The Last Chance Fall VAR 2023
The Last Chance Fall VAR is two things. One, there wasn’t going to be a Fall VAR this year. With literally days left Tri-State Grotto stepped up as the last chance to have The Fall VAR. Second, this will likely be your last chance to camp out this year.
The dates of the VAR are October 20-22, 2023.
We will be staying at the Antietam Creek Campground, Antietam, MD
The campground is located near the mouth of the Antietam creek. Nearby towns are Sharpsburg, MD, and Shepherdstown, WV.
The campground is located between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. It is a walk-in campground. Canal Road parallels the campground. Parking is on the shoulder of one side of the road. This is the normal campground parking. Some of it is paved and some places it is level dirt. We cannot handle large self-contained units. Pop-ups are sketchy; you only have the shoulder for parking, then it drops off into the canal.
As like all National Parks, no alcohol is allowed.
There will be lead tours to several caves: Molars, Cricket Maze, Jones Quarry, and Donaldson caves.
You can also hike and bike the canal, or put a kayak into the Potomac River and paddle around.
Dinner Saturday night will be pulled pork, green beans, potato salad, and drinks. There will be a vegetarian option. You must request it on the pre-registration form.
Prices:
Pre-registration
Download the registration form and mail in with your payment. There is currently no option for on-line payment.
$35.00 - includes VAR fee, camping, lead trips on Saturday, and a dinner Saturday night. 18 and up.
$30.00 - 17 and younger includes camping, lead trips on Saturday, if capable, and a dinner Saturday night.
Free - 6 and under.
At the door
$40.00 includes VAR fee, camping, lead trips on Saturday.
Note: does NOT include Saturday night dinner.
$30.00 - 17 and younger includes camping, lead trips on Saturday, if capable. Note: does NOT include Saturday night dinner.
Directions to camp
From the South
Take I 81 North to Martinsburg, WV. Exit 12, 45 and 9 East, Winchester Ave. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow 9 East toward Charles Town.
Take exit 480 and 1, Kearneysville, Leetown. At end of ramp turn left toward Kearneysville Shepherdstown.
Follow 480 through Shepherdstown and across the Potomac River bridge. After you cross the bridge you will go up hill. At the top of the hill turn right onto Canal Road - It is a hairpin turn. This will take you down to the canal where it is a 90 degree left turn.
Take this a few miles and you will come to Millers Sawmill Road. Turn right here to stay on Canal Rd. This is a one lane road at this point. After a deep dip in the road, where you ford a creek in high water, it turns back into a two lane road and you are almost at the campground. Parking is on the right. Come down to the foot bridge and walk across to registration.
39.42149, -77.74857 Foot bridge in camp. Use this for your GPS.
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From the North
Take I 81 south to I 70 East. Follow I 70 east to Exit 29A 65 South Sharpsburg. Follow this to the stop sign in Sharpsburg. Turn right onto Main St.
At the square in Sharpsburg turn left onto S. Mechanic St. As you leave town this will turn into Harpers Ferry Rd.
You will go over a hump and pass a church on your left and then go down a hill, You will pass a farm on your right with a block building right beside the road. At the end of the fence you will turn right onto Canal Rd. You make a hard right and the campground is on the left. You will have to turn around to park.
39.42149, -77.74857 Foot Bridge to Registration.
39.42149, -77.74857 Foot bridge in camp. Use this for your GPS.
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From DC and Baltimore
From I-70 west. Take Exit 49, 40 ALT Braddock Heights, Middletown. At the end of the ramp, turn left toward Braddock Heights, Middletown. Go through both towns and continue to Boonsboro. Follow to first light in Boonsboro and make a left onto Potomac St. Follow this to Sharpsburg.
At the square in Sharpsburg turn left onto S. Mechanic St. As you leave town, this will turn into Harpers Ferry Rd.
You will go over a hump and pass a church on your left and then go down a hill, You will pass a farm on your right with a block building right beside the road. At the end of the fence you will turn right onto Canal Rd. Make a hard right and the campground is on the left. You will have to turn around to park.
39.42149, -77.74857 Foot Bridge to Registration.
