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Hi!
I'd like to find a cabin in the KY/OH/TN area, suitable for a week of R&R and quality road riding. Close proximity to hiking trails and a swimmable lake with or without kayak rentals would be icing on the (big chocolate) cake.
Can anyone suggest a rental company, specific property, or just your favorite areas that would be good for this type of trip?
Thanks!
Edgar Evins State Park is on Center Hill lake. I know it has camping, and I think cabins and a lodge.
As does Fall Creek Falls Park. Well, except the lake, it has a pool and big waterfalls.
Also check the Land Between the Lakes area and Kentucky Lake.
I'm not familiar with the area, but for vacation rentals I recommend Vacation Rental By Owners. I've found a few good, reasonable rentals on here:
www.vrbo.com
http://www.wildernessviewcabins.com/
We loved these cabins! We stayed in the Shanty Creek cabin. It is right next to a really nice state park and gorgeous view from the mountains.
I know this is actually GA, but it isn't far from TN.
Try searching for information about Dale Hollow Lake (TN & KY) and Lake Cumberland (KY). Both of these are wonderful lakes to spend some time on relaxing.
Have a great vacation!
There are a number of nice Kentucky state parks. Try this site, and look especially at Jenny Wiley
http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/
In the Gatlinburg area, we've had great experience with:
http://www.mountainlaurelchalets.com/
The problem is that Gatlinburg is touristy and traffic is bad. However, to avoid this, you can seek out the Townsend,Tn area.
A 'sleeper' in Tennessee is Big South Fork:
http://www.bigsouthforkinfo.com/
Also, as makbike suggests, the Land Between the Lakes is beautiful, the water is nice, and the hills are wicked! There are state parks in Tennessee and Kentucky, but I don't recommend the one in Tennessee unless it's been renovated.
I'd like to find that too. Take me with you:D
If you can get a couple of nights at LeConte Lodge, it's well worth it. The "slots" trade like commodities, but no one ever gives their's up. This is a rustic lodge atop Mt. LeConte. It has a limited number of folks, no electicity, and supplies come in by Llama. You hike up, they provide commissary cooking and blankets, and you literally sleep on top of the world (by Tennessee standards).
http://www.leconte-lodge.com/home.html
No 'swimmin' hole' (or running water for that matter), but it's got quite a view and will redefine your definition of silence.
Last I checked (which was years ago), folks posted their nights for sale at The Happy Hiker (at Traffic Light #10 in Gatlinburg)
Try this website:
www.KentuckyUnbridledSpirit.com
click on the link on the left side of the page for recreation and look at all your options in the Bluegrass State.
Also, in the search box (upper right corner) type in Bicycle maps and several options will pop up for you to choose from. Have fun and let us know where you decide to go. Kentucky is a beautiful state as is Tennessee so you can't go wrong (okay I'm a little bias).
I know there is a link somewhere to routes throughout the state. I'm going to dig through some old emails and see if I can find it. If I let you know.
Living in Tennessee, we've been both. BSF is better for MTB's etc... Gatlinburg is nice, but lots of people, even through the Mountains. Not sure where you are coming from but you might try Hueston Woods, near Oxford, Ohio and just North of Cincinnati. Very nice cabins, lake, and some good mountain and road biking. MTB rentals are available as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Silver
You might want to check out Fall Creek Falls State Park in TN.
I thought of Houston Woods also and I know there is good cycling around there but also take a look at Chain of Lakes in Northern Indiana. It's quite a surprising area, didn't seem touristy, had lots of lakes and good cycling.
Brown County, Indiana is a good area for cycling although hilly. Not sure about lakes although there is a nice one near Bloomington. The town of Nashville is near Brown County state park. It's touristy but kinda cute. Brown County State Park has a nice lodge and cabins. I've also been to Spring Mill SP, lodge, and have ridden in that area.
Try Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio. Lake Hope state park has a beautiful lake and nice cabins. Tons of hiking and biking trails through pretty much pristine forest(Zaleski National Forest) and rock formations (Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls to name a couple). Other options would be the numerous B&B's in the area. Very popular part of the state for vacationing so accommodations may be tough to come by but definitely worth a look. I've spent many happy times there since I was little.