We had pulled out from Richmond, VA, late in the afternoon heading for Louisville, KY. I had no idea how far we would drive or where we would stop for the night. I simply figured that we would find a place to land when we were ready to stop.
The only problem with this plan is that I-64 across the West Virginia Mountains is not overly populated with campgrounds, especially those capable of handling a big rig. If you look in the Eastern Section of the 2010 directory you will find a scant five pages of campground listings for WV – those on I-64 are far and few between.
Using the Woodall’s Campground Directory, we located two facilities that were not too far from us. One was at exit 161 in Alderson and the other at exit 150 at Dawson. I decided to take the exit off of I-64 for the first facility listing.
Whoa Nellie… there was a tunnel smack dab in front of us with a 9’ 10” maximum height clearance! With a rig standing 13’ tall there was NO way we were going to get to this campground. Time to turn around and head back out on I-64.
Back to Woodall’s Directory and the second option, Summer Wind RV Overnight Park in Dawson, WV. The two diamonds Woodall’s rating in the big book was disappointing, but it was getting late and our choices were limited. I called the number listed in the directory and told the park host we were in a BIG rig that was 61’ long. He responded, “No problem, I’ll be waiting for you to escort you in.”
Just as promised, the campground host was standing at the campground entrance when we arrived. He walked us over to an empty pull-thru site that would easily accommodate a 100’ long rig. It was a grass site with some gravel. Full 50 amp electric, water and sewer.
But, it was not the site that impressed us. It was the magnificent view across the mountains and valleys. As we were standing there looking out over the landscape, a rainbow appeared over the top of an old barn. I did not have my Olympus camera handy so I reached for my Palm Pre and made the shot before the rainbow disappeared.
As it turns out the campground was once a farm. The owners decided that they no longer wanted to farm the land so they turned it into a campground. There are both full hook-up and partial to no hook-up sites. Adjacent to the camping area is a clean bath house.
The campground host was tremendously friendly and helpful. We immediately felt at home and ended up spending over an hour engaged in a fascinating discussion about the similarity of our educational background.
What it all comes down to is that campgrounds do not have to have a swimming pool, store, playground or hayrides to be great places to camp. The entertainment at Summer Wind was the view and the comrade of the people there.
To us, it quickly became a jewel in the rough that afforded a great evening and overnight stay.
If you ever cross the WV Mountains you should spend a night at Summer Wind in Dawson. Don’t pay any attention to the two diamond rating in the book – this is a five diamond overnight park with nice grass sites, clean bath house, friendly people and a beautiful view.
Campers nestled in for the night at Summer Wind.
Hicks David Dottie
We stay here often, fantastic sites and a welcoming host.
Hicks David Dottie
We stay here often, fantastic sites and a welcoming host.
Summerwind RV Park
The website address is; http://summerwindrvpark.vpweb.com/
Marty Gossett
Beautiful peaceful place to park in. A nice surprise coming off Rt64. Host is an interesting man and welcoming. Great area to let our dog run also. From Hideaway Hills, Ohio.
Ajan Jackson
My wife and I stayed there the night of June 24,2014 in a 28 foot Class C motorhome. We are an older couple and simply loved the view and friendliness of the caretaker. The bathrooms and showers were clean, sites level (gravel) and lots of green grass between sites and throughout the park. We had a 30 amp full hookup and were quite pleased with the campsite. It is close to the highway but we could hardly hear the traffic. Being on a nearly treeless small hilltop there is no protection from the wind if a storm comes through. We would stay there again if anywhere near the area.
jeff
having rved going on 9 years, have been all over the usa,
so many out of the way campgrounds that are so good,
in the 9 years only took my keys and locked the car and MH doors 5 times
was able to see so many great places,
Then in june 2010, after having great problems with swallowing , had some test done in durham, NC
found out have have esophgus cancer, they thought stage 5, later find out stage 4
so came out to calif to be with family and freinds
the Motorhome broke 3 times, at which time I just sold it coaught a plane
sold my whole life for pennies
my days of full time rving are over,
now in treatment, radiation and chemo
outlook not good
but heh, I got to travel the USa while I had my health
never bored in all that time
jeff
Karen
This is a great place for a camping trip. One of the hardest things in the preparation for a camping trip is the selection of the place to visit… and this blog is just so helpful to those who are planning for a camping trip this season.
Janet
Thanks for this posting. We are from Baltimore and want to find more great places that we can reach easily for a quick weekend trip. We will be sure to add this one to our “to go” list!