Best Glamping near Narrows, VA

There are 3 campgrounds in Hungry Mother SP.  Camp Burson is the easiest to get to and the one we stayed at.  Creekside and Royal Oak campgrounds are further into the park up a windy narrow road.  Camp Burson is flat and very well maintained gravel pads.  Creekside is a little hilly with blacktop pads and Royal Oak is very steep with deck like structures at each site to set up on.  Royal Oak is used primarily for tents.  There is a restaurant which we did not try and a place to rent canoes, kayaks and paddle boats along with a very nice looking beach on the lake.  Every stop has a gift shop.  The biggest draw at this park is their trails ranging from easy to hard.  Spend a day or spend a week you won't be disappointed.  They have yurts in Camp Burson and Royal Oak.  Don't remember seeing any in Creekside.

I love this park! Plenty of tent and RV sites. 4 yurts available in nice wooded area. Lake beach passes included in price (when not under Covid restrictions). Boat rentals. Plenty clean bathrooms and hot showers. Wood, ice and soda machines available. IT’s my favorite go-to campground!

This was a great stay in a YURT! Stayed at the end of November and it was cold but nice. The camp facilities are clean with showers. The ranger station had supplied and lots of information. They had fire wood at the camp ground for $6/pile. Hiking trails are accessible from the camp grounds so no need to drive.

Campground review: Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA. This park has something for everyone. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, swimming. There are interesting campfire get togethers too. Two campgrounds, one up the hill, the other on the main road. Secluded cabins and yurts. We stayed in the smaller campground at the top of the hill. There is electric at each site and plenty of room for more then one tent, hammocks and small campers. A nice showerhouse with dish sink on the end. You will get your exercise walking the rolling loop still campground and hill. There is a yurt in this campground with a nice deck. Some visitors saw a bear near the backside of the lake, but I didn’t see any large wildlife. The cabins are located on the backside of the lake with some nice porches to sit and enjoy the evening breeze. The beach is popular, there are kayaking programs and paddle boats. You could easily stay a week here. Two things to do while your here is ONE: check out DIP DOGS a very popular and busy restaurant and TWO: the “Back of the Dragon” an AWESOME DRIVING TOUR across the mountains from Marion to Tazewell, VA.

Product Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I have the opportunity to check out some awesome outdoor products. Outdoor Element stuff is like survivalist gear that can be carried with you all the time. Bracelets that can be used to make fire, use as fishing line and as rope. This bracelet has a fish hook “embedded” in it and a flint and striker for sparks. Cool thing they do is give you a piece of the 550 cord used for the bracelet to take apart and experiment with. Watch my video for more information. I wear the bracelet all the time now so it’s a little stinky , ;p not sure about washing it, but I am going to the site to find out.

I could easily give this campground five stars, but I am the type of tent camper that likes more wilderness. This campground actually a few "campgrounds" within the park and for almost every type of camper. Camp Burson is the first one you see upon entering the state park (as far as I know, since the park is really lonnggg! It is best suited for RVs, but there are gravel spaces for tents. Another campground in the park has pull-through sites, but there were also a couple of tents there. Since we are mainly tent campers, we went to the third camping area, which also had yurts. The yurts have one double bed but not water. The part that I didn't like, but many tent campers would love, is that you have to pitch your tent on a wooden deck. It's great for camping in the rain because the water doesn't have a chance to puddle. However, I'm the type that likes more primitive camping out in the woods, but I'm not holding that against Hungry Mother. Hungry Mother is a great state park, and the sites are wonderful (unless you are strange like me and prefer more primitive camping). As we drove around, we also saw several cabins and at least one or two lodges. I got the feel that it was almost a gated community, which for some people is not a bad thing. Again, there are opportunities for almost every type of "camper."

As far as I know, this is the first state park that had a restaurant. Unfortunately, we were there in April before it opened, so we missed out on that. The bath and shower facilities are modern with tile floors, which I find as a pleasant surprise for a state park. Camping there is April can actually be a good thing. You can avoid the crowds at the beach (although the water is cold) and there are a good number of empty campsites. This state park also has canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals. There is a basketball court and a playground, which is next to the beach. We didn't really stay long enough to enjoy the hiking trails or the fishing, but there are several hiking and biking trails from easy to moderate. The beauty of this park is amazing! With the background of mountains behind the lake, it doesn't get much better. I really would love to go back again and camp for more than just one night to enjoy it all.

Hungry Mother State Park, just a short drive off I-81 in southwestern Virginia, is an easily accessible gem offering modern cabins, yurts, and campgrounds equipped for tents or RVs, with limitless activities.

We stayed in one of the cabins after Hurricane Michael rained out our plans for tent camping. This was our first time in one of the VSP cabins, and will not be our last. There are three types of cabins; log exteriors, part of the original Civilian Conservation Corps structures; wooden frame cabins with wooden interiors, and cinderblock exteriors with tile floors. Cabins range from economy to three bedroom, and all have a kitchen with microwave, stove, and refrigerator/freezer, a bathroom with a shower, and a fireplace, as well as heating and air conditioning. Most cabins also have covered porches, exterior picnic tables, and exterior fire rings.

The Creekside Campground loop has water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The layout is similar to most water/electric sites in state and national parks in Virginia; not much privacy between the sites, but fairly shaded, and a quiet atmosphere. This loop is true to its name, and right on the creek running through the park. We were there during the rains from Hurricane Michael and the creek was running so high that sites 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 19 looked like they were in danger of flooding.

The Royal Oak campground has platforms for tents set into the mountain rather than dirt or gravel tent pads, however as there are hooks in each of the pads to anchor your tent they can only accommodate tents with a 20x20 footprint. These sites have picnic tables and fire rings on the dirt beside the platforms. The two VSP Yurts at Hungry Mother are in the Royal Oak loop, along the entrance that are set up from the road. This loop overall offers a lot more privacy for each site that I have typically seen in state parks due to the platforms, though you will still see/hear your neighbors. Both camping loops have bathrooms with electricity, flush toilets, and showers with warm water.

Amenities in the park include a lake with a swimming area, boat/canoe rentals, fishing (with license), a restaurant, hiking, biking, and ranger programs. The park office also has several cool displays of local wildlife and history of the area, as well as backpacks you can check out with books and gear for tree, wildflower, and animal identification. Hiking varies from short and easy trails with minimal elevation gain, to the difficult Molly’s Knob trail with one of the most epic sunset views I’ve ever hiked in Virginia.

I love Virginia State Parks, and this is definitely a new favorite. I’m skeptical of the comfort of the wooden platforms for future tent camping trips, but the cabins will definitely be a future stay for us, particularly during the winter months, and there is so much to do in this park even the most reluctant adventurer will find fun.

**Product Review **

As as Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time — on this trip I tested the RōM pack, from RōM Outdoors.

I was skeptical about this pack when I first received it—it felt extremely heavy for a day pack, particularly as it doesn’t have a hip belt, and while I was impressed with the removable pockets, it didn’t seem like the pack itself had a lot of cargo capacity.

After using this pack on our trip, I am a convert. We used it to pack clothes for my husband and I, knowing we would be able to leave our clothes at camp when we went hiking. This freed up space in the car that would normally go to a larger backpack, and we got to take advantage of the pack’s ability to convert to both a poncho and a blanket, not just for review purposes, but out of necessity.

The poncho’s rain resistance held up well, considering we were hiking in the outer bands of a hurricane. The first hike we took this on we started in the rain, and my husband wore the poncho—he stayed dry for the first half mile of our hike, but by end of our mile the water had started leaking through so he did get a little wet—though mostly around the the seams/openings. On our second hike he wore it as a backpack. Because it was raining when we set out and we anticipated needing the poncho feature again, we elected not to bring the detachable pockets, but the interior of the pack was enough to hold our 5 year old’s day pack once she got tired of carrying it.

It stopped raining by the time we got to the summit of our hike, and we tested the blanket feature of the pack for a picnic. It unfolds to a size that was perfect for our family of four. The canvas is thick enough to make a great picnic blanket—it protects from damp ground and sharp rocks, and the lining makes for a very soft surface to sit on. On the way back I took advantage of the poncho. By this point it had gotten extremely windy and was getting dark quickly, and the poncho was excellent at keeping me warm. It’s very heavy, which was welcome in the strong wind, though it did make it hard to hear with the hood over my ears.

Pros to this pack:

-Versatility. In one trip we used the backpack, poncho, and blanket feature, and were grateful for all three.

-Durability. This is definitely a well-constructed pack, with heavy materials that seem like they will last for a long time.

-User-friendly. The pack looks intimidating at first, but it unfolds/folds from pack to poncho/blanket very easily. Combined with the drawstring inner pack and detachable pockets it’s easy to convert while still keeping track of your gear.

Cons to this pack:

-Space. This is great to bring on a camping trip where you can bring additional packs/bags for your gear, but it doesn’t hold much on its own.

-Weight. It only weighs in at 4.6lbs, which is less than a lot of backpacking packs, but as the pack doesn’t have the hip belt it’s a high starting weight.

-Thin straps. The width of the straps is comfortable, but they could use a little more padding.

Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect.

Army camp is nestled by the new river and has plenty of views of the mountains. None of us had cell phone reception, so if you’re looking for a tech free weekend then this is your spot. Saw plenty of small RV’s and campers at the spot. The road is pretty narrow so I wouldn’t suggest large RV’s go to this spot. Camp had a fire ring and hanging pole with enough room for four back packs on top. Parking spaces at the camp were big enough to accommodate 2-4 vehicles. Plenty of critters were roaming around with a bear spotted two nights in a row.

We had the opportunity to stay a couple of nights at this campground on our way to the east coast. Wow, getting there was quite a journey over narrow curvy roads but once there it was a nice area. We stayed in a full hookup site 8 on top of a hill overlooking other areas of the park. They have sites for everyone and every type of camping! The grounds are kept mowed and cleaned, ample trash receptacles that are emptied daily and clean bathrooms. The laundry was nice and if you ran low on quarters the campground store would give you quarters in sandwich bags😀. Really enjoyed our stay there and took a day to explore Floyd.

Fort Chiswell RV park in Virginia is a very clean park beautiful trees paved driveways and a bathroom that is very clean and at the end of the bathrooms actually have tables at Pavilion They have Wi-Fi they also have cable TV so that was nice to have the extras while camping we camped there for four days and it was very nice the people are extremely nice

While overall our stay here was okay, we were not in love with this campground. The mosquitos were really bad despite using tons of bug spray and candles. There was no privacy at all. The campground was noisy at night, lots of parties going on. Our next door neighbors snored extremely loudly all night and they were so close we go no sleep at all until they left. The campground is pretty big so you have to drive to get fire wood. Our campsite backed up to the main road into the campground so there were cars driving by the whole time. It was mostly too hot to hike too much so we spent most of the time exploring nearby Blacksburg to avoid the mosquitos at the campsite. The lake is beautiful but it was closed because of COVID so we couldn't swim.

The campsites are pretty typical of Virginia State Parks and were great with plenty of space and nice flat area to put the tent. Picnic table, fire ring, etc. Very friendly and helpful Rangers here as well.

We love this area of Virginia so I would be willing to give it another chance in the spring or fall when it is cooler, less buggy, and less crowded. Lots of fun stuff to do nearby!

Campground Review: Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VA

Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VAhttp://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/claytor-lake#general_information

A beautiful and well situated waterfront State Park 2.7 miles from I-81. Claytor Lake SP basically inhabits a peninsula that juts out into the meandering Claytor Lake. A free public boat landing splits off to the right at the park entrance…where power boaters gain their access for fishing, water sport activities or relaxing.

Claytor Lake State Park sprawls out in every direction, with four RV/camper/tent campground loops A, B, C, and D loops (A was closed during our visit in early May). B loop also has four new Yurt rentals with functional wraparound decks (one handicap accessible). Each loop has a bathhouse, and each site has water/electric. C and D loops offer little to no site to site privacy, and loops A and B sites are wooded and angled to afford a scant more privacy.

Cabin rentals are available along the lake in a more separate area, as if the designated swimming and marina areas. Some sites are reservable online and brightly marked as such, others are self-pay. Prices seem high to me ($36.59 water/electric sites)and out-of-staters get dinged with an even higher rate ($41.86).

Want to use the State Park simply to hike the trails?…$5 parking fee for residents and $7 for non-residents. State Park Launch/Park $7 and $9 respectively. I realize parks are always underfunded and need to offset the deficit, but I don’t appreciate singing out-of-staters with a higher fee. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wGgIqZOH2Ps

Each loop has its own host and each cares for the loop’s grounds and bathhouse with meticulous care.

There are a fair amount of trails in the park (roughly 5 miles worth). Trails are wide and seemingly cleared of leaves…new trail signage and tree placards abound, as new benches strategically located near lake views. Signage also admonishes against use of nonmarked or unauthorized trail blazing…as well as no random swimming or cliff jumping. The big plus…you can MTB the trails! I did not inquire, but some signage lends itself to the idea a local Boy Scout troop maintains part of the trail, as Scout signage exists. There was also evidence a local 5K run takes place on the trails.

The beach and boat area are nicely distanced from the RV/Camper/tent campsites.

Lake views are serene. Homes dot the opposite banks, but most are so nicely manicured you wistfully gaze dreaming of owning one. My particular favorite rests upon a high, sheer rocky cliff.

Weekdays early May saw minimal campers.

A very nice, well-maintained State Park worth visiting!

Product Review: Renogy Solar Backpack

Renogy Solar Backpack https://www.renogy.com/

As a review ranger for TheDyrt.com, the Renogy Solar Backpack https://www.renogy.com/renogy-solar-backpack/ was provided by Renogy for testing and review.

Dimensions: 18.1”h x 11.8”w x 5.9”d

Capacity: 20 liter

Weight: 2.2 lbs.

Solar Panel Dimensions: 11.3”x9.7”

The Integrated solar panel has one USB port.

The solar panel module converts solar power into DC power…utilizing an electrical management system with a stable 5V DC output.

User Guide solar panel specifications place maximum rate of power at 5.6W and maximum current output at 1.2A.

Interestingly, instructions warn of using the solar panel “when relative humidity is higher than 80%…” Not too encouraging for here in SWFL. We’ll see if and how it’s affected.

Both materials and construction of the backpack look and feel high quality. Stitching is even and clean.

Fabric is a medium weight packcloth with a blue denim-like coloration, giving it a classy urban appearance.

Interior seams are banded and sewn, preventing fabric fraying or snagging and increasing durability.

Exterior zippers have double-sided closure fabric, minimizing water penetration.

While I would classify this on the lighter side of a daypack, it is loaded with pockets and hidden zippered sleeves. Though it does have dual “zipper-expandable” water bottle pockets on each side…I believe this fits more into an urban backpack style. It’s so sharp, I don’t want to soil it’s sophisticated look.

But who am I to limit how someone may choose to use this wonderfully clever backpack.

Shoulder straps are 2.5” wide and possess an “anatomical curve.” The padding is rather thin. Strap webbing is stout and buckles are bar-tacked for strength. The padded lower lumber region contains a clever “hidden” zippered pocket. A similar padded area like the lumbar pad tops the upper shoulder area but does not have the hidden zippered pocket. Much to my dismay, no waist-belt or sternum strap are offered. When wearing a nylon rain jacket during downpours, I did get frustrated with shoulder straps that wanted to slide off my shoulders…a problem that a sternum strap would eliminate. To be fair, if the outer rainshell was a different texture or material, shoulder straps may not have been prone to slide.

A cavernous zippered padded computer sleeve is located on the wearer’s back-panel right side…the full height and width of the backpack. My 17” Toshiba laptop slid right in.

The outermost pocket zips entirely off and reverses which exposes the integrated 5W solar panel. A center zipper reveals a myriad of interior pockets, some designed for the charging devices (marked by device icons) and others for writing utensils and smaller personal items in three mesh pockets. The iPad sized pocket is thinly padded. A snap hangs from webbing for your keys.

The main body of the pack has a 3/4 zipper and offers one large pocket to separate from the rest of the main compartment. This area offers roughly 4” of depth to store belongings.

Solar panel:

Follow directions and remove the thin clear protective sheet on the solar panel grid.

Full exposure to direct sunlight is imperative to assist in charging. I found this Renogy Solar Bsckpack at 5.6W is obviously a much slower charge than their 10W Portable Folding Solar Panel.

Through automotive glass I experienced a reading of a charge but the mobile device never gained a percentage. In direct sunlight, while using my iPhone 7, I saw a 1% gain every four minutes. USB ports feel loose or sloppy in their connectivity, which I’m certain affects charging…this is the OEM iPhone7 charging cord, my Verizon work phone’s OEM cord and an aftermarket cord.

If using the Renogy Solar Backpack for light hiking purposes, care must be given not to damage the solar panel screen, from outside abuse if left exposed or from packed items if zipped facing the pack interior. Sharp or pointed objects can perforate the panel. If this were to occur, Renogy claims this will not render the solar panel inoperable but be assured it will reduce charging capabilities.

Initially, I was concerned about the water repellency of the fabric and zippers…but after being caught in several West Virginia downpours, both performed admirably. No water penetrated. However, I would highly recommend picking up a rain cover if you truly want to hike with the Renogy Solar Backpack.

Final Thoughts

Personally, I really like the Renogy Solar Backpack. Though it may not see much of the backcountry, it accompanies me, daily, in my work truck and short treks into the woods. It’s overall functionality far outweighs any negatives I have mentioned, keeps my job site paperwork nicely organized and keeps my handheld devices charged and operational. Not to mention it’s good looks!

This KOA is located in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge close to Galax, home of the annual Fiddlers Convention. The site has several lots with private dog runs where your pooch can have space to stretch their legs while you enjoy the beauty of the facilities.

The pool is well maintained and is adjacent to a spring fed mining sluse where for a small fee you can pan for gold and other precious gems.The only down side is the steep access road to the back in campsites.

We stayed here for an overnight stop on our road trip through Virginia, and it was lovely! The campground was easy to navigate, and the bathroom facilities were very clean (heated, showers, flushable toilets). There’s a potable water faucet by the bathrooms, and you can buy firewood at the Creekside Campground across the road. We stayed in site #11, which backs up to the trees, but it requires a steep walk from the parking spot up to the tent platform. I’d definitely stay at this campground again, but I‘d probably pick a different site with easier accessibility.

GLADE CREEK - New River Gorge (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good 70 yr olds in 17’ trailer: Overall Rating: 4.5 Price. Free Usage during visit: Trailer sites usually filled up by the end of the day. Site Privacy: 2. Little understory plants Site 1 is very private. Site Spacing: 5. Very large sotes Site surface: Gravel/ mud Reservations: First come, first serve Campground Noise : 5. Very little Road Noise: 4.5 Glade Rd is behind site 1., but not close. Site 1 is still the best trailer site. Traffic can hardly be seen through the trees. Minimal traffic and minimal noise . Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast. Electricity: No Water: River only - bring drinking water. Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Nice pit toilet near site 2(a nice handicap site.
Showers: No Pull Throughs: Most sites Cell Service (Verizon): No Setting: 5. We can hear the river from all sites, which is just a short walk away. Weather: Rain, clouds, sunshine Bugs: None Solar: Minimal and surely less when the trees leaf out more. Site 2 looks to have the best solar for a roof mount. Still minimal . Host: None Rig size: Limited by a narrow one lane . bridge on Glade Rd . A 30’ trailer arrived. There is plenty of room in the 5 trailer sites.
Access: 20 minute drive from 41 on maintained and pretty smooth gravel road. UPON ARRIVAL, IF PULLING A TRAILER , I SUGGEST THAT YOU OCCUPY THE FIRST SITS YOU SEE. That is because reentry into the campground, while pulling a trailer, requires extra driving away from the campground entry for turn around. Sites: Site 1 is best for a trailer - isolated from the rest . Site 2 is a handicap site, which is not enforced by park service . Sites 3-5 are nice and large but not very private . Site 6, as looping back around, is the absolute best site, right on the river. It is suitable for truck campers, vans, and tents. A small trailer which can be hand maneuvered will also work there. There are some walk-in tent sites I did not evaluate.
Notes: There are reports from others of safety concerns. I checked with park ranger officers and they said there are no safety concerns, “especially way back here.” We didn’t experience any issues. That said, this issues reported in other reviews took place at the boat ramp, which is in ear shot of the walk-in sites, for sure.

Just a quick FYI, there is no camping in the winter. We stopped by for an overnight while enroute to Ohio. I don’t always check ahead while road tripping , I see a recreation sign and decide to stop for the night. This CCC State Park is very picturesque and has several hiking trails and the man-made lake is small but offers plenty of recreation possibilities.

I found the layout a little strange. The visitors center/ office sits right on the entry road but there is no parking in front of it. If you need to stop there use the parking area immediately to your right and then walk up.

The staff was limited , one grumpy older gentleman who never said a word to mej, just gave me sour looks like I was somehow putting him out by walking into the office. The younger gentleman was very informative and helpful. He answered questions about the parks history and suggested the best trails due to the slippery weather that was going on. We enjoyed a hike around the lake and then went on our way. I will be back for their camping season and to check out more of the trails. You could easily spend some time here and enjoy the surrounding area attractions. Check out Chocolate Moose in Beckley if you enjoy unique tasty coffee and excellent, friendly service and Tamarack for some West Virginia local art.

This park is known for its iconic grist mill images, esp. in autumn.. There is a moderate sized campground with water and electric hookups available. A central bathroom serves all 51 campsites. I was here in late April and never saw anyone in the bathroom when I was there, but probably only¼ of the sites were occupied and many of those were with RVs. Bathrooms are clean, showers are warm. 

I was in site#33; the approach was sloped, but the top was relatively level with gravel and more than suitable for my teardrop camper. It was one of the sites on the inside of the loop near the playground and shaded by a large tree. The loop(50s) across the road from the check-in had generally open sites and were occupied by some large RVs. On the back section, the fronts of the sites were narrow, but opened up in the back. The main loop was relatively level and if you have kids, the inside sites provide ready access to the playground without having to cross any roads. 

The worst campsite in the whole campground is#17; I don’t think there’s a level spot on it. I had already concluded this during my walk-through before speaking to a couple who were pitching their tent. They remarked that they had originally reserved#17 and upon seeing it, requested a move. It should be left as a first-come, first-serve site for someone who is truly desperate. 

In addition to the grist mill, there’s a hilltop play area, picnic ground, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. And there are trails everywhere! There are overlooks near the summit as well as along the drive(follow the signs to the overlooks rather than to the grist mill). One overlook seems like it would be a good spot for a sunset, but it was too cloudy the night I had free. 

I stayed here as a base for my exploration of the New River Gorge National Park and, in restrospect, I think I would have saved time overall if I had looked for a campground closer to Beckley. I wanted to see sunrise from Grandview and that necessitated a 55 min drive each morning. It’s about a 20-30min drive from the rim visitor center and bridge overlook. 

Google Maps will take you down Old Clifftop Rd which is freshly paved, but beware, it’s as though they paved a single lane down the middle of the road and there are drop-offs on each side. If this makes you uncomfortable, follow the signs for the park instead. Cell phone coverage(Verizon) was fair, but inconsistent, even within my campsite from moment to moment, but I could browse and respond to email. It was better at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. 

If you’ve forgotten anything, there is a dollar store within a few miles of the park and shopping centers with everything you could need in Fayetteville.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, WV

Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, Prince, WV https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/army-camp.htm

If you have never treated yourself to the beautiful diversity of the New River Gorge National River, you are truly missing out!

Rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater paddling, rafting, hiking, camping, birding?…it’s all here and more. I’ve spent over 150 days camping and hiking in West Virginia n the past four years and keep finding new, wonderful places to enjoy.

There are three very nice, somewhat primitive, free, campgrounds located within six miles of each other right outside Prince, WV. Grandview Sandbar and Glades Creek along one side of the New River and Army Camp across the Rt 41 bridge and downriver.

Note: vitally important to realize there is no running water at any of these campgrounds. You must bring water or filter it from the New River…which I wouldn’t recommend.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnnaIl-xgE

Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, dual lantern post and pit latrines. Of the three New River Gorge National River campgrounds in this immediate area, Army Camps pit latrines are maintained but in dire need of paint. Parking and tent pads are gravel…(making tent peg placement laborious). Plenty of hammocking opportunities.

Army Camp is open for day use fishing and picnicking. The campground consists of one small loop with five sites on the outside perimeter and five on the inner perimeter. Scattered mature trees dot the inner circle with open line of sight. Outside perimeter sites are wooded and offer more privacy. Though all sites are separated by 50 ft or more.

Army Camp lies in a narrow river valley between steep, wooded 2500-3200 ft mountains offering spectacular views.

Military history buffs will appreciate the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road driving in. Known for equipping soldiers to build floating bridges across rivers to move troops and heavy artillery.

Though all campground trails are short and directly to the edge of the New River…innumerable trails are a short drive away.

Caution: Use extreme prudence if choosing to enter the New River itself. This is an incredibly popular whitewater rafting and paddling river…currents are fast, powerful and dangerous.

At this visit, after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline.

Song birds, robins and crows competed vocally during daylight hours. Interesting insects crawled the river’s sandy shore and a brightly colored Eastern box turtle searched for higher-dryer ground. The powerful drone of the New River never subsides.

**When breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive…30 ft from our tent pad. Even though it had not rained in 18 hours, the New River continued to swell beyond what I thought probable. Exercise greater wisdom than I did.

Product Review: New Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter

The new Primus Trailbottle stainless steel line offers a 0.6L, a 1.0L, a vacuum 0.5L, and a vacuum 0.8L. For purposes of this review, I’m putting the 1.0L S/S Trailbottle through its paces. https://primus.us/products/trailbottle-s-s-1-0l?variant=38421366546

The Primus Trailbottle 1.0L comes in four (4) color options: black, red, light green and powder blue. Being on the trail or kayak in direct sunlight, I opted to not pursue the black so I could keep fluids cooler. The added bonus of brighter colors decreases the chances of me losing the bottle.

As a Review Ranger for TheDyrt, these products were provided by Primus https://primus.us/ .

I have been using various Primus stoves for many years with great success while backpacking and paddling, so I look forward to their new innovative and trustworthy products.

The new Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0L appears larger than it is. I was initially surprised by that illusion and feared it wouldn’t fit in my Gregory Baltoro Sidewinder Bottle holster…but fitment was actually easier than most water bottles. The bottom is a full inch smaller in diameter than the shoulder.

Dimensions:

•Height: 9” Base to Top of cap

•O.D. Base: 10.25”/ O.D. Top: 11.25”

•Weight: 10 grams

Materials:

•18/8 Food Grade stainless steel

•Tritan lid (BPA free)

One clear benefit of the S/S…it doesn’t possess or retain flavors…you get only what put in it.

While the Primus Trailbottle S/S version has lightweight, thin walls that can likely dent with misuse…longevity of use sets this apart from the basic plastic or Lexan bottle. The mouth of the bottle is fairly large, making it easier to fill or add ice. Not being double walled, exterior sides sweat with ice cold beverages, but the painted surface has just enough grip texture not to slip when wet. The temperature of the Trailbottle contents will be felt by your hand.

The screw-on lid has an additional small screw-on tethered cap. Instead of knurling around the sides of both caps, Primus uses a triangle pattern that mimics the cutout pattern on their stove/pot cooking systems Primus states the bottle opening and thread pattern fits some water filtration systems, but not my Katadyn Vario…nor does my Sawyer Mini thread onto the cap, as the threads are located on the inside of the spout..

The rubber lanyard attaches to the small threaded cap by a recessed ring, then snakes through a bar on the larger bottle screw lid and attaches to that lid via a rubber style pop-rivet. Personally, I would not attach the Primus bottle to my pack by this rubber lanyard, but will run some para cord through the integrated bar on the lid…to carabiner to my pack (if I didn’t have a water bottle pocket).

When partaking of its contents through the smaller lid opening, it is like any other solid-sided bottle. However, I found it was much easier pouring Trailbottle contents into a cup than a wide-mouth bottle.

Final Thoughts

I like it’s distinctiveness, versatility and light weight. I’m looking forward to many years of service from the Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter.

RANGER REIVEW: PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG AT GRANDVIEW SANDBAR CAMPGROUND, NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER, WV

CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

Grandview Sandbar Campground situated along the New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping. https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

This and the other riverside campgrounds in the New River Gorge National River offer a minimal number of sites, no water, no electric, no modern facilities…however, they are free and its all about location. Site availability is first come, first served. Length of stay is limited to 14 days.

On the higher, wooded loop to the right as you travel down a very narrow, serpentine gravel road, there are 10 campsites. There are gravel parking pads that could accommodate a small RV/Camper/Pop-up…and a couple Pop-ups were present. How they navigated the winding steep park gravel road, is a mystery to me…the rains were eroding corners causing my truck to scrape.

The sites do have a picnic table, lantern post and firepit. Depending on thr site you choose, the initial sites to the right are all below the campground roadway you wind down. The pit latrine is a short walking distance and directly next to the host site in the River Access parking lot and boat ramp area.

The 8 tent sites are located on the far side of the boat ramp parking area and all but the two Handicap sites require a short walk to reach.

Numbers are on the lantern posts and blend together but are distinguished by the firepit. These are directly on the sand "beach" area of the New River…and as seen in my photos are not only a bit angled, they can be a dangerous choice.

The two handicap accessible sites are bordered by timbers, leveled and much more desirable, but you must possess a handicap placard/permit. It is not permissible to utilize them as overflow without a placard/permit.

The walk-up tent area has its own pit latrine. Nothing special…but private.

There is a river trail that will take you to Glade Creek and additional trails. Within a short drive are several additional nice hiking trails in the New River Gorge and nearby State parks.

Note: This is a busier campground with the public access boat ramp and very busy on weekends. A very popular spot for locals. While alcohol is prohibited, there was substantial physical evidence to the contrary, mere steps from the dumpster. Also keep in mind, during rains, tributaries flow into the New River causing it to overflow its banks with some regularity in thr spring and early summer.

Spring weekdays still saw several campers, even with the torrential rains and flooding. Free is a big draw.

PRODUCT REVIEW:

PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG

https://primus.us/products/four-seasons-mug-35l-stainless-steel?variant=358039683090

The Primus 4-Season Stainless Steel 0.3L Mug is a great option for the outdoorsperson searching for a do-all cup.

With it's all stainless steel double wall construction, it offers rust resistance, a clean appearance, the ability to keep contents their desired temperature longer, and remains odorless/tasteless. The mug is lightweight at just under 4 ounces.

The 0.3L/10 oz. mug is convenient and held single servings of beverage and food. However, I might migrate to Primus' other offering in the 0.2L/8 oz. mug for the volume I prefer.

The only potential achilles heel, would be the same with any other mug and that is the handle. Though I experienced no issues and don't foresee any…if there were to be one, it's likely with a mug's handle.

All in all, a great mug choice!

Babcock State Park is one of the greatest parks in West Virginia. Most people come to see the grist mill, and it’s nice, but if that’s all you do your missing out.

For starters, most of the sites at the campground are great: fairly flat with soft ground and good tree coverage. The campground is split by Old Clifftop Rd, with the majority of the campground south of the road. We stayed on Site 15 (non-electric site), which I thought was one of the best sites. The campground was quiet, family-friendly, and clean. Some of the campsites were small and right on top of each other.

The campground is served by one bathhouse, centrally located in the middle of it. The bathhouse was fairly clean but well-used and includes flush toilets, showers, and hot water. A fairly new playground sits right next to the bathhouse. All the equipment was well-maintained and freshly mulched. Our site was close enough to the playground that we let our seven-year-old go by herself, since we could still hear her.

We only hiked on two trails, but it was some of the most fun hiking I’ve ever done. Mann’s Creek Gorge Trail is a two-mile walk from the campground to Camp Washington Carver. About a quarter of a mile you come the creek with a great swimming hole. We didn’t make it past the swimming hole but I’m looking forward to finishing the trail in the future. Island-In-the-Sky is a great climb through a tunnel of rhododendron that eventually winds up and around a rock shelf. To get to the top you have to climb up a couple ladders and over rocks. There are also several spurs off the trail that lead to overlooks and one that leads to a good size cave the size of the room.

I highly recommend that anyone looking to camp in the Fayetteville-area consider Babcock, you won’t be disappointed.