Skyline Drive in April

[Taranwanderer]

Looking to usher spring in a little early, Krawler and I are thinking of a Skyline Drive VA camp/bike trip in April. Anyone have recommendations on a nice CG/RV park? The idea is to ride north from camp on SD one day, back to camp, then south the next day. Krawler mentioned Heavenly Acres and Jellystone--anyone familiar? All ideas are appreciated, thanks!

[Homebrew]

Outlanders River camp, all site are full hook ups.
Outlanders River Camp
4253 US HWY 211 W
Luray, Va. 22835
540-743-5540
Outlandersrivercamp.com



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[Homebrew]

We took the bikes from the main entrance of the National park south to the end. Then we came back on the main highway to save time. It was a great ride. We plan on doing it again in late July.
I see your from Bear Creek , I grew up in Lake Harmony.


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[KyDan]

We love Loft Mountain CG but it's got no hook ups.
If you get a West side site the views at sunset can be spectacular.
There is a camp store with pay showers that are decent.
I know some folks demand hookups but we bought our trailer to
be "self contained" every once in a while and this CG has great views, sites not on top of each other and central location in Shenandoah NP.
Water is available to tank up on the way in and there are spigots every
so often in the CG but not at your site.
Also a wayside shop/cafe just down the hill from the CG but you'd need to
check their hours of operation this time of year.

Don't know about weather and biking in April tho.....

[ferguson65]

We stayed at Misty mountain camp resort in Greenwood, VA back in September. It's right off I64 near Rockfish Gap, which is the south end of Skyline drive and the north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great location to explore one, the other or a little bit of both as we did. Ask for a site on the lower level, the ones up in the woods look a little tricky to get into. The sites aren't very big, the nighbors sewer hookup was a bit close for my liking. People were friendly and bathouses were clean. There is so much to do in the area we only used it as a place to park the trailer anyway, a great home base location not so much to hang out at the trailer though.

If you're in shape, go down the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 6 and do the hike to Humpback Rocks. Its a grueling hike, almost 900 feet vertical gain in under a mile, but the view is worth it. Trekking poles recommended.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by ferguson65

We stayed at Misty mountain camp resort in Greenwood, VA back in September. It's right off I64 near Rockfish Gap, which is the south end of Skyline drive and the north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great location to explore one, the other or a little bit of both as we did. Ask for a site on the lower level, the ones up in the woods look a little tricky to get into. The sites aren't very big, the nighbors sewer hookup was a bit close for my liking. People were friendly and bathouses were clean. There is so much to do in the area we only used it as a place to park the trailer anyway, a great home base location not so much to hang out at the trailer though.

If you're in shape, go down the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 6 and do the hike to Humpback Rocks. Its a grueling hike, almost 900 feet vertical gain in under a mile, but the view is worth it. Trekking poles recommended.

This is a great suggestion. Misty Mountain is a nice, but fairly rustic campground. We really enjoyed our stay there -- we even bought the t-shirt! Most of the sites at the bottom of the hill aren't full hookups, but all of the sites at the top are. If you don't need full hookups, you can get a site right beside the small creek. It really is a nice place with endless options for hiking at and near the campground.

Also, if you're worried about getting into a site, don't. An employee will escort you to your site and guide you in. They know exactly how to stage your rig for a simple backup into your site. They even offered to do it for me, but I declined. I'm not sure if that's a normal thing, though.

Bruce

[ferguson65]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Also, if you're worried about getting into a site, don't. An employee will escort you to your site and guide you in. They know exactly how to stage your rig for a simple backup into your site. They even offered to do it for me, but I declined. I'm not sure if that's a normal thing, though.

Bruce

I made it very clear to them that I wanted an easy in/ out site when I made the reservation after reading some reviews. We were in one of the "V" sites with nothing on the other side of the road other than a big field. Piece of cake. Depending on overall length, the upper sites are nice. But I'm 58' and don't think it would be much fun.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Looking to usher spring in a little early, Krawler and I are thinking of a Skyline Drive VA camp/bike trip in April. Anyone have recommendations on a nice CG/RV park? The idea is to ride north from camp on SD one day, back to camp, then south the next day. Krawler mentioned Heavenly Acres and Jellystone--anyone familiar? All ideas are appreciated, thanks!

Just me, but I would recommend mid May early June. April can be a little rainy and chilly. We like Big Meadows Campground a Federal Park with no hook ups. They have utility area where you can fill up with fresh water and a dump station. Big Meadows Lodge with a restaurant, tap room and cabins. They also have a Wayside with a camp store,gift shop snack bar plus a nice visitors center.

The campground has some big pull through campsites loops E F G H etc. Hot showers and clean restrooms as well.

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/ma...64066&contract.
FYI

LOcated at the 51 mi marker on the drive

[RVBikers]

I like the way you think TW! We have a membership @ Gettysburg Battlefield Resort & are hoping to do a run of the beginning of the Skyline Drive.

[grayfox]

If you know any one interested in a membership at GBR I have one for sale.

It's a minimum membership.

[Krawler]

Originally Posted by RVBikers

I like the way you think TW! We have a membership @ Gettysburg Battlefield Resort & are hoping to do a run of the beginning of the Skyline Drive.

Ever stayed at SteelSteeds Motorcycle Campground in Lewisburg? Nice campground designed for motorcycle people with many nice rides in the area.

Best one so far was down 35 to Mconellsburg!!! Lower section is 1 1/2 hrs with no stop signs or lights?


Jim

[davel1971]

Jellystone is Luray is a wonderful place. We go at least once a year. Only about 3 miles from Skyline drive. Right at base of mountain.

[rattleNsmoke]

We've stayed at the Staunton KOA right off I-81. Nice place and an easy trek to the BRP.

[BuickGS]

We stayed at Jellystone in Luray approx 5 years ago. It's a nice family campground, very clean, and very close to the middle of Skyline Drive. However, per their website: "Campers may arrive on a motorcycle, but are not permitted to ride the vehicle around the park". I seem to remember seeing motorcycle parking near the entrance, but then you'd have to walk up to your campsite, which could be a haul. Never saw a motorcycle in the campsite areas. May want to scratch that one off your list or call them to confirm before you book.

[Homebrew]

Outlanders has a motorcycle shop up the road from the campground , all are welcome. They do have some dog rules you need to check if you have a dog.


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[Krawler]

Originally Posted by BuickGS

We stayed at Jellystone in Luray approx 5 years ago. It's a nice family campground, very clean, and very close to the middle of Skyline Drive. However, per their website: "Campers may arrive on a motorcycle, but are not permitted to ride the vehicle around the park". I seem to remember seeing motorcycle parking near the entrance, but then you'd have to walk up to your campsite, which could be a haul. Never saw a motorcycle in the campsite areas. May want to scratch that one off your list or call them to confirm before you book.

Yeah.......that's not happening . Thanks for letting us know.


Jim

[Taranwanderer]

Yep--what he said. If my bike's not welcome in the CG, then neither am I. Same goes for my dog, for that matter...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I hear everyone's concern about the weather, but we're usually riding in April in PA, so I can't believe it would be colder in VA...

[RVBikers]

Originally Posted by Krawler

Ever stayed at SteelSteeds Motorcycle Campground in Lewisburg? Nice campground designed for motorcycle people with many nice rides in the area.

Best one so far was down 35 to Mconellsburg!!! Lower section is 1 1/2 hrs with no stop signs or lights?


Jim

No, we have never stayed there yet. Rode up there and rode through to check it out though. We talked a hour a group trip there sometime.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Yep--what he said. If my bike's not welcome in the CG, then neither am I. Same goes for my dog, for that matter...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I hear everyone's concern about the weather, but we're usually riding in April in PA, so I can't believe it would be colder in VA...

Just an additional comment. Be prepared encase you encounter cool damp weather. You have some elevations in the 2000' to 3000' range. There can be a big change in Temps from Front Royal to say, Big Meadows located around mile marker 51 and at about 2500 feet or so.

Where are you located in PA. I'm in Bedford County, just curious.

[RVBikers]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Yep--what he said. If my bike's not welcome in the CG, then neither am I. Same goes for my dog, for that matter...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I hear everyone's concern about the weather, but we're usually riding in April in PA, so I can't believe it would be colder in VA...

The elevation is what can lead to bad weather. We've been in the Smoky Mts in April, it was Easter a few years ago actually, and they had to close the roads up the mountain because of a snow storm that brought 3 or 4 inches in a few hours. Two days before we were in t-shirts.