Blackberry Blossom Campground

Looking to get away from it all? Want to get back to nature? At the Blackberry Blossom Campground, they will furnish and completely set up a tent for you. Or, of course, you can bring your own. Each campsite includes fire ring, cooking grate and picnic table. I like that the campsites are all named after friends or family, each with its own unique layout. They're in beautiful locations on the property and offer lots of privacy. And while the tent sites are rustic, there's a bathhouse with hot water and showers and a camp kitchen with sink. The camp store is decked out with everything you'd need on your getaway and lots more.
The owners, Ed and Janice, moved to the mountains in 1999 in an effort to live a more simple life. And they love to share this simple life with visitors. Click here for a map of their property and their campsites. Reservations are required, so be sure to call ahead.

Click here to visit their Facebook Page and 'like' them to keep up with their special events which include picnics, dinners and concerts.

For directions, click here to see a Google map.  The campground is in a prime location for outdoor adventures with hiking trails on the property and with lots of amazing destinations close by, including Unaka Mountain, Red Fork Falls, Limestone Cove Trail, and Iron Mountain Gap (with access to the Appalachian Trail).

Carden's Bluff Trail

A couple of weeks ago I described the short, looped trail along Watauga Lake named the Watauga Point Trail. The Carden's Bluff Trail is similar, in that it's short (0.7 mi) and easy and follows along the lake, giving stunning views of the lake and the mountains beyond.  (Map Here). It's located in the Carden's Bluff Campground, so now would be the ideal time to experience this short trail. Once the campers have moved in the summer (campground opens April 15), the trail would be less than ideal to visit, for two reasons: first, the path often comes very close the the campsites, and second, the Carden's Bluff Recreation Area is not intended for day use hiking -- just for camping (it's mostly just tent sites). But it's a beautiful area, and whether you take the trail or just stroll through the campground past the gated entry on the road, you're in store for some terrific views. I recommend going late in the day before sunset, as the views over the lake at sunset are gorgeous.

A word about the trail itself. It's not a well-traveled trail. Although marked, you might encounter some large, fallen branches and experience some uneven footing. It's not especially well designed, at times it slopes so much toward the lake, that you really have to watch your footing. But having said that, the views on the west side of the peninsula are the best views to be had of Watauga Lake and those who camp there in the summer must absolutely love it. For information on the campground, click here.

Update 11/15: Seems parts of the trail have been closed due to erosion (mostly on the east side of the peninsula). It is still accessible in places and I'd still recommend that you explore Cardens Bluff! Click map below to enlarge:

Directions: From Hampton, TN, turn north onto Route 321/67 (heading toward Mountain City, TN) and travel 4.1 miles to Carden's Bluff, which will be on your left. After parking at the gate, walk into the campground, soon the road forks, stay right and continue walking until you get the the well-marked trailhead on your right.

Best One-Night Hikes

A reader recently sent me a good question... “Can you recommend a good one-night backpacking trip, dog-friendly, for some fit-but-out-of-hiking-shape people?”

I’m not much of a backpacker...I’m more of a day hiker (actually, more of a half-day hiker!), so I sent the question on to my friend Hiking Bill, and here was his response...

Without knowing how many miles they are looking to walk, and not knowing how physically fit they are, it's just hard to make a good recommendation. But, in my opinion the very best overnight backpacking trip in our region is from Carver's Gap to 19E. It's about 14.5 miles with tons of views, campsites, and water sources. If that is too many miles for them or too tough, then another option would be still to start at Carver's Gap and go north, but once at Yellow Mtn Gap you could go down the Overmountain Victory Trail. This would cut off about 5 miles and would be a lot less strenuous (all downhill).

Another option would be in the Grayson Highlands (Southwest Virginia) (more park information here), 12 miles and simply a wonderful one-night backpack! Click here for description and details of the hike.  Click here for an 8 mile option from Elk Garden to Massie Gap in the Grayson Highlands.

Another one that I loved in the Grayson Highlands gives you the chance to summit Mount Rogers (Virginia's highest peak). It's only 11.3 miles and is one that I took some beginners on for their first backpacking experience. Click here for more information.

Another friend, Marty Silver, also weighed in on the question and recommended...
The hike from Carver's Gap to Yellow Mountain Gap along the AT - you can stay at the "barn" at the gap, or push on to any of a number of great camping spots near Little Hump or Hump Mountain.

If you have another one night backpacking trip in our area that you’d like to recommend, please let us know!

Above: Duke stops for a breather along a section of the Appalachian Trail on Roan Mountain (8/08).