Blue Ridge Country May/June 2021 - 49

Wild Woody's
Campground & Antiques
(Laurel Springs, North
Carolina)
Prepare for an adventure at this family-owned destination with uniquely
decorated vintage (rental) campers,
thousands of antiques and collectibles,
and the opportunity to experience true
Southern hospitality. And, you'll want
to snap lots of photos! Located by a
trout-stocked river, generations of proprietors and campers have called this
the 'funnest' and friendliest spot to live
and visit. Available campsites are " freestyle " and primitive ( " shower house "
on the property) accommodating small
to medium RVs. Grab a bite and enjoy
the live music at nearby Freeborne's Restaurant. May 1-Nov 1. youtube.com/
watch?v=aRAO5lBCQ4o
Mama Gertie's Hideaway
Campground (Swannanoa,
North Carolina)
Gaze across the Blue Ridge right out
your RV windows from the mountaintop campsites. Located just two miles
from I-40 and 15 miles from Asheville,
this destination offers wilderness and access to urban and cultural amenities in
one locale. Terrace-stepped sites create
a sense of privacy, and the facilities are
clean and well-managed. There are 37
sites open to a variety of RV types, full
hookups, 30- and 50-amp, bath houses,
picnic tables and pets are allowed. Apr 1
- Oct 31.
mamagerties.com
Table Rock State Park
(Pickens, South Crolina)
Set up the RV and get out the hiking
boots to explore this 3,083-acre park at
the southern edge of the Blue Ridge. Its
namesake, a 3,124-foot mountain, can
be reached via the Table Rock Summit
Trail-a strenuous 3.5-mile journey with
an elevation change of 2,000 feet from
start to finish. The views are worth it! For
a more leisurely stroll to see waterfalls,
try the 1.9-mile Carrick Creek Nature
Trail. You can also access the historic
80-mile Foothills Trail and the Palmetto
Trail here. For a side trip, visit the gigantic flea market in nearby Pickens. At the
campground are 94 sites with electric,

RENT OR BUY?
The decision to join the RV life begins
with two questions: 1) How much
will the RV be used? 2) How will it be
used?
The first answer can help frame
financial decisions. The latter answer
is determined by what you like to
do while traveling. This will reveal
what types of campgrounds are on
your radar-urban settings, parks,
boondocking or dry camping (loosely
meaning with no amenities), and/or
resorts. It can also help clarify which
RV options best suit your needs, such
as floorplans, convertible sleeping
spaces, solar panels, awnings and
basic size.
Once you've given these some
thought, consider the pros and cons
of renting versus buying.

RENT
PROS
* Perfect opportunity to 'sample'
different types of RVs and find a
match for your needs. Numbers
show that 35 million people rent
RVs each year aided by sites such
as Outdoorsy, RV Share, Cruise
America and others.
* Hands-on practice before you
purchase-driving, setup, electric/
water/power systems, etc.-particularly if you're new to RVing.
* Simply rent at your destinations
rather than towing or driving
(particularly convenient for trips far
from home).
* No associated costs of purchase,
specifically insurance, maintenance
and storage or long-term financial
commitment.

water and 30-amp hookups available.
Year-round.
southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock
Doll Mountain
Campground (Ellijay,
Georgia)
Paddle, motor, sail, swim and fish from
this campground located on the peninsula of the 3,200-acre Carters Lake. The
60+ miles of undeveloped shorelines of-

CONS
* If you rent a stationary RV, there's
no option to practice.
* Motorhome rentals often have
multiple associated charges that
can add up quickly: per day costs,
mileage limitations, additional
driver and insurance fees, one-way
penalties, prep fees (linens, dishes
and so forth) and others.
* Pets are generally not allowed in
rental RVs.

BUY
PROS
* You have your own traveling bungalow, packed with your belongings, ready to go whenever and
wherever you like.
* Upkeep and small maintenance
are not problematic if you have
some skills or are willing to learn a
few. Good information is available
online.
* Buying a certified pre-owned RV
from a reputable dealer can keep
initial costs low.
* There are options to rent your RV to
other campers when it's not in use.
CONS
* Sticker shock for new purchases can
include up to 40% depreciation in
the first two years.
* If you can't park your RV at home,
you'll have to pay for storage.
* Various components will need fixing with " age " and use including
landing gear, heat and air, refrigerator and stove and others. -AM

fer scenic views of the Blue Ridge foothills. All 68 campsites are dispersed in
a nicely wooded landscape, creating a
sense of privacy. Access the water from
any of the six boat ramps to fish for
crappie, walleye and five species of bass.
There are water, sewer and 30- and 50amp hookups, and it is pet friendly and
ADA accessible. Year-round.
thedyrt.com/camping/georgia/doll-mtcampground

MAY/JUNE 2021

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRAO51BCQ4o http://www.mamagerties.com http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock http://www.thedyrt.com/camping/georgia/doll-mt-campground

Blue Ridge Country May/June 2021

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