Winter Camping
The Rapidan cabins were not constructed for use in cold weather; Hoover's administration was absent in the winter. Nonetheless, many people stay at Rapidan Camps during the winter (and have a wonderful time doing it). It is very important that you be prepared for a winter camping experience. It is recommended but not required that renters have stayed at Rapidan Camps in the spring, summer or fall before reserving a cabin in the winter. Winter challenges are the weather, road condition, no running water and heating the cabins with a woodstove.
Non-members may reserve cabins in advance during the period from late October through mid-April. (For more information about reservations, see the Reservations page.) This period also includes most hunting seasons that apply to the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area.
Water
Piped-in water is generally unavailable from late November through March, to prevent damage from pipes freezing. If the water is turned off when you arrive at camp, and you attempt to restore water flow, we will bill you for all plumbing and cabin flood damage that results during and after your stay.
Drinking water is almost always available at the spring itself, 1/4-mile up the road, through a pipe. You should bring milk jugs or other containers to carry water back to camp and store it there or bring your own water supply. (The same warning applies to this spring water as to the water piped in during warm months—you should bring it to a boil before drinking, washing dishes, or use another commercial filtration or purification system.) We have replaced countless heating elements after campers have tried to activate the water heaters when there was no water in them. Do not attempt to use the water heaters if tap water is not flowing. If the water happens to fail while you are at camp, please turn off the water heater at the circuit breaker box or auxiliary power box. When water isn't flowing, you may wish to flush toilets with river water instead of spring water, because it is sometimes easier to obtain water from the river near cabin 5. (You should never drink water from any river or stream without treating it, so keep river water separate from drinking water.) Toilets are flushed by pouring a bucket-full of water into the bowl. When you leave camp, and on extremely cold nights, pour into the bowl a half-cup of non-toxic RV anti-freeze. Do not ever pour anything into the tank—only the bowl.
Winter Supplies
Remember that the mountains are much colder than the valley. (A general winter rule-of-thumb is that the temperature is about 15 degrees colder at camp than at the bottom of the mountain. The weather is unpredictable and at times does agree with forecasts. Temperatures below zero and snowfall of 10” or more are not uncommon. Bring ample warm clothing and bedding; sleeping bags suitable for cold weather are recommended. Bring a day or two of extra provisions if the forecast is for snow. The camp does not supply firewood. You must bring or gather your own. Camp has a weather station at camp for real time weather forecast. Click on “Weather” on the home page of the website
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area just outside camp for most of the winter. Virginia hunting seasons and laws apply there. Hunting is always prohibited on Rapidan Camps property. We take care to rent only to responsible hunters. The discharge of firearms on camp property is not allowed. If you see anyone behaving irresponsibly with a gun on camp property, please let us know; contact the registrar, Tina Fox at registrar@rapidancamps.org or Camp President JD Foster at jdfoster1@cox.net.
With proper preparation, one can enjoy winter camping.
