Shenandoah State Park

$, Group Friendly, Needs a Car

If they had their druthers (or a private jet) CA Boy and DC Girl would spend their weekends hiking around California's Sierras or New Hampshire's White Mountains. But they have 101 days for this challenge, and start with a few smaller peaks a short drive away from the nation's capital. For their inaugural outdoor adventure. CA Boy and DC Girl join a group of friends in Shenandoah River State Park. The park rests on 1,604 acres in Bentonville, along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. It includes a few leisurely hikes and 5.6 miles of river frontage … the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon spent fishing and cooking. This is luxury car camping at its finest: bathrooms, showers, water spigots, and carts to wheel your stuff from the parking lot to the camping spot. This is the perfect destination for a group camping trip where you have mixed levels of interest in “roughing it.” Those more ambitious characters can use the park as a jumping off spot for nearby hikes, while others can hang out by the river and fish. A word of warning – be sure to reserve your spot far in advance, they book up fast!

Location and Directions

The park is located in Warren County, eight miles south of Front Royal and 15 miles north of Luray. It's off Rt. 340 in Bentonville. From D.C., take I-66 West to exit 13 (Linden). Turn left off the ramp. Go one block to a stoplight where you'll take a right onto Rt. 55 West. At the fifth stoplight, turn left onto 340 South. Drive eight miles; the park's entrance is on the right.

Tips

CA Boy takes car camping as a personal challenge to bring as much stuff as possible. Just think of all the stuff you CAN’T bring on a backpacking trip, and throw it in your car. Fishing poles, big tent, French press, queen size air mattress, Coleman stove, etc. If the kitchen sink could be transported, CA Boy would bring that too. But here are a few convenient tips for minimizing hassle on a group camping trip:

• Starbucks VIA coffee packets: terrible at work, fantastic outside. Forget the French press and bring a few of these for the group.
• Food: Divide the group into teams responsible for each meal. If you are the trip organizer, make clear that you (or an assignee) will bring standard cooking accessories and condiments.