Camping in Virginia Mountains

We arrived Friday around 2:30 pm after a 6 hour drive from Richmond, VA. We quickly found our perfect spot, (RV Campsite #3) and set up our tents and screened canopy over our table, when the 4th GO camper arrived.  We helped him to set up his campsite since he hadn’t been camping in decades.  As we finished the 4th tent, thunder could be heard just to our west.  This thunder started to get a bit closer so we headed to the local gas station/café/quick mart/hardware store for our supplies and a quick dinner. 

As we were enjoying our meal we soon found ourselves in the middle of a very good rainstorm with occasional lightning.  We ended up staying for 2-1/2 hours getting to know one another, exchange histories, and discuss outdoor activities we all like or would like to do this summer.  As the rain let up we headed back to our camp site, we checked out our tents (all dry except for one open door on one tent), got a hot shower and headed to bed.

Next day we rode the VA Creeper Trail and got back to our campsite around 2:30 to a sunny, 75F campsite in the shade of maple and hemlock trees.  We got our campfire going and relaxed.  Later, we headed out to get some steaks, chicken chocolate bars and graham crackers for our made-from-scratch s’mores (at least I did).

Sunday morning, I got the fireplace going and the bacon sizzling on the stove.  We had a breakfast of bacon and (drum roll….) s’mores!  This time I was able to convince another camper to join me and we had two large s’mores a piece.

We broke camp and loaded our vehicles.  Just as I was ready to start my truck, I couldn’t find the keys.  After unloading my entire truck and looking for the keys in every place imaginable, one of the Richmond campers who was away this entire time taking a shower came back to the campsite and we shared the news that we had a dilemma on our hands where upon he pulled out of his pockets my truck keys which I had given to him the night before to retrieve an item of his from the truck however he had failed to return the keys!!  This person will remain unnamed!!

Want a great, relaxing weekend outdoors?   And for out-of-towners, want camping with all of amenities of home—hot showers, and camp store/restaurant/snack bar, plus electricity and water at each campsite?  Campground has great views of the surrounding hills and you are in the middle of a Christmas Tree Farm.  All topped by one of the most beautiful, easiest rides around. 

Both the campground and trailhead is about 75’ from the intersection Dolinger Rd and Whitetop Gap Rd, Whitetop, VA, 24292. (See Satellite Picture of campground, intersection and Trailhead)

I’ll be camping at the Creeper Campground campsite on the ridge.  Look for my truck, a Gray 2007 F-150 FX4 Virginia tags. I’ll try to get campsite #2 (not the section for tents but for campers.)