A Sea Of Red

As part of my new years resolution I am determined to start doing some more old school manly things...I would like to start off with camping. Me and my two brother in laws are interested in going camping and I prefer Virginia, WV, and PA so that I can bring my conceal carry weapon ( I realize some Natl or State parks dont allow). We want to rough it pretty good and not be around too many people so that we can really be out there on our own. If anyone on here could layout some suggestions that would be awesome. We are looking to go in the fall when the bugs and heat are not too great which takes away from some of the rouhging it but hey gotta start somewhere.

The national forests in Virginia have some great places to go. Hunters use them a lot when the season opens, but they are available year-round and free to use. They are primitive campsites and are usually fairly convenient as long as you have a decent off-road or 4WD vehicle. I believe you can make your own site and you don't have to use a pre-established site. Start driving around some to scout out some places. Start here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/gwj

I would suggest you get a map of the area you are interested in and then drive it. The website shows camping in cabins and campgrounds that cost $, but there are plenty of places along the roads that are free to use. Maps are available from the district offices or you can order online.

I did a lot of camping in the WV side of the Monongahela National Forest growing up and still know the area like the back of my hand. For a novice such as yourself looking to get into it, I highly recommend hiking a relatively level grade, setting-up camp at a central location, and day-hiking out from there. Something lie a three- or four-day trip is PLENTY when backpacking everything in yourself.

In the Mon Nat Forest, I highly recommend the Seneca Creek Trail into the Judy Springs field. About a 3.3-mile hike, very slight grade, runs along the Seneca Creek in the valley between the Allegheny Ridge and Sprice Knob (highest point in WV). From that field, which makes for a great central camping spot, you've got fresh water from the Judy Springs (200 yards from campsite down a clearly marked path), a 1.5-mile hike to the North Fork Falls of the creek (about 20' high, with picturesque smaller falls along the way), and numerous trails up each side to various points. There are many roundabout trails from this field that can easily be used to map out a day hike.

From where your car is parked at the trailhead, it's also an easy drive up to the Sprice Knob lookout.

This is where I would begin. I've even done this very trip with women/children before. It's no easy thing, but its mild enough for beginners. I've also don't a few trips starting out on the far side of the Allegheny Ridge, going up and over it, and up to the top of Spruce Knob. Each time was 17-26 miles, three days, living off the 55-65 lbs. on my back. Wouldn't recommend this to just anyone starting out though.

If you're in Lynchburg, you're only 30 minutes from the Appalachian Trail, which is ideal for primitive camping, and they also have 3-sided shelters that you can camp in for free.

If you want to cross over into WV, the Greenbrier River Trail is 70 miles of beautiful hiking and camping and only a couple of hours from Lynchburg.

If you like fishing, camp at Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, VA, where they stock it with trout twice a week!

Ever since Alec Baldwin played the Scout Master with Adam Sandler on SNL, camping scares me. Now if we are talking RV's.....

I own a 15-year-old pop-up camper. Not sure if that classifies as an RV or not, but it does have AC.

Cider Jim wrote:I own a 15-year-old pop-up camper. Not sure if that classifies as an RV or not, but it does have AC.

It counts. Mrs Purple wants one to 'dip a toe' into RV'ing. I told her it was like staying at Red Roof Inn and comparing it to staying at The Ritz. Ha

Purple Haize wrote:

Cider Jim wrote:I own a 15-year-old pop-up camper. Not sure if that classifies as an RV or not, but it does have AC.

It counts. Mrs Purple wants one to 'dip a toe' into RV'ing. I told her it was like staying at Red Roof Inn and comparing it to staying at The Ritz. Ha

I am willing to bet cruising is much more her speed than camping....

HenryGale wrote:

Purple Haize wrote:

Cider Jim wrote:I own a 15-year-old pop-up camper. Not sure if that classifies as an RV or not, but it does have AC.

It counts. Mrs Purple wants one to 'dip a toe' into RV'ing. I told her it was like staying at Red Roof Inn and comparing it to staying at The Ritz. Ha

I am willing to bet cruising is much more her speed than camping....

True. But she wants to broaden her horizons

JK37 wrote:I did a lot of camping in the WV side of the Monongahela National Forest growing up and still know the area like the back of my hand. For a novice such as yourself looking to get into it, I highly recommend hiking a relatively level grade, setting-up camp at a central location, and day-hiking out from there. Something lie a three- or four-day trip is PLENTY when backpacking everything in yourself.

In the Mon Nat Forest, I highly recommend the Seneca Creek Trail into the Judy Springs field. About a 3.3-mile hike, very slight grade, runs along the Seneca Creek in the valley between the Allegheny Ridge and Sprice Knob (highest point in WV). From that field, which makes for a great central camping spot, you've got fresh water from the Judy Springs (200 yards from campsite down a clearly marked path), a 1.5-mile hike to the North Fork Falls of the creek (about 20' high, with picturesque smaller falls along the way), and numerous trails up each side to various points. There are many roundabout trails from this field that can easily be used to map out a day hike.

From where your car is parked at the trailhead, it's also an easy drive up to the Sprice Knob lookout.

This is where I would begin. I've even done this very trip with women/children before. It's no easy thing, but its mild enough for beginners. I've also don't a few trips starting out on the far side of the Allegheny Ridge, going up and over it, and up to the top of Spruce Knob. Each time was 17-26 miles, three days, living off the 55-65 lbs. on my back. Wouldn't recommend this to just anyone starting out though.

Real man=Dolly Sods winter camping

second the Appalachian Trail motion... keep hiking until you get bored- the thing goes forever

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Great Dismal Swamp in Chesapeake. October will have a couple tourists, but not as crowded as during the summer.

Pisgah National Forest in Asheville is also a good one. Lots of great hiking opportunities and beautiful waterfalls. I went there in April when I was also there for the Big South tennis tournament...loved the forest. However, if you want to blend in with locals, don't bathe for at least a week and learn the bongos.

rogers3 wrote:

JK37 wrote:I did a lot of camping in the WV side of the Monongahela National Forest growing up and still know the area like the back of my hand. For a novice such as yourself looking to get into it, I highly recommend hiking a relatively level grade, setting-up camp at a central location, and day-hiking out from there. Something lie a three- or four-day trip is PLENTY when backpacking everything in yourself.

In the Mon Nat Forest, I highly recommend the Seneca Creek Trail into the Judy Springs field. About a 3.3-mile hike, very slight grade, runs along the Seneca Creek in the valley between the Allegheny Ridge and Sprice Knob (highest point in WV). From that field, which makes for a great central camping spot, you've got fresh water from the Judy Springs (200 yards from campsite down a clearly marked path), a 1.5-mile hike to the North Fork Falls of the creek (about 20' high, with picturesque smaller falls along the way), and numerous trails up each side to various points. There are many roundabout trails from this field that can easily be used to map out a day hike.

From where your car is parked at the trailhead, it's also an easy drive up to the Sprice Knob lookout.

This is where I would begin. I've even done this very trip with women/children before. It's no easy thing, but its mild enough for beginners. I've also don't a few trips starting out on the far side of the Allegheny Ridge, going up and over it, and up to the top of Spruce Knob. Each time was 17-26 miles, three days, living off the 55-65 lbs. on my back. Wouldn't recommend this to just anyone starting out though.

Real man=Dolly Sods winter camping

Coincidentally I was cruising the internet for spots and read a lot about Dolly Sods. Have you been? Whats your experience? I am not a complete novice I did some hiking/camping out in Colorado a couple times but just trying to make it more of a hobby now.

my wife was sorely dissappointed to learn that as much of an outdoorsman i am, camping (sleeping outside on the ground) is not something i'll be doing anytime soon.

my idea of camping is a 30 ft travel trailer or fifth wheel with 2 or more slideouts...

I too have been wanting to get into hiking/camping. But then we keep having kids, and I don't particularly feel like lugging an infant or toddler around the woods for a couple days.

I had a buddy who would hike a portion of the Appy Trail every year and loved it. West Virginia sounds awesome, but hillbillies freak me out, and that would always be in the back of my mind ("Wrong Turn"). I guess that would apply to the Smokies, too. Asheville would be cool, but then you risk running into hippies who actually live in tents out in the woods.

My wife's brothers and dad used to do a week-long hike/canoe up in the boundary waters (MN/Canada border). That sounds like it would be amazing. I hope I can start a tradition like that in the near future.

We camped a few times growing up, but the only one I remember well was up at Thousand Islands in NY. Great place to camp, right on the St. Lawrence river, but a little far.

As much as I want to do some real camping, I'd love to get a pop-up. I think it would make camping a more regular occurance in our family.

RubberMallet wrote:my wife was sorely dissappointed to learn that as much of an outdoorsman i am, camping (sleeping outside on the ground) is not something i'll be doing anytime soon.

my idea of camping is a 30 ft travel trailer or fifth wheel with 2 or more slideouts...

See. We CAN agree on something!

Dolly Sods is made for spring/early summer. Beautiful foliage, more level grading of trails, but not as defined campsite areas, IMO. And wow can it be cold in winter!

cool, thanks for all the info everyone!!

This would be a long drive from Virginia, but Tallulah Falls/Gorge/Black Rock Mountain in North Georgia is a great place to camp and hike. I wasn't much of a camper until my wife and I spent a whole week camping there and Chattanooga for our 1 year anniversary, and I was sold on the whole camping idea after that. They filmed Deliverance there as well, so you know it's a winner.

bballfan84 wrote:

rogers3 wrote:

JK37 wrote:I did a lot of camping in the WV side of the Monongahela National Forest growing up and still know the area like the back of my hand. For a novice such as yourself looking to get into it, I highly recommend hiking a relatively level grade, setting-up camp at a central location, and day-hiking out from there. Something lie a three- or four-day trip is PLENTY when backpacking everything in yourself.

In the Mon Nat Forest, I highly recommend the Seneca Creek Trail into the Judy Springs field. About a 3.3-mile hike, very slight grade, runs along the Seneca Creek in the valley between the Allegheny Ridge and Sprice Knob (highest point in WV). From that field, which makes for a great central camping spot, you've got fresh water from the Judy Springs (200 yards from campsite down a clearly marked path), a 1.5-mile hike to the North Fork Falls of the creek (about 20' high, with picturesque smaller falls along the way), and numerous trails up each side to various points. There are many roundabout trails from this field that can easily be used to map out a day hike.

From where your car is parked at the trailhead, it's also an easy drive up to the Sprice Knob lookout.

This is where I would begin. I've even done this very trip with women/children before. It's no easy thing, but its mild enough for beginners. I've also don't a few trips starting out on the far side of the Allegheny Ridge, going up and over it, and up to the top of Spruce Knob. Each time was 17-26 miles, three days, living off the 55-65 lbs. on my back. Wouldn't recommend this to just anyone starting out though.

Real man=Dolly Sods winter camping

Coincidentally I was cruising the internet for spots and read a lot about Dolly Sods. Have you been? Whats your experience? I am not a complete novice I did some hiking/camping out in Colorado a couple times but just trying to make it more of a hobby now.

I've done CO and Wind River in WY, but the two early January trips to Dolly Sods ranks as my best. Extremely cold both times, once with lots of snow and once with lots of snow topped by a blizzard. Snowshoes were necessary both times as well as a winter camping tent. A good stove is nice as well; I about froze my hands off cleaning out an old WhisperLite shakerjet every time we ate. The views are great and the night sky is even better. Definitely a must do trip for every avid backpacker, but the weather is somewhat extreme.

I want some land in Pocahontas County!

Wow, I never expected to see Wind River referenced on here. I love me some Wyoming. Although I prefer snowmobiling to hiking in that area.

ATrain wrote:First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Great Dismal Swamp in Chesapeake. October will have a couple tourists, but not as crowded as during the summer.

I'm pretty sure FLSP doesn't really qualify for what he is looking to do. Tourists are always there and it is about as far from roughing it as you can get without being in a cheap hotel. I took my then 3-year-old son there for his first camping experience. His favorite part was all of the RV's set up with the Christmas lights playing music all evening. That should tell you something.

Now, the trail system there is as good as it is going to get within about 100 miles, so I would never complain about that. You can see my sparkly white legs doing long runs out there at least once a month. I love it!

01LUGrad wrote:

ATrain wrote:First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Great Dismal Swamp in Chesapeake. October will have a couple tourists, but not as crowded as during the summer.

I'm pretty sure FLSP doesn't really qualify for what he is looking to do. Tourists are always there and it is about as far from roughing it as you can get without being in a cheap hotel. I took my then 3-year-old son there for his first camping experience. His favorite part was all of the RV's set up with the Christmas lights playing music all evening. That should tell you something.

Now, the trail system there is as good as it is going to get within about 100 miles, so I would never complain about that. You can see my sparkly white legs doing long runs out there at least once a month. I love it!

Have you ever done False Cape? I hear there are no vehicles allowed, and after you make the hike you can camp right on the beach (but no facilities). Is that right?

ALUmnus wrote:

01LUGrad wrote:

ATrain wrote:First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Great Dismal Swamp in Chesapeake. October will have a couple tourists, but not as crowded as during the summer.

I'm pretty sure FLSP doesn't really qualify for what he is looking to do. Tourists are always there and it is about as far from roughing it as you can get without being in a cheap hotel. I took my then 3-year-old son there for his first camping experience. His favorite part was all of the RV's set up with the Christmas lights playing music all evening. That should tell you something.

Now, the trail system there is as good as it is going to get within about 100 miles, so I would never complain about that. You can see my sparkly white legs doing long runs out there at least once a month. I love it!

Have you ever done False Cape? I hear there are no vehicles allowed, and after you make the hike you can camp right on the beach (but no facilities). Is that right?

True... When I went there, you had to sign up for a limited number of slots. We went by canoe, along the sound side, one used a mountain bike. Camping was great- hot and sandy, but secluded. Saw some wild pigs there. When we finally got to the site, we were so hot that we ran over to the ocean and jumped in... and I forgot to take my glasses off. My vison wasn't so hot after that, but it did prompt me to get contacts when I returned.