George Washington & Jefferson National Forest Camping Advice?

[rcornish4]

Hey everyone!

Looking to solicit some advice from folks here. I've recently pulled the trigger on a RRT and am looking to do a fall camping trip in GW & Jefferson National Forest in mid/late November.

We live in southern VA - me, my wife, and 2 daughters (8 and 5 yo), so the trip shouldn't be too bad, but this would be our first "traditional" camp trip. I know options are limited given time of year, but any advice on good spots? Gotta do some more research but interested in hearing if there are areas with plugin compatibility with EVs, good areas for kids.... Northern part would be awesome as I'd love to hit Peter's mill OHV trail.

General advice welcome as well... Appreciate it folks!

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[KBabione]

I can't help you with spots that far south (unless you're interested in the Dolly Sods area in the Monongahela National Forest a little further north), but as a long-time car camper with four daughters, I do have some suggestions if this is really your first camping trip:

• Find a campground with flush toilets - Unless your girls are used to pit toilets, you don't want them linking camping with stink
• Keep your food simple with some fun thrown in...Have a fire and let them roast hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner
• Bring warm clothing - hats & gloves. Some old blankets that you don't mind if they get dragged through the dirt or smell like smoke will be well used
• Let them explore by themselves as much as you can - our guidelines were that they had to be able to see our campsite, but they could pretty much go anywhere they wanted

Share your camping gear and perhaps we can make some other suggestions.

 

[rcornish4]

Thanks for the insight and advice! Definitely like the idea that they self explore some.

As for camping gear... Not a whole lot tbh. Have the ikamper dlx, some outdoor cooking stuff used while driving/parking on beaches... Ultimately, I'll be building up the essentials over the next month.

 

[Glembi2]

Check with the Forest Service. They are continuing to clear roads in the GWJNF.

Hmmm. If you do any hiking around the Great North Mountain, you are bound to venture past the Wolf Gap Rec Area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=74043

They have vault toilets but not much more. But hiking trails are superb! (Shameless plug: I spent years on that trail crew!). The two big hiking destinations are Tibbits Knob and Big Schloss. Our crew has stayed at Trout Pond in West VA (not too far from Wolf Gap). They may have hookups but I do not recall. Last time I was there was BR ( before Rivian).

One option just across I-81 on the South West side of the Massanutten range is Camp Overlook. I do not believe they have much in the way of charging but they have rentable cabins. https://www.campoverlook.org/

On the East side of the Blue Ridge is Camp Roosevelt. They have camp sites.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73633

We will be staying at Camp Roosevelt in November for our club’s annual meeting/trail maintenance workshop. If you just happen to be there the second weekend in November and the person directing traffic looks like he is having way too much fun telling people what to do and where to go, that will probably be me.

 

[KBabione]

Ultimately, I'll be building up the essentials over the next month.

You don't need a lot to get started, especially since you're taking a Rivian. You'll want a way to heat water (coffee & hot chocolate) and some sort of cooktop as a backup in case it's raining and you can't get a fire going. PM me if you'd like me to email you a list of what I take - You certainly don't need to replicate my experience, but it might just give you some food for thought. In full-on glamping mode, I've been known to take a zip-line and a slack line for a little "in the woods" entertainment

 

[jlstan]

It's October. Wear your orange.

 

[BigSkies]

As general advice, see if you can find friends with camping gear and see what you can borrow.

Most Americans have a full stash of camping gear gathering dust in a basement somewhere. It’s easier to decide what to buy after you’ve tried it a few times.

Make a full packing list to cover sleeping, cooking, warmth and entertainment. Keep food simple, and think it detail about your prep materials. A forgotten can opener can have a big impact on a meal.

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