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Primitive Camping and Backpacking in Virginia State Parks with Ranger Amelia Hulth, Powhatan State Park (Ep 76, Part 2) · Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!

• 0:00
  Jessica Bowser: Announcer, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia is a mecca for outdoor travel and adventure. Virginia outdoor adventures Podcast is your local guide for hiking, camping, kayaking, travel and so much more. Get the information and the inspiration to plan your own adventure right here in Virginia, I'm your host, Jessica Bowser, if you've ever dreamed of backpacking through the wild but felt unsure about jumping straight into the backcountry, primitive camping in Virginia State Parks might be your perfect middle ground Ranger.
• 0:36
  Jessica Bowser: Amelia Hall from Powhatan State Park describes how these minimalist camp sites offer just enough amenities to keep things comfortable while giving you a true taste of the Wild. We review each primitive campground, including distance to hike in terrain, difficulty level and amenities, from Belle Isles easy one and a half mile hike to scenic riverfront sites to the rugged, eight mile trek to falls cape that rewards you with remote, beachside solitude.
• 1:07
  Jessica Bowser: There's something for every skill level and sense of adventure, whether you're a beginner looking to build backpacking skills or a seasoned camper craving a quieter connection with nature. Virginia State Park's primitive camping experience is your gateway to a wilder Virginia. Let's go. This is part two of a two part episode. Virginia State Parks is offering visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore the natural and cultural wonders of Virginia. Diverse programming is designed to inspire curiosity, foster environmental stewardship and provide enriching outdoor experiences for families, students and nature enthusiasts alike, join us at Virginia State Parks for exciting, family friendly events and invite you to explore the outdoors for a full schedule of events, including park locations and program details. Click on Virginia State Parks events in your show notes, how much water does a backpacker need to carry for drinking and for meals, and do they need it for washing like how much water does someone need to have? Generally,
• 2:17
  Unknown: one liter for every two hours of hiking is what you want to pack for a backpack trip.
• 2:21
  Unknown: When we did our overnight trip to Belle Isle, I packed four liters of water and I emptied my Nalgene, you know, on our hike out and we cooked two meals while we were out in the field.
• 2:35
  Unknown: I think you always want to pack more than what you think you're going to need. And if you don't want to take on that weight of carrying all that water, you know, check in advance and see it's a primitive camp ground has potable water access. You know, if you've set up a base camp, you can hike out and load up on water and take it back. Or if you're camping somewhere where there's a street, you can purify it with a water filter or with treatment tablets, but generally one liter of every two hours of hiking is what you want to plan for another
• 3:10
  Jessica Bowser: reason why primitive campsites are like backpacking light because you may also have water there too.
• 3:16
  Jessica Bowser: Yeah, definitely. Do you have any creature comfort items now I know you do because I saw what was in your pack. So do you want to share any of them?
• 3:25
  Unknown: Yeah, I do have some creature comforts. And as I'm, like, getting older, I feel like I need so many more creature comforts. I'm just like, one step away from hiking with a down comforter. But yeah, one of my creature comforts is a small fleece blanket. I tend to get a little bit cold in the night, so a small fleece blanket. I did also camp at Belle Isle with foot warmers, the little like disposable foot pads that you can attach to your sock, and I use them. I also brought battery powered party lights to line up our campsite, but just make it like, you know, it's so fun, so fun.
• 4:05
  Jessica Bowser: I'm so glad you did that. It made for really great pictures. Okay, it's all about the gram, don't, you know, Amelia. And
• 4:14
  Unknown: then I also like to bake like a cup of hot tea at night before I go to bed. And then I also have a pocket size board game called Fargo. It's a little dice game. Didn't play it on this trip, but I always take it when I go backpacking, because it actually fits, if you can remember back to like, film cameras, the little canister that the film comes in, that's how big this board game is. So all the things I packed aren't super heavy or pick up a lot of space in my pack, and they, you know, they just made me feel better to see up on my blanket after a hot tea while watching our party lights. Yeah, that's
• 4:50
  Jessica Bowser: right, girl, we had so much fun. I also had a blanket with me. I had extra space in my pack because I didn't need to pack a bunch of extra meals or a bunch of extra water because we were just.
• 4:58
  Jessica Bowser: Doing one night. And I also didn't need to have a bear canister, because it was Belle Isle. So there was no, you know, no need for some of those other things. So it made a little bit of space for some other stuff.
• 5:11
  Jessica Bowser: Hand warmers and foot warmers, I feel like, are a must, especially in the spring, because it does still get cold at night or in the fall, right?
• 5:17
  Jessica Bowser: Like, unless it's summer, chances are it's going to get chilly at night and having something to keep you warm.
• 5:24
  Jessica Bowser: Because I don't know about you, but I can't sleep if I'm cold, like even if my entire body is covered up, but just my face is poking out of the sleeping bag and my nose is cold, I still can't sleep. I don't know what's wrong with me. By having, you know, those extra hand warmers and foot warmers make a really big difference. And I had, like, double and triple layer everything, even though it was April, I still had, like, fleece leggings underneath my fleece pants, and like, two pairs of socks and gloves and hats and like everything I was bundled up like an Eskimo to make sure I was warm enough, yeah,
• 6:02
  Unknown: and I mean, but we also hiked. We hiked a mile, a mile and a half in with our gear, and then we hiked like five or six miles throughout the park on the trails too. So you know, we were still doing some rigorous outdoor activity, and so we had fatigue, which, you know, can make it harder to regulate your temperature. So I was happy to have my foot warmers and my extra blanket, no shame, absolutely.
• 6:25
  Jessica Bowser: And that also reminds me that having extra sets of clothing can be really crucial, because we were hiking during the day and it was hot and we were sweating, and we were carrying all that gear into the campsite, so all my clothes were soaked through with sweat.
• 6:38
  Jessica Bowser: And if that had been the only set of clothes I had, then I would have been in trouble, because, like, my clothing would have been wet the rest of the night and into the next day, and in extreme temperatures, that can mean hypothermia. So like, having extra sets of clothes are also really important. Are there any options for gear rental or consignment for folks who are needing to purchase gear or needing to borrow gear, but aren't ready to commit to it yet, depending
• 7:06
  Unknown: on your location and what your local outfitter is, you know, there may be options where you can visit, you can go in, talk to somebody that works there, and they can help you try on the gear. They may have options where you can rent use gear, depending on where you live, there may be like a local outdoor club where you can join, like a swap meet, or they'll have, like an annual, like yard sale of outdoor gear. You can also join, like a beginner backpacking program. We have some of those in Virginia state parks, and so will your local outfitter. So I would recommend, like, trying different gear before you get committed on a certain color or, like, a certain leader of pack. I mentioned earlier, watching YouTube is a great resource to watch people that are doing this all the time and see what you like about their gear. But yeah, I think starting with your local outfitter is a is a good way for beginners to see what types of gear out there and what they like, yeah. And I
• 8:10
  Jessica Bowser: also think that if you start looking around, you might be surprised at what you find. River Rock outfitter in Fredericksburg has an entire consignment section to their store. But then also, I recently learned that like, Harrisonburg Public Library does a gear rental swap program, I think, and so they've got all kinds of brand new outdoor gear that you can go in and check out, just like you would check out a library book. So like, look around and you might find something in your area that you didn't even know was there that is a really great option for trying things out, and especially when it comes to, like packs, right? Because I feel like a pack is something that you have to really it's a real personal choice, and it's got to fit you just right, because the last thing you need is an uncomfortable pack or something that is rubbing or chafing in a weird place, or, you know, is giving you pain, like you don't want to order a pack online and then just take it out for the first time, like you need to go into the store and actually have somebody who works there help you try it on and get you fitted for it, and to make sure that you understand how to put it on, and you know where to pull all the tabs and the straps and the things like that, and to be like, perfectly comfortable in it, and to know it's going to work for you, it's funny
• 9:24
  Unknown: you say that. So when I first started out on the Appalachian Trail, I had a backpack where the internal frame collapsed, like, gosh, like, like, four weeks into the trip, and it was just like, digging into my spine in between my shoulder blades. We went to Damascus for, like, their Appalachian trails days, which is like a big community festival all about backpacking, and the company that I had in my pack from had a table set up there, and I was like, Hey, here's my pack. Like this happened, and they swapped it out and fitted me with a brand new pack right there that was like, so much better for. My body and, like, I'm so grateful because I was able to continue on, you know, like, an additional 600 miles after that, but that digging in my back, it was, like it was always going to break
• 10:11
  Jessica Bowser: me, I'll bet, yeah, something like that that makes or breaks your trip.
• 10:15
  Unknown: And the same goes for things like shoes. You know, you definitely don't want to go out on a backpack when you trip, or a hiking, even just, you know, day hiking and a brand new pair of boots.
• 10:24
  Jessica Bowser: Yeah, that's the fastest way to get blisters.
• 10:27
  Jessica Bowser: Yeah,
• 10:27
  Unknown: and, you know, I should have said this earlier, you know, mentioning blisters and things to pack. You also want to take, like, a mini first aid kit when you go camping, just some basic things, band aids, Benadryl, Sting treatment, burn treatment, burn treatment, those types of things, but you definitely want to pack up our safety
• 10:44
  Jessica Bowser: and yeah, that's one of the 10 essentials. And actually, when you and I went to Belle Isle, I was wearing a well worn pair of trail runners that I've had for two years now that have never, ever given me any issues, and I ended up with the blister on the top of one of my little toes, and that's never happened before. I don't know if it was the additional weight it had open. It had been the additional weight that I'm not used to carrying, and it gave me blisters. So I didn't expect it, but I did have band aids, because it's one of the 10 essentials to have in your pack.
• 11:14
  Jessica Bowser: So if I had not had band aids, I would have been in a world of hurts, adventures. Seekers will find endless opportunities in Grayson County, where many of Virginia's iconic trails and landmarks excite hikers, cyclists, paddlers and happy campers alike. Imagine this.
• 11:35
  Jessica Bowser: You're hiking on one of the most scenic sections of the entire Appalachian Trail through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, summiting mount Rogers or white top mountain, the two highest peaks in Virginia, or strolling through the valley of elk garden, where the now extinct Eastern elk once roamed. Or maybe your perfect day is on the water. Grayson County is home to the New River, one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in the world, enjoy a leisurely class one float with the family or adrenaline packed class three rapids. Navigate the waters using the New River float calculator to plan your trip.
• 12:10
  Jessica Bowser: The App factors flow rate, water levels, weather conditions, vessel type and more to calculate float times from point A to point B. Prefer two wheels.
• 12:22
  Jessica Bowser: You won't want to miss the Grayson gravel traverse, a 72 mile mixed surface gravel bike route that connects the Virginia Creeper trail and new river trail over well maintained and remote roads featuring a variety of challenging climbs in the foothills of Virginia's highest peaks. This overlooked gem of Virginia presents some of the best gravel cycling in the state, mostly unwritten and undiscovered after a day of adventure, there's nothing like gathering around a campfire under a sky filled with stars.
• 12:52
  Jessica Bowser: Grayson County offers plenty of spots to pitch a tent like the New River campground or cozy up in a rustic cabin at the Bucha wild reserve. Discover why Virginia is for outdoor lovers.
• 13:04
  Jessica Bowser: Start your Grayson County adventure at the historic 1908 courthouse and visitor center, or access the visitors guide online by clicking on visit Grayson County in the show notes of your podcast listening app.
• 13:22
  Jessica Bowser: If people are ready to make a reservation at a primitive campsite, where do they go? What do they do?
• 13:28
  Unknown: So to make a reservation, you can go online to reserveva parks.com or you can call the reservation center by phone at 1-800-933-7275 at and either of those options will help you make a reservation you're actually in a park. You can also check with the park office, with their staff, to see what they have available.
• 13:51
  Jessica Bowser: Perfect. I'll drop those in the show notes, so that people will have that information at their fingertips.
• 13:57
  Jessica Bowser: Do you have any tips for making a reservation during peak season, because I know some of these primitive campsites get super busy.
• 14:06
  Unknown: Well, yeah, it's all about the experience. You want to experience that backpacking trip and post it on the gram. As you said earlier, my advice would be to plan ahead. You can reserve a campsite up to 11 months in advance if you're also trying to camp during peak season, which for us would be like Memorial weekend to labor and Day weekend. I would look at seeing if you have the flexibility to camp during the week rather than on a weekend, planning ahead 11 months in advance. That's when you can make a campsite reservation. I would also call and talk to the staff at the park office. They can make recommendations as well about which campsites they may recommend or the best times to visit their campsite.
• 14:49
  Jessica Bowser: Hey, adventure seekers, can you believe I traveled 10,043 miles across Virginia last year? Yep, over 10,000 miles in search of the best trail. Parks and base camps to help you plan your next adventure. If you've enjoyed discovering these hidden gems and want to hear more, consider supporting the podcast through my buy me a coffee page. Your contribution, whether it's a one time tip or a monthly membership, helps cover the cost of creating these episodes and keeps the adventure going. Every bit helps fuel the journey, plus members get some awesome perks.
• 15:23
  Jessica Bowser: So head to my buy me a coffee page by clicking on support the show. In your show notes, shout out to the newest members of Virginia outdoor adventures.
• 15:33
  Jessica Bowser: Anne from Fredericksburg, Matt from Roanoke. Barb from Chesterfield, Lori from Norfolk, Rafael from Falls Church, Kevin from Richmond and Allison from clear Brook. Thanks for helping me share Virginia's wildest, most inspiring places one adventure at a time. I wanted to take a moment to talk about Virginia state parks. Let's go adventures program. I did an episode on let's go adventures last season, and I will link it in the show notes, so for anybody who missed it, they can listen. But Virginia State Parks offers let's go adventures programs, which are educational programs to teach people about things like orienteering or archery or camping or fly fishing. And this year, they've added a brand new program to let's go adventures, and that's backpacking. And this course will teach people how to backpack, and they will provide you with all of the supplies that you need as part of the course to use during the course, so that you can try things out and get a feel for what you like and what you need and how to use the gear, and so I just wanted to give this a plug, because this is a wonderful opportunity for anybody who's thinking that maybe they'd like to take a class or a course on backpacking. Virginia State Parks actually offers that now, I did take a quick peek at the calendar before we started recording to see when the upcoming let's go adventures backpacking courses are and right now, it looks like they just have a few on the calendar, and they seem to be mostly at macho comico State Park. But I talked to the staff, and they told me that they are in the process of adding more. So if this is something that interests people like keep an eye on the let's go adventures page on the Virginia State Parks website for upcoming programs. Amelia, do you have any other advice for first time backpackers?
• 17:28
  Unknown: My last advice would be just remember that when you're taking trips like this, it's not about the vials, it's all about the smiles. So you tailor this experience to yourself, and for me, when I'm backpacking or primitive camping, it's because I want to have a closer connection with nature, and so I hope when you're planning your trip, you'll do the same.
• 17:52
  Jessica Bowser: That is really great advice. Familia, how can listeners connect with you?
• 17:58
  Unknown: So I'm the park manager at Powhatan State Park, and we have a primitive campground, so I hope to see you there, or you can send me an email or stop by the Parker office anytime,
• 18:10
  Jessica Bowser: I will drop links to your parks website. All of the parks that have primitive campgrounds will be linked in the show notes and social media pages. Thank you so much, Ranger Amelia, for joining us and for sharing your expertise on backpacking. I encourage everyone to plan their first or their next backpacking trip in a Virginia State Park. Check the show notes for links to the reservation system for let's go backpacking and the recommended parks. Ranger Amelia, it's been fun. I had a very enjoyable time backpacking with you at Belle Isle State Park, and hopefully I will see you out in a Virginia State Park really soon. Thank
• 18:51
  Unknown: you so much for having me adventure on
• 18:56
  Jessica Bowser: Virginia.
• 18:56
  Jessica Bowser: Outdoor Adventures is inspired by and supported by listeners like you, which is why your messages and feedback mean so much to me. You can text me directly by clicking on Send Jessica a text message in your show notes. I answer questions, respond to comments and share your feedback on the show. Never miss a new episode. Sign up for my email newsletter and receive my listener resource guide with the top podcast episodes, a Virginia outdoor bucket list and exclusive brand discounts for my listeners. Click on newsletter, sign up in your show notes or visit virginiaoutdoor adventures.com thanks for listening until next time.
• 19:38
  Jessica Bowser: Adventure on you.