where are the closest mountains (Virginia Beach, Newport News: rent, camping, cabin)

[Cole-B]

Can anyone tell me how far away are the mountains from Virginia Beach. I like to camp, and often go to First Landing, but sometimes I just want to be in the real woods.

[Erma]

4 hours away in the Shenandoahs..it's awesome. I used to take a week and go trout fishing 14 miles this side of west virginia. There's a nice state park there called Douthat. Streams, lake, nice paths to hike. You can either tent, rv or rent a cabin.

[EMERALDGIRL]

Blue Ridge Mountains....about 4 hrs. away. The Shenandoah National Park has some great camping and hiking as well as the George Washington National Forest. Skyline Drive is beautiful in the Fall.

[upthecreekgotapaddle]

Douthat is absolutely beautiful but can get very crowded because of the lake. It's usually at capacity throughout the summer. If you do go there, be sure to check out nearby Hot Springs.

Ditto with Shenandoah; absolutely gorgeous, but if you want the woods and a private campsite, you're not going to get it there. If crowds of people are your thing, then have at it. Even in the fall, Shenandoah is ridiculous due to the leaf-peepers.

How far are you willing to drive? If you don't mind taking the trek to WV, I know a great little place, but it's more than a weekend's drive; you typically wouldn't want to go just for a quick weekend.

Believe it or not, some of Newport News Park's campsites are somewhat secluded, and you definitely have the trees all around you. Now if you can block out the I-64 noise, it's quite nice.

Further out and definitely more secluded is Blue Cat on the New in Draper, VA, about 5 hours away.

Try searching for private campgrounds that only accept tents (no campers) and you'll usually get a bit more solitude too.

[Erma]

The place where we keep our rv allows no motorcycles. This is a plus, because from 11p to 6a, it's so quiet, you can hear the frogs croak! I normally made my plans at Douthat 3 months ahead of time, that way I got the lakeside lot.

[Shoobie]

Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge mountains... The Shenandoah River... Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home... to the place, I belong... West Virginia, mountain momma. Take me home, country roads.

Sorry, I had to. XD

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Shoobie

Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge mountains... The Shenandoah River... Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home... to the place, I belong... West Virginia, mountain momma. Take me home, country roads.

Sorry, I had to. XD

Ahhh but how true that song is.

[sleeptodream138]

I second what everyone has said. Blue Ridge and Shenandoah are beautiful! I presume they are the closest mountains...?

[Erma]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream138

I second what everyone has said. Blue Ridge and Shenandoah are beautiful! I presume they are the closest mountains...?

Yes, they are and how beautiful! A friend of mine holds a "hunt" each year. She is a renouned author of the "sneaky pie mysteries" and a master with her beagels. It's pretty cool and we enjoy the area.

[wjjbward]

How about the Ashville, NC area? Does anyone go out there? How long/far is it?