Low key intro - best campgrounds?

[Anonymous]

Hi! I used to backpack all the time back home but haven't been for years. I'd like to introduce my 2 young girls to camping over a few weekends this summer but I don't want it to be too wrenching for them (or mommy!) I am talking tent car camping though, not hike-in or 'rustic cabin.' What campgrounds near DC (within 4 hours?) have you tried and loved? Hoping for places with some scenic beauty or waterfall, lake, beach to make up for having to wash dishes in cold water in a dishpan on a picnic table.

[Anonymous]

No suggestions since we are new to the area ourselves...but eager to hear what others recommend since we enjoy camping with our kids. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can get started!

[Anonymous]

Cunningham Falls state park has both a lake and an easy hike to waterfalls.

When we want to ease into camping we went to Shenandoah-- there are some nice hikes but most (not all) of them tend to be downhill to start and then uphill on the way back...

[Anonymous]

THE place to go is absolutely Shenandoah National park. And my favorite campground in the park is Big Meadow. You can reserve spots online at recreation.gov

I have not ventured to Seneca Rocks or anything across the WV line, but believe me, nothing within 4 hours compares to Shenandoah.

As for the summertime, however, you might want to do a camping/water thing. I think there is a VA state park called James River where your campsite is on the River Bank (you canoe to it). And you can canoe all day.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to add that I've heard about camping at Lake Anna I think it's called in VA during the summer. I think that's really popular. I only do Shenandoah in the spring or fall.

[Anonymous]

Isn't Big Meadows a lot of RVs? Lewis Mtn is a small campground down the road from Skyland (was originally the segregated campground for African-Americans)-- has tent sites and also "rustic cabins". Loft Mountain has some nice tent sites, but it's a little further south.

[Anonymous]

At Assateague, you can camp with the wild horses. there are two campgrounds - one is the national park, one is the MD state park. the MD state park has bathrooms w/ hot water. the horses literally walk through the campsites and you're just a sand dune away from the ocean. It's frightening and beautiful at the same time. Like no other camping experience.

Cape Henlopen is another beach camping place near-ish to Rehoboth Beach. Small sites, sort of a hike to the beach, but it's still on sand, and you have functional bathrooms nearby.

Both are around 3-4 hours away.

Cunningham Falls is definitely one that gets mentioned a lot. Near that is Greenbriar State Park, which has campgrounds in a forested area, walking distance to a nice lake with a swim area and "beach."

[Anonymous]

Any big differences between Maryland and Virginia state parks/camping?

[Anonymous]

For first get the kinks out, how about Burke Lake Parke or Lake Fairfax?

[Anonymous]

Hopefully, budget cutting won't have too big of an impact on the parks/campgrounds....

[Anonymous]

Second PPs rec on James River State park. Actually, the VA State park system is very good so you're likely to find good options there.

Dolly Sods in WV is beautiful- that's another option.

CA very close option is Elizabeth Furnace, near Front Royal. We like that one...not too crowded and overrun with RVs (our main requirement in camping).

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I really like Elizabeth Furnace, even small kids can play in the stream that flows by the campground.
Some people love Assateague but we really didn't like it -- the ponies almost took out my then 2-year old and there was no escape from the wind and sun.
James River is really beautiful and remote. We have camped there many times but the river is big and powerful and there are snakes that do not look like your average garden snake. Also, your child is supposed to be 6 to be in a canoe on the river.
We also like Rocky Gap State Park in Western MD. There is a nice beach area for the kids but I wouldn't go there with pre-teens on up.
We camp a lot and our kids love it, even as teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Gambrill or Greenbrier state park in MD are both nice.

[Anonymous]

Pohick Bay in the summer months.

While it's not super scenic, it does have a very nice playground and field for the kids plus a water park/pool. Don't underestimate the need for kids to have something to do. Young kids are not simply going to find something to do in the woods in which you will not have to worry or chase after them.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of campgrounds that have evening programs with camp rangers?