10 Fun Things To Do At Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

August 17, 2024 Amanda Luhn

Rock hopping across Jakes Creek in Elkmont Campground in the Smokies — Rock hopping in Jakes Creek which runs through Elkmont Campground, as does the Little River. Splashing around in these waters is always a kid favorite.

Elkmont is one of our go-to campgrounds in the Smokies because it has so many kid-friendly activities to do at or near the campground. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history… there is even a ghost town on site to explore. These are our family’s top 10 favorite activities when we camp at Elkmont.

Weekend Getaway To Brevard, NC- All The Details!

October 13, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest in Brevard, NC

Brevard, NC is the ideal town for a couple’s retreat or getting the family outdoors with its access to easy hiking trails and scenic mountain vistas. Brevard’s charming downtown offers small cafes, shops, restaurants, and a couple of breweries so it’s perfect for a walk around. With its proximity to popular Asheville, Brevard could even serve as a base camp for a day trip to Asheville’s infamous Biltmore Estate and Gardens. We share all the details for a terrific weekend- where to stay, best restaurants, and things to do in Brevard, NC!

A Weekend Getaway to Bryson City, NC

October 9, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Sunset picture from our cabin rental just 5 min from downtown Bryson City, North Carolina. I love this charming mountain town for lots of reasons but the views of the Smokies is definitely one of them.

Bryson City, North Carolina is loaded with attractions that the whole family will enjoy-- between train rides, playing on the water, its proximity to the Smoky Mountains National Park, and the charming downtown with great food and a casual vibe. You will have a fantastic weekend!

A Fun Weekend Getaway In Asheville, NC With Kids

October 5, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Asheville is our family’s “go to” for a weekend trip. It’s a fun, artsy town with great restaurants and what seems like a craft brewery on every block. Asheville is known as a great weekend getaway for couples, but it’s also worth visiting with the family. Between stops at family-friendly breweries and restaurants, your kids will find plenty of things to do whether exploring the city’s downtown or venturing out to nearby hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A Weekend Getaway In Abingdon, Virginia - Where To Eat, Where To Stay, And Things To Do

September 18, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Trestle on the Virginia Creeper Trail near Abingdon, Virginia

For my family, we repeatedly visit Abingdon for two main reasons: biking the Virginia Creeper Trail (a 34 mile rails to trails pathway) and hiking the trails at nearby Grayson Highlands State Park, famous for its soaring mountain views and wild ponies. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy these two wonderful things to do on your next visit to Abingdon, Virginia - when to go, where to stay, and our favorite restaurants in Abingdon.

Stay In A Yurt At Grayson Highlands State Park—It’s Simply Awesome!

September 18, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the mountain balds with wild ponies grazing, the easy access to great trails with amazing views, and the high elevation of the park. The tent camping at Grayson Highlands, however, isn’t great. The sites are too small and close to each other. The work around? Stay in a yurt! Yurt 2, also known as “Split Rock” was our home for 2 nights during the first week of June. Read my full review.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

July 15, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Camping in Elkmont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains

Want to take a trip to the Smokies and camp in the woods but not sure what to expect? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Elkmont Campground in exhaustive detail- what campsites are the best, how to reserve, and all the little things that will help you plan your trip. This family friendly campground is one of our favorites in the Smokies and we return to it again and again.

Glamping In A Yurt At Cloudland Canyon State Park- All The Details You Want To Know

July 11, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Looking in yurt #5 in the yurt village at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia — Treat yourself to a luxury glamping night at the yurts in the ever awesome Cloudland Canyon State Park in north Georgia.

The yurts at Cloudland Canyon State Park are a great way to feel like you are camping without having to do any of the work normally associated with camping. Spacious, quiet, private, and even with electricity and AC, we had a good time on our glamping adventure and would do it again. It was especially helpful as this was a just an overnight trip when we couldn’t bring any camping stuff with us.

Cades Cove Campground In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

May 26, 2023 Amanda Luhn

Beautiful morning in Cades Cove near Cades Cove Campground — Cades Cove. This kind of beautiful scenery is not far from your campground and is why you camp here.

Use this local’s years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. Best campsites, best activities, how to explore the cove without people- all the hacks and know-how I have accumulated over the years to make your family’s trip the best it can be.

Cool Off In The Clear Water of Lake Jocassee in South Carolina

March 25, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

The beautiful, clear water of Lake Jocassee

Devil’s Fork State Park offers excellent camping sites next to the clear, cold water of Lake Jocassee which is located about one hour from Greenville, SC. The buzzword descriptions like “Lake Tahoe of the East” or “South Carolina’s Little Switzerland” are spot on for this wonderful spot in South Carolina.

Easy Hikes at Grayson Highlands State Park

March 20, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Grayson Highlands State Park is famous for its wild ponies and access to a beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail, but you’ll also find plenty of amazingly beautiful trails for those seeking shorter hikes.

Children especially enjoy the trails at Grayson Highlands, because some of the best trails are not only super short but all of them provide something fun along the trail like fun rock scrambling and typically lead to an incredible high elevation view or water feature.

Which Campground To Choose In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

March 3, 2023 Amy Ragsdale

Should you choose Elkmont Campground or Cades Cove Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Having camped at both as children and as adults, we give you the breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

Easy Hikes Near Blowing Rock, NC

November 7, 2022 Amy Ragsdale

Two of my favorite family hikes are located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. I have to admit, however, that I will always choose these hikes with or without the kiddos. They are just that good. Both Rough Ridge and Flat Top Tower trails offer incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are worth every step.

Your Guide To Norris Dam State Park

February 18, 2020 Amanda Luhn

Overlooking Norris Dam and Norris State Park

Norris Dam State Park makes for a perfect place to spend a day (or a few days!) with the family. Go explore Norris Lake on a rented pontoon boat or a paddleboard or hike on one of the park’s many trails. Or maybe go fishing, camping, mountain biking, or learn some TVA and Appalachian history at the Dam Visitor Center or the Lenoir Museum. Norris Dam State Park is a fantastic family destination with something for everyone.

The Definitive Guide To Cloudland Canyon State Park

November 15, 2019 Amanda Luhn

Clouds + canyon = you can see how Cloudland Canyon got its name

Hiking, biking, waterfalls, cabins, tents, and yurts- what’s not to love about Cloudland Canyon State Park. Oh yeah.. it also has some pretty spectacular views too. Find out everything you need to know about this wonderful state park.

Experience Southern Charm In The Upstate- A Weekend Getaway In Greenville With The Family

April 23, 2019 Amanda Luhn

Looking for someplace new to discover but only have a weekend to spend? Look no further than Greenville, South Carolina. Repeatedly making “best of” lists because of its amazing restaurant scene and the fantastic Swamp Rabbit Trail, your family will have a fabulous weekend of fun in this charming small city.

A Weekend Getaway to Louisville, Kentucky- It Is More Than Just Horse Racing, Baseball Bats, and Bourbon

February 1, 2019 Amanda Luhn

The pretty and walkable streets of downtown Louisville outside the Louisville Slugger Museum and Kentucky Science Center.

You won’t have any trouble filling your weekend with fun in Louisville, whether you are here in winter or summer, rain or shine, or you have teenagers or toddlers. There is a plethora of activities, from hands-on museums to underground zip lines, and lots of tasty restaurants to try. But maybe the best thing about Louisville is its fairly compact size-- most attractions are within several blocks of each other, making your sight- seeing a breeze. Park the car for the weekend and enjoy yourself in this awesome city!

Cummins Falls State Park - A Not So Hidden Gem That Is Still Worth Discovering

May 2, 2018 Amanda Luhn

Cummins Falls State Park is one of Tennessee's newest state parks (dedicated in 2013), but people have been trekking to the 75 foot high falls for generations.

It is not the easiest of swimming holes to get to, but the magnificent falls and swimming hole at the end are enough of a draw that 250,000 people visited the falls in 2015. I wouldn't go near this place on Labor Day weekend, but on a Monday morning in May, it was a gorgeous pit stop on a drive between Nashville and Knoxville on I-40.

Looking For Educational And Fun Things To Do In Atlanta With Kids? Visit The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park

March 7, 2018 Amanda Luhn

Outside the Visitor Center of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park was an excellent adventure, full of interesting immersive experiences, thought-provoking displays, and beautiful grounds for the kids to run a little bit. I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Atlanta with kids of any age, as there was something for everyone to enjoy.

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