Local Knowledge Needed- Harrisonburg VA- WVA

dukethedog · 12-20-2008, 06:28 AM

We are looking for a good winter camping destination within a couple hours of Harrisonburg, VA- most likely into WVA. Would like some good dirt roads to the destination (2 GS riders) ending with a nice camping spot in the mountains.
Open to pretty much anything.
Thanks for the help!

manganos · 12-20-2008, 07:49 AM

I like primitive camping along the Jackson River in Bath County. RT 39 is a fun road.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/warmspri...ng/index.shtml

MAN OF BLUES · 12-20-2008, 08:04 AM

a couple spots come to mind...

Dolly Sods, near Canaan Valley off rt 32, cool stuff in Thomas to the north, food and such nearby
Spuce Knob, near Seneca Rocks, National park service, off 33/55 or other entrance is off s.r.28 just south of Circleville (park rd #28 also)
Princess Pocohontas Campgrounds (nice place, but not "wilderness camping) right at the base of Seneca Rocks( they have Tee-Pee's to sleep in there too!)
all 3 are within an hour to 1-1/2 hours ride from Harrisonburg, take rt 33 over the mountain and you are there...
have fun!!!

oh, dirt roads to get there are minimal... very few places to get across the mountain, but once you are on the other side... there's a ton of them ...there are a bunch below 33 that cross, but this time of year I have no idea on passability...dip south off 33 on 257, and they all run n.w off that road.
Hit up the boys on the Valley tag-o-rama, they know all them backroads...

Skippii · 12-20-2008, 11:49 AM

click the link in HBurgNinja's sig...that should get you started!

SGTBOAT · 12-20-2008, 11:51 AM

My little Bro lives in the area you are wanting to be. If you want to, you can email me and I will have him get you some particulars.

Gimmeslack · 12-22-2008, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAN OF BLUES

a couple spots come to mind...

Dolly Sods, near Canaan Valley off rt 32, cool stuff in Thomas to the north, food and such nearby
Spuce Knob, near Seneca Rocks, National park service, off 33/55 or other entrance is off s.r.28 just south of Circleville (park rd #28 also)
Princess Pocohontas Campgrounds (nice place, but not "wilderness camping) right at the base of Seneca Rocks( they have Tee-Pee's to sleep in there too!)
all 3 are within an hour to 1-1/2 hours ride from Harrisonburg, take rt 33 over the mountain and you are there...
have fun!!!

oh, dirt roads to get there are minimal... very few places to get across the mountain, but once you are on the other side... there's a ton of them ...there are a bunch below 33 that cross, but this time of year I have no idea on passability...dip south off 33 on 257, and they all run n.w off that road.
Hit up the boys on the Valley tag-o-rama, they know all them backroads...

You did say winter camping, but be warned: Spruce Knob and the Sods are both excellent suggestions, but both can turn arctic in a heartbeat. It would not be unusual for the Sods to be 5-10deg colder (howling winds at times) than the valley (canaan) and it in turn will typically be another couple of degrees colder than places such as Seneca. I've been up on the Sods when there was XC skiable snow, while below was relatively balmy weather and 100% fee of white stuff. Awesome place, but be prepared. Just sayin'...

MAN OF BLUES · 12-22-2008, 04:56 PM

I have been at Seneca, with it spritzing a mist, wearing a sweater, and took off for Blackwater Falls... encountered BLIZZARD on the road up to Cannan, and when we got to Blackwater Falls there was a foot of snow, I had to lock the truck in 4wd... stopped and picked up wine and booze at the gas station/liquer outlet by Canaan on the way back, and when we got back to Seneca, it was just like when we left.... the elevation does make a difference, even in that half hour drive!!!

20 MINUTES FROM NICE WEATHER TO CANAAN VALLEY:

15 MINUTES LATER....BLACKWATER FALLS

OH, AND THIS WAS IN APRIL.... NOT DECEMBER....

Bowtie76 · 12-23-2008, 01:02 PM

He ain't lying either. I just got back from Blackwater Falls and the HIGH Monday was 6 (yes 6) with a windchill reported on the radio of -10. I have camped there in late march and woke up to over a foot of snow. The nice part is they have rustic cabins (small kitchen, and bath room, elect heat and fire place). So that can be a life saver. Check out Babcok, and watuga parks, they both also offer cabins and camping areas. All three are central to eastern WV, lots of great riding.

Shawn R

HBN · 12-23-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowtie76

Check out Babcok, and watuga parks, they both also offer cabins and camping areas. All three are central to eastern WV, lots of great riding.

+1 on Babcock's CCC Cabins - Great hiking and beauitful waterfalls all around. Excellent riding but all the cabins are closed in October for Winter.

dukethedog · 12-30-2008, 01:45 PM

Im getting cold just reading the responses. The Tee-pees sound nice!
Thanks for the input!

HBN · 12-30-2008, 01:54 PM

Cold = 80mph @ 16º w/o heated gear

Drop a post in the inmates thread if you happen this way!

12-20-2008, 06:28 AM	#1
dukethedog ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Orlean, VA Oddometer: 101	Local Knowledge Needed- Harrisonburg VA- WVA We are looking for a good winter camping destination within a couple hours of Harrisonburg, VA- most likely into WVA. Would like some good dirt roads to the destination (2 GS riders) ending with a nice camping spot in the mountains. Open to pretty much anything. Thanks for the help! __________________ KTM 690R, XC-F250 Ducati Hypermotard S, 999R, 848 65' BMW R50/2, HP2sport, GS1200ADV 01' HD Heritage Springer 09' Bimota DB7

12-20-2008, 08:04 AM	#3
MAN OF BLUES COG #5977 EX-TECH EDITOR Joined: Oct 2008 Location: "WAYYYY North"of Richmond...THE Great White North Oddometer: 2,688	wva camping.. a couple spots come to mind... Dolly Sods, near Canaan Valley off rt 32, cool stuff in Thomas to the north, food and such nearby Spuce Knob, near Seneca Rocks, National park service, off 33/55 or other entrance is off s.r.28 just south of Circleville (park rd #28 also) Princess Pocohontas Campgrounds (nice place, but not "wilderness camping) right at the base of Seneca Rocks( they have Tee-Pee's to sleep in there too!) all 3 are within an hour to 1-1/2 hours ride from Harrisonburg, take rt 33 over the mountain and you are there... have fun!!! oh, dirt roads to get there are minimal... very few places to get across the mountain, but once you are on the other side... there's a ton of them ...there are a bunch below 33 that cross, but this time of year I have no idea on passability...dip south off 33 on 257, and they all run n.w off that road. Hit up the boys on the Valley tag-o-rama, they know all them backroads... MAN OF BLUES screwed with this post 12-20-2008 at 08:11 AM

12-20-2008, 11:49 AM	#4
Skippii Hookers, my lad. Joined: May 2008 Location: Richmond, Va Oddometer: 6,237	click the link in HBurgNinja's sig...that should get you started! __________________ "I'm half afraid Skippii's bike might actually be a giant hamster ball that he somehow powers around. With ape hangers." -GailCallsMeKarl

12-20-2008, 11:51 AM	#5
SGTBOAT Resident Redneck Joined: Dec 2008 Location: High Plains El Paso, Texas Oddometer: 26	Yup My little Bro lives in the area you are wanting to be. If you want to, you can email me and I will have him get you some particulars. __________________ "The price of Freedom is the Blood of Patriots" - Thomas Paine People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. - Rudyard Kipling POW/MIA - NEVER FORGET!! Support your countries Veterans 78' Suzuki DR370

12-22-2008, 04:56 PM	#7
MAN OF BLUES COG #5977 EX-TECH EDITOR Joined: Oct 2008 Location: "WAYYYY North"of Richmond...THE Great White North Oddometer: 2,688	no foolin!!1 I have been at Seneca, with it spritzing a mist, wearing a sweater, and took off for Blackwater Falls... encountered BLIZZARD on the road up to Cannan, and when we got to Blackwater Falls there was a foot of snow, I had to lock the truck in 4wd... stopped and picked up wine and booze at the gas station/liquer outlet by Canaan on the way back, and when we got back to Seneca, it was just like when we left.... the elevation does make a difference, even in that half hour drive!!! 20 MINUTES FROM NICE WEATHER TO CANAAN VALLEY: 15 MINUTES LATER....BLACKWATER FALLS OH, AND THIS WAS IN APRIL.... NOT DECEMBER....

12-20-2008, 07:49 AM	#2
manganos Let me pontificate. Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Dinwiddie, VA Oddometer: 3,075	I like primitive camping along the Jackson River in Bath County. RT 39 is a fun road. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/warmspri...ng/index.shtml __________________ sponsored motorcycle rider

12-23-2008, 01:02 PM	#8
Bowtie76 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Charlottesville Oddometer: 297	He ain't lying either. I just got back from Blackwater Falls and the HIGH Monday was 6 (yes 6) with a windchill reported on the radio of -10. I have camped there in late march and woke up to over a foot of snow. The nice part is they have rustic cabins (small kitchen, and bath room, elect heat and fire place). So that can be a life saver. Check out Babcok, and watuga parks, they both also offer cabins and camping areas. All three are central to eastern WV, lots of great riding. Shawn R

12-30-2008, 01:45 PM	#10
dukethedog ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Orlean, VA Oddometer: 101	Im getting cold just reading the responses. The Tee-pees sound nice! Thanks for the input! __________________ KTM 690R, XC-F250 Ducati Hypermotard S, 999R, 848 65' BMW R50/2, HP2sport, GS1200ADV 01' HD Heritage Springer 09' Bimota DB7

12-30-2008, 01:54 PM	#11
HBN plays in traffic Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Oddometer: 11,063	Cold = 80mph @ 16º w/o heated gear Drop a post in the inmates thread if you happen this way! __________________ Only those that go would know. - WayneJ 2001 R1150GS - 1976 R75/6 - 1975 XL250 HBurgNinja - The Thread \| HBN Boondocking the Nation \| Beards to Canada

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