Tent camping in the Cross Junction, Virginia area requires some preparation, especially for backcountry sites. The region sits at the northern edge of the Shenandoah Valley, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. Weather can change rapidly in spring and fall, with temperature differences of 30°F between day and night common during these seasons.
What to do
Historic exploration: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers unique hiking and biking experiences near tent camping options. According to one camper at Paw Paw Tunnel Campground: "Basic tent camping sites... Only a mile from the historic paw paw tunnel. Tunnel is very fun to travel through. Kids and adults alike enjoy the tunnel. Tunnel is always nice and cool refreshing during a long bike ride or hike on a hot day."
River activities: Potomac River access makes water activities popular for tent campers near Cross Junction. A visitor to Antietam Creek Campground notes: "The Potomac is mostly flat with some 'swirlies' for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing." Another camper adds: "Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing or just enjoy the river & nature from your campsite!"
Trail connections: Appalachian Trail access is available from several camping areas. A camper at Sky Meadows State Park shares: "Nice area to hike around, with access to the AT. There is also a stretch of trail that they deem the 'old AT' before it was relocated. Part of the trail cuts through some areas with cows - beware the cow pies!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many backcountry tent sites offer good separation. At Sky Meadows State Park Campground, one camper reports: "The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, I think most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills."
Wildlife encounters: The area offers opportunities to see native wildlife. According to one Sky Meadows camper: "At night I saw white-tailed deer and heard owls and cattle! During the day I saw/heard SOOO many birds on the South Ridge Trail and found a bear track after the Cpt. Morgan Trail on the creek side of Hadow Trail!!"
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many tent sites maintain good amenities. One visitor to Squirrel Hollow Road Camping noted: "Large campsites and relatively quite. We took two vehicles and found several suitable sites. Traffic was light with one pickup overnight and a small convoy of motorcycles the next morning."
What you should know
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant, especially in spring and fall. Campers should pack layers and rain gear regardless of season.
Bear safety requirements: Many tent campgrounds require proper food storage. A Sky Meadows camper mentioned: "Having a bear box at my campsite to store my food/trash/toiletries was so much easier than hanging a bear bag."
Site access limitations: Many tent sites require hiking in gear. At Stoney Creek Campground, a camper described the setup: "Stoney Creek Campground is on the Cacapon River. The two large sites can accommodate up to 40 people each with plenty of parking. Two sides are separated by a dense forest, piles of drift wood and noise from the river running through boulders."
Campground maintenance: Facility quality varies by season and location. A visitor to Paw Paw Tunnel noted: "The Portapotties were in bad shape, but it was winter so hopefully they get serviced more often in season."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection criteria: Choose tent sites with appropriate terrain. A Sky Meadows visitor recommends: "I loved how level the tent pad was even on a hill." This makes setting up family tents much easier.
Activity planning: Plan activities appropriate for children's ages. According to a Paw Paw Tunnel camper: "Make sure to bring some flashlights for inside the tunnel as it is a mile long and gets very dark! Amazing to see the work that the canal builders accomplished."
Bathroom considerations: Check bathroom facilities before booking with kids. One Antietam Creek Campground camper warned: "When we got there, they were okay, but by the 3rd night they were really gross. We were at the site next to them and could smell them. Not pleasant."
Noise factors: Some sites experience transportation noise. A Hawk Campground visitor cautioned about road conditions: "The road in is a single lane dirt road with parts of it partially washed away. I would not want to drive on this in the rain."
Tips from RVers
Access road considerations: Many tent camping areas near Cross Junction have limited vehicle access. A visitor to Hawk Campground observed: "Strongly suggest 4WD for the dirt road... The road in is a single lane dirt road with parts of it partially washed away. I would not want to drive on this in the rain. There are minimal turning points so if someone is coming in while you're coming out or vice versa, someone would have to reverse."
Parking logistics: Some tent sites require parking away from the campsite. A camper at Antietam Creek noted: "It depends on what you're looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper's? Golden. Especially if you want to camp but also do site seeing and/or paddling in the area... you have to park on the opposite side of the canal and walk to your campsite."
Seasonal access: Weather affects road conditions to many tent camping areas. According to a Squirrel Hollow Road camper: "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by car or with a small teardrop trailer. True boondocking, haul it in, pack it out."
