a master itinerary. For pople on road trips, the app plots routes on a map, provides driving directions, and locates the closest restaurants, parking, cafes, ATMs, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. www.tripit.com/web. Free for iOS and Android.
Nature
Don’t Give Invasive Species A Ride
RV owners and other outdoor enthusiasts can play a role in stopping the spread of invasive species.
To help prevent the spread of invasive species, buy firewood where you plan to burn it or make sure it is certified and heat-treated.
“Nearly 50 percent of endangered or threatened species are at risk due to invasive species, which people can unintentionally spread with their boots, tires, boats, firewood, pets, horses, and more,” said Krista Lutzke of PlayCleanGo, a campaign of the North American Invasive Species Management Association. The campaign’s mission is to educate outdoor enthusiasts about how to avoid spreading invasive plants or pests. “The good news is, by taking a few easy steps while enjoying the great outdoors, you can do your part to reduce the spread of invasive species,” Ms. Lutzke said.
Simple Ways To Stop Invasive Species
*Clean shoes and gear before and after your walk with a stiff brush, or use boot-brush stations at trailheads.
*Stay on marked and designated trails.
*Clean your pets and horses by brushing mud and seeds off fur, hair, and pet gear such as leashes, collars, and horse saddle blankets before traveling to a new location. If you have horses, feed them weed-free, certified hay for at least three days before hitting the trails.
*Water adventurers: Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft, trailers, motors, and gear with each use, and never release fish, animals, or plants from one body of water to another. For more information, visit www.stopaquatichitchhikers.org.
*Clean your recreation gear, equipment, and vehicles with water or compressed air to remove mud, egg nests, and plant parts from tires, fenders, and gears.
*Sweep out your RV interior before you leave a location.
*Don’t move firewood. Buy it where you burn it or use certified, heat-treated firewood.
*Use plants that are native to your area in your yard and gardens at home, and avoid planting invasive species. Check with your county extension office or visit www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov for more information.
Every little bit of prevention helps. For more information on what you can do to help stop the spread of invasive pests, visit PlayCleanGo.org.