RVing and Exploring Wide Open Spaces in the Tennessee River Valley

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 18, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- While indoor attractions across the United States are closing during this time of self-quarantine, outdoor attractions are remaining open. "The Tennessee River Valley is home to a variety of RV parks offering wide open spaces and fresh air. Whether an avid user or a novice looking for different ways to explore the Tennessee River Valley region, RV parks allows travelers to see the world from the comfort of their home on wheels," said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council.

RV enthusiasts will want to check out these parks and sights located in the Tennessee River Valley.

Riley Creek Campground is located on scenic Watts Bar Lake in East Tennessee. A scenic overlook near TVA's Watts Bar Dam provides visitors with a panoramic view of the reservoir and surrounding countryside.

Melton Hill Dam Campground is located upstream of the Melton Hill Dam offering 55 campsites. Melton Hill Reservoir has two TVA managed trails. The Worthington Cemetery Trail, a 0.5-mile loop, has some unique features that include a cedar barren, native warm season grass meadow and a pier out into a wetland. The 0.75-mile Melton Hill Dam Reservation Trail takes a hiker from the overlook to the dam below.

Nestled on the banks of the Elk Reservoir in Cumberland City, Tenn. lies Elk Harbor Lakeside RV Park. The RV park sits in the middle of a sportsman's paradise in the Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 8,862 acres of open water, marsh, cropland and woodlands that support an abundant wildlife population.

Cumberland Mountain State Park, located in Crossville, Tenn., offers a variety of cabins and its popular campground that features a combined total of 145 tent and RV campsites. An overnight backpacking campsite is also available. This hike-in campsite is located on the Overnight Trail, a six-mile loop through the forest rated moderate to difficult.

Heavily forested Big Ridge State Park is bounded on three sides by Norris Lake in Maynardville, Tenn. and offers 50 campsites on or near the lake. The park consists of more than 15 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to very rugged, taking visitors along dry ridges, lush hollows, old roadbeds, lakeshores and beside cemeteries and remnants of early settlements.

Green Acres RV Park is located in Savannah near the Tennessee River and only minutes away from some of Tennessee's top attractions including Shiloh National Military Park, Walker Branch State Natural Area, Bruton Branch Recreation Area and Pickwick Landing State Park.

Mountain Glen RV Park is located in Pikeville, Tenn. just fifteen minutes from beautiful Fall Creek Falls State Park and its 20,000 acres. Fall Creek Falls State Park is filled with cascades, gorges, waterfalls and streams for exploring.

Pack up the camper and head to Big Bear Resort on Kentucky Lake in Benton, Kentucky. While staying here, be sure to check out the buffalo range where about 50 American Bison, which are native to this area, can be found roaming and the elk and bison prairie, a 750-acre drive-through wildlife viewing area featuring elk, bison and deer grazing on native prairie grasses.

While staying at Bald Mountain Camping Resort, the mountains provide a patchwork of color in the background and in the foreground, enjoy views of the lake and creeks. Located in Hiawassee, Georgia, the camping resort offers day trips to the Appalachian Trail, Brasstown Bald (highest peak in Georgia) and beautiful Lake Chatuge.

Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is steeped in history and scenic beauty. Tishomingo offers a unique landscape of massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found nowhere else in Mississippi and the scenic Natchez Parkway runs directly through the park.

While camping at the Goat Island Campground and RV Park in Iuka, Miss., be sure to check out Goat Island, just across the water from the campground. It is populated by a herd of goats which are quite friendly to visitors. Bring along some veggies or stale bread to feed them.

Honeycomb Campground is located on beautiful Guntersville Lake, in north Alabama. Located nearby is the Honey Comb Trail featuring five bluff overlooks and lots of opportunities to explore the lake's edge where visitors can catch a glimpse of a bald eagle.

The Tennessee River Valley Geotourism Mapguide recommends the following healthy travel practices:

• Wash hands often,
• Cough into elbow and sneeze into a tissue,
• Consult with a doctor before traveling when sick,
• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations,
• Avoid contact with people who are already sick,
• Avoid contact with animals while traveling,
• Be aware of latest travel advisories from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department,
• Before traveling to an outdoor attraction, call to verify hours of operation.

Save trip ideas and plan a trip easily with the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism MapGuide, an online guide of authentic places and adventures that have been recommended by locals. For more information on RV parks and campgrounds in the Tennessee River Valley, visit https://www.tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/where/campground-or-rv-park/ten1817029F8B9D5E62E.

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SOURCE Tennessee River Valley