Fall Leaf Trip VA ?

underdog · 07-12-2013, 05:50 PM

We would like to do another weekend this fall before I winterize it. Was thinking Winchester area or somewhere else a few hours away. We absolutely loved Rocky Gap in MD but like to try someplace new. KOAs turn me off

Any suggestions? Doesn't have to be VA.

**Tweety** · 07-12-2013, 06:28 PM

Shenandoah River State Park in Bentonville, VA is one of our favorites. The campground has river and mountain views. Its gorgeous.

underdog · 07-14-2013, 05:59 AM

Thanks and yes, we had considered the M&G there but Sat is booked that weekend. I came across Cunningham Falls State Park in MD that sounds nice. Looks to be near Hagerstown which would be an easy tow. Anyone been there?

Edit, I just read some reviews on Cunningham that weren't to favorable.

**Tweety** · 07-14-2013, 06:21 AM

We've been there too. You don't have the beautiful long distance views that Shenandoah has, but its quite a nice park. Since it abuts Catoctin Mountain Park there's plenty of hiking, and lots of views to hike to. The falls is pretty. We stayed in one of the loops with no hook ups (bear branch) because Addison loop was booked up, and were glad we did. The sites are much closer in the hook ups area (Addison). The weekend we were there it was at least 10 degrees cooler up there than down in town. It's quite a hill up to the park, but manageable. We'd go there again.

campin'dude · 07-14-2013, 06:23 AM

Cunningham Falls SP is one of our favorite places to camp in the fall. We have been there many times. It's usually quiet except for Columbus day weekend when they have their annual Colorfest celebration http://www.colorfest.org/ The entire town is literally a craft show/yard sale with most of the streets blocked and vendors setup everywhere. Thousands of people show up from all over. But, it's usually not a problem getting a site if you show up Thursday or early Friday since they don't take reservations after Labor Day and it's first come at the campground. We really enjoy Colorfest... there's a lot to see and some great deals especially at the yard sales. But, it's not the weekend to go if you want quiet.

underdog · 07-14-2013, 07:22 AM

Thanks for the input. I'll skip Columbus Day. The online reservations showed lots of sites end of Sept and Oct. I didn't read anywhere that you couldn't make a reservation?

One of the complaints I read was a nebby caretaker that thought he was Ranger Smith. But those were posted in 2012. Maybe he went away.

Good tip on the loops Tweety. We just came back from 4 nights dry camping at the Drag Races and had no issues. So that may be the way to go for more privacy. I doubt we need the AC by then anyway.

**Tweety** · 07-14-2013, 11:16 AM

We had site 37. It was a really nice one

campin'dude · 07-14-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underdog

Thanks for the input. I'll skip Columbus Day. The online reservations showed lots of sites end of Sept and Oct. I didn't read anywhere that you couldn't make a reservation?

I just checked their website and it seems that you can now make reservations in Sept. & Oct... it's been a couple years since we've stayed there so they must have changed their policy.

rebellious78 · 07-15-2013, 03:50 AM

We have stayed at Greenbrier State park near Hagerstown. It is a nice park. We always camp in the pet section. This state park gets overlooked by most. Last fall we stayed in the back loop ( no hook-ups) and we were the only ones in that section.

underdog · 09-02-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebellious78

We have stayed at Greenbrier State park near Hagerstown. It is a nice park. We always camp in the pet section. This state park gets overlooked by most. Last fall we stayed in the back loop ( no hook-ups) and we were the only ones in that section.

Time to make a decission and Greenbrier looks really nice. I think the back site (Dogwood) looks good to us also. There are reservations in the electric section but Dogwood is empty so far. Won't need the AC in Oct anyway. On the site they show "Comfort Stations" I assume there are showers?? Thanks.

Ray and Lynn from PA · 09-06-2013, 07:00 AM

We always go to Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park in October for the leaves and the views. Its about an hour from Shenandoah River State park and Luray Caverns is on the way. If you haven't been to the caverns before its really worth seeing. We are planning on going to the Shenandoah River M & G on Saturday as a day trip from Big Meadows.

bunjin · 09-06-2013, 11:19 AM

My son and family just came back from Luray Caverns and the Skyline Drive. Had nothing but very good things to say about the caverns and the area.