Looking to go glamping near Paint Bank and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Glamping near Paint Bank, VA is a great way to go camping with the tastes of home. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping for your Paint Bank adventure.
Cabins
To camp at Douthat State Park you must have with you either your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter at check-in. If you've arranged for someone else to check in for you, make sure that person has your reservation number as the number is needed to enter the cabin. All cabins are pet-friendly; there is a fee per pet per night. Camping and cabin guests should be prepared to show a valid ID if requested. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m.
Camping
Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites and makes great camping near Richmond. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake. Camping is available year-round in Whispering Pines campground. (Note: Water is unavailable at individual campsites from November through March because of freezing weather. As hot water is still available in the bathhouse, camping fees are not reduced.) The campgrounds are pet-friendly. Generators may not be used in any campgrounds.
Lodges
Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.
Douthat Lodge (atop mountain): Six-bedroom, rents Saturday - Saturday
This log lodge overlooks the park. It was built by the CCC. It sleeps 13 and allows 15. There are six bedrooms: one queen bed, one queen bed, one queen bed, four twin beds, two twin beds and one twin bed. It has a fireplace, two bathrooms, a washer and a dryer.
Creasey Lodge (behind park's main office). Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday when a week-long stay is required. Fully universally accessible.
This one story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds. It has a fireplace and three bathrooms.
Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday when a week-long stay is required.
This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six-bedrooms; queen, queen, two twins, two twins, two bunk beds, two bunk beds.
$20 - $40 / night
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect!
Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites.
The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tree species within mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Hidden Valley is a short drive from the lake and has ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiast: Hike or ride your horse along the Jackson River, all the way to Poor Farm, cast a line for trout, and stay at the Hidden Valley Campground or even better the historic bed and breakfast. Warm Springs has restaurants, shopping and a Historical Society for Bath County in addition to other typical amenities.
$16 - $85 / night
$35 / night
Open from April through October, the Greenbrier River Campground is located on the banks of the Greenbrier River with tree-lined RV sites, wooded riverside tent camping, and rentals that include four comfortable, fully-equipped cabins, a vintage Airstream and a 1964 Shasta. Our guests have access to a thousand feet of riverfront for great fishing and one of the best swimming holes on the river. We also offer full-service tubing, kayak, and canoe trips in the very heart of the best paddling waters on the Greenbrier. There’s Class I thru Class III action for all levels of paddling skill.
$7 - $45 / night
Ideal for swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking, Claytor Lake is known for sport fishing and boating. The park has a full-service marina with docking slips, supplies, fuel, boat rentals and refreshments. Three lodges and 15 cabins overlook the 4,500-acre lake, offering visitors a scenic retreat. There are 103 campsites, 39 offering electric and water hookups. The park also offers 4 yurts (no electricity).
Morris Hill is a peaceful, rustic campground for groups of family and friends. The family campground is a family-friendly destination perched on a ridge above Lake Moomaw. Kids can have fun at the playground while older generations sit back and relax in the shade. The group sites accommodate up the 25 guests with space for up to eight tents. Campers can enjoy the wonders of camping with simple pleasures like s'mores on the campfire, berry picking in the woods, and watching for waterfowl and wildlife like deer. The convenient location near Lake Moomaw and sandy swim beaches, a fishing pier, boat ramp, and hiking and biking trails makes Morris Hill a popular spot.
An inviting swimming beach at Coles Point attracts many visitors. About less than a mile from the campground is a fishing pier where anglers seek brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. Back Creek is also nice for trout fishing. Hikers enjoy the Morris Hill Bike Trail and Fortney Loop Trail.
The campground sits on a ridge overlooking Lake Moomaw. It is about a half-mile from the south end of the lake. Lake Moomaw, which flows from the Jackson River, is a cold-water 2,530-acre lake with an inviting swimming beach. Morris Hill is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests which spans across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. These forests protect 40 species of trees that are mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Head downstream of the Jackson River for fly fishing, canoeing, rafting and kayaking. A half hour east of the lake is Hot Springs, Virginia, a quaint village known as a rural resort town.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions group camping will not be open this season. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please visit www.cdc.gov for the latest information on the virus.
$18 - $65 / night
$39 - $241 / night
Smith Mountain Lake Campgrounds' Site Types: Two-bedroom frame - Two bedrooms; wood frame; one queen bed; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. Two-bedroom cabins have a bathroom with shower. Two-bedroom frame waterview - Two bedrooms; wood frame; one queen bed; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. The two-bedroom cabins have a bathroom with shower. Three-bedroom frame - Three bedrooms; wood frame; two queen beds; two singles; foldout couch; ceramic tile floors with carpeted bedrooms. The three bedroom cabin has two bathrooms (one universally accessible shower; the other has a tub). The three-bedroom cabins are meant to sleep six. Eight are allowed, but this relies on the use of a fold-out sofa for the extra two people. Total cabins: 20 Although the only fully universally accessible cabin in the park is cabin 7, numerous cabins, while not fully accessible, are better suited for customers having disabilities. Because of hilly terrain, all cabins other than cabin 7 have steps. Cabins 15, 17 and 19 have two steps, cabins 10, 13 and 20 have three steps, cabin 14 has four steps, and cabins 6, 12 and 18 have five steps. The remaining cabins are unsuitable for those with disabilities because of numerous steps or steep grades leading into the cabin. Bunkhouse Camping Lodge (bunkhouse) - no weekly requirement. The park has a camping lodge (bunkhouse), which is not a full service lodge, for rent. It's a two-room trailer with seven bunk beds ( five in one room and two in another), a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a coffee pot and air conditioning. It has no heating. The bunkhouse has a has a porch and a large covered deck with two picnic table, two other tables and eight chairs. It also has a charcoal grill and a fire ring. Smoking, portable heaters and cooking, except with the microwave oven, are not permitted in the lodge. There's a fire hydrant next to the lodge in the parking lot. Four vehicles are permitted with rental of the lodge; the daily parking fee must be paid for additional vehicles. RVs and trailers may not be parked in the bunk house parking lot; there's an overflow parking lot about 100 yards away.
$20 - $40 / night
$33 / night
Guide
First time at a KOA. The staff is very friendly, the facilities are immaculate, and the camping areas have plenty of space for an expansive set up. We were in tent space 48, which was very private and had a lot of trees over it so we were able to sleep in fairly late. The bathrooms were as clean as a hotel and the shower had great water pressure. Due to covid there was a pool sign up which we didn’t have time to do but it looked clean. Amazing stay! It felt more like a low budget glamping experience — 10/10 would do again
Guide
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!
Guide
Campground Review
As a Ranger on The Dyrt, I sometimes receive compensation for reviewing campgrounds like this one. Middle Creek Campground is the perfect place to use as a base camp for all of the outdoor activities in the area. Getting here was a lot easier than expected. The campground is only 6 miles off the I-81 Arcadia exit. We were quickly in the Jefferson National Forest where the road winds through the forest along Jennings Creek. It was absolutely gorgeous. Around every turn we saw fishermen wading into the water or sitting on the banks.
Check-in is at the fully stocked camp store where you'll likely be greeted by the two resident dogs. They mostly lazed around all weekend and watched people coming and going. The RV sites are directly across from the camp store, but the tent sites were tucked back into the woods. The upper tent campground was closed for renovations during our stay, so we chose from the 8 or 9 sites located in the lower tent campground. All of the sites were roomy and featured a small fire pit, picnic table, water, and electricity. Several of them even had a pull-through site and would work well for a small pop-up. Bonus: most of the lower tent sites have direct access to the creek! There were only four other tent sites occupied the whole weekend. It was very quiet and peaceful.
We chose site #76 because the creek wound around the back of the campsite and had a gentle slope leading down to the creek. We knew our dogs would love splashing around in it! Once we got everything set up I realized that the site was bigger than I'd originally thought. There was more than enough room to set up our Kingdom 4 tent, 10' canopy, and camp kitchen to glamp in style. We brought a 15' lead for the 2yo beagle so he could go down to the creek on his own or hang out with us. Even at the end of his lead he was nowhere close to the road. Check out the video below for a 360' view!
The bathhouse was at the back of the camp store. Like the rest of the campground, the facilities aren't fancy, but they are functional and clean. Both men's and women's featured two showers where the water was nice and hot! There are even washers and dryers around the corner.
Firewood is available for purchase onsite. We paid $7 for a bundle at the camp store, and it was delivered to our site just a few minutes later. The bundle was huge! We had more than enough wood for two cooking fires.
Because our visit was so early in the year, we weren't able to access most of the amenities. There is a good-sized pool and pavilion on a hill behind the camp store. Right beside that is the swimming pond with two large slides in the middle, plus a small beach. There is another lake at the front of the campground designated for fishing. There are no trails in this campground, so if you want to hike, you'll need to drive about a mile out to where the Appalachian Trail meets Jennings Creek. Or, drive to one of many trail heads within the National Forest. There are also plenty of pull-off spots along the road if you want to wade into the creek.
During our stay, we observed the staff cleaning, fixing, and getting ready for camping season. The bathrooms got a fresh coat of paint. The roads through the campground were recently groomed with new crushed gravel. All of the picnic tables and sidewalks were being power washed. The game room was also being renovated! Downside: we didn't have water at our site the first day. About half-way through the second day one of the workers came around to let us know they were turning it on and to let it run for a bit since it had been off all winter. That made it much easier to wash dishes in a bucket at camp. There isn't a wash station in the campground for doing dishes, so we had to improvise the first night. The biggest turn-off for us at the campground was the RV section right across from the camp store. It seemed like the sites were really packed in there, one on top of the other. I've never been RV-ing before, so I'm not sure if this setup is typical, but I wanted to point it out.
All of the staff that we came into contact with were super friendly and helpful. We were immediately made to feel welcome. It felt like spending the weekend with friends and neighbors instead of strangers.
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - today I am testing Nature's Coffee Kettle with Colombian Arabica Coffee. I am completely unable to start my day without coffee even when I'm sleeping in the woods. Nature's Coffee Kettle is a packable system that provides you with delicious, pour-over coffee in the backwoods. The "kettle" is a specially designed pouch with two sections. The top section holds the pre-filled coffee filter in place while you slowly pour hot water over the grounds. It features a zip-top so you can close it up while you're waiting for the magic to happen.The bottom section is the reservoir that holds all of that coffee goodness. Coffee refills are also available separately. The entire system packs flat for storage in a camp tote or in your backpack.
The directions on the back of the bag are super clear and even contain pictures. The key to making the perfect brew with Nature's Coffee Kettle is time. Don't rush it. This is not instant coffee. It is the real deal and will be worth every minute. Slowly pour 1 cup of hot water over the filter, zip up the top and let it sit for a minute or two so the grounds can soak up all of that water. This is the most important step. Then, unzip the top, and keep slowly adding the rest of the water. How much water? I used my coffee mugs to measure out the right amount of water into the kettle before boiling. After you've poured all the water into the bag zip it up again and let it sit. Then, just twist off the cap and pour!
The pouch is reusable, so don't toss it out. Dispose of the filter and rinse out the pouch. It will be ready to go the next time you need some caffeine. Nature's Coffee Kettle comes in a variety of coffee flavors as well as orange pekoe black tea, apple cider, and hot chocolate.
Traveler
Nice campground. The park is spectacular. The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around.
Scout
A favorite of our for years! All types of sites and hookups plus cabins. Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming. Virginia is for lovers and camping lovers!
Guide
I’ve stayed here in a tent and a camper. I’ve also stayed in the cabins. We love this park so much. The river is beautiful, the hiking excellent, and the fantastic rail trail is right there. The area has so much to offer - Bear Town, Cranberry, Falls - it’s all wild wonderful West Virginia!!
ScoutThis is our favorite campsite and park that we’ve been to in the state of Virginia! We have so many more to explore but Douthat state park is huge the lake is so much fun, and the trails go for miles! We just started camping and hiking and can’t wait to explore more of the country!!
LegendDouthat (Doubt-that) State Park is a campers dream! Level sites with or with out hook ups, well spaced apart, fairly private, and in the middle of a pretty good forest!
Kid and pet friendly, this park has a nice lake for Kayaking/canoeing, multiple hiking trails with views, excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, and great biking trails.
It is off the beaten path so it appears to be less visited than other Virginia State Parks.
LegendWhile 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!
TravelerMy husband and I love this campground. The owners are kind and gracious. Always fun activities year round (they are open year round). Nice little store, gas station at the entrance. Very clean bathroom as and showers. We love our spot “99”! So much to do here in Natural Bridge and Lexington. Go to Pink Cadillac Diner - 4347 S. Lee Highway Natural Bridge VA 24578 United States and Laynes Country Store! Ride through the Virginia Safari! See the Natural Bridge and hear about when George Washington was a young man exploring this are.
LegendCampground 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!
Traveler
Thunder BRidge is a unique property tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, the campground was once a CCC camp. Now it is home to many quiet tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and even some fully furnished rental cabins.
The campground is about 60% wooded, the rest is open ground with buildings from the camp's earlier days. The open area includes several artists' studios. At one edge is a forest creek, great for wading.
The campground is mostly tenting sites and rustic cabins, but there are RV sites in the open area.
This is not a "resort" but you won't find a more beautiful, quiet campground!
GuideLocated in a beautiful part of central Virginia, this campground gives you lots of options for sightseeing. It is definitely worth a trip to the Natural Bridge. The nearby town of Lexington has many historic buildings, and the town seems very dog-friendly. The campground is kept very clean, and the staff is very helpful. However, the sites are small and not leveled well. Although my camper is only 15’ long, I ran out of shims trying to level my rig. I watched a fifth wheeler spend two hours trying to position his rig so that it could be leveled. The store is friendly, but doesn’t stock much variety. Given the beauty of the area, I would go back, but I would insist on seeing the site before trying to set up. There is a wonderful country store (Lynne’s) close buy with great produce and meats. Be sure to check out the famous Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington.
Guide
This was our first camping trip to actually visit lake Moomaw in Warm Springs Virginia. We had been close before but never made it to the lake itself.
First off, sorry for the audio on the video we uploaded. It seems in March of 2021 I was diagnosed with having lung cancer and it is pinching the never of my left vocal cord so I'll I can use now is my right vocal cord.
Now, given that information, we decided to camp at Bolar Mountain Campground for a few days. We arrived the week before Memorial Day since it worked out better with my chemo treatments. We reserved site 34 and it was a perfect site. It's basically a corner lot which worked out great for us. It's little hike to the bathrooms but not to bad of an incline.
The bathrooms were clean and so were the showers. Everything was great. Access to a small store is not far away. The owner of the little store is very nice and helpful. Stop by and see him if you choose to come camp here.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.
LegendBabcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect! https://wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/
The road in off the highway isn't too long, but it seemed long, winding, and up and down...especially as night fell. Driving backcountry roads in West Virginia, at night, is not my idea of fun, as I had several near misses with Bambi and her roving gang of miscreants...having no regard for traffic laws...and one knock down, drag out with minimal vehicle damage.
One of the beauties of West Virginia...it is a sparsely populated state with open, unchoked roads that lead to some of the most amazing sights. You must be willing to explore, but you will be richly rewarded.
In the dark, I did pass the campground signs without seeing them and turned into the State Park entrance...wound around past rental cabins to the park office, so I had to backtrack to the campground, which is located in a different area altogether. Driven during daylight hours, the signs are very apparent...so I'm blaming it on the deer.
We arrived midweek, the first of May, so we did not reserve a site. The campground has 52 sites, so I thought we would have a good shot as a walk-in. No worries...we shared the campground with two other campers. Our campsite (site 32) was on the inner loop of the main campground loop at sits around 2450 ft elevation. The temperature got down to 30 degrees and frost covered everything. Twenty eight sites have electric hook-ups ($28) and twenty four do not ($25). The inner loop has some mature trees but is wide open and close cut grass...every camper has a view of the other. Even the outside sites on the main loop are visible. The smaller loop to the right as you enter and a few sites to the left sit in slightly more wooded sites...but there is no foliage separating sites. There is also sites on the opposite side of the roadway when you enter the campground, but seem more like overflow sites...and a fair distance to trek for the showerhouse/restroom/laundry which is situated on the bottom of the main loop.
There is plenty of gravel parking pad for large RV/Campers at all the sites and are angled for trailer back-in. Tent pads are not define and grassy (or a muddy mix depending on weather and usage). Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
The showerhouse/restroom is located at the front of the loop and was spotless and maintained at the time of our stay...but not climate controlled...as in, not heated. The ladies that keep the park facilities clean worked tirelessly. A very nice activity area for kids sat along the inner portion o the main loop.
The main entrance to the park offers several cabin rental, from economy to 4 bedroom, the park office/visitor's center/gift shop sit along the river. The park office staff were very helpful, friendly and wear many hats...like most state parks.
This building and surrounding stone structures, retaining walls, and staircases were built by the CCC and are magnificent and in great shape. The beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era.
Ranger Cochrane was a wealth of information about the park, it's history and neighboring parks. He graciously spent time answering my barrage of questions. Ranger Cochrane was yet another tribute to the fine personnel that WV parks have in place.
The park office is also the best location for postcard perfect pictures of the raging whitewater and gristmill. While not the original gristmill from this location, three remaining gristmills from around the state were dismantled and rebuilt into one at the present location over 30 years ago. The gristmill was very photogenic in the early Spring, but I can only imagine the splendor when the fall leaves change color.
Whitewater kayakers were readying to put in on the rain swollen and boulder strewn river that feeds into the New River below.
Boley Lake, a short drive up the mountain is picturesque and well-stoked with fish. You can paddle the 19 acre lake with personal paddle craft or rent paddleboats, canoes or rowboats from the Boley Lake Marina. Fishing is permitted, but you must have proper licensing...which can be purchased online.
Trails are everywhere and of every terrain and level of difficulty...over 20 miles of trails total. Babcock State Park is 4,127 acres, so there is plenty to see and do. Bicycling can be done on all park paved and gravel roads (no off-road trails), as well as along the Narrow Gauge Trail. And of course, being not too far from The New River and Gauley River...whitewater rafting is close.
Legend
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.
LegendWe were in site #5. It was not level yet nothing in the mountains is level. The electric showed 30 & 50 amp yet the 30 amp was disconnected and that's what we need. We had to use the 50 amp hook up. The electric bo is on the wrong side of the site, most in this loop are on the wrong side. We filled with water this loop you have to fill with water.
The site was nice sized and shaded.
There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop 2 the loop below ours behind spot #10 as you walk to the lake at a specific spot you can get service.
The lake is beautiful. Our neighbor was catching nice fish out in his boat. Many different kinds of fish and very nice sized brown trout.
There is a swim beach which you can launch a kayak or canoe from the beach.
The Marina is closed yet there is a boat launch near the marina.
They really need to update the campground area's was told it was all closed for a few years too bad they didn't update the campgrounds.
There isn't much around so bring your supplies with you. There is a small general store that sells somethings and gas but it's not a real grocery. They did sell excellent Virginia peanuts there.
favorite campsites are:
Campground 1
sites 9 and 2 were my favorite. Sites 2, 3, 9 & 10 the electric boxes are on the correct side.
Campground 2 sites 44 and 45 are nice with water & electric.
Sites 47, 50, 53, 54, 51 and 55 have no hook ups yet they are waterfront sites.
Campground 3 there is a boat & trailer storage area.
Best sites are 69 and 70 with water & electric.
No hook ups 64, 88 and 89 are waterfront.
They had a problem with the water in our loop so the bath house was closed and they had port o potties in front of the bath house. The day use area is big and was not crowded at all. There were many people camping in our loop it was very quiet.
TravelerBabcock 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.
LegendI selected this site. because it was near Natural Bridge and all that it has to offer. There were not a lot of options in the area so I bit the bullet and paid $30 for a site for the evening. While the facility was typical of a KOA I was not entirely impressed by the overall price to amenity ratio, especially after seeing other campgrounds in Virginia along this trip and their price being so vastly different.
Let me just give a full disclosure on this…. There are tent sites which cost less here, BUT there are only 5 of them in the entire campground so if you end up there on a weekend don't count on them being open at all. I even checked just for a reference of how booked they are and even checking some 2 weeks in advance on a random week day the same results appeared, NO BOOKINGS.
During summertime I can see how this place would attract a lot of people with the pool and various options, but in my opinion that does not offset the price point. And RV sites, which are more costly looked hard to get into with larger units.
My site was even and pretty basic despite having electricity. It was just across from the deluxe cabins and close to the restroom which I liked. Everything seemed well lit at night.
This campground being my hub only I did enjoy that it was very close to the town of Lexington itself as well as Natural Bridge, which is a pretty cool site with a lot of interesting history as well.
TIPS:
Scout
Morris Hill campground is located in Alleghany County, Virginia, in the George Washington National Forest.
This campground does not have Water/Electric hookups... It is semi primitive.
Cell Phone Service is spotty also, as there is no pay phone at the campground either.
The campground has 3 shower/bathroom location within the campground loops.
1.) Men's side has 1 toilet, 1 urinal and 1 shower, 2 sinks.
2.)Lady's Side has 2 toilets, 1 shower and 2 sinks.
3.)Each Bathhouse has a sink in the rear (outside) for washing dishes and cleaning fish.
4.)Each Bathhouse has a water spigot in the front that allows you to fill jugs for drinking water.
For you all who have campers/RV: There is a dump station for your tanks, equipped with a wash hose to wash your drain hose out.
There is a fresh water filling station here as well, if you wish to fill your camper/RV when you get there.
The campground is located close to two boat landings.
Fortney Branch, located approximate 2.5 miles away, has a substantial amount of parking for boats and cars. ($5.00 per day, per vehicle to park unless camping at the campground)
1.) This location has 4 vault toilets, a phone for local calls only.
2.) There is 4 lanes for launching as well.
3.) This entire area is a "No Wake" zone which makes for good fishing if you are wanting to fish off the bank.
Coles Point, is located approximate 3 miles from the campground.
($5.00 per day, per vehicle to park unless camping at the campground)
1.) Boat ramp is located here along with a dock.
2.) There is a Pier for fishing as well.
3.) Bank Fishing is also allowed in this area. There is a few picnic tables located along the shoreline as well.
4.) On the opposite side of the boat parking area there is a beach area for swimming. Soft sand and also a Volleyball net if you want to punch the ball around for a few.
5.) There is also a restroom/bath house here as well. Each side has 3 spacious showers with hot water to get clean after taking a swim in the lake.
This area has 2 picnic shelters (which can be rented for family gatherings).. Both of those shelters also have access to water, and restrooms as well. There is individual picnic tables at these locations as well outside of the shelter where you can enjoy a meal with family.
Gathright Dam Area. (Trout Fishing)
The spillway located down in the bottom of the dam offers great trout fishing area as well.... and for those who want to see how massive this man made rock dam is, you will want to drive down and take a look at the massive size.
The US Army Corp of Engineers has a welcome center located just down from the campground as well. There is a replica of the lake inside of the visitors center along with boating information.
Legend
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.
ScoutLocated on Douthat Road, the Buckhorne Country Store and Campground is located just outside of Douthat State Park. The campground has back in and pull through site availability.
The campground has a store, which is open to the public, that has food available for purchase and a kitchen area where fresh food is prepared.
Hershey's hand dipped Ice cream is a local favorite for the area also.
Sometimes there is live music in the summertime on the weekends as well.
The store also has camping supplies available for purchase, so if you forgot something at home, then most likely they will have it. If not the town of Clifton Forge isn't that far away with a Kroger, Dollar General and Family Dollar. ACE Hardware also has some limited supplies for campers also.
Scout
We loved this park. Had so much fun there. Rented tubes and floated down the river. The staff was great and the grounds well kept. We will be putting this place on our list of parks to stop at every year.
GuideBest place. I did a rv rental. I love the swimming area my kids had such a great time. I will be going back there as much as I can. Bath house was so clean and amazing. Was super chill even this there was a lot of ppl.
ScoutDebated on what kind of rating here, as we didn't have a bad time this past weekend, but there were some things that simply cannot be overlooked. Being from beautiful NC when I think of West VA I think of rural mountain towns and quiet river bends. While that certainly exist, Greenbrier isn't that kind of place. 63 is a very busy road that is right beside the campground with loud traffic moving almost nonstop throughout the day and night. Coming primarily from the Lewisburg direction from what I could gather. On top of that, there are railroad tracks right across the river that are almost as busy with long trains. I stopped counting at 7 our first evening. Every spot appears to have all the regular RV amenities, electric...water (though slightly brown with sediment, so bring your filter) and sewer, with most spots taken up by what appear to be seasonal folks. Was disappointed to discover that the RV sites aren't right on the river, that's mostly reserved for primitive campers, of which we were for many years. Bathrooms are clean and they have wood and kindling available for purchase (honor system). Never did much run into the owners, they kind of just let us do our thing. Spaces are very easy to get into and out of, which I definitely appreciate. The area (New River Gorge...etc) is certainly beautiful, but we will likely stay at one of the several state parks within the area in the future to experience the true nature of camping.
GuideTent sites on the river, RV sites, RV and cabin rentals and float trips. Lots of space for kids to play.
GuideFriendly people, waterfront site on river, 2 hour tubing float down river ending up at my campsite!
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Paint Bank, VA is Douthat State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 27 reviews.
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