Trail recommendations BSA scouting trip in April?

We're planning a combined backpacking/car camping trip in April. The idea is to do one trip that allows the older scouts (ages 14 - 17) to go backpacking and the younger scouts (ages 12 - 13) to do a couple of day-hikes from basecamp. Can anyone recommend locations that would be able to accommodate both groups? Somewhere with a large group campsite for basecamp, a couple of moderate day-hikes for the younger scouts, and a moderately difficult loop backpacking hike for older scouts would be ideal. Your recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks!

ETA: Due to travel constraints, we're most interested in hiking the Blue Ridge between Natural Bridge and Front Royal.

in VIRGINIA_HIKINGby Far-Perspective-4889

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4mo

imref

4mo

How about Goshen SR? https://www.gotogoshen.org/information/off-season-camping/

rednecktuba1

4mo

If you can go a little further south from natural bridge, there is a fantastic trail system attached to the AT near Arcadia in Botetourt County. You can park at the end of Forest Road 59, or at the nearby North Creek Campground(no electricity). The younger kids can hike up to Apple Orchard Falls(2miles), up to the AT on Cornelius Creek Trail(3.5miles). For the older kids, they can hike up to the Thunder Hill Shelter north of Apple Orchard Mountain(on the AT). As a normal reminder to the older kids, remember that other folks may be using the shelter, but there is plenty of room for tent camping around the shelter. There is a decent water source at the shelter, though it usually goes dry by late summer.

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

Great ideas! Yeah that’s definitely close enough to our range. I think our biggest challenge will be finding a large enough group site for Basecamp. Ideally we’ll be able to set up a Basecamp and hike from there since we’ll be splitting our adult leadership and transportation can get tricky.

rednecktuba1

4mo

There are several spots along the Apple Orchard Falls Trail less than 1/2 mile from the end of FS Road 59 that could easily serve a larger group camp. Ive camped along North Creek just off that trail in groups as large as 2 dozen. For the more adventurous, there are some nice large spot above Apple Falls along the trail that could easily accommodate around 12 people.

sventhepaddler

4mo

How many nights?

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

good question, most likely two nights total. we would all camp together at a base camp on Friday night. The second night would be backpack camping for the older scouts and staying at Basecamp for the younger scouts.

sretep66

4mo

Our troop stayed at a campground right off of route US 29 in Madison.

Younger scouts hiked Old Rag as an all day hike (9 mile loop), then we drove them back to the campground for car camping. Campground had an area for tents, and a bathroom and shower facility.

Older scouts hiked Old Rag with backpacks, and split-off on the way down for "leave no trace" overnight camping in the National Park. You need a back country permit. No fires and no camping allowed above 2800 feet. There's a shelter on the way down that has some good camp sites. Hiking Old Rag with backpacks is hard, so do some classes ahead of time on how to pack light.

If you have multiple days, White Oak Canyon is another good day hike that is accessible from the same trailhead. Very nice waterfall.

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

Thanks! Great ideas! White Oak Canyon is actually the first place I ever went backpack camping. Would be very cool to go back there.

pennroyalk

4mo

Sherando Lake may be an idea. I’ve never actually been to the recreation area so take it with a grain of salt. But I know there are some loop hikes that could turn into some backpacking in the area. Depending on how many nights and miles/day you could come up with a few options. Look at Torry ridge hike and mills creek hike on hiking upward to see what I’m talking about.

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

Thanks! Will check that out

Character_Path3487

4mo

Blackburn Trail Center would be a good spot. They have a pretty good camping area, cabins even if you get lucky, and then they can hike up to the AT and go along it for a bit

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

Thanks, looks like a cool spot. The hike up to Feathertop looks interesting.

GREginRVA

4mo

What about one one of the Shenandoah campgrounds?

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Far-Perspective-4889

4mo

These would be great. I’ll suggest the troop look into them in the future. I love hiking/camping in Shenandoah. I should have mentioned that the troop prefers dispersed camping. Dundo with the 3 group sites might work, though.