RL

The Dyrt Pro

VA

Joined May 2019

⛺️🌲⛰✨🍂🍀🔥🛶☀️🌊🍳🌅

Bateaux and Banjos and Bad Vibes

Not sure why this is showing up as “closed for the season” because we stayed here in June 2023. The “festival” Bateaux and Banjos was underwhelming to say the least. There weren’t any good places to swim besides the kayak/boat launch areas, which as you can imagine is crowded and busy. We stayed in the primitive campground and there is nearly ZERO ranger presence. Our neighbors were noisy, obnoxious, and trashy into the wee hours of the morning, and were up again at an ungodly hour carrying on and cursing. On more than one occasion during quiet hours they woke another neighbors kid, so that kid was screaming all night. If you want to camp at a redneck state park, go for it. Otherwise, stick to a day trip because the river is pretty and there are plenty of picnic tables and grills and shelters for day use.

Mountaintop Magic

We loved our stay at Butterfly Camp! We opted for the tipi add-on to save us time with setting up and breaking down and it was perfect. The outdoor area with the hand washing station was a lovely addition. The site was super private and quiet. We want to go back and hike to the winery the next time we visit. The farm animals are adorable and we loved the store, which is stocked with local goodies. We got some meat and eggs to take home with us. Jennifer was an excellent host and a pleasure to speak with at the store.

Tent Camping

This is a pretty standard campground. Sites are extremely close together and campground is kind of tiny. One bathhouse for the whole campground. This park would probably appeal to equestrians, boaters, and RVers over tent campers. Unfortunately the promixity of other campers was stressful this weekend because of the screaming family right next to us. River views are nice. Probably won’t return.

Secluded and Serene!

Our time at PHFF was excellent! It was such a peaceful escape from our work week. The mushroom farm is unlike anything I’ve seen, and we were lucky enough to meet the owners and they gifted us some shiitakes to cook over the fire. I highly recommend this farm/site!!

Awesome and Private!

We had a great time at Phantom Hill. The sites are large and primitive. We had no trouble getting down there in the jeep. We appreciated the dishes/kitchen set up, games, and the adorable outhouse! We want to check out the other sites and walk the trails, so we will be back!

Cabin Campin’

We camped here for a couple of nights in February for my sister’s birthday. Super clean cabin, lots of dishes and pots/pans, and utensils. Our cabin had beautiful water views and access to the trails. Saw an albino squirrel! We loved our trip!

Always Wonderful!

I love this park. It’s even better in the fall! 🍂 lots of family-friendly activities around Halloween!

Opt for the non-generator loop!

Beautiful part of the SNP. I was unfortunately tent camping next to a loud RV, but that was my fault for booking the wrong site! Lovely hikes nearby.

Yurts = Glamping!

Lovely time in the yurt! Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites.

Awesome River Site

Great little site right on the river! Short walk to other great river put-in sites for kayaking and swimming. The campground has loaner kayaks 🛶

Cute little bathhouse with flushing toilets. Slightly tricky getting to the site in the dark - just follow the host’s directions really well. We had a great time and bought some homemade wine from the farm store. They also left us drinking water on the picnic table at the site. Beautiful wildflowers all around the property! Want to return in the spring.

Primitive and Lovely

Short hike from the parking area (MP 81 from Skyline Drive) to get to the cabin. Less than a half mile. I recommend a hike to down to the waterfalls during the visit!

Cabin is a large open room w/two sets of bunk beds and a dining space. Cool cabin, built in 1936. There’s a wood stove for heat and cooking, and an outdoor fireplace. Some pots and pans and other necessities are in the cabin. No water or electricity, so def pack in your own. There’s also a spring nearby. There’s a pit toilet a short distance from the cabin, just bring your own TP!

If you’re a member of the PATC, you shouldn’t have a hard time booking and the rate is reasonable! Definitely make a reservation.

Perfect Fall Colors

The end of October in this part of the state is gorgeous and the weather is perfect. Westmoreland is always nice to hike around (Fossil Beach) and Montross is a cute little town.

Very family-friendly activities for Halloween!!!

Clean bath houses, many wooded sites.

Buddy Site

We rented the buddy site this summer, which was actually three very close together sites that have been grouped together to become a buddy site. Typically group sites have large spaces and lots of room to gather around a fire but with it being three sites, the picnic tables, firepits, and tent pads were all spread out. It wasn’t really what I expected for a group site but we made it work.

Bring fans for summertime camping! Not all sites have good shade.

Hideaway!

Terrific campsite we found on HipCamp. Super close to a few different beaches. The bug screen and hammock that are part of the site was so appreciated. Also, having a shower was great - it felt like we were glamping!

Went in September. Biting black flies almost made the beaches unbearable but we didn’t have that problem at the actual site.

Really nice fire pit!

Glamping!

We stayed in a yurt, and I’m gonna let the photos do most of the talking👌🏼🛖

We got here super late and we’re still able to check in because they’re at the desk 24/7.

Yurt has a full kitchen and bath. Coffee, popcorn, toiletries, linens provided.

Such a sweet little spot tucked outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Great views, primitive camping

We hiked the one mile into the campground and stayed for a night. It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground. In the campground there is one bathroom facility with two vault toilets (although one of the doors was locked while we were there, which was unpleasant with a full campground). No running water or showers in the bathhouses. Non-potable water pump is near the restroom. Boil water at least three minutes before consuming. There are two areas with firewood (purchase when you check in or pay $6 cash at the kiosk - honor system). Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole. Definitely will be back!

The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites 🪁💙

Wooded Sites

Tent sites are shady, although some can be VERY close to one another. There’s a nice beach area and the park seems to offer boat rentals (unsure of COVID policies at the moment, though). 🛶

The playgrounds and amenities for kids are cute, and the bathrooms are clean. The park sells wood and has a little mini outdoor library and charging station which is adorable and something I don’t see often 💜

Lots to do!

We stayed in Cabin #3 and it was perfect. It’s a 3BR/2BA spacious cabin, wooded and lakeside. Great sunsets and nice big deck (some areas of the porch are covered, and have rocking chairs). Kitchen is equipped with microwave, toaster, coffee pot, water glasses, coffee mugs, plates, bowls, utensils, can opener, etc. If you have the space to pack them, I recommend bringing a couple of your own pots and pans; limited options there. Bring your own dish towels, dish rags, linens (including pillowcase if you don’t have room to pack your own pillow), towels/wash rags, etc. We loved the coziness of this cabin without the cramped feeling. High ceilings, open floor plan, and fireplace were lovely. The bundle of complimentary wood was very nice. 🪵🔥

Next time we tent camp we will definitely stay in Campground C where the sites are RIGHT on the water. Check out spaces 25-31, my personal faves. Since with these sites you’re kind of out in the open, I wouldn’t book these in the heat of the summer. The wooded sites in Campground B looked really nice and well-spaced. It was closed about halfway in, so we couldn’t see all of the sites. It looks like some of them might be wooded with water views. Would be nice and shady🌲

We hiked the Plantation Trail, a large historical site that was once a homestead. Mellow, family-friendly walk with a cemetery, historical markers, and an old chimney. Lots of old growth - from the gigantic boxwoods (hundreds of years old) to the wild daffodils growing in the woods. 🌼🌳

On our last day, we paddled around Bugg’s Lake. Used the boat launch near the office - nice place to put in. The whole trip we saw lots of birds, squirrels, deer, and raccoons. Occoneechee is a spacious park with lots of day-use facilities. Would be a great place for socially distant outdoor gatherings 💚. Lots more trails to visit when we come back! 🛶🥾

Oh, and the campground has a few yurts that have excellent “backyard” wooded views! There’s also a good bit of space between them. Lots of porch space, too. 🛖

Opens Late

Camping season doesn’t start until 4/1.

2 Night Minimum

Just went to book a site since I’m in the area, and it’s a two-night minimum to tent camp. This seems crazy for a Sunday night and the campground is not at all packed. It’s also $50/night, which is too high for primitive sites.