Easy VA Trail / Camping Recommendation?

Jeffncs

Jeffncs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Location
Wake Forest
Here’s the background before I get into my “ask”…

BILs and FIL all have stock Jeeps; 2 are brand new; 1 is a bone stock CJ7. All want little to no risk of damage, but want to shift into 4wd for a guys’ weekend of dirt roads, bourbon, camping, campfires, etc.

I’m seeking opinions for where to take them in southern or central VA. I’m looking at the following and am open to other ideas. Trying to keep it to <6hrs from Wake Forest since I’m trailering.

New Castle, VA
- Nimrod Road
- Potts Mountain Road
- Sweet Springs Turnpike

Harrisonburg, VA (little far for me)
- Skidmore Fork/Dunkle Hollow

Any experience with these trails? Any that you’d strongly recommend beyond those?

Again - no rock gardens, off-camber stuff, deep mud. Just simple 4wd roads. This is a group of guys that wants an excuse to take their jeeps into the woods for a little dirt in their tires…

Thanks for the info!
 
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The Carolina Trailblazers will be riding Potts Mtn in June. It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but as I remember, There were bypasses around the tough stuff, but still some tight areas and possibilities of scratches and dings.
 
VortecJeep said:
The Carolina Trailblazers will be riding Potts Mtn in June. It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but as I remember, There were bypasses around the tough stuff, but still some tight areas and possibilities of scratches and dings.
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If they're just going up to the field to camp, they should be fine. There are a couple of spots south of there where they probably wouldn't want to take a brand new JL.
 
shawn said:
If they're just going up to the field to camp, they should be fine. There are a couple of spots south of there where they probably wouldn't want to take a brand new JL.
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This

enter backwards and stop at the field, camp, turn around and head back down. Then you've got all the scenic roads on the adjacent ridge they could chew up miles on for the next day
 
Thanks for the responses so far. I’d love a medium (4-6) trail but these guys are strictly 1-2 level drivers.

I’m thinking along the lines of a rutted or bumpy forest road with maybe a few mud puddles for “evidence” of their adventures after they get home.

Dirt road in
Camp, campfire, bourbon and BS
Dirt road out
 
Jeffncs said:
Thanks for the responses so far. I’d love a medium (4-6) trail but these guys are strictly 1-2 level drivers.

I’m thinking along the lines of a rutted or bumpy forest road with maybe a few mud puddles for “evidence” of their adventures after they get home.

Dirt road in
Camp, campfire, bourbon and BS
Dirt road out
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www.google.com

The Pines Campground to Covington

www.google.com www.google.com
 
Caver Dave said:
While the camp sites are OK, better go to the very back! The Neanderthal/toothless/"Jabba the Hut" lookalikes wearing the road out back & forth to the bathhouse on a pitbike with no muffler grated on my last nerves!
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Could always go to Indian Creek or Shanklin's Ferry instead. Or boondock on the west side across from Shanklin's Ferry.
 
People talk about flagpole knob trail and bald mountain pretty frequently. Pretty sure you can camp locally. Give it a search on Facebook or whatnot. It’s stock 4wd friendly.
 
shawn said:
Could always go to Indian Creek or Shanklin's Ferry instead. Or boondock on the west side across from Shanklin's Ferry.
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Another idea: take the paved road up to Mt Lake, continue onto the forest road that takes you out to Stoney Creek and White Rocks Campground, then hang a right and continue up to Paint Bank. From there you can ride the gravel part of Pott's south of 311, or take dirt roads from Paint Bank across the ridge and back down to The Pines Campground, or take the north terminus of Pott's up to the field on top of the ridge like we talked about earlier.
 
Here’s what I’m thinking and will recommend to the guys…

Skidmore Fork / Dunkle Hollow to the camping area. Come down Flagpole.

I’m going to suggest another run later in the afternoon to one of the guys running a more capable rig, possibly camping out a second night. If anyone from the first trip wants to join, open offer. I’m all about having fun with the guys, but I’m hauling my Jeep 200 miles and want to enjoy the time up there as much as I can!
 
In New Castle, You can hit up Broad Run Rd. It's a gravel road with 2-3 creek crossings and some very mild rock sections. It's off of 311 heading into New Castle.

Fun little road for those who have mostly stock vehicles.
 
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