Boone KOA

While camping at Boone KOA, you can branch out and explore some of the many nearby parks and forests. Grandfather Mountain State Park is quite easy to reach when you rent an RV near Boone KOA, and well worth the trip. The park was formerly a privately held attraction renowned for its panoramic views and challenging hikes. The park is home to one of the highest swinging bridges in the country, connecting two separate peaks of Grandfather Mountain. Scattered throughout the park, you can find peaceful hiking trails and some camping spots should you feel the urge to stay overnight.

Another great place to spend your time is Lake James State Park, known for its assortment of fun outdoor recreation activities. There is a wide-open lake in the heart of the park where guests may swim, go fishing, canoe, kayak, or explore by boat. Twenty-five miles of nature trails circle Lake James, offering peaceful vantage points to observe the lake and its many species of wildlife. You can hike or mountain bike throughout the park, or camp at one of its three campgrounds with your rental RV.

If you are hoping to drive out to the more remote sections of western North Carolina, there are some stellar national forests you can visit too. Pisgah National Forest and Cherokee National Forest are two of the best natural areas in the region, combining to make up over a million acres of prime forestland blanketing the biodiverse Appalachian Mountains. This temperate rainforest area is truly remarkable, with more species of plants and animals than anywhere in North America. Looking for hidden waterfalls, hiking the many peaks of the nearby ranges, or camping out at designated camping areas and recreation spots; there is no limit to the fun you can have when you pick up your RV rental near Boone KOA and head to these massive wilderness areas.

If you have had your fill of nature, spending some time in and around Boone is a fantastic way to get a feel for the local culture. The city is packed with flea markets, tiny art galleries, live music venues, and tons of remarkable restaurants with mouth-watering southern soul food and legendary North Carolina barbecue.

Turtle Island Preserve and Hickory Ridge Living History Museum are the places to go to if you feel like learning more about the history of Boone and Watauga County. Turtle Island Preserve is an old structure run by guides who truly love what they do. Learn about the early settler life, early Native Americans in the region, and the incredible artifacts housed in the collection. Hickory Ridge Living History Museum has more of the same, with a few different cabins and old homes built by courageous pioneers.

Foggy Mountain Gem Mine is a family-friendly stop with a store and a mine where guests can search for their own geodes and crystals. Tons of minerals are yet to be found in this geologically rich area, and everyone is guaranteed at least one souvenir when they visit. Daniel Boone Native Gardens is named for the folk hero and is only open in spring and summer. The botanical garden houses a variety of rare plant species that are native to the region, so strolling through the assortment of plants and trees is a great way to meditate and reconnect with nature.