North Carolina Zoo

[mach8274]

Can anyone recommend a campground near the NC Zoo? Been there many times but never with the pup. Planning on going for Father's day weekend.
I found 3 that are possibilities but I wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations first.
Thank You!
Dave

[ColemanCampingFamily]

Can anyone recommend a campground near the NC Zoo? Been there many times but never with the pup. Planning on going for Father's day weekend.
I found 3 that are possibilities but I wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations first.
Thank You!
Dave

Although it has been about 8 years ago, we stayed at Deep River CG and will never grace their doorstep again. We can laugh about it now, but it was an experience we do not care to relive. We asked for a paddle boat and they told us we would have to haul it down to the "lake" then back up (UP a hill, no less). OK...we are adventurous folks so we decided to take the plunge. The boat leaked badly and we ended up having to bail it out constantly. Have you ever tried to lug a paddle boat up a hill when the hull was full of water? Not fun to say the least. Everything was in disrepair (bathhouse, etc.) back then, but it could have improved since then (due to this experience I no longer trust the pictures that campgrounds post on their site...it looked real good on the internet but in person was another story).

Anyway, from someone that grew up in Asheboro and actually worked at the Zoo when I was in High School, I would suggest Trails End. I have never been there, but it is right there near the Zoo.  Sorry I don't have any experience with the other two (the other one looks like a members-only type of CG from what I could gather), but in my experience anything is better than Trails End. Let me know where you decide to go and what you thought of it. A weekend trip to the Zoo this summer might get added to our agenda!!

____________________

DW - 69 :cake:
DH - 67  :!
DS - 00  :J

1985 Coleman Aspen - AKA Patches

[McCampers]

There is a great campground called Zooland Resort not far from the Zoo.  Hence the name Zooland.  I am not sure whether it is private by membership only or not.  We are members of Family Camping Adventures and Coast to Coast so we can stay there.  It is very nice.  We consider it our home campground.  Very Family oriented.  They are building a pup only area.  So we don't have to stay with all the 5W's.  Nice folks, nice campground.

[mach8274]

Thank you for your replies. I was originally looking at Zooland so I may give them a call and see if we can stay there or if it is members only.

Colemancampingfamily, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at Deep River. Based on your stury, I don't think we want to stay there. Although it was 8 years ago, I still don't think I want to take the chance.

Thanks again.
Dave

[tknick]

I stayed at Trails End about 6 or 7 years ago and it wasn't too bad.  Our site was in a grassy area and lacked the trees that we liked.  In their defense, there are a bunch of wooded sites, but we did not get one.  The facilities are clean and it's close to the zoo.  When we visit the zoo, we stay at the Pisgah National Forest.  It's about 40 minutes from the zoo, but all the sites are nicely wooded.  The sites are paved and they have electricity but they do not have water at each site.  It's also down some gravel paths, but for us it's the type of camping we like to do.

If you end up a Zooland, be sure to let us know how it is.

travis

[McCampers]

We stayed at Deep River CG our first outing in our new PUP.  I didn't mind it, but Mrs. McCampers didn't like it.  There were alot of squatters(permanent residences) there and that can be intimidating.  It is run by a nice man, but they did not clean the restroom/bath facilities all weekend.  It is very dated and could use some sprucing up.  It wouldn't be my first choice in the area.  Let me know what you find out at Zooland.

[mach8274]

According to Zooland's website, they only take reservations Mon-Fri. I am planning on calling them first thing Mon morning to make sure I can get a site. I'm still not sure as to whether or not it a members only campground. I guess I'll find out Mon.

Thanks for all the input. I will let you know what I find out.

Dave   :!