Lake Guntersville & Melton Hill Dam?

[gearhead]

On our way to Bristol TN. in April, we are planning stops at Lake Guntersville State Park north of Birmingham AL.(maybe 3 days), and a 1 night stop at Melton Hill Dam Recreation Area (TVA) near Knoxville TN. Reviews are mostly good with some site level issues.
Anyone been to either lately?

[sh4al]

Bristol in April? Sounds like a trip to Thunder Valley. Stayed at Guntersville State Park a lot as a kid. Used to be a lot of pine trees and if I remember correctly sites were pretty level. Deer would walk through the park in the late evening. A tornado went through a few years ago and cleared out a lot of the trees. Not sure how it's recovered as I haven't been back in a long time.

Steve

[Terrydactile]

Lake Guntersville is nice there just are not many trees there now. In April, shade from trees shouldn't be a problem. The lodge at the top of the mountain has a nice restaurant with good food and great prices. Open for breakfast.

[NotyetMHCowner]

We have stayed at Melton Hill Dam several times but not with a fifth wheel yet (we are still waiting for ours). We love Melton Hill but you are limited to spots with a big rig. There are only about 8 or 9 that have sewer. All of them are level, some bigger than others. All the other sites are electric and water only. There are about 2 loops that you wouldn't want to take your fiver. Luckily it is small enough to just park out of the way then walk around and find a spot.

[gearhead]

Yes, we are headed to the spring NASCAR race at Bristol. The wife has ancestors from the Guntersville AL. area so we may hang around there a few days researching them. Their website is vague as to the number of full hook ups. I need to call them.
I'll call Melton Hill as well. We want a spot close to Bristol to fill the freshwater tank and have just a short drive to the track the next morning.
Going to the Richmond race the next weekend. Planning a stopover at our favorite Tanglewood Park at Clemmons NC. After that we don't know. Maybe Charleston SC. Then home to regroup until Indy500.

[NotyetMHCowner]

You may have a problem getting hold of someone at Melton Valley. TVA managed the campground up until this coming season. We had heard rumors of them allowing a private company to manage starting this season. There was no news of it until I checked just a week or so ago. The new company has a website, but I drove by there a couple of weeks ago and nobody was there and the campground was barricaded off. It has been a fairly popular place to camp and swim so it usually is close to full for the sites that can handle a good sized rig. I think it is still a first come first serve type thing.

[gearhead]

^^^^^That's not good. I'll find someone to call this week.
Do you know any alternatives in the area?

[gearhead]

Opening March 15:
http://camprrm.com/tva/

[NotyetMHCowner]

Soaring Eagle Campground is just down the road from Melton Hill. It is little more pricey but looks real nice. We have never stayed there, but probably will this year to try it out.

Cross eyed Cricket is down the road a little as well, but it is pretty narrow and curvy to get to and the campground looks a little run down.

We really like Melton Hill. You could always try to get a spot there and if no luck, go to Soaring Eagle. Yarberry Campground is one TVA used to manage also. It is off of hwy 321 just a few miles down the road from Melton Hill. Lazy Acres is another one off of hwy 321.

Like I said earlier, we are partial to Melton Hill. I grew up there fishing and boating. I actually caught my first fish there (I don't remember it, haha). But the others I have listed look really nice as well.

[gearhead]

Soaring Eagle Campground is just down the road from Melton Hill. It is little more pricey but looks real nice. We have never stayed there, but probably will this year to try it out.

Cross eyed Cricket is down the road a little as well, but it is pretty narrow and curvy to get to and the campground looks a little run down.

We really like Melton Hill. You could always try to get a spot there and if no luck, go to Soaring Eagle. Yarberry Campground is one TVA used to manage also. It is off of hwy 321 just a few miles down the road from Melton Hill. Lazy Acres is another one off of hwy 321.

Like I said earlier, we are partial to Melton Hill. I grew up there fishing and boating. I actually caught my first fish there (I don't remember it, haha). But the others I have listed look really nice as well.
Good info. Thanks. If I can't talk to anyone about Melton we will just "wing it".