Greenbrier State Park, Boonsboro, MD

Camping at Greenbrier State Park has been a cherished tradition for my wife and me since 2014. We were first introduced to the world of camping through Oakbrook Community Church in Reston. Back then, the church organized an annual Memorial Day weekend campout, with 10–15 families participating. In 2014, the Whitney’s—longtime campers from the church with over 20 years of experience—invited us to join. Though we agreed somewhat hesitantly, we were provided with gear and guidance, making it easier to give camping a try. We haven’t looked back since.

Except for missing one year due to the pandemic, we’ve returned every Memorial Day weekend. Although members from Oakbrook eventually stopped camping. Neither we nor the Whitney’s attend the church anymore. A year later after we started, we introduced camping to some of our close family friends, and since then, it’s become an annual group adventure.

Greenbrier State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Reston, VA. The park has four camping loops, but only Cedar Loop offers electrical hookups. If you’re bringing a dog, Dogwood Loop and Cedar Loop are the only one that allow pets. Over the years, we’ve tried all the loops. We started with Loop A, which is near the lake, but for the past several years, we’ve preferred Cedar Loop. On the last day of every trip, we usually go online and reserve our spots for the following year. Unfortunately, due to upcoming bathroom renovations, all campsites will be closed next year, so we’ll have to find a new location.

My wife and I usually take the Friday off to prepare our gear and aim to arrive at the campsite by early afternoon. That way, we can set up the tent before the rest of the group arrives. We’re often the first ones there. Over the years, we’ve camped through storms and heavy rain, but that hasn’t stopped us from coming back. We always make sure our tents are securely staked and use a tarp for added protection. Each of the five families in our group has its own campsite, and one of them hosts our shared kitchen setup. Everyone brings food, and meals are a communal affair.

For us, camping is all about relaxation, fun, and hiking. Personally, my favorite part is waking up early, building the fire, brewing fresh coffee, and enjoying peaceful mornings by the fire.

Trip Highlights – Memorial Day Weekend 2025

May 23, 2025 – Friday

As usual, my wife and I arrived first and set up our tent. One family drove in from Pittsburgh and another from Harrisburg, PA. Everyone helped each other with setting up tents and tarps. These days, we all use modern tents that are easy to assemble, taking about 15–20 minutes. In contrast, during our early years, setting up camp was a struggle and often led to frustration—especially between my wife and me!

We brought fried rice to share for dinner. As the evening progressed, we gathered firewood from the woods around our site and built a fire. Dinner was followed by laughter and sharing stories. We usually head to bed by 10 PM.

May 24, 2025 – Saturday

Big Red Trail (Clockwise)

We started the day with breakfast—something I typically handle each year. The menu included bread, eggs, sausage, bacon, and coffee or tea.

This year, we decided to stay closer to the campsite and hiked the Big Red Trail clockwise. It’s about 6 miles and considered moderately challenging, usually taking 2–3 hours to complete. A section of the trail was closed for habitat restoration, but the rest was in decent condition. Near the north parking lot, new bridges have improved the trail significantly. It was an enjoyable and manageable hike. The afternoon was spent cooking, chatting, and relaxing.

May 25, 2025 – Sunday After breakfast, we hiked the Big Red Trail again, this time counter-clockwise. The route took a bit longer since we explored different internal paths. As mentioned, some areas were closed, and new segments had opened up, which made it an interesting experience. We paused mid-hike to rest, hydrate, and share fruit.

May 26, 2025 – Monday

Our final day began with a morning fire and freshly brewed coffee. We sat together by the fire, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. For brunch, we cooked whatever leftovers we had. Afterward, we packed up our gear, took down the tents, loaded the cars, and said goodbye to our friends—already looking forward to next year.

This was our third camping trip of the year. In early March, my wife and I camped at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park. In April, we experienced beach camping for the first time at Assateague National Seashore. It’s been a blessing to enjoy the outdoors and explore God’s creation throughout the seasons.