Fuel Prices UP - RV Travel Down?

[Digital Boy]

We're in Pigeon Forge, TN until November. We arrived in mid-March. Two years ago we were here from mid-May until September 1.

In 2006 you would be hard pressed to find an RV site at any of the dozens of area campgrounds without reservations made well in advance. Traffic on the Parkway (441) was bumper to bumper most of the time. Dollywood, where we worked, was packed every day.

Today, June 13, 2008, I can find dozens of empty RV sites at every campground but ours (small 35 site Passport America park). Parkway traffic is not even close to busy and Dollywood attendence is down by (my guess) 20% or more.

We'll see what happens over the July 4th holiday.

Conclusion: If you can afford the fuel cost, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg might be a destination to consider this year.

PS - Unleaded regular gas is $3.899 & diesel is about $4.679 around here.

[Digital Boy]

We're in Pigeon Forge, TN until November. We arrived in mid-March. Two years ago we were here from mid-May until September 1.

In 2006 you would be hard pressed to find an RV site at any of the dozens of area campgrounds without reservations made well in advance. Traffic on the Parkway (441) was bumper to bumper most of the time. Dollywood, where we worked, was packed every day.

Today, June 13, 2008, I can find dozens of empty RV sites at every campground but ours (small 35 site Passport America park). Parkway traffic is not even close to busy and Dollywood attendence is down by (my guess) 20% or more.

We'll see what happens over the July 4th holiday.

Conclusion: If you can afford the fuel cost, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg might be a destination to consider this year.

PS - Unleaded regular gas is $3.899 & diesel is about $4.679 around here.

[GaryKD]

Lew,
We will be there the last week of July.

[Digital Boy]

Gary,

Where will you stay?

We're at Waldens Creek CG (PA)

[GaryKD]

We have reservations at River Plantation RV Park.

[Tom Meredith]

We will be in the area on 7/10. We are stying in Walland at Misty River RV. We'll ride the Harley to Piegon Ford and Gatlenburg.

Has any body ever stayed a Misty River?

Tom

[Ray,IN]

I wonder if the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta will be as crowded this Oct? My fuel bill will be over $1,300 for the round-trip.

[GaryKD]

So far, the CGs we have stayed at in:
Northern Florida
Northern Alabama
Eastern Arkansas
Western Arkansas

are all full or near full every night. There is quite a lot of turn over each night. I also see, what seems to be, the normal amount of RVs at the tourist stops we have been too.

[Brigadoon]

Tom,
We've stayed at Misty River. Staff was friendly, it's quiet, and the location is convenient. I did think it was over priced since it is basically a gravel lot, but you know how it goes, location, location, location...

BTW, the wifi was good if you are close to the building located in the center of the campground.

[historyljc]

Lew,

We'll be at the Outdoor Resort on 321 June 17-23. Send me a PM if y'all have time for a get together and I send you my cell number.

[Tom Meredith]

Thanks, on the back of my bus is a Harley sticker that says'

"If I have to explain, you would not understand"

Safe travels and hope to meet you on the road

Tom

[CoastieSCPO]

We were there last week and the less than full campgrounds and nice traffic flow was quite a suprise. Bringing the rig back for the July 4th weekend, but will be camping right on Dandridge Lake.

[SEMO Mike]

We were in Branson this past week. Every campground had spaces available despite the fact that several Corps campgrounds were totally under water due to high level of Table Rock Lake. The traffic was down considerably since last time we were there. The campground owner said business was down at least 20% this year, part of which is due to the high lake level.

[Don (W5IT)]

I made a little jaunt over to Slidell, LA yesterday. (Just the truck, no camper) I saw a lot fewer folks in rigs on I-12 on the way there and back than I usually see.

Usually this time of year you are seldom where you do not see one coming from the other direction or one in front/behind you. That was not the case yesterday......