Day 1 Arrive in Charlotte

Before collecting your motorhome stay two nights in Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina. Spend some time in the high-energy NASCAR Hall of Fame with its race car simulators and learn about this all-American sport. For something very different check out the Levine Museum of the New South tracing the history of the region through the Civil War and the civil rights movement across the south. 

Day 3 Collect your RV and begin your road-trip to Lake Lure, approx. 115 miles

When you are ready to explore this great region, head west to Lake Lure, famous for that iconic piece of movie history, the lake lift in Dirty Dancing. This area of outstanding natural beauty is a great place to end your first day on the road. Work up an appetite by hiking to the top of The Rock in Chimney Rock State Park with its amazing vistas of the valley below. 

Stay one night in the Lake Lure area

Day 4 Head to Bryson City, approx. 90 miles 

As you head deeper into the North Carolina mountains, your route will likely skirt the edge of Asheville, but we recommend saving this little gem of a place until later on in your trip. Your stop for the night is the mountain town of Bryson City, deep inside Nantahala National Forest. Once here we would definitely recommend taking a train ride on some of the largest steam trains ever built on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad which departs for its trips up into the mountains directly from downtown Bryson City. Enjoy almost limitless outdoor pursuits in this region including the Nantahala Outdoor Center with its whitewater rafting, ziplining and mountain biking for all ages on its 500-acre campus. 

 Stay one night in the Bryson City area

Day 5 Drive to Chattanooga, approx. 140 miles

Continue your drive west through mountainous landscape of western North Carolina before crossing into Tennessee. The beautiful and dramatic scenery remains on this side of the border as the road winds its way pass small rural communities on one side and raging fast flowing rivers on the other. Your destination for today is Chattanooga, one of the South’s best cities for those lovers of the outdoors. This beautiful city offers miles of waterfront trails along with its gorgeous historic downtown featuring gourmet kitchens and craft breweries. It is also very eco-friendly with its fleet of free electric buses that allow you to explore with ease. 

Explore Ruby falls, one of the largest and deepest underground waterfalls in the country. Visit the Lookout Mountain battlefields aboard the ‘Incline Railway’. Explore the caves and caverns. 

 Stay one night in the Chattanooga area

Day 6 Head to Nashville, approx. 135 miles

After a few days exploring the great outdoors, now its time for all things Country music and to its spiritual home, Nashville. Made famous as the city that saw the likes of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson become international stars, the music scene today is as vibrant as it ever with its 7 days a week of live music on virtually every street corner. Just north of the city is the Nashville Country RV Park where we suggest you stay for the next 2 nights. You can leave your RV parked up here as the campground will organise tours and tickets to the major attractions such as the Grand Old Opry, Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Visit the National Museum of African American Music and dine and shop in the heart of Nashville at the new Fifth + Broadway development. En-route to Nashville, stop at one of the most famous distilleries of them all, the Jack Daniels distillery near Lynchburg. 

Stay two nights in the Nashville area

Day 8 Drive to Pigeon Forge, approx. 220 miles 

After saying goodbye to Nashville, you are now heading back towards the mountains that define the Tennessee & North Carolina border. On the way, stop at Lebanon and its immaculately preserved town square, one of the best examples in the region. Whilst we have suggested a 2-night stop in this region, there are plenty of activities and attractions that would warrant a longer stay here including helicopter tours of the region, Dollywood theme park, the Titanic Museum, Splash Country and much more. Your recommended campground is right in the heart of the action in the mountain town of Pigeon Forge. Enjoy the nature trails and serenity of the Cumberland Plateau as you head east. From your campground, walk the 10 mins to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner show for an evening of family entertainment. 

 Stay two nights in the Pigeon Forge area

Day 8 Drive to Cades Cove, approx. 35 miles 

Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains national park, the most visited and most biodiverse national park in the country! As it is a very short drive today, this gives you plenty of time to enjoy everything this beautiful region has to offer. As you are entering from the Tennessee side, your first stop should be the Sugarlands Visitor Center to gain valuable information on activities such as hiking horse-riding, fishing and visiting some of the historic log buildings that that park is famously known for. Also do plan to visit the many stunning waterfalls including Meigs Falls and the very popular Laurel Falls. Your suggested campground for the night is at Cades Cove, placing in the heart of the park. In the summer months the very popular 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to traffic so a perfect time to explore by foot or bicycle (rented from the nearby campground) and be on the lookout for wildlife including black bears and coyotes. As with many national parks, do take advantage of the many ranger-led programs on offer, most of which are free. 

 Stay one night in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

Day 11 Drive to Asheville, approx. 110 miles

You have another short drive today across the roof of the Smoky Mountains National Park back into North Carolina. Whilst the quickest and shortest route is along Interstate 40, we would certainly suggest taking the slightly longer and more scenic drive along Rte. 441 with its many pullouts. Your campground for the night is just 10 mins north of Asheville, so do take the time to visit the Biltmore Estate, the summer home of the Vanderbilts and the largest privately owned home in the United States. Stop at the Wheels Through Time Museum, home to world’s premier collection of rare American motorcycles. Enjoy many of the organised tours offered at the Biltmore Estate including many specifically designed for children. Spend some time in historic Asheville, one of the coolest small cities in the South. 

 Stay one night in the Asheville area

Day 12 Drive to Winston Salem, approx. 160 miles

As with yesterday, the quickest route to your destination in Winston-Salem is along Interstate 40, but again we suggest taking a more indirect northerly route remaining still largely in the mountains. After leaving Asheville, join the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive’ as it winds its way up into North Carolina’s High Country and pass Mt Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Explore the Linville Gorge and take in the wonderful short hike to the spectacular Linville Falls. Enjoy the many mountainous activities in this region from ziplining, hiking and whitewater rafting. Hike or drive to the summit of Mt Mitchell. Visit Grandfather Mountain and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Visit Old Salem and admire the beautifully preserved core of the Moravian settlement across several blocks south of downtown. 

Stay one night in the Winston Salem area

Day 11 Drive to Rocky Mount, approx. 165 miles 

Continue your drive east and through the heartland of North Carolina. The area you will be driving though is the most populated region of the state with plenty of cultural and historic attractions worthy of a stop. Not long after leaving your campground you will be in the town of Greensboro, home to the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and the Greensboro Science Center. Continue past the pretty university towns of Chapel Hill and Durham and the state capital of Raleigh before arriving for your night near Rocky Mount. Stop at one of Durham’s coolest attractions, the Duke Lemur Center to see these loveable creatures and the largest collection outside of Madagascar. Guided tours only so do book ahead. Stop by The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh with its permanent collection of works by Botticelli and Rembrandt. 

Stay one night in the Rocky Mount area

Day 14 Drive to the Outer Banks, approx. 140 miles

Spend the next two days exploring the famous Outer Banks region of North Carolina. Any map will show you that you really are on the edge of the continent here along this ribbon of sandy islands over 100 miles long separately from the mainland by sounds and waterways. Visit the Wright Brothers National Monument to see where Wilbur & Orville Wright changed the world. Spend time at Jockeys Ridge State Park and enjoy the sunset over Roanoke Sound from the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast. Enjoy beachside resort activities in the town of Nags Head. 

Stay two nights on the Outer Banks

Day 16 Drive to Wilmington, approx. 240 miles 

Today is a long but very rewarding and unique drive along Rte. 12 with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Pamlico Sound on the other as you follow this chain of islands south. As you continue along this route, you can’t miss Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This nearly 200ft black and white striped edifice is one of North Carolina’s most iconic images. Once back on the mainland, stop in the beautiful and historic town of Beaufort with its lovely marina and boutique shops. Visit the Battleship USS North Carolina moored in Wilmington Harbor and learn about its battles during World War II. 

Please note that this suggested drive involves 2 compulsory ferry crossings and whilst we think this only adds to the uniqueness of this area, there is a slightly shorter and quicker drive back via the mainland. Please always check ferry timetables for the most up to date information: https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/ferry-tickets-services/routes/Pages/default.aspx 

Stay one night in the Wilmington area

Day 17 Drive to Badin Lake, approx. 180 miles 

Enjoy the morning exploring Wilmington’s vibrant riverfront and scenic riverwalk that winds around the storied Cape Fear River. In the afternoon, start your journey inland along Rte. 74 through the historic towns of Lumberton and Fayetteville before spending your last night in the Uwharrie National Forest where the campground we have suggested sits alongside the beautiful Badin Lake. For those that are interested in golf, stop at the legendary Pinehurst resort for a round on one of its nine courses. Enjoy plenty of outdoor activities in Uwharrie National Forest including hiking, mountain biking and canoeing on Badin Lake.

 Stay one night in the Badin Lake area 

Day 18 Return to Charlotte, approx. 30 miles 

Drop-off your RV.