Virginia primitive campsites

[bullitt]

I am looking for a roughing it or primitive wooded Virginia campsite experience for myself and my four sons. As I have been looking around at the ones that come up on internet searches they either restrict campfires or shooting. I am looking for a camping experience either on private or State or National park land where we can obtain water from a natural source, be able to do some target shooting with handguns or rifle, pitch tents, build a fire, stay for at lest two days and then leave the area as we found it. Looking for suggestions or offers. Any information or directions would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I am an experienced camper/survivalist but my boys need/want some instruction, experience, and bonding with dear ol dad.

[SHMIV]

I can't really help, but were you looking for something in a particular region, or just anywhere in VA that happens to be wooded with a creek running through it?

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[Jakeiscrazy]

There was a place off the Blue Ridge Parkway that was road accessible and nothing but a cleared area or two for camping. My dad camped there a few years back I'll ask him if he remembers. I remember he thought it was way to rough for him with the lack of water and a "popper camp site" but for you it would be perfect(not sure about the shooting).

Also there is the trail for Saint Mary's Falls, it's about a 3 mile hike and you can go off the trail for a camp site and when I camped we had a fire. Shooting there might be a little iffy as the trail has daily visitors they might take issue. You could stick to sub sonic .22s. An the swimming is pretty fun!

Check out this whole site, fun kinda hinden places around VA. http://www.swimmingholes.org/va.html

[Jakeiscrazy]

This is worth reading too, http://www.city-data.com/forum/virginia ... sites.html

[Snakester]

Try "The Cove" in Gore....West of Winchester...Very Primitive and Private Camping, Campfires, Shooting Range, A couple of Lakes and not many rules at all ! Everybody needs to try The Cove at least once.

[bullitt]

Thanks for the replies.
SHMIV: pretty much yes + shooting OK
Jakeiscrazy: Shooting much be approved up front no if's. thanks for the link. already read it and all limit fires and shooting.
Snakester: like the handle, you into herps? I'm looking into the cove as the one with the most promise. Thanks!
I still think the best thing would be some ones private acreage that would allow us to camp there. Yeah, I know... but I can wish can't I?

[SHMIV]

Well, Bullitt... if I had the land...

I realize that shooting is a big part of what you are trying to do, but it occurs to me that you can get all of what you want, minus the shooting, by hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I did that with my father, back in the 90's. I would suggest that you not scrap the whole idea on account of not finding a place to shoot.

The most important part is bonding with your kids.

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[bullitt]

My 4 sons all are in need of gun safety and handling training. When I was raising them I wasn't a gun owner, wasn't opposed, just didn't own any so they all grew up not being around them. This is not where I want them to be concerning guns. They all want to learn and I want to be the one to teach them starting off. This is very important to me so I have been wanting to include this along with a camp out bonding trip to make it even more eventful and interesting.

[SHMIV]

Understood. I wasn't suggesting that you give up the shooting aspect. I was merely saying that you may not want to pass up some good camping because you can't shoot there, that's all.

It might be worthwhile to post an ad on Craigslist; someone in Gloucester (who probably looks at the Norfolk CL, and maybe the Richmond CL) might have some property that they'd welcome you to.

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[Palladin]

How old are your boys?

[bullitt]

My boys are 31, 28, 24, & 23 years old. I have gotten back into camping and shooting over the last 5 years with a group. My boys have only recently shown an interest and asking about both. I have been waiting for them to come around all the while gently prodding. They are now planning and buying equipment.

[Swampman]

Bullit, can ya really call them 'boys' anymore? I know, I still call my daughters 'my girls', but at 23 and 21 they really aren't. It is definitely a parent thing!

I don't know of any areas, but I do have a question. You asked Snakester if he was into herps. Most people probably would wonder what you are talking about. I am a natural resources biologist and am interested in herps. Don't really know enough yet to be more than a little dangerous, but definitely into learning more. Just sayin.

Good luck with your search and if I hear of anything I'll post it. I am intrigued by the place in Gore, as I live just about 25 south of Winchester. May have to check it out.

[Snakester]

Nope, Not into Herps...I was in a "Cobra" Club . The 1965 Shelby type. Had to have a handle and "Snakester" is what everybody came up with.

[HarrisonGust]

I'm into Herps! I have enough land and friends with land that I don't go to campsites to field herp. Are you part of the VHS?

[bullitt]

Swampman, my Boys, my girls, same thing. Thanks. I have been into herpetology since about 5. Had habed oh many a rep/exotic over the years and I worked at Busch Gardens (birds, exotics, insects, wildlife,reps,) as an animal ambassador where the supervisor stated I had 10 times the knowledge tand to the usual zoology college grads they hire for the positions. Almost let the Wallaby escape once!, but that's another story. Snakes are a natural wonder all their own. Keeping anything?

Harrison Guest: please expand: Reps? Interest in herpetology? Field collecting? Land? Offering to use for camping?
Yes, I am VA Herp Society.
Let me say that I'd love to have you join us on our planned "roughing it" camp out. My "mens" are all into herps. (they couldn't help but to!, being raised around them as much as they were) In the back of my mind our venture I'm sure would also include wildlife conservation and fielding but not a priority, but still would like your input. Even if we can't camp I'd like to get up with you for fielding sometime.
Thanks please let me know more.

[HarrisonGust]

Yes I'm into reptiles. My friend works for the Parks Authority so we go field herping quite a bit. I'm pretty sure that my neighborhood association would not like people shooting! Lol

[HarrisonGust]

And I keep several species of snakes. Ball pythons, corns, black rats, western hogs

[bullitt]

Nice! Where are you field herping? need any company?

[HarrisonGust]

It's usually around hemlock, but there are a few areas that I can't remember. The next time we go I can put it on here. Do you keep anything?

[Palladin]

OMG! Herp derps!