Mid-south camping in October

[sande005]

Looking for suggestions - we return from the Philadelphia area to Minneapolis in late Oct. Plan to swing slightly south to Harper's Ferry the first night. But then looking for suggestions for routes/places to see on the way home. Nothing too big deal, but perhaps worth an extra night stop over here or there. Primarily "outdoors" rather than bigger city touring. Commercial CG's OK. No kids. Will have the bikes with, so paved bike trails would be of interest. Pretty/scenic would be the watchwords. Thinking about the Bourbon Trail, if the distilleries can accommodate trailer parking. Any other ideas?

[Wicked ace]

Looking for suggestions - we return from the Philadelphia area to Minneapolis in late Oct. Plan to swing slightly south to Harper's Ferry the first night. But then looking for suggestions for routes/places to see on the way home. Nothing too big deal, but perhaps worth an extra night stop over here or there. Primarily "outdoors" rather than bigger city touring. Commercial CG's OK. No kids. Will have the bikes with, so paved bike trails would be of interest. Pretty/scenic would be the watchwords. Thinking about the Bourbon Trail, if the distilleries can accommodate trailer parking. Any other ideas?

If you want to take a trip a little south down Rt81, west of it between Harrisonburg and Staunton is Natural Chimneys Park. This is Augusta County park in the Shenandoah Valley foothills and farmland yet ajoins the Monongahela Forest. The chimneys, actually rock formations are pretty cool in themselves. You would need to check dates as they close the campground November 1. Anytime I travel 81 I use this campground as a layover.
https://www.co.augusta.va.us/governm...imneys/camping

[sande005]

Thanks for the idea - I'll look it up.

FYI - my great grandfather was locally famous (Penn/W. Va.) for distilling "Old Monongahela". Used to have a bottle around - long ago the contents had dried up.

[WhittleBurner]

Whet ever you do, decide and reserve ASAP. 4 years ago we had the silly notion to take a trip in those areas and started out with no reservations . 1st stop was to be at Shenandoah Valley State Park. We arrived with no reservation (this was mid to late Oct) they smiled and politely told us there are no openings. No place in the area had openings, no private, state or Federal . Needless to say we got on line and reserved the rest of the places we wanted to stop at, which did require some modification due to site availability. If you want State parks in VA we learned they reserve 100% of their sites with nothing left for transient people.

There are even more in RVs on the road now so highly reccomend you reserve if you want to stop and stay in a CG.

[McDugals]

If you come back via 90, the Lake Erie Islands are a great stop. Several CG in the area. We have stayed at East Harbor State Park & Crystal Lake Campground. If you do choose Crystal Lake, try to get a FHU site in the back. I remember the tough turn to get to the dump station and I was probalbly 5' shorter than we are now. You can take your bikes on a ferry (Miller's to Put-in-Bay or Kelly's Island Ferry to, well, Kelly's Island). PIB has more history, Kelly's a little more laid back, but in October I wouldn't expect either to be crowded at all. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also beautiful in the fall. The Towpath Trail is awesome with your bikes and you will cross that via 90 or 70. Good Luck and safe travels.