The Franklin RV Park & Campground is a family-owned campground located in Franklin, North Carolina. A total of 22 RV spaces are offered at the campground, all with full hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables. Other features of the park include a gathering pavilion, bathhouses, and a laundry facility. The owners strive to make guests feel like family and offer assistance with local recommendations and activities. Policies of the campground emphasize respectful behavior, keeping control of pets, and quiet hours between 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The park’s busiest months are July and October, and the area offers many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and gem mining. Through the years, the owners have made improvements to the premises, including expanding the sites and adding a laundry room and playing field. They also plan to add RV storage and a dog park in the future.
Franklin RV Park & Campground is a rural campground situated on about 5 acres of land with 22 RV spaces, all of which include full hookups. Besides the individual sites, the grounds of the park feature a pavilion with a stone fireplace that can be used as a gathering area for groups, as well as bathhouses for both men and women. Additionally, there is a coin-operated laundry facility and a space that sells firewood to their guests.
All of the RV spaces vary in size; some sites can accommodate rigs of up to 70 feet. Depending on the area, the sites are either pull-thru or back-in, with the latter being shaded. Each RV site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Besides the pavilion, patrons can play outdoor games such as volleyball and cornhole or watch the hummingbirds in the spring. The campground is surrounded by trees and a small stream, which Victoria, one of the owners, says adds to the environment that guests often enjoy.
Regarding goals for the RV park, one of the owners remarks, “We want our guests to feel like family: welcomed and relaxed.” The park is a relatively popular choice for travelers who are looking for a place to get away and connect with nature. However, Victoria explains that the park is not suitable for those who prefer a lot of activities or an urban environment.
According to Victoria, the campground is not “cookie-cutter,” meaning the RV spaces are not the same size. However, all spaces offer the same amenities, and guests can choose the space that best suits their needs. Victoria explains that the staff of the campground strives to be helpful and friendly while keeping a well-maintained park.
One unique feature of the Franklin RV Park & Campground is the availability of a campground host Rick who is generally always on the property and willing to help guests, reports Victoria, one of the owners. In a review left by a previous patron, they remarked, “The park is beautiful and well-manicured. The host, Rick, shows everyone to their spot and accommodates your needs quickly.” The owners organize events such as potluck dinners and live music gatherings under the pavilion to encourage guests to mingle and feel like part of the family. The campground is open seasonally from April 1st to the second week of November, with July and October being the busiest months due to the holidays and colors during the autumn foliage season.
Franklin, North Carolina, is considered the gem capital of the world, according to Victoria, one of the owners, providing guests with the opportunity to go gem mining and discover rubies and sapphires on their own. Other nearby attractions include Smoky Mountains National Park, waterfalls, lakes, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and kayaking.
The campground’s policies prioritize the comfort and safety of guests. These policies include quiet time from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., pets being under control and not disruptive to other guests, and smoking being allowed only in certain areas. Franklin RV Park & Campground is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and the owners strive to create a "home away from home" for their guests. They encourage guests to ask questions and seek recommendations for nearby restaurants and activities. Some of the owners’ favorite restaurants in the area include Lucio’s Italian, Las Barricas, and Motor Company Grill, among other options for dining in the area.
Franklin RV Park & Campground is a family-owned business that was initially established in 1978 as a family campground. Later, the campground was sold to another gentleman who had it for a few years before it was purchased by the current owners in 2021. The current owners are Jesus and Victoria Valencia and Robert and Tracey Moehling.
Victoria and her family have made several changes since taking over ownership. They have expanded the sites, added gravel, and leveled the sites. They have also added a laundry room and a playing field. Currently, the owners have plans to add RV storage and a dog park by 2024. The current owners have created the slogan, “You come as a friend, but you leave as family,” because they report how they love meeting their guests and building bonds with them. Victoria believes that their campground’s “intimate” setting allows for a family-like atmosphere, making it feel like a family reunion.
The owners’ decision to purchase the business was a result of their love for the outdoors and their customer service experience. Robert, Victoria’s father, owns a fruit market in Homestead, Florida, which Victoria remarks is “world-renowned.” He has always loved the outdoors, and Victoria’s husband is a landscaper, so when they saw the campground, they explain that they knew it was the perfect fit for them. Franklin RV Park & Campground has allowed the owners to utilize their skills together to run the business. Overall, they say, “We just love the people that stay with us, visiting them, meeting them, and getting to know their stories.”
230 Addington Bridge Rd
Franklin, North Carolina 28734
United States
Campground
Jesus and Victoria Valencia, Robert and Tracey Moehling
