Heyyoooo! We’re going to take a quick break from the Utah series to highlight our recent camping trip to West Virginia. If you’re ever traveling through the mountain state, be sure to check out Coopers Rock State Park. In this post, I’ll highlight our chill time there for a 2 day trip, and our favorite short, but sweet trails to hike. Legoooo!
Truck Camping vs. Tent Camping: What We’re Planning Next
They call it car camping, but since we have a truck it’s technically truck camping…but that just doesn’t sound as cool, right? There are so many ways you can camp these days, including out of a cab on your truck bed like the neighbors we had at the park! It was pretty cool to see the build out IRL, (in real life), showing that if you wanted to bring a friend, you don’t always have to make sure there are two tent spots!
We’d like to consider this option someday, especially when we plan travel to grizzly country. Your girl is NOT trying to get her tent stomped (or herself) by a bear, mmkay. So at that point, we hope to have a vanlife or trucklife build out that will be used to camp in not so tent-friendly areas. Stay tuned, friends!
When Plans Change: Swapping the Grand Canyon for Coopers Rock
As for Coopers Rock, you may be wondering how this came about, so allow me to explain. We had obtained permits for hiking the North to South Rim of the Grand Canyon, a trip I was seriously looking forward to. HOWEVER. As the dates got closer and closer, we knew deep down we were not trained enough or prepared enough to embark on this extremely hot journey in the start of July.
(Check out this link if you’re looking how to snag a permit for the Grand Canyon)
We went back and forth for 2 months deciding whether or not to push ourselves to keep our plan, but in the end we decided that it would be much more enjoyed later in summer or early fall when the heat isn’t so crazy and we have a little more training under our belts. Life has put a lot on our plate lately, so therefore we didn’t get in the training we would have liked to do. (And that happens sometimes! Learning to ebb and flow with the cycles of life is just something we as humans need to learn to adapt to).
I’d like to point out that it’s okay to say no to things as well. Even though we talk all the time on this blog about being okay with being uncomfortable, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons, too, and make sure you’re not putting yourself or your loved ones in a comprising position. It still remains on our near future to-do list, but we are content with the decision to let our bodies and minds rest instead of pushing them yet again to their limits when we’re already pretty burned out.
From Dolly Sods to Coopers Rock: A Stormy Detour
Coopers Rock came into play after we planned to backpack the Dolly Sods Wilderness. We went to Seneca Rocks last fall and it was absolutely beautiful, so we’ve been itching to go back to the area to get some backpacking in. Butttt then a whole bunch of rain decided it was coming that way and so yet again, we were forced to rethink our plans.
Although it rained heavily the first night with lightning and thunder at Coopers Rock, it was blissful to be able to enjoy the nature around us and listen to the storm instead of our neighbors. (Please, please, please be mindful of others while in campgrounds peeps, everyone is there to enjoy their time and space, so please be considerate with your music, lights, and semi-excessive noise). 🙂
We worked on Friday, which meant we had to be packed and ready to leave when we got home. (Which actually pushed me to pack way less because of the lack of time I had to dedicate to it). And although there are a few things that were left behind, it was super easy to pack back up and less stressful than having forty different totes and bags to remember everything we brought along.
For reference, we packed one backpack each (using our handy-dandy Osprey day packs), which held our clothes, chargers and toiletries. One tote for room-temp items such as utensils, cookware and snacks. One tote for camping gear, and one cooler to hold our cold food items. (And sparkling water, of course. My favorite is Topo-Chico). 😌
Here’s what we packed in the camping tote if you’re wondering:
- Two ultra-light camping chairs (for when the picnic table was drenched)
- Two couch pillows since yours truly forgot where the camping pillows were, no judging 🤷♀️
- Sleeping pad (definitely brought the smaller one by mistake). 🤦♀️
- Medium sized quilt & sheet set for the pad (may or may not have forgotten the fitted sheet)
- Two hammocks (please remember to unhook yours before a storm so they stay dry! obvs speaking from experience)
- First aid kit
- Citronella candles
- Propane for the grill
- Matches (Bring a spare…and don’t get them rained on). 😁
And we also brought our new portable Blackstone grill (which I’m still deciding on if I like…but the hubs insisted).
Here’s a few things that are on our list for next time to invest in:
- Lightweight camping plates and/or bowls (You’ll see the ceramic ones I brought this time instead in the next post)
- A pop-up tent to go over the picnic table when it storms 🙈
- A tent organizer like this one from Amazon to curate the chaos
- Slip on sandals (so I can wear my socks with them instead of flip flops)…this may seem ridiculous, but it’s the little things, okay?
- Wind/waterproof matches so we don’t have to light our fire with fire from the grill. 🙂
Our experience here was a super pleasant one. It was peaceful, quiet most of the time, and the weather was good to us except for the one night and mid-afternoon. Which actually allowed us time to go in the tent and get some reading done while it settled down. My favorite book right now is “Fast Like A Girl” by Dr. Mindy Pelz, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know. (Including you!)
It’s eye-opening to see some of the research and facts surrounding fasting and how it can seriously benefit us women in particular. Check it out if you’re intrigued!
What to Expect at Rhododendron Campground in Coopers Rock
Now, let me tell you about these epic, short but sweet trails, yes?
We hiked two (and a half) trails while we were here. It was just enough to get the body moving. Yet not so much that we were completely tanked at the end. They were short, ranging from under a mile to 5 miles (if you connect them like we did), but they did not disappoint.
We stayed at the Rhododendron Campground, (which we found through this site) which was pretty far from the highway when you take the exit. We initially went the wrong way, which landed us on the wrong side of the highway but had a cabin there that provided us with a map of the area so we knew where to go.
It was $31.99/night for a non-electric campground, and under $10 for firewood when you got to the lodge. (They also sell ice cream in a cooler…and crystals and beaded bracelets! One of my favorite pickups besides a new sticker for our sticker collection which we started when we decided we wanted to stop taking up so much room with souvenirs). Keep in mind this place is only open from 10am to 6pm! So if you get there later around 7pm like we did, you’ll have to forego any goodies for the evening.
We hit up the Ravens Rock Trail that was recommended by a friend. It offered a beautiful wide view of the land *including* a sweet shot of Coopers Rock from afar! It was steep but manageable, offering pretty views the whole way through of ferns, forest, and even a creek.
Check out a few photos below! 👇
Hiking to Henry Clay Furnace at Coopers Rock
We also hiked part of the Roadside Trail leading up to Ravens Rock, (which you can also use to get to our second hike, Henry Clay Furnace). The furnace was NOT was I was expecting. It was an incredibly beautiful trail, with the flowers blooming and forest all around. It was also semi-steep, but entirely worth the effort.
Once you get to the bottom of the trail where the furnace is, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the 100+ homes that used to be here along with a whole plethora of other town buildings. It was a thriving community and yet another lesson about how Mother Nature can take back what’s hers over the course of time. The only thing left standing now is the furnace, which is covered is magnificent moss and vines. Check it out. 👇
A Gentle Reminder to Rest, Reflect, and Reconnect
I want to close out this post with a few last thoughts. One, don’t forget to stop back soon to see how we budget for camping trips! And two, to close your eyes and try to remember what places were like before we got here. What was your town like before your family settled there? Was your neighborhood new? Or was it a thriving old town that has been rebuilt from the ground up?
We see abandoned towns, cities, and homes all over that Mother Nature has claimed again as her own. Being a human in this wonderful world is an epic journey. Being able to view the past in your imagination is a gift. I challenge you to embark on more of these imaginative journeys. Try to be more mindful of your time and the space around you.
Keep our earth beautiful, leaving only footsteps on trails and campsites. Keep it simple by packing things in and out with you on treks. And keep adding love to others and to yourself, and you will find that love, kindness and joy circles right back. Get outside more in nature, breath in the fresh air and step away from the work scene even if it’s just for a short weekend. Turn off your notifications and bring a book or two so that you can recharge and relax where you can truly thrive.
Keep being awesome friend, and I’ll see you soon. ✨⛺️
Thank You For Reading “Coopers Rock Car Camping & The Henry Clay Furnace Trail”
Thanks for tagging along with me on another little chapter of this life journey—this time to Coopers Rock State Park. 🌲 Have you ever hiked out to see the old Henry Clay Furnace? It’s one of those spots that makes you feel like you stepped straight into history.
Was this post helpful? Did it just make you want to lace up your hiking boots and go again? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Until next time, keep wandering, keep wondering, and keep making space for what fills you up. 💛
