Kansas City to Gatlinburg ,Tn

[renegaderailfan]

We are going in June. Need some place to stay around Paducah,Ky, for our half way point, but it looks like slim pickings!! Any advice??

[KyDan]

Yes!
Mammoth Cave National Park.
It's more than half way but it's WAY worth the extra drive!!
They don't have hookups but the sites are nice and spread out and
many are pull thru.
Since you're going in prime time, I recommend reservations.
If you've not been there it would be well worth your time to spend 2 nites and one
day there.
Tour the caves!! They don't call it mammoth for nothing!!!
Also some great little hiking trails right around the campground and the cave
visitor center.
You can spend a day there and not see it all fer sure.
We go nearly every year sometime, usually early spring or late fall.
One thing to remember, the caves are always cool even on the hottest day.
One caveat, you cannot take anything into the caves.
No camera bag, no purse, no fanny pack. You can take a water bottle if you
hold it in your hand. Same thing for a camera. Leave everything else in your trailer
or car trunk.

[KyDan]

If mammoth cave is not in the cards for you then go to
Grand Rivers at the north end of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Stay in the Canal Campground which is run by the Corps of Engineers.
Eat one of the world famous 2 inch pork chops at Pattis
http://www.pattis-settlement.com/
Here's a google map of the area. You can see that Grand Rivers is right off the interstate
and the Canal campground is the Northern most one. Just over the canal!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...6,1.738586&z=9

Most sites were shaded the last time we were there. The sites are reasonably spread
out and have water and electric hook ups.
They had SEVERE ice storm in January and shade may not be so good but
you'll only be there one nite.
Be sure to call or check on reservations. They are scheduled to be open by June.
There are other campgrounds a little further down the "trace road" that
runs between the lakes but this is your closest one.
You will enjoy a little stroll thru Grand Rivers and also around the grounds of
Pattis.
Been there, done that, will go back!!
Hope this helps!!

[renegaderailfan]

thanks for the suggestions, I will look at these!!

[renegaderailfan]

2 more weeks!! I'm excited, and a little anxious!! Our first long trip. We are staying at the Paducah KOA one night on the way down, and then we are staying at Jellystone Gatlinburg for 5 days!! Can't wait!!

[KyDan]

Sorry you'll miss Patti's world famous 2" pork chops.
Their outside gardens are pretty neat to stroll around too.
One sunset over Kentucky lake is worth the price of admission!
Maybe next time.
Happy Camping!

[bigdaddy1]

Renegaderailfan, you will like Jellystone Gatlinberg campground. My dw and I stayed a few days in site 34 backed up to the mt stream. We hated to leave but work called so we had to get back home.

[renegaderailfan]

Glad to hear that bigdaddy1!! I hope to take some good pictures while we are there!! We are supposed to have a streamside site as well.