Any suggestions appreciated for scenic area with rushing mountain streams in Virginia for kids to play and inexpensive lodging nearby? Driving in July from DC - Knoxville en route home to Louisiana and have never driven through VA before. Hoping to find a place to get off of the Interstate and relax and play a bit. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Okay - the stream doesn't have to be rushing - how about just flowing? Anyone?
Skyline Drive? Blue Ridge Parkway? George Washington Forest? If someone could suggest a town - I'll search the net.

when coming down I-81, exit at Mount Jackson, turn left at the exit to Route 11 south through Mt. Jackson. Several miles down the highway you will cross the Shenandoah River and a mile or two later see a sign for Meems Bottom Covered Bridge. Turn right on that road and park on the left before crossing rhe bridge. The river there is shalllow and neat for splashing around in.

When finished, you can continue south on rte 11 to New Market and get back on I-81 there. DC to Meems Bottom is about a two-two and a half hour drive so you may want to stay over further south. On our recent trip from Woodstock, 20 minutes north of Meems, to Baton Rouge, we stayed over in Birmingham.

If unsure of travel time and hotels, go to freetrip.com for info..

Enjoy your trip through the Valley.

A thousand thank yous! I was planning a stop at Luray Caverns and it looks like Mount Jackson is right near there. Coincidentally our final stop (and home) is 45 minutes from Baton Rouge. I was thinking we would get a late morning start (after 3 busy DC days) - then stop at Luray Caverns and now the river area you recommend and then overnight in Harrisonburg. How about the Market near Dayton that is recommended? We'll copy you also on the Birmingham stop but I think I may also do an overnight in Knoxville too on the way home. Travelling with 3 children including a 2 year old so want to break up the drive as much as possible! Thank you again - I love Mountain Streams -- so different from our bayous! Any other suggestions for places where the streams run with Skyline Drive or the Parkway or stops along the way please let me know. Thanks again!

Since you are going to Luray, you might consider this. Take I-66 to Front Royal and then rte 340 into Luray. Ten miles from FR is the Andy Guest State Park. It is on the south fork of the Shenandoah River. I'm quite sure you will be able to wade there. After that continue on 340 into Luray. Another ten miles. In Luray turn right on rte 211 to the caverns. After the caverns, continue on 211 to New Market, about 45 minutes. In New Market, turn right on rte 11 for about five miles to the Meems Bottom Bridge and the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

The Dayton Market is nice, have been there couple of times, but would not go out of my way to just see it. They do have a nice selection of local breads, cheeses and meats.

We were in Baton Rouge for three days in April for a familiarization tour with the CVB. Great people. Will be back there next year for a ship's reunion.

In North Carolina, there is a waterfalls just off Blue Ridge Parkway called Sliding Rock Falls. You can slide down the rocks into the pool. There is a lifeguard there. Nearby is Looking Glass Falls. Both close to Brevard, NC.

In Great Smoky National Park (GSNP), there is a picnic area called Chimneys that has a rapids that you can go into.

In GSNP there is a places called Sinks or Meigs Sinks or something like that. There are rocks that kids jump off into the river.

In the middle of Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls State Park has four waterfalls. A couple of them you can go into the pools. There is also a lake there to swim in

I had forgotten that you may stay in Harrisonburg. If you do, then the drive to the Dayton Market would be worthwhile.

Ronkala - thanks for the detailed advice on route - we are going to follow every word. The kids will be so surprised when I tell them they can get out and splash around. Just not something we do here where we live. Boats yes - in the water with the snakes and gators - no. Thinking of staying at the Village Inn in Harrisonburg. Hoping for something nice but not too $$$ as this is the last leg of a long road trip. Is Harrisonburg a good choice or is there some other town nearby you would recommend for an overnight? Also to repay the wonderful favor you have done for me here is my unsolicited advice for your next trip to Baton Rouge (and these are both food related so you know I am a true Louisianian!) Anyway Juban's Restaurant - was one of our favorites when we lived in Baton Rouge. A bit expensive but really worth it! Also 45 minutes down I10 - a morning in Breaux Bridge starting with an early Zydeco Breakfast at Cafe Des Amis.

And Dusty - your tips on Chimneys, Fall Creek and Sliding Rock have led me to some great sites on the Internet and we will definetly work into another overnight on the way home. We've only visited HIghlands Area in North Carolina previously. Areas you recommend look great. On behalf of my littles who will be happily splashing - thank you!

If you should make it to Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest you might decide to picnic along Route 276 so you can play in the Davidson River. Sliding Rock might be too much for your 2 year old. Make sure you pack their water shoes, the rocks can be sharp and slippery.

Thankyou for the eating suggestions. I have made note of them. Our reunion will be on a Thurs, Fri, and Sat. and we plan on getting in Monday or Tuesday so we will have time to piddle around.
We'll be staying at the Sheraton in BR.

One other splash thought. When you are on Rte 211 out of Luray, you will cross the Shenandoah River again. (south fork)
Just after you cross there will be a VA game commission brown sign for a boat launching site. We put our canoe in there one time for an overnight trip and as I remember it, there were shallow spots for wading.

Harrisonburg would be fine, lots of chain restaurants. Your next options would be Staunton or Lexington.