Camping Journal

Location: RJ Ranch, Hillsville, VA	Date: 6/19/2003
Miles Towed: 1275	Weather: H mid 80's L mid 60's

This was the 2003 East Coast Pop Up Rally. Over 35 families (campsites) and over 75 pop up campers attended. With children I am guessing we had just under 100 people there.

We enjoyed a wonderful week with a great group of campers. "Pop Ups" of every flavor were on hand including several hybrids and A Liners.

To pay for planned activities we held a silent auction Monday night prior to the pot luck supper. Almost everyone attending provided an item to auction with all proceeds going to the activity fund. After the auction, which provided more than enough money for the band Tuesday night a pot luck supper allowed us to sample wonderful foods provided by our fellow campers.

The day Tuesday was spent by most folks riding tubes down the Little River from the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park right back to our campground which was situated on the Little River. That night brought us two hour of bluegrass music by a great local band. By a vote of the attendees, remaining money from the auction was donated to Pop Up Times to help support the message board.

Wednesday morning the park service closes the "Cades Cove Loop Road" to vehicle traffic to allow those wanting to walk of bike it's 11 mile circumference to do so without interference from cars. Several members of the group participated and said it was well worth the time and effort. Wednesday night a Jimmy Buffett "Parrot Head" party brought us all together again for more wonderful social time.

Thursday Night 98 of us participated in a hayride around the "Cades Cove Loop Road" . Two 40 foot trailers provided a slow sunset ride around the valley which gave us time to get a great look at the sights and sounds of the cove. The highlights were numerous deer and a mama and baby black bear!

On my own personal scale of a 1 to 10, I give the Little River Village Campground an 8. This is a family run operation and the attention to detail shows.

Many of the sites are a little small for my taste, but the facilities and staff more than made up for this. The river front sites give you a little more breathing room so book one if you can.

The campground has a staff that would put most other campgrounds to shame. There is always someone around when you need them and they are very attentive to campers needs. Two modern bath houses provide sufficient facilities at all but the busiest times of the day. The main bathhouse closes from 1p to 3p for cleaning.

A beautiful and well maintained pool is open 10a to 10p, with 10p to midnight available for adults only. Many rental items are available including tubes for riding down the river as well a bicycles. A half court basketball court is available, and you can check out a ball from the office.

The landscaping is beautiful which adds to the relaxing atmosphere. For the kids in addition to the pool there is riverfront area for swimming, a play area with swings and teatherball, and a game room that includes a pool table.

A well stocked camp store is open all day (and most of the night) to provide those things you might have forgotten. The best deal is the Little River Village Coffee Mug. For $4.95 you get unlimited 25 cent refills for your stay! If you need a little more variety, a supermarket is less than one mile to the west.

The campground is located right outside the Townsend entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park and is just a short drive to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Between these two cities and the amusement parks in the area (like Dollywood) there is plenty to do for everyone in the family.

The campground has crushed gravel streets which may make it difficult for those in a wheelchair but 3 "sites" are available near the pool which are completely paved in asphalt which should help. The bathhouse near the pool was noted to have handicapped accessible toilet facilities but the shower would probably be a little small if roll in facilities were needed. It was also noted that the doors to this bathhouse made use of wooden wedges to help get a wheelchair over the threshold so a little help may be needed. With the number of employees that always seem to be around and their helpful attitude I would think they would be able to assist any camper who need help.