Hello,
from a different perspective, do many camp in Tennessee during the winter months? We started to look at the Atlantic coast but we are now moving inland and checking the possibility. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Brian

Being a native Tennessean I can tell you we have pretty mild weather as a rule all the way into December. True we can have some cold days, but I have spent more Christmases in short sleeves than coats. Our January and February days are the coldest, but still not bad. I have seen some days of -15 in Feb. but also some 90s. The average is closer to 30-40. We had our biggest snow in ages last year. We got 6 inches. It was gone in two days.

You must have a certain reason to want to camp in TN during the winter months. I spent two winters in Chattanooga and I hope I never have to that again. I love the city and the area but in my opinion it's too far south for winter activities and too far north for warm weather activities. The winter of 1991 was cold, gloomy, and very long. The winter of 2000 was pretty much the same but we had rain, rain, and more rain. A few of the rains were freezing.

If you like cold gray days, then TN in the winter just might be for you.

Depends on where you stay. In the Valley, Plateau or in the moutain country. (big hills here)

We live up on the Cumberland Plateau. Winter weathewr can be in the 20's to 50's.

Hello,
would you have any suggestions as to a suitable locality for us to amp in for several months? We travel with our used 14 year old airstream trailer. We understand that it can take 3, maybe 4 days of below freezing weather before we encounter problems but then...??
Regards
Brian

quote:

Originally posted by RVTEN:
Depends on where you stay. In the Valley, Plateau or in the moutain country. (big hills here)

We live up on the Cumberland Plateau. Winter weathewr can be in the 20's to 50's.

We just spent a night at Clarksville's RV park. It is OK. Too close to the interstate in my opinion and very basic. They did have 50 amp service and full hook ups. Some people do stay there for months and they said the same work campers have been back for the last 2-3 years. It would be a good locale to be out of the city and yet see all Nashville and the surrounding area has to offer.

In Nashville, very close to Camping World are three Rv parks: a KOA with lots to do--pool, game room, etc. and live music. All three are close to Opryland and the Grand Ole Opry if that is your cup of tea. The other two are Jellystone and a less known park--I can't remember the name of right now. All are nice enough. The KOA is right on the river, but I don't think they have water access.
If you want the mountains Gatlinburg has a number of Rv parks and tons of stuff to do between there and Pigeon Forge--Dollyworld for one. It all depends on what you want to do. It is always cooler in East TN than in middle or west.

There is a SKP park just outside of Knoxville TN right off I-75.

We have lived thru a Chattanooga winter (lots of snow that year) in a hardsided pop-up. This past winter, we lived near Johnson City TN in a 22 ft Class C. Southern Appalachian winters are grey and wet. More rain & freezing rain than snow. The first winter that David spent in the NC mountains, I warned him about the rain. He laughed... until it rained (drizzle & "mist") for over a month with no sun. He got a bad case of cabin fever. Apparently Michigan winters aren't like that.

wow!

Again, Brian, both of those last posts are in east tn. The smokey mountains! middle and west tn are not in the mountains and are not that bad in the winter. Like i said--many years the weather here (middle tn) is quite mild and nice. Yes we get rain sometimes, but not all the time.
I spent a July and August in Sterling, NY--just south of lake erie. Talk about cloudy and grey and cool weather--it wasn't summer like i know it. they did hit 90 a time or too and the sun peaked out for a little while. Not that i like 90s, but i do like to see the sun!
I was also in Goodyear, Az for Dec. one year--90s in the day--30s at night--desert, ya know. But high pressure systems over the are made the air quality in Phoenix so bad that you could see the ugly greenish cloud above the city every afternoon at work traffic time.
Fla is great if you stay by the beach. Otherwise you have to deal with mosquitos. I love the beach!!!!!!

We live in the "center" of TN and for most of the winter,the temps are cool but not miserable. Jan. + Feb. sees some below freezing temps. Mostly sunny days.
There is an RV park at MM 143 on I-40 near here that is on Loretta Lynn's ranch, if you want to get further south and west.

We could "camp" in central TN with a modern RV of decent quality.

Dr.Kool

Hello and thank you for your reponse. You say that "We could "camp" in central TN with a modern RV of decent quality." We own a 1994 Airstream Excella. Would there be problems during cold nights with it?
Are there communities of campers in Tennessee or more simpy, some good campgournds for rv'ers like us? We are retired and want to carefully dip our toes into the idea of winter camping.
Regards
Brian

I'm not sure why I would want to stay in TN in relative cold, when another day or day and a half drive I could be at the coast....where it is pretty warm in the winter, and there are pretty nice parks with winter activities?? Is there some specific attraction to winter in TN?

No, not at all. We just don't not know the geography as yet and your comment helps us to set our direction for the coast.
This may be a dumb or an unanserable question. Is any area more likley to encounter a hurricane before the season ends in late November?
Regards
Brian

Hurricanes are kind of random. But as late as Oct/Nov it is unlikely that you will encounter one, although possible. We never worry about hurricanes. If they come, we go...

Let me suggest you set your sights on the Escapees Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL. It is a very nice park and reasonably priced if you are a member. In a nice area with things to do. No long term commitment up front - you come in, and pay when you leave - NOT on entry. SO if you change your mind or have to go home then you lose nothing. Wifi for about $30 a month. We will be there in late Nov. thru Jan, with time out for the Tampa, FL RV Supershow...(gotta vacation sometimes...)