Prior to disembarking on my nomadic journey in my Jeep, my friend Adam Schalow, who runs @overland_history on Instagram, invited me to join him to explore Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and the surrounding area, on the weekend of March 11th and 12th.

Adam was unaware of my endeavor at the time, but by sheer coincidence, it was the perfect opportunity for me to kick off my adventure.

Camping at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area

Late at night, on Friday, March 10th, I joined Adam at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is approximately 23,000 acres of wilderness in eastern West Virginia. He was camped at Piney Point, overlooking Sleepy Creek Lake, with Jeremy, Jen, and their two girls, who run @family_adventures_overland on Instagram. I joined the crew around the campfire for a short time and then we all retreated to our rooftop tents.

The next morning, I made coffee within the comfort of my Jeep, and socialized as the others prepared breakfast. As it turns out, Jen is a wizard on the skottle. She artisanally prepared scrambled eggs with diced potatoes and sausage, which she was happy to share, and they were absolutely delicious.

Once everyone had their gear stowed, we set off for Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, which is approximately one hour to the east of our campsite at Sleepy Creek WMA.

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry is a quaint, historic town, best known for the abolitionist, John Brown’s raid on the armory during the Civil War, which ended in failure

Today, Harpers Ferry is a national park, and a tourist destination, dotted with charming restaurants, shops, and inns. It is also the headquarters for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as the Appalachian Trail passes through town.

Parking in Harpers Ferry was challenging, as the few public parking areas cost $10 per day. Everywhere else was residential, strictly controlled, and many of the lanes were too narrow for roadside parking. Don’t let this discourage you from visiting the town, but plan accordingly!

We parked at the train station, which is conveniently located adjacent to the town.

The first things that you’ll notice as you approach Harpers Ferry are its surrounding mountains and the massive cliff that looms over the town, which is neighbored by the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Since our whole group was adventurous by nature, we postponed our stroll through town to hike up to an overlook at the top of the cliff. While the terrain wasn’t too technical, it was a 5 mile round trip with some significant elevation changes!

The hike, part of the Maryland Heights Loop, crosses the Potomac River via a footpath on the side of the train bridge. This is impressive in itself, as you are in close proximity to passing trains, and you have a good view of the tunnel in the side of the mountain. For the length of this span, you are also on the Appalachian Trail.

The ascent up the mountain is a well-maintained, very wide hiking trail, that sees a lot of tourist traffic. Once you reach the highest elevation, the trail descends through a series of switchbacks before you reach the stunning overlook at the top of the cliff.

Following our return trip, we wandered around town to experience some of the shops, take in the charm, and to learn some of the history. Unfortunately, we didn’t want to set up camp in the dark, so we only got to check out a general store that was well-stocked with outdoor equipment, and a coffee shop. However, Harpers Ferry looks like a great place to stay at a bed and breakfast, and to enjoy a variety restaurants - especially during the warmer months, when it’s comfortable enough to eat outside.

The Return to Sleepy Creek

Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area is a superb destination for primitive, vehicle-supported camping. There are a few conveniences, such as bear poles, fire rings, trashcan clusters, and latrines. However, there are no buildings nearby, no running water, no electricity, and the campsites at Piney Point are adjacent to Sleepy Creek Lake.

Camping is available year-round, and costs $10 per night, payable by inserting your registration into a slot at a remotely-located kiosk.

Sleepy Creek Lake is a picturesque, 205 acre reservoir, well-suited for fishing and non-motorized boating. During our visit, the surface of the lake was dotted with ancient stumps and tree stems. I was tempted to put my kayak in for a relaxing float, despite the freezing temperatures!

Our crew settled in for the night, and once again, Jen fired up the skottle. This time, it was beef tips with vegetables. I hovered around the simmering entree, taking great care to to intercept the aroma, whichever way it permeated. As usual, it was flavorful and delicious. Cooking while camping is an art, and Jen from @family_adventures_overland might be a master.

That evening, we were greeted by Bryon Dorr from Exploring Elements, who was on-site to do a photo-shoot for a story on Adam’s capable Jeep Cherokee, which is ingeniously equipped for overland adventure. One of his most notable modifications is a pressurized, on-board, hot-water shower, with a hose in an access hatch located in the Jeep’s rear quarter.

After a good night’s sleep, we packed our vehicles, while Adam and Bryon commenced their photo-shoot. Shortly thereafter, everyone bid each other farewell, and we all went our separate ways in search of adventure.

About Chris Shontz

Chris Shontz (venture4WD) travels full time, throughout North America, in his Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. He publishes a new video every week on YouTube that is a compilation of his experiences, both on and off the beaten path. From 2017-2019, Chris chronicled his travels with weekly blog posts called 'Along For The Ride'.

Checkout what gear venture4WD relies on for his adventures.