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North Mountain Recreation

81%

· Back Creek, Frederick, Virginia

50.2 acres hosted by Jonathan O.

2 RV/tent sites

Near Shenandoah National Park

Within a 60-minute drive from the Front Royal.

Nomadic camping

Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.

The site was once part of a country club that included lakes, ponds, tennis courts, and even a ski lift. After falling into disrepair for years it has now been privatized and brought back to allow guests a chance to experience many of the former recreational options. Today, a stay allows renters a chance to camp on top of North Mountain overlooking the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains. In addition to gorgeous views, the site offers miles of roads to hike, bike, and explore as well as fishing ponds, a baseball field, and playground. The site also offers one of the best options for hikers and backpackers to access the Tuscarora Trail at roughly its midpoint along one of its most scenic stretches. Learn more about this land: The campsites sit at the very top of North Mountain, which dominates over the Shenandoah Valley at an elevation of almost 2400 feet. The sites are slightly sloping and rocky in places but have numerous plots to pitch a tent or set up your camper (campers will probably need to be leveled). The drive and immediate area around the sites offer spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains (see photos). However, the campsites are tucked into the pines and laurel for some protection from the elements and privacy (see photos). This obstructs your immediate views from the site especially in the summer when leaves set on. Nonetheless, you are literally camping on one of the highest peaks around. The site is dry and does not have facilities so you must bring all of your camping gear, food/water, and pack out all trash/waste. This includes a camp toilet (mandatory for site cleanliness). The sites offer access to an immense amount to do for the individual, couple, or family. Think of the sites as your base camp to park your gear much like at national parks. There is excellent access for day hikers and backpackers on the Tuscarora Trail via the Biby Trailhead just .8 miles down the scenic road (Timber Ridge Trail) traversing the ridgeline. The sites offer access to the trail at roughly the midpoint along one of its most scenic sections (Gore to Trout Pond). Many hikers looking to start or end their trek choose to use the campsite as their trailhead camp or place to drop vehicles. ***If you would like to use the site for long term parking while hiking the Tuscarora Trail, please contact me directly and this can be worked out. In addition, miles of well maintained public dirt and paved roads are available for walks, hikes, horseback riding, and biking. There is minimal traffic at the top of the mountain even though it is a residential area so people will often take walks or bike trips around this section. If you head down the mountain, you and/or your kids can enjoy the well maintained grass fields, a baseball diamond, playground with a jungle gym, and fishing ponds, which are part of the old development and open to the landowners and their guests in the community. There is also a lake, which is temporarily closed due to low water levels, but still pretty to view. If you aren't into logging miles on the trail, then set up your grill or kick back by the campfire and enjoy the fresh mountain air scented by pines atop North Mountain. The area was once part of a country club that even included a ski lift in years gone by. Today, in the valley as you enter the former "Shawneeland" development, you will be greeted by some old historic buildings from the days of the country club before driving through the old residential development and up North Mountain to the site. The site offers a nice cleared area for establishing your campsite on my private land, which affords you access to miles and miles of trails and roads as well as the large community area at the bottom of the mountain where you will find the recreational facilities. Tom's Market is also conveniently located just 10 minutes (about 4 miles) from the campsite as you enter Shawneeland for gas, snacks, firewood, and extras. The drive up the mountain is steep but paved and well maintained. Once on the ridge, you will follow relatively level paved road before turning onto a state-maintained dirt road for the last quarter mile. From there you will access the site via a dirt drive directly across from a county communications site. The site is accessible with 2WD vehicles, but if you intend to pull into a lower portion of the site or access the site during inclement weather (snow/ice), 4WD is necessary and always recommended rain or shine. The sites are established much like a park that allows campers to drive right into the site and setup on ground of their choosing. Each site has one established stone fireplace. This site can support either one large group or a few smaller groups. If you have a larger party, this can often be accommodated with early notice.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback riding

Natural features

Forest

Lake

Mountainous

Field

81%

13 ratings · 8 reviews

Etzio R.recommends

October 7, 2024

Site 1 - North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

Great setup!

Site 1 was great, the duo-firepit (not shaded) was the perfect area to socialize, while there are plenty of places to setup tents , hammocks, and park in the shade. We brought our dog knowing no one had Site 2 booked, although we quickly learned that the house across the street has two dogs, so there was some back and forth barking, but not enough to be an issue. (that really depends on the dog you might bring, the house with dogs seemed to be able to get their barking to stop on command )

Jeremy S.recommends

September 4, 2024

Site 1 - North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

The location is perfect and site is amazing! Great for kids to play all day withe the doggos! We will certainly be back! We had a class B...2 wheel drive van. No real driving or site issues with it. The fireplace and cool rock barriers round the trees is fun... We added our effort to improve it!

Dj M.recommends

October 30, 2023

Site 2 - North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

My girlfriend and I loved tent camping on Jonathan's land. We did see a black bear so please be sure to keep your area clean of leftover food and trash! Very nice wide open space as well as plenty of tress to setup a hammock. Would definitely come back again!

Kristine M.recommends

October 29, 2023

Site 1 - North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

Secluded site. Very relaxing. Didn’t mind no bathroom, electricity or toilet.

Gustavo P.recommends

October 11, 2021

North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

Wonderfully ecluded yet accessible

Awesome remote spot but still very accessible. The trail was very close by and fantastic. Jonathan was very helpful. We arrived late at night and had to call to find the spot. Very easy to see during the day. Overall great experience.

Johnie D.

September 7, 2021

North Mountain Tuscarora Trail Camp

Great for Nearby Hiking

I liked the location of the site. It was close to some great hiking trails. It's very, and I repeat very, rocky. If you plan to use a tent like I did, bring an air mattress to sleep on. I couldn't imagine sleeping without one. I had the whole place to myself and loved the seclusion. A large portion of the site (between the fire pit and left property side boundary) was overgrown with some type of giant 4 foot tall cotton-dandelion looking plants. There might have been some good places there to set up camp over there, but I am not really sure. I didn't want to go tearing them down while trooping through the area. Place is dog friendly and my dog liked exploring all around the area. Jonathan was great with answering questions and responded almost immediately. I'd definably stay again.

Location

Back Creek, Frederick, Virginia, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), Manahoac, and Massawomeck First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking