Campground Review: Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite...(Between Rorer and Renick, WV)
Bikepacking West Virginia's Greenbrier River Trail is a delightfully peaceful adventure! If you enjoy bicycling, camping and wilderness...then you this trail is for you. Actually, you can replace "bicycling" with horseback, backpacking, XC skiing. In fact, with a keen eye, you could paddle the Greenbrier River and enjoy these campsites.
These primitive campsites are free, first come-first served and cannot be reached by motor vehicle. The campsites that dot the Greenbrier River Trail are meticulously maintained by State Park employees and are in well thought out locations.
Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite, as all campsites are linear along the Trail and usually positioned between the Trail and the Greenbrier River...with access to the River. This campsite is stretched out a good distance and though not listed on some Trail maps...it does have an Adirondock style shelter near the southernmost tent pad in a partly wooded area. The tent pad to the north of this area is in an open grassy area with tranquil long views of the river. Swimming and fishing are permitted in the Greenbrier River (Fishing: if you have a WV Fishing License). In late June, temperatures were still quite cool, so while the river looked inviting, we did not take the plunge.
Late afternoon showers soaked the three groups of bikepackers that set up camp at Mile Post 28.5 for the night. So being the first to claim the Shelter is a coveted position.
PROS:
- Adirondock Style Shelter
- Raised Tent pads (2)
- Picnic Tables
- Fire Pits w/grate
- Large Pit Latrines
- Bearproof Trash receptacle
- Hand-pump well water
- Quiet & Peaceful
- No cell service
CONS:
Nearby Attractions:
- Droop Mountain Battlefield SP
- Snowshoe Mountain Resort
- Cass Railroad
- Seneca Rocks
- Spruce Knob (WV Highest Elevation)
- Seneca Forest (Thorny Mountain Fire Tower)
- The Greenbrier Resort
**HIGHLIGHTS: **
- Traveling through Droop Mountain Tunnel
- Traveling over the nearly 100 year old steel RR bridges
Traveling the Greenbrier River Trail allows the traveler to be sent back in time...passing through old Railroad towns, seeing old Railroad buildings, water towers offers a glimpse backwards.
Heavy rainstorms brought down numerous trees across the GRT during our trip...but the State Park employees worked diligently and feverishly to clear the trail. At one location, employees graciously offered to assist us haul our bikes over the multiple downed trees as they worked to clear them.
It is easy to see how the Greenbrier River Trail made Backpacker Magazine's Top Ten hiking trails in North America...surrounded by wild and often very remote wilderness, abundant wildlife, a century old trail, a picturesque river, great camping...ticks all the boxes!
