PA MD VA WV maybe DE RV camping options? What's your favorite?

[vulcanbill]

I'm looking for some campgrounds within a couple hours of mid MD.  As much as I appreciate the tiny remote tent sites of days gone by, well, those days have gone by and we're doing things a little differently now.  Truck pulling a 31 foot camper.  So we need some space and since it sits pretty low, I need relatively level.  We abhore most RV parks and probably most family oriented (amusement park style) campgrounds or any place that packs em in so tight you can smell your neighbors.  We prefer dispersed camping but that's rare around these parts so we tend to default to State Parks, many of which are very nice.  There are also some hidden gems in State Forests, BLM lands and the occasional county or regional park.  We like 'lectric but have a little Honda 2000 so it's not required.  We can do completely self sustaining as long as generators and dogs are not forbidden.  Bonus Points for open year round.  

So tell me about campgrounds in this tri-ish state area that you've encountered that you like which will accomodate a pretty good size rig.  Where is it and what's the draw?  If you have a hidden gem that you don't want to disclose, you can email me at vulcanbill at gmail  

Known:
Rocky Gap SP in Flinstone, MD (Cumberland)
Martinak SP over the bridge on the east side somewhere MD
Blackwater and Canaan Valley SPs in WV
Big Meadows in Shanendoah NP on Skyline VA

there are more but I'd have to research...

Thanks.

[Mastros2]

 

I'm interested as well.

[02Tac]

Never camped here, but I have checked it out and saw some good sized rigs parked in the camp.

http://www.destateparks.com/camping/killens-pond/index.asp

[mjrfd99]

Camped at Canaan SP WV  nice seperated sites. Some small for a big rig but some fit my 30 ft fine.

[Cablebandit]

Too many parks, including state parks, now cater to the "gotta bring the house on wheels" crowd.  It's really ruined family camping.

[vulcanbill]

Camped at Canaan SP WV  nice seperated sites. Some small for a big rig but some fit my 30 ft fine.

Just there last week.  Pretty nice.  Nice warm bathhouse in freezing temps.  We chose a smaller site that was more level over a longer site that required leveling both ways.  It was dark and we were tired.  But since we were the ONLY ones there the entire time, it mattered little.

Eerie feeling when looking at the light glow from the ski/tube area at night.  Like they've landed and are harvesting.  

[Skee]

Too many parks, including state parks, now cater to the "gotta bring the house on wheels" crowd.  

Parks cater to the traffic.  Just sayin don't blame Parks Administration - they're great folks.  

As for the person driving the Class A towin a pickup with bass boat in the bed and the grill on the hitch who had to get a special permit to drive certain sections of Rt 50 (so this is beginning to sound like someone I know), they might have had a lot more to do with the changes in family camping.  Makes it uncomfortable to go out now & just be plain and simple.   Not that I like camping; I never said anything like that.

[mjrfd99]

Parks cater to the traffic.  Just sayin don't blame Parks Administration - they're great folks.  

As for the person driving the Class A towin a pickup with bass boat in the bed and the grill on the hitch who had to get a special permit to drive certain sections of Rt 50 (so this is beginning to sound like someone I know), they might have had a lot more to do with the changes in family camping.  Makes it uncomfortable to go out now & just be plain and simple.   Not that I like camping; I never said anything like that.

 With 2 kids, dog, wife,and 2 M/C's the toyhauler is our way to travel together while keeping everyone happy. But your way is better for all

[vulcanbill]

Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area has been tested and approved.  Several electric sites and several big enough to easily fit our set up.  Though navigation was not for the uninitiated, the space was plenty big.  There is an aviary that has quite a few birds (hawks and owls)  that we were able to check out.  There are trails that link back to the main part of the park on 77 and the falls themselves.  We were the only ones in the campground (duh) and the solitude was nice.  Proximity to 15 leaves a bit to be desired but its flat and not near any significant crossroads so it's mostly just regular traffic sounds (tire noise) as opposed to jake brakes or trucks pulling hills or people accelerating from a stop.  

The campground has a paved loop with gravel crossroads.  There is a bit of elevation in the loop but it's totally manageable.  

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/manormap.asp

The water was still on which was nice as we forgot to fill up our 6 gallon before we left.  We're using the camper but not the freshwater as I've already blown out the lines and put goo in the drains.  So we just keep some water beside the sink for washing hands and dishes and empty the black / gray like we always do.  

Price was 17.50 for an electric site for winter.  I think summer prices might be higher than I'll be willing to pay since it's so close.  

Took the cat for the first time.  He actually did great.

[Bravo12]

Comedian Jim Gaffigan on using an RV when camping: "Isn't that cheating? 'That's what I forgot: my HOUSE!'"  

[vulcanbill]

Comedian Jim Gaffigan on using an RV when camping: "Isn't that cheating? 'That's what I forgot: my HOUSE!'"  

Maybe if you haven't earned it, it could be considered cheating.

First of all, I was in the Army attached to a light infantry division.  I'd be happy to discuss hardcore "camping" any time.  

After that, we spent plenty of time in a cheapo WalMart tent.  Then got a nicer tent for some Western Nat'l Park camping.  Then we got a really nice backpacking tent and other gear and hiked into the Grand Canyon where we spent 2 nights at the bottom then hiked back out, hiked into the middle of nowhere in Capitol Reef National Park near slot canyons and camped there, then we did the Zion NP Virgin River Narrows and camped 1/2 way through that.  All of these were done while carrying a 45-50 lb pack and covering 8-12 pretty tough miles each day, some involving significant elevation changes.  We've done motorcycle camping, family camping and about every other type of tent camping there is, sometimes in extreme(ish) weather conditions.

So, when I roll up with my trailer behind me and see the tent dwellers giving me dirty looks, I just smile.  If you think having to get up in the middle of the night, get dressed, wake everyone up, make dogs bark, get rained on, and slog up to the bathhouse just to take a dump makes you a more genuine camper than I am, well you knock yourself out.  I'll be sitting on my sofa having a hot cup of tea before turning in for the night on my queen size 8" memory foam mattress w/ 800 threadcount Egyptian cotton sheets and a down comforter...with the heat set on 60.  

You can call that whatever you want to call it.  

I love Jim Gaffigan...  hot pocket

[scraperman1]

Hey vulcanbill,

       Thanks for your service!    I spent 6 years in the Combat Engineers in the Army and that was sleeping in the back of pickup trucks or dump trucks that had covers on them. It was STILL better than sleeping in a tent on the ground. When we did have to do that I slept in a cot. All you need is one good downpour and your "drainage ditch" that you dug gets overwhelmed by the flood and gets your sleeping bag wet to convince you that when you get a choice you're not doing "this" again. My son, now 5 years old, wants to go camping, so I might have to reform my ways.    But if I had my drothers, I'd camp in a trailer or RV any day of the week. A friend of mine said it best, "roughing it" means no cable TV.    Have a good week all,

[Bravo12]

Honestly, if I could afford it, I'd never camp on trips. The only reason I do it is to be able to afford more time on the road. If packing the gear and camping a few nights means the difference between one week on the road or two, well then I'll sleep outdoors for a few nights (weather permitting). I'll still spring for the hotel room when it's freezing cold and/or raining. No need to be TOTALLY miserable to save a few bucks. This stuff's supposed to be FUN, right?

[nevinfs327]

You should check out Holly Springs State Park in WV when you've got some time - beautiful park about 40 miles south of Buckhannon.  Spread out campsites along a creek in a valley in a very rural area.  WV20, as you likely know, is an excellent riding road.  I don't know much about campers but I don't think it'd be too tight, though it might be a little slow going over the hills.  

I like tent camping, but won't tell you what to like    

[vulcanbill]

You should check out Holly Springs State Park in WV when you've got some time - beautiful park about 40 miles south of Buckhannon.  Spread out campsites along a creek in a valley in a very rural area.  WV20, as you likely know, is an excellent riding road.  I don't know much about campers but I don't think it'd be too tight, though it might be a little slow going over the hills.  

I like tent camping, but won't tell you what to like    

Holly River State Park maybe?  I love WV state parks.  I'm checking it out now.  The hills aren't a problem.  Just the really tight turns and big dips in the road.  Hills just equate to fuel.  How much gas do you want to use?  

[nevinfs327]

Holly River State Park maybe?  I love WV state parks.  I'm checking it out now.  The hills aren't a problem.  Just the really tight turns and big dips in the road.  Hills just equate to fuel.  How much gas do you want to use?  

Yeah - Holly River.  I was going from memory.  Sorry about that.  20 is pretty twisty, but nothing like say 16 further south.  There are a couple of first gear turns.  Can't recall dips, but the biggest thing I've taken on that road was a Honda Superhawk.